Best Port For Whale Watching?

[CONCH65]

We are taking our first Alaska cruise in just over a week and we will be visiting Sitka, Icy Straight, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Is one port better than the others for taking a whale watching excursion?

[quack2]

Icy Strait and Juneau.  Ketchikan not so much.

 

[Crew News]

As a photographer, my ranking for active whale watching is ISP, Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan.

 

Whale watching in ISP is mere minutes from the pier while Juneau and Sitka takes some significant driving/boat time to find whales.

[CONCH65]

Thanks. We will focus on Icy Strait. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, CONCH65 said:

Thanks. We will focus on Icy Strait. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Whales don't care about the weather so just bring a poncho for yourself and camera.  Big gulp in ISP:

 

 

[Glaciers]

Although there are still many whales in ISP their numbers have decreased by 40% in recent years since their peak. They did see 17 new calves last year and that was encouraging.  I would give the edge to Juneau for humpbacks but the problem is that there are so many other things to do in Juneau. In that regard, ISP would be better.

 

We are just returning to Seattle tomorrow from the Majestic 7 night this week.  We had a very good showing of humpbacks in Juneau last Tuesday.  Of course, mainly backs, tails and blow but we we’re also treated to two breaches and a bunch of lobtailing.

[Lois R]

I am flying to Seattle on Wednesday😃 can't wait!!!!!!!!

[Viklynn]

We are also going on our first Alaska cruse starting Sept 11th.  Do you often see whales and/or other wildlife from the cruise ship between ports or while docked?  We are so excited 

[Crew News]

6 minutes ago, Viklynn said:

We are also going on our first Alaska cruse starting Sept 11th.  Do you often see whales and/or other wildlife from the cruise ship between ports or while docked?  We are so excited 

If you see a whale while on board, it will be a very very rare event.  Whales can be seen during their traveling months to/from Alaska (April and October) but the rest of the time, whales stick to their feeding locations which are not in the ship lanes.

 

You will indeed see lots of eagles.  Bring binoculars to keep watch.

Edited August 20, 2021 by Crew News

[Glaciers]

52 minutes ago, Viklynn said:

We are also going on our first Alaska cruse starting Sept 11th.  Do you often see whales and/or other wildlife from the cruise ship between ports or while docked?  We are so excited 

If your ship has a naturalist they should be able to tell you areas where you may see humpbacks from the ship although most sightings are from quite a distance.  There are several areas where sightings can increase which include the area around the entrance of Glacier Bay/Pt Adolphus. Also, as the ship travels near Juneau. There’s a spot near Wrangell just west of Zarembo Island that can be good as well, if your cruise even travels through that area.  Good is certainly relative and you may not see anything.  I have always seen them from the ship but I spend hours on deck but again, from quite a distance. Certainly nothing that would be considered an alternative over a good whale watch tour.

[joeflow80]

We spotted whales on both of our sea days on our recent trip. ISP is the best option to spot them from the shore. There's a point about one-third of the way on the trail from ISP to Hoonah (~.5 mile) that is a great spot to sit and watch. We had a few sightings there, and then a few hundred yards later spotted some eagles up in the trees.