Sunday, March 31, 2024

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

best time for alaska cruise whales

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!

7 Reasons You'll Love An Expedition Cruise In Alaska - TravelAwaits

7 Reasons You'll Love An Expedition Cruise In Alaska.

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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?

best time for alaska cruise whales

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.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska - TripSavvy

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska.

Posted: Wed, 07 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The Best Matanuska Glacier Tour: Review and Tips

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.

best time for alaska cruise whales

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.

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