Rare Malemew Posted March 12, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Hey We are cruising south in September. We have stops at Icy Straight, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Are any of these more favourable than others for whale watching? It seems Juneau has quite a few tours going so guess this is the most popular / reliable option? Thanks on advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted March 12, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 12, 2018 We had great luck in Icy Strait Point last May. We used Glacier Winds, but also saw bubble net feeding directly by the ship. There are also less options for other activities in ISP than Juneau, so Whale watching fits well. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted March 13, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Juneau is the most likely spot to see whales with most excursions giving a $100 refund if whales are not spotted. Most humpback whales are migratory but some are year-round residents of Auke Bay (Juneau) so I have learned from the naturalists on board my excursions. Most of the whales in this link I saw in Auke Bay. I have also been lucky enough to see Orcas in Auke Bay one season. http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty/wildlife/humpback-whales/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted March 13, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Juneau and Icy Strait Point are the best spots for Humpback whale sightings. As mentioned, there are so many activities in Juneau that it would seem to make sense to do the whale watch in ISP although the humpback numbers are down out of ISP. Your chances of a better whale watch tour may be out of Juneau. This is the most recent article from the park service on the humpback decline at ISP and Glacier Bay: https://www.nps.gov/glba/blogs/recent-declines-in-humpback-whales-in-glacier-bay-icy-strait-is-their-heyday-over.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jota62 Posted March 13, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I went in 2015 and saw a lot in Juneau. I took a small tour, I think maybe 14 people on our boat and that worked great for photos. We did a combined glacier/whale watching tour excursion and it worked out great. I've included a link to my review that has whale watching pictures from our time in Juneau. Also, I only did the south as well and in September and leaving Juneau we had some amazing Northern Lights so keep a watch out for that as well! https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2259404&highlight=legend Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCJack Posted March 14, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I believe Juneau and Icy Straight are relatively close to each other and whale watching may be similar. May be best to decide which one you want to do something other than whale watching, and that will help you with your decision. Obviously Juneau is larger and Icy Straight is a very small town if that helps. We did whale watching in Icy Straight and it was excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobaltdiane Posted March 14, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Had a wonderful tour out of Juneau despite some rain with lots of whale sightings. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted March 14, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 14, 2018 We have enjoyed Whale Tours out of Juneau multiple times so it is easy for me to recommend Juneau. I do recommend trying to go on a vessel that carrier ten or less people. I just find it a much better experience then being in a large vessel. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katrina915 Posted March 14, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I went in 2015 and saw a lot in Juneau. I took a small tour, I think maybe 14 people on our boat and that worked great for photos. We did a combined glacier/whale watching tour excursion and it worked out great. I've included a link to my review that has whale watching pictures from our time in Juneau. Also, I only did the south as well and in September and leaving Juneau we had some amazing Northern Lights so keep a watch out for that as well! https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2259404&highlight=legend Sent from my iPhone using Forums Really enjoyed your review! I was wondering if the whales would still be in Alaska in September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahCBL Posted March 17, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 17, 2018 I have done whale watching in September 2016 and June 2017 in both ISP and Juneau. Both places were good, but I prefer ISP. The amount of whales we saw in both places was similar, but the company we used in ISP (Glacier Wind Charters) really made a difference. Their very comfortable boat is for 6 passengers only and you can walk all the way around the deck so you are never blocked or trapped and not able to see. The captain and his wife that run the company are wonderful and give personalized service. We are using them for a 3rd time this year. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingwithcarrie Posted March 17, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 17, 2018 I've gone whale watching in both ISP and Juneau and found whales in both places, but had a much better experience in ISP, so much so that we're going whale watching in ISP again this summer. In Juneau we've seen a few humpbacks and seals. In ISP we saw humpbacks and orca, seals and a ton of otters. If I wasn't going to ISP, I'd go whale watching in Juneau, but if we ever stop in ISP, whale watching is #1 on my list there. I have photos on my blog (I think in my signature) and soon, I should have video on my vlog which is my username at you tube. My goal is to get it done before we go again in June! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaitip Posted March 19, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 19, 2018 I went in 2015 and saw a lot in Juneau. I took a small tour, I think maybe 14 people on our boat and that worked great for photos. We did a combined glacier/whale watching tour excursion and it worked out great. I've included a link to my review that has whale watching pictures from our time in Juneau. Also, I only did the south as well and in September and leaving Juneau we had some amazing Northern Lights so keep a watch out for that as well! https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2259404&highlight=legend Sent from my iPhone using Forums May i ask what tour company did you book for whale watch in Juneau? Thanks Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jota62 Posted May 9, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 9, 2018 May i ask what tour company did you book for whale watch in Juneau? Thanks Sent from my iPad using Forums I'm sorry that I just saw this response now. I actually booked the excursion through the cruise line. It was like a photo safari whale watching excursion. We picked it because it was limited to a max of 14 people, I believe. