The best time to see alaskas resident orca whale pods. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Breathtaking vistas of land and sea and alaskas magnificent. May 01, 2019 the abundance of fish is the main reason why this is the best time for orca whale watching from seward. Background history of orca whales in alaska orcas are usually between 27 and 32 feet long, and live and hunt in small family pods ranging from 10 to 50 members. Every spring and summer, various whale species migrate from their warmer, winter homes to alaskas chillier waters, where food sources are. Read this before planning your whale watching tour in alaska. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as other larger species such as the longfinned pilot whales and shortfinned pilot whales, whose common names also contain whale. In april and may, gray whales pass the mouth of the bay on their epic spring migration to the arctic. The best time to see these majestic marine mammals is from june until august. Sep 24, 2018 juneau is the best spot for whale watching in alaska. We will visit the most active playground of humpback whales in southeast alaska if we dont site a whale, well refund 50% of your tour cost.
They can be seen in open waters of the northern and eastern portions of the gulf of alaska in july and august before wintering in mexico, central america, and the western and central pacific. Killer whales, also known as orcas, are not really a whale at all but are members of the dolphin family. Whens the best time to see whales in juneau, alaska. From midmay to midjune several pods of resident orcas, and sometimes transient orcas, visit the waters of kenai fjords national park. There are two types of orcas that come to alaska each. In the vast waters that line alaskas coast, an encounter with a whale is likely, if not downright predictable. On any given day trip youll likely see huge rafts of sea otters, horned and tufted puffins, cormorants, humpback whales, or even bald eagles. A close encounter with an orca whale aka killer whale male in the gulf of alaska. But our shamu doesnt jump through hoops like he does at sea world. There are two types of orcas that come to alaska each year. Explore the waters around juneau aboard a scenic cruise. Your best bet to see orca whales in alaska is midmay to midjune when theyre hunting for. A final whale of alaska is the blue whale, the largest mammal ever known to have lived on earth.
For whale watching from the ship you have to be up high and forward so that you can get the best 180 degree or more view. Then they go on their long journey to feed in the rich feeding grounds of the north. Whale watching in alaska many species of cetaceans, whales, dolphins, and porpoise, inhabit or migrate through alaskan waters. Alaska s best whale watching spots twitter email print seeing a colossal humpback whale take its deep, sounding dive with flukes flipping up above the surfaceor a killer whale leap in a spectacular, wavecrashing breachcan be one of the most breathtaking moments of your alaska experience.
Orca enterprises whalewatching tour alaska communications. Whale watching in alaska, alaska kids corner, state of alaska. We will also be on the lookout for porpoise, puffin, surf scoters, seagulls, blue heron, ducks, geese, steller sea lions, seal and the occasional orca. Orca whale sightings alaska cruise critic community. Dec 01, 2016 a close encounter with an orca whale aka killer whale male in the gulf of alaska. Enjoy gorgeous scenery as you search for humpback and orca whales, then enjoy an allyoucaneat alaskan feast at the gold. Whale watching tours are offered in juneau and near glacier bay. Luckily this coincides with the best time of year to take an alaskan cruise. Killer whale species profile, alaska department of fish and game. Best time to see whales in alaska alaska whale watching. Killer whale advocates ask judge to halt alaskas king. They are called killer whales because they are great hunters.
Icy strait whale adventures whale sighting tours hoonah. Alaska is the land of the midnight sun, glaciers and wildlife. Whale watching in alaska is special since you can meet different species of whales here. Major marine tours has a orca quest cruise out of seward, mid may to mid june. The beluga, humpback, grey, orca, bowhead, blue, right, and minke whales. Prince william sound in alaska is the summer habitat for gray, humpback and orca whales, making april through september some of the best months to whale watch. The best time to travel to alaska to watch orcas is during the months of june and july after they have completed their migration from hawaii. Other whale watch cruise tours say they only spot orcas 2030% of the time. Humpback whales, blue whales, minke whales, orcas, belugasall of them inhabit the waters around the state. Orcas dont take on the journey of humpbacks though, they instead seem to go wherever the food is, preferring colder waters. Alaska whale watching small ship cruises adventuresmith. Yep focuses on supervised work experience, combined with a planned learning outcome, to provide students with disabilities valuable work skills over the summer. Although many tour companies offer boat tours during.
Your guide to whale watching in alaska in 2020 scenic states. Captain tobie and guide matt were fun, as excited as we were when whales were spotted, helpful, and made sure we were treated well in all ways. Blues and minke whales also feed in prince william sound during the summer. Whale watching is one of the things to do in juneau alaska that you simply shouldnt miss. Alaska whale watching tours best in seward, whittier. From juneau to kodiak, these whale watching areas are popular among tourist and residents alike. You also have a good chance of seeing minke whales, pacific whitesided. The best time for whale watching in alaska getaway usa.
