Alaska Whale Watching Guide: Best Time and Place to See Whales

Table Of Content

• Our Top Alaska Whale-Watching Tours
• What Species of Whales Can You Spot on an Alaskan Cruise?
• What to Expect on Your Alaska Whale-Watching Tour
• Best Time To See Beluga Whales In Alaska

From my experience, I wouldn’t recommend spending my time trying to take a bunch of photos on your iPhone. I don’t often go back and look at these videos and the actual experience gets a bit lost. I also don’t think these photos/videos turn out very good unless you’re really close to a whale. Humpback whales are large, often growing to be feet long and weighing 80,000 pounds. In Alaska when they’re constantly eating, they can gain 12 pounds per hour!

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Our Top Alaska Whale-Watching Tours

Cruising to Alaska in September has many benefits of the peak season (milder weather and good wildlife viewing) with less expensive prices and fewer tourists. On the water, we rarely passed any other ships or boats, aside from fishermen out for their catches. This month brings cooler weather and more rain but fails to dampen the high spirits on cruise ships.

What Species of Whales Can You Spot on an Alaskan Cruise?

While we’ve had our share of foggy days and rain-soaked tours, these experiences only add to Alaska’s untamed allure. You’re not guaranteed to see whales up close, but the impressions you’ll walk away with are invaluable. They instill a sense of humility and awe for the untamed world around us. While some photos may not be picture-perfect due to challenging weather conditions or distant whale sightings, they offer a genuine glimpse of what you can truly expect on such an adventure. Whether you’re arriving by plane, car, or cruise ship, Alaska’s prime whale-watching locations are easily accessible.

What to Expect on Your Alaska Whale-Watching Tour

No matter which of these whale watching tours you choose, you will get an email confirmation with a designated meeting spot near the cruise port. Whale watching in Alaska is more than just a tourist activity; it’s a journey into the wild. Our top three spots that we can’t recommend enough are Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Seward.

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The truth is that both of these stretches can allow for an exciting and memorable experience. You must remember that Alaska is a rugged landscape that poses countless challenges for human life, so these cruises will never be as tranquil as a tropical cruise. If you want to avoid the cooler temperatures and potential for rain, you may want to choose the late summer to early fall. With that in mind, recognize that you may have to contend with larger crowds and the dreaded Alaskan mosquito swarms.

To help you choose which is the best month for you, we’ve created this month-by-month guide to the Alaskan cruise season. Based on our own journey, this tour offered us a thrilling experience, complete with sightings of whales, sea lions, and even bald eagles. It’s a must-do for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Alaska’s wild beauty fully. While each departure point has its merits, we found our trip from Valdez to be particularly rewarding. The weather was more favorable, and the whale sightings were spectacular.

ALASKA WHALE WATCHING & WILDLIFE

In addition to cooler temperatures, there is a higher tendency for rain during the late spring. Agnes Stabinska is the creative force and co-founder behind the Alaska Itinerary blog. With a degree in Tourism Management and postgraduate studies in Journalism, Agnes combines academic expertise with real-world experience.

Best Time To See Beluga Whales In Alaska

Chris and I are not just travel bloggers but wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who have explored Alaska’s coasts multiple times. From road trips to cruises, we’ve prioritized whale watching on each journey, capturing these majestic creatures through our lenses. We’ve navigated from Juneau to Seward, gathering first-hand experiences that we’re eager to share. We love wildlife photography, and in addition to whale-watching trips, we often go on bear-watching tours in Alaska. Arguably, the biggest draw is the marine animals, with opportunities to see pods of humpback whales, gray whales, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, and more.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your whale watching opportunities during your Alaskan cruise. Now that you have an understanding of the best months for whale watching in Alaska, let’s explore some essential tips to make the most of your whale watching experience during an Alaskan cruise. It’s important to note that while the months highlighted above are considered the best for whale watching, sightings can never be guaranteed. Whales are wild animals, and their behavior can be influenced by various factors. However, by choosing to cruise during these months, you maximize your chances of witnessing these incredible creatures in all their glory. However, while there are a few locations to see whales on land, the best method of whale watching in Alaska is to get out on the water via a guided whale-watching cruise.

Weather is a pretty big consideration when it comes to booking an Alaskan cruise. If you have a low tolerance for cold weather, cruising Alaska during the warmest months of July and August is a better choice. If you cruise to Alaska in June, you can expect warmer and drier temperatures, fewer children onboard, increased wildlife sightings, and more cruise offerings. They begin migrating from Hawaiian waters in the springtime to feed in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters. There is also potential for viewing orcas, gray whales, and walruses. As the month progresses, temperatures rise slightly, and daylight hours increase.

The farther in advance you can book your Alaskan cruise, the more options you will have for cruise dates, itineraries, and cabin amenities. April, May, and September are considered shoulder seasons for cruising to Alaska. Shoulder season is the time between peak season and off-season when there are fewer cruisers and lower prices. The warmer the weather, the better your chance to view a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence called “calving.” This is when a large chunk of the glacier separates in a giant icy landslide. July and August are considered peak seasons to cruise to Alaska for good reason.

Temperature is relative, so don’t be shocked if you see an Alaskan sporting shorts and a tank top in June. The 60s can feel downright tropical after winter temperatures in the 20s and 30s. If you purchase a balcony cabin, you can take advantage of the long days in the Land of the Midnight Sun. As your ship reaches the Inside Passage, the early morning views outside of your room are breathtaking.

