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Your ship’s crew can answer many of your specific questions about whales onboard an Alaska cruise, but here are some of the most common questions about whale watching in Alaska. However, there are certain months when you’re more likely to see certain species of whales than others. Humpback whales tend to be more visible in the months of June and July. Two potential ports of call American cruisers will want to pay special attention to are Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. First, they’re in Canada, so American guests will need their passports on hand to take advantage of shore excursions.
What to Expect on an Alaskan Cruise in April
Gray whales, humpback whales, orca, beluga whales — Alaska has them all. Here are some quick tips to help you increase the odds of seeing whales during your cruise. As the school season begins and fall approaches, cruise prices start to dip, affording the opportunity to snag a last-minute bargain for Alaska. We still recommend planning ahead though, as an increasing number of tourists have been booking cruises each year in September.
Dog Sledding Tours
Once, we had such bad weather that we didn’t even take our cameras out. However, the most awe-inspiring sightings were from the beach at Icy Strait Point itself. The whales leaped so gracefully from the water that we were too captivated even to take photos. In fact, the journey from Alaska to Hawaii is one of the longest mammal migrations, covering approximately 3,000 miles. If you’re interested in witnessing this incredible journey from both ends, you might want to consider whale watching in Maui, Hawaii.
How to View Whales in Alaska
Your deposit is refundable (usually up to one to two months before the sailing date) and should the price drop, you can always call and ask for an adjustment. Whale watching on an Alaska cruise is nothing short of spectacular, and not just because of the magnificent wildlife. The jaw-dropping scenery, fun shore excursions, and onboard luxury make for a truly unique travel experience. In fact, it’s so unique that some travelers aren’t quite sure how to prepare for it. My favorite place to see whales in Alaska is in Resurrection Bay, which is the body of water that sits outside of Seward. I’ve been on multiple whale watching cruises in the area as well as a sailing trip to Thumb Cove with my friends and I’ve always seen whales.
Turnagain Arm: Whale Watching Near Anchorage
8 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall - TravelAwaits
8 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall.
Posted: Thu, 07 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Plus, by booking a whale watching tour in your departure port, more time is opened up while in Alaska to book other types of shore excursions. Killer whales, or orcas, can sometimes be spotted on a whale watching excursion as well. Orcas are quick moving animals, though, and have more unpredictable movement patterns than humpback whales, so they are less common to see. I’ve lived in Alaska for well over 25 years and every single year I take at least one whale watching cruise. Even as a local I find the experience simply awe inspiring each time we go.
Whale watching in your cruise departure port
While they have stiff competition, the stately orcas with their natural black and white “tuxedos” are often the crowd favorite. Orcas love munching on the king salmon running the waters of Resurrection Bay from early May through to early June. Also known as killer whales, orcas are technically a toothed whale and member of the oceanic dolphin family.
After watching raptors regain strength and practice survival skills in their Flight Training Center, you'll leave in awe of the wondrous wingspan and incredible intensity of these flyers. Stephanie Yrungaray grew up in gorgeous Eagle River, Alaska and now calls Utah her beUtahful home. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband and five kids any way she can, from cruising to RV camping and everything in-between! When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her writing about travel, finances and parenting as well as gift ideas on her website, Although the weather will likely include more rain, you have a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights, which might outweigh this drawback.
We bring you not just authentic Alaska itineraries and insider tips but also a treasure trove of our own photos and first-hand experiences from the places we've explored and activities we've relished. All bears are working hard to catch as many salmon as they can at Brooks Falls before the salmon run ends. More often than not, you’ll catch glimpses of the whales’ backs and their massive tails as they dive into the depths. Each tail is unique, like a fingerprint, and observing these gentle giants breathe, releasing a misty spout of water and air, is awe-inspiring in its own right. The Alaskan weather is as unpredictable as the whales you hope to spot. Rain, fog, and wind are all par for the course, which can make capturing that perfect photo a bit challenging.
There’s a reason whale-watching typically tops the favorites list of Alaska cruise excursions. 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. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.
We often stay at an area just past the town called Lowell Point where you have near complete views of the bay. We’ve watched humpback whales and fin whales while drinking coffee in the morning. Overall, the best time of year to see whales is in the warm summer months. The best months for reliably spotting whales are from mid-May to September. Whales come to Alaska to feed and teach their young how to hunt, and the mild summer temperatures are when everything comes to life. To truly enjoy an Alaskan cruise, cruisers can visit from April to October when daylight hours, weather and wildlife are better.
Although it is getting darker earlier, solar activity is not at its peak in the summer, so your chances of viewing the Northern Lights in July are slim to none. Summer workers (typically college students) begin to arrive for the peak tourist season, and shops and restaurants open for the summer. May is an excellent cruising month for birdwatchers as migratory songbirds start to arrive in Alaska and seabirds gather in their nesting spots or rookeries. Keep an eye out for my favorite, the ever-adorable puffins, Arctic terns, cormorants, and bald eagles.
You can also consider yourself lucky if you see a group of whales together with all of their mouths open, called bubble net feeding. To see a whale breaching is actually not as common as you might think, considering most of the whale watching pictures you see are of a whale breaching. But that doesn’t mean you can’t see whales if your Alaska cruise is in the spring or fall.
Whale watching day cruises offer the benefits of heated cabins for comfortable viewing, outdoor viewing decks, and experienced captains and crew that are experts at spotting whales. Some cruises feature onboard meals along with park rangers or naturalists that provide narration during the cruise. In addition to whales, you’ll see other wildlife including Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, birds, and porpoises.
One of the main advantages of cruising Alaska during the later summer months is the milder temperatures and more predictable weather. During these peak months of the Alaskan summer, daytime temperatures range between 50 and 60 °F, with some days reaching as high as 90 °F. While some people prefer the reduced crowds and whale-watching opportunities of midsummer, others might value the warmer weather and greater options for excursions you get in the late summer months. We strongly recommend you opt for tours led by naturalists and support small, local businesses that engage in responsible whale watching. This means maintaining a respectful distance and not disturbing marine life.
Similar to July, August is one of the warmest months in Alaska and a very busy month as far as tourists are concerned. But, there are still ways that you can increase your chance of taking a decent picture of a whale when you see one in Alaska. So again, the most beautiful pictures online you see of whales are taken with really good cameras. But that’s okay, it’s still exciting to see a whale doing other things at the surface. This definitely includes Harv and Marv’s tours and Icy Strait Whale Adventures tours.
Stunning wilderness and abundant wildlife combine with an occasional whale splash for an unforgettable adventure. Gray whales and Humpback whales begin their migration to warmer waters in October and November, so you still have a chance to see them in Alaskan waters in September. Precipitation increases to 19 days of the month, so pack a raincoat with a hood (you’ll be grateful to have it!). Not only is it your best shot for warmer weather, but you’re also sure to see a good amount of the wildlife Alaska is famous for.
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