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The Alaskan cruise season runs from May to September, encompassing a period of rapid change in wildlife, weather, pricing, and crowds. A cruise ship offers a comfortable and convenient way to explore this vast and picturesque region, giving you the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime. A favorite of the grey whale are crustaceans, while beluga whales eat fish, squid, and octopus. In May, there are fewer visitors too, which means you can get closer to the whales. You’ll also find it easier and cheaper to get on a whale watching cruise. By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your whale watching opportunities during your Alaskan cruise.
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Your ship’s crew can answer many of your specific questions about whales onboard an Alaska cruise, but here are some of the most common questions about whale watching in Alaska. Make sure your camera and phone battery are fully charged before your whale watching excursion. Photography aficionados may want to bring a full camera setup with a telephoto lens to ensure they can capture the best pictures possible. There are plenty of opportunities to see whales from the shore, but hopping on a day tour is a great way to see whales in Alaska. In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know about Alaska whale watching, including the best time and place to see whales in Alaska.
What Are The Best Ports To Visit On An Alaskan Cruise?
Make sure to start planning your trip soon, as the best time of year to see these majestic creatures is during the summer months. These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists. The best time to cruise to Alaska for salmon fishing is during the summer months, specifically from late June through September. This period aligns with Alaska’s salmon runs, when various species of salmon—king, sockeye, coho, pink, and chum—make their way upstream in large numbers.
When Is Whale Watching Season In Alaska?
If you want to see whales in Alaska, you’ve got a great range of best times. This makes them some of the most likely to spot, especially if you cruise to Resurrection Bay Alaska May to June, although it’s possible to catch sight of them through September. Blue whales aren’t commonly seen in Alaska unless it’s in July and August. These mammoth and gentle beauties prefer deeper waters and are hardly ever seen near the shoreline. The best time to capture a closer look at our favorite mammals of the sea varies from species to species. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip.
While it may seem counterintuitive that a popular time to travel would mean that cruise fares are lower, the reason is that there are more ships operating at this time. With more options to choose from, you can typically find a good deal if you are booking for the period that stretches between May and June. This period also seems to have longer daylight hours than earlier stretches. This means you have more time to stroll the deck of your ship and look out onto Alaska’s stunning landscapes and glaciers. The stretch between late April and late July is often considered to be Alaska’s second most popular time of the year for cruises.
Weather in Alaska in August may keep some cruisers away, but there are still many excursions and experiences to enjoy. On dry land, bears are more common in May, though not as frequently spotted as they are in peak summer. I realize there isn’t some statistic that shows how often you see whales breach, but in all my years living in Alaska, I’ve never seen a whale breach. Humpback whales are large, often growing to be feet long and weighing 80,000 pounds. In Alaska when they’re constantly eating, they can gain 12 pounds per hour!
Help me choose: which Alaska Cruise is right for me?
All Your Questions About Taking a Child on an Alaska Cruise, Answered - Condé Nast Traveler
All Your Questions About Taking a Child on an Alaska Cruise, Answered.
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The area is also renowned for whale watching, with numerous tours available that offer the chance to see humpback and orca whales in their natural habitat. During these months, the weather in Alaska can be quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from 40° to 53° Fahrenheit. You’ll want to bring plenty of layers to wear while you’re on the ship and when you stop at ports.
The Inside Passage, a popular route for Alaskan cruises, is a prime location for spotting orcas. One of the major drawbacks of spending time in Alaska during the late summer is the significant increase in mosquito activity. Mosquitos, along with other biting insects, tend to be at their peak during these late summer months. If you’re hoping to spot some famous Alaska wildlife, you have the highest chances in late summer and early fall. Toward the end of summer and early fall, bears are highly active as they prepare for winter hibernation. These months are also incredibly popular times for Alaskan cruises, which is why there is some debate over which period is the best between the two.
I highly recommend driving this road anyways because it’s absolutely beautiful. Since this is a very concentrated area of whales, Southeast Alaska offers the best whale watching in Alaska. Other adventurous activities, such as hiking trails, open up in the summer months. Hatcher Pass typically opens up in July, depending on the specific Hatcher Pass weather conditions. Mt. Denali is another option for cruisers, but be sure to check on the Mt. Denali weather with your cruise line. You will find local asparagus on some menus in southeast towns later in the month, and fiddlehead season also begins in Alaska in May.
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. The best time for whale watching can vary based on your specific location within Alaska. The Inside Passage, which includes ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, is a popular region for cruise ships and offers excellent opportunities for whale watching throughout the summer season. The Gulf of Alaska and the Kenai Fjords National Park are also known for their whale-watching opportunities. While you may not be able to see beluga whales or gray whales, there are still humpback whales and killer whales that you can see during this time. This area is a fantastic place to spot whales, so if you’re planning a cruise, you can see a variety of whales here.
Overall, the best locations for almost guaranteed whale sightings are out of Seward and Juneau. There is nothing more exciting in this world than watching whales in their natural habitat. Then, board a sightseeing boat for the chance to see those animals in action while also getting the opportunity to view the dramatic coastline scenery of the icy Kenai Fjords National Park. Finally, Beluga Whales are a critically endangered species, making their sighting particularly memorable and important.
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. Gray whales are usually present in Alaskan waters from April to November. They migrate along the west coast of North America, with some individuals reaching as far north as Alaska’s Arctic waters. Alaska’s waters are home to several species of whales, each with its own unique characteristics and seasonal presence.
It's a trip worth taking the time to plan and doing right — because who knows if or when you'll make it back to the Last Frontier. If you're interested in Alaska's gold rush history, Skagway — 90 miles northwest of Juneau — is a port you shouldn't miss. In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era.
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