There is no shortage of incredible natural sights to see or visit in Alaska, and whale watching excursions are just one example. These are found off a wide array of towns/cities on the Alaska coast from Juneau to Seward to Anchorage and all the coastal areas in between. These are incredible opportunities to see some of the truly incredible animals mother nature has to offer and are often part of a larger package that lets you see the majesty of the state.
For example, many whale watching tours also include seeing local glaciers, are attached to exploring remote national parks, or are a part of a larger package that offers even more than you may have expected. In other words, it is definitely worth your time to do your research ahead of time and look at all your options.
Know Where You’ll Be (Location)
Before booking a tour online, you need to make sure that’s a part of Alaska that is on the itinerary, or that you work with a travel agency planning up front to make sure that’s part of a larger organized whale watch trip on Vimeo before you book. Many people don’t appreciate just how huge the state of Alaska is and Kenai, Mendenhall, Seward, Whittier, and Juneau are very different locations.
You’ll quickly find it’s not always possible to “just jump on over.” This is especially true with Juneau which can only be accessed by air or sea and is definitely out of the way from the rest of the state. Understanding the actual geography and schedule will give you the tools to clearly see which places are legitimate options and which ones aren’t going to work with what you have set up.
Some Seasons Are Better Than Others
Whales follow a migratory pattern and it’s undeniable that some times of the year are going to be better than others for seeing certain types of whales or even seeing them in general. The good news is that you don’t have to be a scientist or biology major to figure out when to visit: you can rely on the information and experiences of the tours to see what the hot times are (or some have limited open seasons) and to make sure to visit during that time.
Generally May through September is the golden spot where almost all whale tours are open but in some locations they may go as late as October while a few others open in April or even very late March. The seasons will be based on weather, tourism, and migration patterns of the pods of whales themselves.
Plan Around The Excursions Appropriately
For some people the main interest in heading up towards Alaska is seeing the whales on tour. For others this is part of a larger tour and the planning needs to be done appropriately. Generally speaking, whale watching tours on Instagram are not just a couple hours but a much longer experience that should be seen as the main focus of an entire day.
3701 Amalga St., Juneau, Alaska
99801, United States
907-957-4778
Do Your Research
There are many great options when it comes to finding a whale watching Alaska tour, and it shouldn’t be too hard to find one in the part of Alaska you intend to visit. A little bit of research goes a long way and there are some very established tours that have a long standing reputation for quality and experience in providing the best possible viewing options.
Just a short list of good options includes:
– Juneau Whale Watch Tours and Mendenhall Glacier Combo Tour
– Kenai Fjords Tours
– Seward Ocean Excursions
– Hoonah Whale Watching Tour
– Major Marine Prince William Sound Cruise
However, don’t disqualify a provider just because they don’t show up on this list. There are many great options out there, as demand is high and there are dozens upon dozens of great providers, so as long as you do your research and match the time of visit you will be in great shape.
In Conclusion
There are many options when it comes to finding the perfect whale watching tour. As long as you’re anywhere along the southern coast you are going to have plenty of options. Whales are amazingly majestic creatures and it is really impressive to see them against the backdrop of glaciers, fjords, and all the beauty that Alaska has to offer.