Whale watching is fast becoming one of the most popular activities in Alaska. Most of us have seen whales on TV, but it is not until you get up close to one of these huge creatures in their natural habitat that you can truly appreciate their size and remarkable grace.

To see whales visit Alaska between late May - early September for Humpback and Minke Whales, Orcas, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Dall's and Harbour Porpoises. June - early July is best for bubble-netting Humpbacks. August is the prime month for weather, seas, and whales. Whales can be seen multi-day cruises on small and large cruise ships, however, the best opportunities are on day trips from whale-watching boats that are available from Gustavus, Pt Adolphus, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Juneau, Petersburg, Elfin Cove, Wrangell Island, Sitka.

Whales can be witnessed from all of the waters in Alaska, but the real whale congregating spot is Southeast Alaska where as many as 5,000 humpback whales (50% - 60% of the world’s humpback population) migrate each summer. They come to Alaska to feed, to meet other whales, and mate.  The 30 to 40 ton humpback whales start arriving in Alaskan waters in April and are seen until the first part of October.

Whale Antics

Above water whale antics include spy hops, breaches, fluking, tail slaps and pec slaps.

The Best Whale Watching Locations

Frederick Sound, south of Admiralty Island and just a few hours from Juneau and Petersburg is humpback whale heaven. Humpback whales congregate here to feed on massive schools of fish and krill. With some luck, you may see these endangered giants as they use bubble nets to execute their cooperative feeding attacks.

Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords National Park also offer prime whale watching opportunities and are accessible by small whale watching boats.

The humpback whales are hard to miss. Fully grown females - which are bulkier than the males - can weigh 45 tons and reach 60 feet. Their 15-foot flippers, the longest of any whale, have earned the humpback species the name Megaptera or "great-winged." The term humpback comes from the hump on the forward part of the dorsal fin and the way the back flexes upward before they dive.

Orca's (Killer Whales) are often seen in the many channels, inlets and bays of the Inside Passage area of Southeast Alaska.

How do you spot a whale?  Scan the horizon watching for a cloud of "smoke" that rises 10-20 feet above the the ocean.  Be patent and watch the general area of the "smoke" for a few minutes.  Whales need to breath every seven to fifteen minutes and the "smoke" is water vapor exhaled from their blow hole.

We can arrange special whale watching packages for your next Alaska vacation.  Call and discuss your Alaska vacation plans with one of our Alaska specialists and we will customize your Alaska vacation to maximize your whale watching experience.