I want to see Orcas!

[prncsscruiser]

Hello everyone. I will be on the ncl star out of Seattle June 12th, we go to ketchikan, skagway, juneau, and prince rupert. I went whale watching last year in both icy strait (amazing!) and juneau. I am thinking of booking another whale watching tour this year, would prince rupert be my best bet for seeing orcas? Thanks.

[melodyina]

Hope this link provides some insight. I see a local pod out of Seward, AK, tours, but see thats not on your journey...

 

http://www.orcanetwork.org/news/news.html

[Glaciers]

And another.

 

http://www.whale-watching-alaska.com/

[Happy2Cruise4Fun]

I captured this bunch/pod while cruising through Prince William Sound. Just happened to be out on our balcony looking and here they came.

[FurryPetMom]

If you have time in Seattle pre or post cruise your best bet for orcas would be to go north out of Anacortes or take the ferry to the San Juan Islands to see orcas. This area has 3 resident orca pods.

We have been on 3 whale watching trips out of the San Juan Islands in the last couple of years. It's about an hour and a half drive from Seattle and then one hour by ferry. During the last trip last year the orcas surprised us by coming right up to our boat and then going underneath! It was an unforgettable experience. :)

I hear that it is a slim chance to see orcas in Alaska.

[trophy_23]

We saw quite a few from the ship last May even saw a fair size pod in Glacier Bay, that was amazing!!

[Budget Queen]

Your itinerary isn't in any "orca areas" such as the resident Vancouver Island pods. and Prince Rupert is your only option. I suggest if a PRIORITY, that you add several days and get to Vancouver Island. There are 6 resident pods, with good sightings, especially if you book multiple trips ( I ALWAYS do). Otherwise, you are going to be pure chance. They aren't common to be seen. To give yourself the most "chance", park yourself all your sailing times at a front viewing area. Necessary is a good pair of WIDE angle binoculars.

[prncsscruiser]

thanks everyone for the feedback :-) i guess i will just try to pray to the orca gods that I get VERY LUCKY. I was pretty lucky last year on my whale watching trip, got to see bubble feeding that was AWESOME. So the whale gods don't really owe me anything this year :-) Either way I will have fun. Thanks again

[bigbigbob69]

We saw orcas in Vancouver a couple years back

[klingoncruiser]

If you spend enough time on deck you will see Orca, but probably only briefly. Rupert should be a good chance. We see them quite often in the area while taking the ferries north.

[prncsscruiser]

I will be sitting on deck as we sail into prince rupert with my binoculars :-) and just hope. Either way I am hoping to have a great cruise! First time on NCL, should be interesting.

[ruthandjohn]

We go to Alaska on a cruise at least once a year and after booking others, we ALWAYS book with Capt. Larry from Orca Enterprises in Juneau. We had had killer whale watches. Took a Nat'l Geographical photographer out with us last Sept. & had humpbacks & 2 groups of 5 orca. He couldn't believe it. Some came up & swam along the boat. We

always see them.

We have sailed with them every trip for the last 6-7 years and always good sightings. We're booked again for this Sept.

Have done Prince Rupert & several other ports as well, but this is the best. He does whale research in Maui every winter.

http://www.orcaenterprises.com

[plenox]

we will be visiting vancouver this summer. do plan to bring binoculars with us. What time will be the best for Orca watching trip? Morning or afternoon?

[Budget Queen]

we will be visiting vancouver this summer. do plan to bring binoculars with us. What time will be the best for Orca watching trip? Morning or afternoon?

 

doesn't matter

[Rocklady]

Went to Prince Rupert last year. The whales were bubble net feeding continuously for our entire time of the excursion. I can still smell whale breath. Saw no orcas.