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Each season offers a unique spectacle, showcasing different whale species in their natural majesty. Aboard the high-speed catamaran, enjoy the cozy comforts, and explore its outdoor decks, getting as close as 300 feet to massive tidewater glaciers. Besides glaciers, the captain will also be looking for wildlife, such as otters, whales, harbor seals, and marine birds. This tour operator runs a fleet of fast, modern boats in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park.
Humpback Whale Watching in Alaska
When choosing a whale-watching tour, look for a reputable company that adheres to responsible marine practices, such as Whale SENSE-certified companies. These companies participate in voluntary programs that promote responsible whale watching and help protect these majestic creatures. Embarking on a whale-watching journey in Alaska is not just about seeing these magnificent creatures; it’s about immersing yourself in an exhilarating and serene environment.
Prince William Sound: A Symphony of Wildlife and Scenery
The cost of whale watching in Alaska varies, but on average, it can range from $100 to $200 per person. This price can vary based on the tour length and the vessel type used. The best whale-watching area in Alaska is the Inside Passage, particularly near Juneau and the Kenai Fjords National Park.
Our Family Alaska Cruise: A Vacation We'll Never Forget Royal Caribbean Cruises
Whether you go on a vigorous hike or float peacefully, your breath will be taken away with your vacation to enjoy the best of Alaska whale watching and wildlife experiences. Some excursions are even guided by a naturalist photographer, who will be on hand to give out tips and help you frame the best shots when photographing Alaska. Juneau’s glaciers produce nutrient-dense waters making the waters a prime feeding ground for humpback whales. Alaska Tales’ boats are intimate (49 passengers max), and they’re super-fast, so you’ll get out to see the whales in no time. You also have the option of adding a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center prior to your whale watching tour.
Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours
When you first board, scope out viewing areas so that you’re prepared to beeline to them when those magical Alaska whale watching moments occur. Whale watching Prince William Sound offers humpback whales, gray whales, blue whales and minke whales. But the most famous opportunity in this region is orca whale watching.
Be on the lookout for Denali, North America's tallest peak that rises from Denali National Park. This mountain, Alaska's crown jewel, is studded with beautiful wildflowers, lakes, rivers, peaks and majestic wildlife that you don't want to miss. For whale watching on glacier sea days, it can be best to have binoculars. Most, if not all, tour companies that offer tours in Juneau and Icy Strait Point are very experienced with providing tours to cruise ship passengers. Now that you know all about the best time to cruise to Alaska to see whales, don’t wait a minute longer and start planning your Alaskan vacation now.
Sea Conditions – Navigating Alaska’s Waters:
Alongside her partner, Chris, she's your go-to guide for an authentic Alaskan adventure. Resurrection Bay delivers every time, whether it’s the thrill of an orca’s dorsal fin breaking the surface or the serene beauty of a humpback’s fluke. WE RECOMMEND KENAI FJORDS AND RESURRECTION BAY HALF-DAY WILDLIFE CRUISE.
Cruise ship passenger fee proposals include study of Juneau's humpback whales - KTOO
Cruise ship passenger fee proposals include study of Juneau's humpback whales.
Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
They have a small curved dorsal similar to a dolphin that only breaks the surface for a moment when they come up to breathe, making minke whales difficult to see. Many visitors fly directly from Anchorage (about an hour on a jet) or take an airplane from Homer. All bears are working hard to catch as many salmon as they can at Brooks Falls before the salmon run ends.
In fact, you often don’t have to take a shore excursion to spot them. It’s more a case of adjusting expectations and balancing your budgetary needs. To appropriately prepare for the Alaska whale watching season, pack to spend a few hours in windy and chilly outdoor weather on an observation deck. Wear comfy walking shoes with good traction in case it gets slippery.
We highly recommend Adventuresmith, Taylor and our itinerary to anyone who is looking for an active, outdoor adventure trip in Alaska. We appreciated Aaron's help and love the kinds of trips AdventureSmith offers. Cameras that shoot several frames per second can capture breaches, tail slapping and flukes more easily than slower cameras. If all you have is a point and shoot, focus on watching the whales yourself and purchase a professional whale image from a local gift shop. Huge tides as high as 30 feet move a tremendous amount of water in and out of Alaska’s Inside Passage.
Humpback whales are about 40 feet long, they can weigh roughly 40 tons (about the size of a city bus) and they can live around 40 years. Humpbacks spend their summers in the feeding grounds of Alaska’s nutrient-rich waters; and their winters mating and birthing calves in Hawaii and Baja. This journey is one of the longest and most amazing migrations of any animal on the planet. Interestingly, Alaska and Hawaii share a unique connection regarding whale watching. Many of the humpback whales you’ll see in Alaska’s waters during the summer make an epic migration to the warmer waters of Hawaii during the winter months.
Sarah, an expert on ethnobotany, clued us in on native plants and their many uses and told us so much about her travels documenting the lives of native Alaskans. Joe shared stories from his Tlingit culture and many interesting details about growing up in Alaska. Almost any overnight cruise with small Alaskan cruise lines will involve whale watching. Therefore, when seeking whale watching cruise deals, our Alaska small ship cruise deals have you covered.
Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature? Here is your travel guide for planning the best adventure vacation. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens. Sail inside the calm waterway between sheltering islands and the mainland of Alaska and Canada known as the Inside Passage.
While the lovely sunshine might mask deceptively chilly weather, the UV rays will still make their way to your skin, so don’t forget to pack sunscreen. Swimsuits are also essential for the ships’ heated pools and hot tubs. Whether you're interested in hiking through a forest, trekking to glaciers or a shopping spree downtown, the towns along Alaska's inside passage provide a variety of adventurous activities.
Whether you’re captivated by the gray whales of spring, the dynamic humpbacks of summer, or the majestic orcas of autumn, Alaska’s seasons invite you to be part of this magnificent natural cycle. So, pack your bags, bring your sense of wonder, and prepare for an adventure that changes with the seasons, each visit offering a new and thrilling encounter with the ocean’s most awe-inspiring inhabitants. Moreover, Alaska’s vastness means that whale-watching experiences can be incredibly varied. From the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage to the remote, wild stretches of the Aleutian Islands, each area offers a different backdrop and a unique set of wildlife encounters.
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