Table Of Content
Cruising in September will give you the highest chance of viewing the Aurora Borealis on an Alaskan cruise. You won’t want to miss this indescribable sight, so watch for clear night skies and set an alarm to go on deck (or on your balcony) for potential middle-of-the-night Northern Lights shows. You also might see fuzzy harbor seal pups and sea lion pups (born in June and July) warming themselves on rocks with their mothers. Add high-powered binoculars to your Alaska packing list to ensure that you get to see all of the wildlife possible. My advice is to pack plenty of warm (and waterproof) layers, expect the unexpected, and find joy in whatever experience you get. If you are in port, you’ll get to see how Alaskans take advantage of the Midnight Sun with locals out biking, hiking, and fishing at all hours of the night.
What to Do in Alaska: Top Things to Do in April
The best way to make sure you spot whales on your Alaska cruise route is to take part in a whale-watching shore excursion. There are several unforgettable excursions at many of our Alaskan ports of call. The kinds of whale species you’ll encounter while on your cruise largely depends on which region of Alaska you’re sailing through. The time of year you go on your trip also has a large impact on the number of whales you may be able to see.
Must-Sees for Your Once in a Lifetime Alaska Cruise Vacation
One of the reasons Alaska stands out as a prime whale-watching destination is its commitment to nature conservation. The state is home to several protected coastal areas that serve as sanctuaries for marine life and offer unparalleled whale-watching experiences. Kenai Fjords National Park and Glacier Bay National Park are two such havens that deserve special mention.
How to View Whales in Alaska
Another thing to keep in mind when deciding the best month for your Alaskan cruise is wildlife viewing opportunities. Since the skies do still get dark during this month, there is a slight chance that you’ll be able to view the Northern Lights on an Alaskan cruise in April. Peak viewing of the Aurora Borealis happens between November and March, but on a clear night with lots of solar activity, you have a shot at this once-in-a-lifetime viewing experience. Many cruise lines also have limited early cruise ships departing for Alaska in April. Norwegian Cruise Lines has the first departures of the season in early April from Seattle.
Best Months for Whale Watching
You might take a float plane to see bears and, sadly, not see a single one. May is a practical choice for Alaskan cruisers who are on a limited budget but want to have slightly warmer and drier weather and more chances to see wildlife. Your views will likely include snowy mountains, but they are gorgeous nonetheless. While prices in the early season are generally less expensive, your experience during a May cruise will look different from during the high season in July and August.
Their tours are fun, laid-back, and they work hard to ensure you spot whales (even on the glacier focused day cruises). Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is one of the best ports for whale watching in the state. Situated along the Inside Passage, Juneau offers easy access to prime whale watching areas, such as Auke Bay, where humpback whales are often spotted. Sitka, another popular port for whale watching, offers a rich cultural history along with excellent whale watching opportunities. Ketchikan, known for its rich Native American heritage, also offers fantastic whale watching tours that allow visitors to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Humpback whales are commonly spotted in Alaska from May to September.
Are the seas rough on an Alaskan cruise?
Learn how luxury makes a difference on the All-Inclusive Luxury Whale Watch. Climb aboard the only luxury whale-watching day-yacht in Alaska, and keep your eye out for orcas, and humpback whales. Here are some popular excursion ideas for those who want to maximize their chances of seeing whales in the wild, and possibly even more than one kind of species. Another item we suggest bringing along is a high-resolution camera with a long-range zoom lens.
Alaska Whale Watching Guide: Best Time and Place to See Whales
The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024, From Whale Watching to Glacier Tours Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler
The 11 Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024, From Whale Watching to Glacier Tours Condé Nast Traveler.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Both locations are home to feeding grounds for humpback whales, making sightings extremely common. Homer is in Kachemak Bay which feeds into the large waters of Cook Inlet. Many whales make their way here each summer including humpbacks, minke, and orcas. They’re not easily spotted like in Seward and some years not many are spotted at all. I’ve personally never seen a whale in Kachemak Bay (we visit each summer) which is likely why there aren’t big whale watching cruises here.
Alaska cruise whale watching guide & tips
Best time for Whale Watching in Alaska 2024 - Best Season - Rove.me
Best time for Whale Watching in Alaska 2024 - Best Season.
Posted: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
However, the dry season has ended, so rainfall will begin to increase as the month progresses. The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky. It was on one such day that someone on board spotted a whale breaching. Within minutes it seemed everyone on board had gathered at the railings on deck to watch. The captain of the ship nimbly repositioned us, giving both the port and starboard sides prime viewing, at a safe and respectful distance from the animals.
Another benefit of being in Alaska during this time is the amount of daylight. As it nears summer solstice in June, you’re going to see nearly 24 hours of daylight in Anchorage! This gives you more time in the day to take a cruise or a boat tour in the morning and still have plenty of time to go hiking or explore during the night. Pack a pair of binoculars with you for your tour to ensure you can catch the best glimpse of whales if they happen to be far away. While a binocular is not necessary for every person in your travel party, having a pair to share with the group is recommended. If you’re traveling to Alaska in the early season, you may be able to spot gray whales as they migrate further north.
This is when bears have emerged from hibernation and tend to be fairly active. If you hope to spot a grizzly, you might just have your opportunity if you cruise Alaska during this period, along with viewing moose and even a chance to see more calves or cubs running around. To help you decide if it’s the right time for your trip, here are some advantages and disadvantages of cruising during the late spring to mid-summer stretch. Even the sky dances when the Northern Lights come out to play, and each of the glaciers have their own personality.
Holland America Line ships are perfectly mid-sized and have wide-open decks, so you’ll enjoy Alaska wildlife sightings with a little extra space. 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. April to November is the best time to see whales in Alaska and that nicely aligns with the Alaska cruise season. Like most of us, whales enjoy Alaska in the spring and summer months, when the days are long and food is plentiful.
These are the smallest whales on this list, coming in at feet long and weighing about 1-2,000 pounds. Belugas travel in herds of up to 1,000 and are best known as being incredibly vocal. They are also unique in that they can swim into freshwater areas like rivers. Just outside of Anchorage, you can spot beluga whales from late August through November along Turnagain Arm.
My family also goes fishing every year and whales can easily be spotted from the boat. Alaska’s vast and unspoiled wilderness offers a unique and immersive whale watching experience. Its nutrient-rich waters attract a variety of whale species, making it one of the best places in the world for whale watching. The stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains and glaciers adds to the allure of whale watching in Alaska, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
Alaskan whale watching cruises go on sale up to two years in advance. Unlike other forms of travel, seeing last minute super saver fares is a rarity for this kind of in-demand cruise. Booking early and putting down a deposit means you lock in the low, early bird rate (and, if you like, you can make monthly payments toward the balance for easy budgeting).
No comments:
Post a Comment