When is best to see whales in alaska

The smaller boats allow you to get a closer view of the whales and you will most likely receive interesting facts about the local whale pods from your guide.

They can be spotted as they move to the far north Alaska waters of the Bering Sea by late April. There are no known known to us dedicated whale watching tour boats operating in the Cook Inlet. June and July are the best months for seeing these enormous whales feeding using bubble-netting. Major Marine Tours offers glacier and wildlife day cruises into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, and whale watching is a highlight of every one of our tours.

From species-focused tours like our Gray Whale Watching Cruise and Orca Quest Cruise , to whale watching and tidewater glacier viewing on our Kenai Fjords National Park Cruises , finding whales is always one of our top priorities.

These massive marine mammals exhibit different behaviors based on the season and are always a marvel to see in the wild. We see several species of whales throughout the year. The majority of the whales that we see are migratory, and the best chance of seeing these whales is during their peak season in Alaska.

Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii, Baja, and occasionally Japan during the winter months to breed in waters that have less risk of predation.

Each spring humpback whales leave their breeding grounds and head to Alaska, swimming for weeks nonstop, arriving in Alaska in April and May. Recent trends have shown peak humpback whale season to be from May to July, with most humpbacks traveling south to warmer waters in October. However, we do see humpback whales outside of this peak time as their migration can be spread out. Also, some humpbacks do not migrate and can be seen in the area year-round.

Best cruise for humpback whale watching: Any summer cruise, though our full-day Kenai Fjords National Park Cruises offer the best chances since they spend more time on the water. Gray whales migrate over 5, miles from Baja to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas each year. Below is a general guide to the best place to see whales depending on the season. Pick up or request a free copy of RV Alaska to see listings for whale watching tours.

A boat cruise will put you directly into whale territory. Think ancient glaciers, towering rainforests and wildlife galore. Sadly, the answer to this question is yes. That includes sperm whales, North Pacific Right whales, blue whales and finback whales. Thankfully there is also growing awareness around marine conservation and the importance of employing sustainable practices. Migration is the primary reason whales are so prevalent off the coast of Alaska during the summer.

Most species are journeying back home after spending the winter months in the warmer waters off of Hawaii, Baja California, Mexico and Central America.

What a whale eats is dependent on the species. Orcas, for instance, are powerful, skilled hunters and are categorized in three sub-species—resident fish eaters, transient marine mammal eaters and offshore orcas. Residents form larger pods that can surpass members and feed mostly on fish. Transient orcas are typically found in pods of just 10 and hunt small marine mammals. Offshore orca feed mainly on marine mammals.

Gray whales prefer to feed on the tiny crustaceans found on the muddy ocean floor, while blue whales gulp swells of krill.