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Zip across the water in an eco-friendly zodiac boat, which will bring you closer to sea animals including orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, seals, and sea lions. While you’re on the lookout for wildlife, you’ll also get to enjoy the beautiful scenery found along the Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait. Whether you’re on a large cruise ship, a small expedition vessel, or even sea kayaking, Alaska provides you with a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of whales up close and personal. Keep reading to discover the best months to plan your Alaskan cruise for an unforgettable whale watching experience. While gray whales are active in Alaskan waters during the early spring, most species, including belugas, orcas, humpback whales, and blue whales, peak between May and September. This partially explains why this stretch is much busier than other times of year for tourism in Alaska.
27 First time Alaska cruise tips (2024) Cruise.Blog - Cruise Blog
27 First time Alaska cruise tips ( Cruise.Blog.
Posted: Tue, 13 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Why Choose Alaska for Whale Watching Adventures?
They provide an overview of Alaska's history, culture, recreation and industry, and don't offer much of a personal touch. While all travel has environmental and cultural impacts, cruising leaves its mark to varying degrees on Alaska's fragile ecosystems. The average large cruise ship can have a carbon footprint greater than 12,000 cars and produce up to a ton of trash each day.
How to Prepare for an Unforgettable Whale Watching Experience in Alaska?
Alaska's impressive southern coastlines contain hordes of island archipelagos, deep fjords and ancient glaciers. Nearly all of the area is roadless, so seafaring vessels, including cruise ships, are a popular way for visitors to experience these pristine areas. Hoonah is located right around the corner from Point Adolphus, which is a premier whale-watching destination. On this excursion, you’ll board a whale-watching boat and view the beautiful scenery and marine life including seals, sea lions, sea otters, and, very likely, Orcas and/or Humpback whales.
Inside Passage
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. Whale watching boats are usually quite small and can encounter choppy waters. Even on the smoothest of days, the rocking of a small boat can make some passengers feel seasick. It’s a cruise unlike any other — one that people often describe as the trip of a lifetime.
Booking an Alaska cruise? Know your cruise lines and best time to go - USA TODAY
Booking an Alaska cruise? Know your cruise lines and best time to go.
Posted: Sat, 27 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Also known as killer whales, orcas are technically a toothed whale and member of the oceanic dolphin family. Trips in May and September are normally less expensive and the activities less crowded. The weather can be a bit of a gamble — it will certainly be cooler than trips in mid-summer — but the subsequent savings can be significant. And there will still be animal sightings, just in more modest quantities.
A tour guide leads this excursion which takes you adventuring along old logging roads. Icy Strait Point is a privately owned port near the town of Hoonah on Chichagof Island in Alaska. It is a unique port because it is operated by the Huna Totem Corporation, a company owned by local natives from the Tlingit tribe to provide job opportunities for their people.
Humpback whales are well known for their acrobatic displays, including breaching, tail slapping, and lunging out of the water, making for a mesmerizing spectacle. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Even when the daytime temperatures are well above freezing, nighttime temperatures can dip below 32 °F, even in the summer.
Alaska waters are known to host eight different species of whales inhabiting or migrating through its seas and fjords. To maximize your chances of seeing whales, consider taking a dedicated whale-watching tour in addition to your cruise. Local experts on these tours can help you spot and learn more about these magnificent creatures. Be sure to check with your cruise operator or tour provider for the most up-to-date information on whale-watching opportunities during your specific travel dates. These whale watching tours can be accessible to accommodate all travellers. During the cruise season, popular cruise lines assist travelers in enjoying all of the unique sights, wildlife, excursions, events and food.
Best cruise lines for extended trips to Alaska
Whale sightings in Alaska are so frequent during certain times of the year that some tours guarantee at least one sighting. Killer whales, or orcas, can sometimes be spotted on a whale watching excursion as well. Orcas are quick moving animals, though, and have more unpredictable movement patterns than humpback whales, so they are less common to see. A whale watching tour is one of the most sought after shore excursions on an Alaska cruise, and for good reason. Viewing some of the largest mammals on earth in their natural habitat is breathtaking and one that will be a highlight for many on an Alaska cruise.
The port is set on Chichagof Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines. You can also find one-way repositioning cruises between Southern California ports (Los Angeles and San Diego) and Vancouver at the beginning or end of a ship's Alaska cruise season. To maximize your chances of experiencing this spectacular natural phenomenon, plan your Alaska trip during these months when darkness prevails, enhancing the visibility of the northern lights. The best time to spot bears in Alaska, particularly grizzly bears, is during the summer months, with June and July being the peak.
During this time, travelers on an Alaskan cruise have a good chance of spotting humpback whales breaching, tail slapping, or engaging in other behaviors that make for memorable wildlife sightings. An Alaskan cruise offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of whales in their natural habitat. By understanding the factors that affect whale sightings, knowing the peak whale season, and following essential tips, you can enhance your whale watching experience and make lasting memories. In addition, some excursions may not be listed as a ‘whale watching excursion’ but may offer the opportunity to spot whales. In Icy Strait Point, guests can book a kayaking excursion that brings them on a tour through the waters of Port Frederick. This is a route commonly followed by humpback or killer whales, so passengers will have a chance of spotting whales while on a kayak.
When you want to go will depend on which activities you want to do, how you feel about cool weather and rain, and the price. Cruises at the beginning (April and May) and end (September and October) of Alaska's cruise season are generally a bit cheaper than those in June, July and August. If you're eager to spot bald eagles in the wild, ride a dog sled atop an ice field or pan for gold after a hearty salmon feast, an Alaska cruise is calling your name. Dive into The Points Guy's Alaska cruise guide for all the planning tips you need for your dream cruise up north.
If you want to spot herds of caribou, book an Alaska cruise that puts you in range of Denali National Park. And with salmon runs in full force, you can catch fishing bears in the southeast. Many whales including humpbacks are busy eating as much as possible in the summer months. This is to sustain them in Hawaii all winter where they mate and raise their calves, so one theory is that they’re busy eating and hunting. The kinds of whale species you’ll encounter while on your cruise largely depends on which region of Alaska you’re sailing through.
Inside the restored cannery, you’ll find souvenir shops and a free museum. This port was awarded “Port of the Year” in 2020 by the SeaTrade Cruise Awards. The Adventure Center, where you can purchase or check-in for excursions is located close to the Ocean Landing berth.
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