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.

Alaska Cruise in April: Fewer Rainy Days When You Visit Alaska in April

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.

The Ultimate Guide to Bear Watching in Ketchikan, Alaska

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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.