There is nothing like seeing an incredible whale breach in a terrific, wave-smashing splash, which will stand out amongst the most amazing snapshots of your whale watching in Alaska experience. In any case, your captain will usually take you to where you can hear the large humpback whales take a deep breath, just before their soundless plunge, followed by a tail silently dipping below the surface.
The best whale observing indeed requires going out in a boat. Luckily, that is anything but difficult to do in Alaska! The vast majority of our waterfront towns highlight many astounding tours, some of them world-class, with naturalists, refreshments and different pleasantries ready. Whale viewing is a most loved past time of Alaska’s inhabitants, as well. Individuals that are out angling or paddling in ocean kayaks, have the benefit of routinely experiencing whales and other marine warm-blooded creatures.
What May You See?
Humpback Whales. These whales frequent Alaska’s pristine waters, where their numbers rise to over 10,000 in the summer. Many migrate to Hawaii every winter to breed and have their babies. Up to 60-feet long and 40 tons in weight, humpbacks are famous for singing mind-boggling “melodies” while on their trans-Pacific voyages. In the long days of summer, they can be found all over Alaska’s coast, from the Southeast to the Bering Sea, including Gulf of Alaska zones near Anchorage and along Alaska’s ocean inlet network.
Grey Whales. Vast number of grey whales swim from their territories in Baja California to summer in regions in the Arctic, which is one of the world’s longest warm-blooded mammal migrations, a mind-blowing 11,000-mile round trip outing. These whales will cruise by Alaska’s external coast—swimming from cape to cape, past the openings of coves and inlets. Their outbound spring trip skirts the state from April and June, with the greatest numbers passing the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak territories amid May.
Killer Whales. These may be the sea’s most savvy predator! Orcas frequent Alaska’s sounds and gulfs throughout the entire year. These 10-ton creatures more often than not, occur in two different kinds of pods; transient and resident. Some stick to the coast, others travel through the inlets, yet both have the same similar, high contrast appearance of their black and white markings. On a Juneau whale watch, you’re well on the way to see the elusive, yet sometimes gregarious, family units, known as residents, which target fish (mainly salmon!).
Beluga Whales: Near Anchorage, the Cook Inlet close, is home to a small and detached populace of these white fish-eating whales. These belugas are known as basically endangered, so observing them sooner than later, is to your benefit. A few of the larger populations of Belugas spend summers in Bristol Bay and the Arctic regions. Beluga calves are dark blue and turn white as they move into adulthood.