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska0799 Posted May 16, 2018 #14 Share Posted May 16, 2018 May i ask what tour company did you book for whale watch in Juneau? Thanks Sent from my iPad using Forums Chiming in with our recommendations for whale watching company in Juneau! We've just booked Captain Steve, with Alaska Humpback Adventures for our two Juneau visits during our first ever B2B Alaska cruises in July. He's the absolute best whale watch captain (out of approx. 7 captains) we've had in over a dozen excursions out of Juneau. Lost track of him after he left Harv & Marv and were thrilled to discover he started his own company this year! We have complete confidence in his competence as a captain. He's lived and captained in Juneau for decades and knows those waters intimately. On his trips, not only will you see whales but he also will point out all the other wildlife you observe along the way. His love and enthusiasm for wildlife is contagious! His 6-passenger boat, the Merlin, has a hydrophone, which means you may be able to hear the whales communicating with each other. One year when the Auke Bay area humpbacks were in a bubble-net feeding period, we knew when they were about to surface because we could actually hear the "signal" via the hydrophone. Spectacular wildlife experience! For anyone who wants the intimate whale watching experience of a 6-passenger boat, in our opinion, there is no reason to go with anyone but Captain Steve. While on his site, check out the breathtaking photos in the Gallery. www.alaskahumpbackadventures.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaitip Posted May 17, 2018 #15 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Chiming in with our recommendations for whale watching company in Juneau! We've just booked Captain Steve, with Alaska Humpback Adventures for our two Juneau visits during our first ever B2B Alaska cruises in July. He's the absolute best whale watch captain (out of approx. 7 captains) we've had in over a dozen excursions out of Juneau. Lost track of him after he left Harv & Marv and were thrilled to discover he started his own company this year! We have complete confidence in his competence as a captain. He's lived and captained in Juneau for decades and knows those waters intimately. On his trips, not only will you see whales but he also will point out all the other wildlife you observe along the way. His love and enthusiasm for wildlife is contagious! His 6-passenger boat, the Merlin, has a hydrophone, which means you may be able to hear the whales communicating with each other. One year when the Auke Bay area humpbacks were in a bubble-net feeding period, we knew when they were about to surface because we could actually hear the "signal" via the hydrophone. Spectacular wildlife experience! For anyone who wants the intimate whale watching experience of a 6-passenger boat, in our opinion, there is no reason to go with anyone but Captain Steve. While on his site, check out the breathtaking photos in the Gallery. www.alaskahumpbackadventures.com. Thank you so much. I will look through it. I know that we cannot control the nature but I want to see as much as possible. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igavon Posted May 17, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Curious to know what companies are recommended in ISP? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaitip Posted May 18, 2018 #17 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Chiming in with our recommendations for whale watching company in Juneau! We've just booked Captain Steve, with Alaska Humpback Adventures for our two Juneau visits during our first ever B2B Alaska cruises in July. He's the absolute best whale watch captain (out of approx. 7 captains) we've had in over a dozen excursions out of Juneau. Lost track of him after he left Harv & Marv and were thrilled to discover he started his own company this year! We have complete confidence in his competence as a captain. He's lived and captained in Juneau for decades and knows those waters intimately. On his trips, not only will you see whales but he also will point out all the other wildlife you observe along the way. His love and enthusiasm for wildlife is contagious! His 6-passenger boat, the Merlin, has a hydrophone, which means you may be able to hear the whales communicating with each other. One year when the Auke Bay area humpbacks were in a bubble-net feeding period, we knew when they were about to surface because we could actually hear the "signal" via the hydrophone. Spectacular wildlife experience! For anyone who wants the intimate whale watching experience of a 6-passenger boat, in our opinion, there is no reason to go with anyone but Captain Steve. While on his site, check out the breathtaking photos in the Gallery. www.alaskahumpbackadventures.com. Excuse me. How many captain Steve are there for whale watching? As I searched, I found captain Steve in many web sites. i am confused. Thank you Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska0799 Posted May 18, 2018 #18 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Excuse me. How many captain Steve are there for whale watching?As I searched, I found captain Steve in many web sites. i am confused. Thank you Sent from my iPad using Forums Yes, I've noticed that, too! The Captain Steve we are recommending is Captain Steve Olmstead, with www.alaskahumpbackadventures.com. Happy planning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted May 18, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 18, 2018 We had great luck in Icy Strait Point last May. We used Glacier Winds, but also saw bubble net feeding directly by the ship. There are also less options for other activities in ISP than Juneau, so Whale watching fits well. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Good to know, as we have whale/mammal watching booked in ISP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaitip Posted May 18, 2018 #20 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Yes, I've noticed that, too! The Captain Steve we are recommending is Captain Steve Olmstead, with www.alaskahumpbackadventures.com. Happy planning! Yes, I just want to know who as I heard often that he is the best. Thank you for introducing. I will be there in early June. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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