Alaska whales alaska has whales all throughout the state. I spent quite a few hours outside on sea days and saw lots of whales. Whether you want to go whale watching for orcas, humpbacks, grays or beluga whales, most alaska whale watching tours are just an easy day cruise away. They can be seen near seward alaska in the waters of resurrection bay. But our shamu doesnt jump through hoops like he does at. Whales begin their migration from the warm waters of mexico in february. Location, location, location one of the biggest things that makes a whale watching tour juneau an unparalleled and worldclass adventure is its proximity to a number of different waterways. Alaska whale watching tours, orca or killer whale identification. Daily boat tours to tracy arm rarely return without whale sightings and youll often spot many on a single trip. Alaskas best whale watching spots twitter email print seeing a colossal humpback whale take its deep, sounding dive with flukes flipping up above the surfaceor a killer whale leap in a spectacular, wavecrashing breachcan be one of the most breathtaking moments of your alaska experience. Youll have the best chance of seeing whales if you book a whalewatching expedition between april and september.
They can grow up to about 28 feet long and are easily recognizable by their distinct black and while markings and dorsal fin which can extend up to 6 feet in large males. The best time to travel to alaska to watch orca s is during the months of june and july after they have completed their migration from hawaii. Killer whales in the pacific northwest and alaska occur in groups of animals called pods. Seeing a colossal humpback whale take its deep, sounding dive with flukes flipping up above the surfaceor a killer whale leap in a spectacular, wavecrashing breachcan be one of the most breathtaking moments of your alaska experience. Experience the best time to view orcas on our orca quest cruise the peak season for orcas is almost here. Visit seward, rent a cabin in alaska on an alaska vacation in resurrection bay south of anchorage. Situated as they are in one of the worlds premier whale grounds, juneau whale watching tours are a mustdo on any visit to alaska. From the mighty caribou and the grizzly bears to humpback whale and seals, theres a good chance youll be close to more than one type of wildlife when you visit alaska. Find juneau whale watching information, charters and tours. Whalewatching and wildlife tours with wild alaska point adolphus in southeast alaska near the glacier bay national park and preserve, gustavus, alaska is one of the best spots in the world to enjoy viewing humpback whales. Your best bet to see orca whales in alaska is midmay to midjune when theyre hunting for salmon. Killer whales wildlife viewing, alaska department of fish and. Juneau is the best spot for whale watching in alaska. Icy strait whale adventures whale sighting tours hoonah alaska.
Here is why juneau is the alaska whale watching destination. Orca quest cruise in kenai fjords major marine tours. Our fully customized, mammalsafe jet boat, the awesome orca, was designed and built specifically for whalewatching and wildlife tours and the comfort of our guests. The killer whale orcinus orca is the largest member of the dolphin family and lives in small groups called pods, which are usually made up of family members. The killer whale orcinus orca is the largest member of the dolphin family and lives in small groups called pods, which are usually made up of family members ranging from juveniles called calves to adult males called bulls. Were so sure you will have a whale of a time, your adventure is guaranteed. There are eight species of whales that frequent the cold and icy waters of alaska. Day cruises out of seward and whittier combine the opportunity to whale watch with views of puffins, sea lions, seals and glaciers.
Cruises that travel north beyond southeast alaska from the pacific northwest typically end in seward, alaska. It is the largest member of the delphinidae family, or oceanic dolphins. The 10 best alaska whale watching tours book alaskan excursions. From juneau to homer, youll find many opportunities to explore the spectacular seascape, from the open ocean to steepsided fjords. Why juneau is the alaska whale watching destination. Mar 21, 2018 every spring and summer, various whale species migrate from their warmer, winter homes to alaska s chillier waters, where food sources are abundant. Summertime is the best time for whale watching in alaska because thats usually the peak of the whale migration season. Southeast alaska is home to approximately 20,000 eagles, our beloved national icon. Several pods of orcas, killer whales, reside in the prince william sound area and humpbacks can be spotted in the western portion midmay through september. Best places to see orcas in the wild celebrity cruises. Background history of orca whales in alaska orcas are usually between 27 and 32 feet long, and live and hunt in. We also guarantee to get you back to the ship on time. A summer whale watching trip in southeastern alaska will give you lifelong memories of wildlife encounters.
Alaska whale watching juneau 2020 all you need to know. Alaskan whales winter makin whoopee in hawaii pretty smart and summer havin babies and eating tons of fresh seafood in alaska. But you must first go to where the whales are swimming. Many tour operators offer partial and fullday trips, with captains. This familyrun company operating out of valdez will show you the best glaciers, with great customer service along the way. However, from several accounts over the last few seasons, we also know that resident orcas are in the area to socialize and breed. Getting out on the water in the presence of such beautiful areas and professional naturalists will make your trip worthwhile and you will not regret going on a whale watching tour in juneau. The best orca killer whale viewing out of seward is from may 5 june 5 during which period several pods of orcas are found feed on a small king salmon run that congregates south of seward. Fin, minke, humpback, gray and orca whales are among the dozen species that ply the rich waters of prince william sound and the waters outside resurrection bay. It features a fully enclosed, heated cabin with fantastic viewing from every seat. Orcas dont migrate, so its hard to guess where they can be seen.
