December 21, 2024 12:49 PM

Tips to Keep in Mind to Make the Most of Your Whale Watching Experience in Alaska

Alaska is known for a number of things that keeps reeling travelers back to it. Of course, there are the picture-perfect glaciers. Diners also frequently rave about the freshest seafood one could find on this earth.

Those who happen to love animals, particularly whales, also keep coming back to Alaska for a whole lot of whale watching. Yup, you read that right. If you want to experience whale watching, Alaska is one of the places to be.

To maximize your experience when you do make that whale-watching trip, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind.

Tips to Keep in Mind to Make the Most of Your Whale Watching Experience in Alaska
Sammy Wong on Unsplash

Wear the Right Clothes

Needless to say, if you want to maximize your whale-watching experience, you must get into the boat and out on the water. Given this, it is important to wear appropriate clothing during your trip.

It can get really, really cold out in the open, so it is recommended that you dress in layers. If you can, make sure to wear some waterproof gear in case you're lucky enough to witness a whale breaching.

Best Time to See the Whales

While it is not uncommon to spot whales in Alaska on any given month, there are months where you'll have a better chance. Believe it or not, the best time to come for whale watching actually depends on which specific whale you want to see. For example, humpback whales are typically seen during the months of June and July.

Blue whales and beluga whales, on the other hand, are in the area come July and August. Gray whales are around the longest, usually from April to June.

While they are technically not whales, orcas (otherwise known as killer whales) are seen from early May to early June.

Where to Go

Alaska has multiple whale-watching spots that travelers can choose from. Those who want to spot some humpback whales should head to Prince William Sound, which is also a good place to spot some orcas.

Those hoping to spot some belugas can head to Turnagain Arm, which is near Anchorage. Specifically, you can find belugas leaving the arm around mid-July and September.

Kodiak is also another popular whale-watching destination. If you find yourself here during the summer, you can hope to catch a humpback whale. If you're here during spring, you might just catch a gray whale instead.

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Alaska
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