Which Alaska cruise port is best for whale watching?
The best whale watching ports of call are typically Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka in Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia in Canada.
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An Alaska whale-watching cruise is one of the best ways to see the world's largest mammals in their natural habitat. During an Alaskan vacation, you'll spot feeding humpback whales, orcas swimming with their offspring, and gray and blue whales splashing in the water from a front-row seat.
The best port for whale watching is Juneau. We went with Orca and had a good time. Of course, there is always a floating whale observation platform (i.e. the cruiseship).
If it's whales you want, it's whales you're gonna get. The best time to whale watch is from April to November, when approximately 600 humpbacks inhabit the waters of the northern Inside Passage. Whale watching tours are offered in Juneau and near Glacier Bay.
Gray whales are the first to arrive, typically in April when they're often spotted off of Seward. By May, we start to see more orcas, then humpback whales come June. Alaska's peak whale season is considered to be May through September, and it's during this time that the boat tours operate.
On a cruise to Ketchikan, your cruise ship will dock in the downtown area, parallel to Front Street. It's an easy walk to shops, restaurants, and Creek Street.
When is the Best Time of Year for Whale Watching on an Alaska Cruise? You're in luck. April to November is the best time to see whales in Alaska and that nicely aligns with the Alaska cruise season. Like most of us, whales enjoy Alaska in the spring and summer months, when the days are long and food is plentiful.
At any time during the cruise season you'll certainly see some of Alaska's most amazing animal inhabitants, including whales, dolphins, bears and bald eagles. However, many migratory species are sighted more often during certain times.
Juneau is a very walkable city. Most cruise ships dock right in downtown, and visitors can leave the ship and walk all throughout downtown, shopping and exploring.
(Alaska cruise itineraries don't venture far enough north for polar bear viewing.) In general, small expedition ships strengthened to weather sea ice are the best vessels for a polar bear safari. Choose a cruise with onboard naturalists who are skilled in keeping an eye out for the hard-to-spot creatures.
DON'T be disappointed if it's raining and misty, but DO bring your rain gear! At the very least bring a rain jacket but I would suggest rain pants too. Luckily the humpback whales don't care if it's raining or sunny. It's always wet and cold where they are!
The short answer: between April and November. Orcas can be seen hunting year-round, but the summer months are truly the best time to see whales in Alaska. Gray whales start to arrive in their seasonal migration in April.
Whales are generally most active in the morning and late afternoon, making these the best times to spot them. During the morning, whales tend to be more active as they start their day and may feed. As the day progresses and the sun sets, whales become more active as they prepare to rest for the night.