Whale Watching in Alaska Best Places, Tours and Tips

Table Of Content

• Cruising Alaska Between Mid-Summer to Early Fall (Late July to Late September)
• Alaska Cruise in April: Fewer Rainy Days When You Visit Alaska in April
• The Ultimate Guide to Bear Watching in Ketchikan, Alaska
• The Top Things to Do Onboard Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruises
• What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in July
• Top Whale Watching Tours in Alaska

They grow to be about feet long and weigh approximately 90,000 pounds. They can be found in the Bering Sea and even further north in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas (in the Arctic Circle). You’ll find the biggest difference is that orcas travel in pods while humpbacks are typically solo travelers. The two most common whales are Orcas (killer whales) and humpbacks, both impressive whales to witness.

Cruising Alaska Between Mid-Summer to Early Fall (Late July to Late September)

Trips in May and September are normally less expensive and the activities less crowded. The weather can be a bit of a gamble — it will certainly be cooler than trips in mid-summer — but the subsequent savings can be significant. And there will still be animal sightings, just in more modest quantities. There are plenty of opportunities to see whales from the shore, but hopping on a day tour is a great way to see whales in Alaska.

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Some species like beluga whales, humpbacks, and orcas can be seen right from shore. Keep your eyes peeled at lookouts, parks, and trails along the shoreline around coastal communities such as Juneau, Sitka, Gustavus, Seward, Cordova, Kodiak, and Nome. If you’re traveling along the Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage in mid-summer, keep an eye out for the white domes of beluga whales as they cruise the area feeding on fish. An Alaska whale-watching cruise is one of the best ways to see the world’s largest mammals in their natural habitat. During an Alaskan vacation, you’ll spot feeding humpback whales, orcas swimming with their offspring, and gray and blue whales splashing in the water from a front-row seat.

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As mentioned, recommending one specific month that will act as the best time to cruise Alaska can be a little bit difficult. Alaska is often considered the last American frontier due to its pristine and seemingly endless natural landscapes. This is just part of why Alaskan cruises are skyrocketing in popularity.

July and August are prime time for viewing glacier calving on an Alaskan cruise. The loss of daylight does mean you could see the Aurora Borealis while cruising to Alaska in late August. The best time to see the Northern Lights is between late August and April, typically peaking in March. If you cruise to Alaska this month, you can enjoy more shop and restaurant options in port towns but expect things to be slightly more crowded. July is filled with opportunities to see the stunning wildlife of Alaska while enjoying milder temperatures. That being said, the weather and wildlife in Alaska are notoriously unpredictable.

Be sure to read your tour operator’s policies before booking to be aware of the details. Many whales including humpbacks are busy eating as much as possible in the summer months. This is to sustain them in Hawaii all winter where they mate and raise their calves, so one theory is that they’re busy eating and hunting. Beluga Whales are a unique looking type of whale that are completely white and live in Arctic and Subarctic waters only. Their closest relative is a narwhal and just like minke whales, orcas are a predator.

The local guide will enrich your experience with fascinating insights into the region’s natural wonders. Then, it’s off to the local boat harbor, where you’ll board a state-of-the-art wildlife-viewing vessel. With amenities like heated cabins and expansive windows, you’re all set for a two-hour quest to spot Humpback Whales and other native marine life.

If you are prone to seasickness, don’t hesitate to pack seasickness remedies with you for your whale watching excursion, whether medication or natural remedies. While the ship is sailing through the northern Pacific waters, whales can sometimes be spotted from the ship. This can happen in the open ocean on the way to or from Alaska, or while the ship is sailing through the Inside Passage. It’s common for whale watching excursion providers to offer a guaranteed whale sighting. If you do not end up seeing a whale, they may offer you a partial cash refund.

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To increase your chances of successful whale watching while on board, hang out on one of the cruise ship’s many open-air decks—some would say the best way to see Alaska and its surreal beauty. In the past thirty years, the level of formality has dropped significantly on cruise ships and there is no need to pack a ball gown or tuxedo. However, many ships host a night or two on which fancier attire would be appropriate. For women, a sparkly shirt and dressy pants or skirt are often sufficient, while men could bring along a sports coat and maybe a tie, depending on their own personal style. If you’re not sure about the dress code, check out the ship’s social media pages.

Down south, the waters around the southwestern and southcentral regions of Alaska teem with ships visiting Kodiak Island, the Aleutian Islands, Prince William Sound and Katmai National Park. Residents, as their name suggests, stay in their home turf and feed on various types of fish; some resident orcas almost exclusively eat salmon. Little is known about offshore orcas’ preferences or family structure.

Booking your whale watching tour in advance is recommended, as these tours can fill up quickly, especially during the peak season. Orcas, or killer whales, can be seen in Alaska’s waters throughout the year, but they are most sighted from May to September. These apex predators roam the waters in search of fish, seals, and other prey. During the summer months, orcas can often be spotted hunting in groups, making for dramatic sightings for cruise passengers.

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With more daylight and improved weather, your options for excursions also increase. This can help enrich the overall experience of your Alaskan adventure and give you more of an opportunity to see what it would be like living in the United States’ most inhospitable state. These months are also incredibly popular times for Alaskan cruises, which is why there is some debate over which period is the best between the two. Given the warmer temperatures of July and August, many people who want to avoid the cold will choose to book during these months. Between May and July, Alaska fully thaws from the deep winter freeze.