Various species of whales migrate between the warm coastal waters of mexico and the frigid waters of alaska. This was our first time to alaska, and whale watching was top on my list of to dos. Enjoy the best in alaska whale watching, kayaking, fishing and hiking or just sit back, relax and observe. In the vast waters that line alaska s coast, an encounter with a whale is likely, if not downright predictable. The individuals that comprise each pod change very little. During the 1980s, photo identification techniques were used for the first time in southeast alaska. Orca the orca orcinus orca, also known as killer whale, is the largest member of the dolphin family, in the suborder, odontoceti, or toothed whales. Alaskan whales winter makin whoopee in hawaii pretty smart and summer havin babies and eating tons of fresh seafood in. Vancouver is a common embarkation port for alaska cruises and is a great place to add on a whale watching adventure before or after your cruise. We will cruise around the rain forest islands of alaskas inside passage, where we will scout the pristine waters looking for humpback whales. Killer whale advocates ask judge to halt alaska s king salmon season posted by robert woolsey, kcaw apr 21, 2020 the population of southern resident killer whales has declined by about 25percent in the last two decades, and now numbers 72 individuals a loss attributed to the decline in king salmon, their primary prey.
Orca whales are actually dolphins, but were still going to include them in this list. Orca, in collaboration with the zach gordon youth center, is looking forward to our fifth season running the youth employment in the parks yep program. Whale watch juneau alaska juneau ak whale watching tours. Orca whale watching in alaska orca whales, also known as killer whales, are actually the largest member of the dolphin family and are of course, toothed whales. The 10 best alaska whale watching tours book alaskan. Join major marine tours the local whale experts as we search for orcas, distinguishable by their stately dorsal fins and fascinating social behaviors. The where and when of the best time to see whales in alaska.
From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. Juneau, alaskas professional whale watching and wildlife tours alaska, the last frontier, land of the midnight sun, northern lights, glaciers calving into pristine waters, grizzly bears feasting on wild salmon, otters frolicking in kelp beds, eagles soaring overhead, humpback and killer whales feeding and playing in quiet inlets. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. You can enjoy marine wildlife with whale watching from seward in kenai fjords national park. Killer whale pods are matrilineal and consist of a female and her offspring of both sexes. They are the largest, fastest and most powerful members of the dolphin family. Visit alaska to enjoy a unique whale watching experience during your cruise. Why juneau is the alaska whale watching destination alaska. All our cruises have been the last ones of the season so late in september. I was just wondering if i were going to try and find a cruise to alaska it would have to be during whale season. Whale watching and wildlife tours with wild alaska point adolphus in southeast alaska near the glacier bay national park and preserve, gustavus, alaska is one of the best spots in the world to enjoy viewing humpback whales.
Killer whale species profile, alaska department of fish. But you could also see whales in the spring and fall. The best time to see alaska s resident orca whale pods are between early may to early june with whales being spotted during the months of june through september. Cruise spotlight, wildlife report the mmt blog all about orcas. Alaska s spectacular marine life and one of its best known glaciers all in a half day program on a boat holding a maximum of 40 guests. Owned and operated by longtime alaskans dennis and susan swiderski, orca island cabins invites you to enjoy comfortable and stylish overnight accommodations in yurt cabins with alaska wildlife and marine life right outside your cabin door. The orca, or killer whale, is also common to juneau. Whale migration patterns throughout alaska alaska shore. From the remote northernmost town of barrow, to the lush southeast and even near downtown anchorage the states whale watching opportunities are the crowning jewel of many alaska vacations. Wondering where the best area is to spot orca whales. Although the main attraction for whale watching on the california coast is the great grey whale migration from alaska to baja mexico, there is still opportunity to see many other different types of whales sporadically throughout the year.
Whale watching in alaska is fun, accessible andexciting. How to see whales in alaska the best whale watching spots. Every year, thousands of gray whales travel between mexico and alaska, one of the longest known maritime migrations. Have done two alaska cruises and going back on a third next september. The abundance of fish is the main reason why this is the best time for orca whale watching from seward.
The orca was first known as the whale killer because they were observed killing and eating whales. Best places to see whales in alaska and where to see whales in alaska is answered in full. Whale watching cruises in anchorage, alaska usa today. Our fully customized, mammalsafe jet boat, the awesome orca, was designed and built specifically for whale watching and wildlife tours and the comfort of our guests. Plenty of whale tours let you watch the orcas and humpbacks as they breach and spout from the waterbut not many also let you eavesdrop on the big mammals conversations. The killer whale, also known as orca, is one of the top marine predators.
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