Best Place for Whale Watching in Alaska

The best places for whale watching in Alaska are Juneau and Icy Strait, whose nutrient-rich waters attract thousands of whales each season. Whales are so plentiful in Juneau & Icy Strait that we guarantee that you’ll see a whale or your tour will be refunded. 

Types of Whales to Expect

Both Juneau and Icy Strait are home to feeding grounds for humpback whales, so there is a large population of whales in both areas. The nutrient-rich waters in Favorite Channel and Saginaw Channel in Juneau are among the best places to see humpback whales in the entire world. These waterways attract the whales all summer long, before they make the long journey to the warm waters of Mexico and Hawaii to breed.

There is also an opportunity to see Orcas, also known as Killer Whales, on these tours. Only about 1,000 resident orcas live in Southeast Alaska, and it is a rare and exciting treat when they are spotted on a whale watch.

What to expect on a whale watch?

You’ll board a whale watching vessel, where you’ll have heated, indoor seating with large windows, and outdoor viewing platforms. In Juneau, you can expect a 15 to 20-minute boat ride out to the Stephens Passage ride. From there, you’ll spend about 2 hours whale watching, looking for spouts, flashes of tail, or maybe even a breach or a bubble net feeding. By comparison, in Icy Strait, your route will follow the shoreline, where whales feed in a deep channel.

While the onboard naturalist provides information about the whales and their environment, your captain is in communication with fellow whale-watching vessels, sharing the location of whale activity. Regardless of which tour you select, know that your onboard crew will do all they can to provide a memorable experience.

As responsible ocean stewards, our captains ensure that the whale-watching boat is at least 100 yards from whales, does not interfere with the path of oncoming whales, and maintains a slow, safe speed. As a passenger, this means that once whales are spotted, your captain will slow or stop the boat, allowing them to pass and you to move about the boat for an unobstructed view of these massive mammals.

Whale Watching in Other Parts of Alaska

Whale watching is also very good in Seward on a tour to Resurrection Bay, and the Kenai Fjords (or the extended cruise), but whale sightings are not guaranteed here. Whale sightings are also possible in Ketchikan and Sitka, but the chances are much less likely.

Read our picks for the best whale watching tours in Alaska, learn more about whale migration patterns, or check out our complete list of Alaska whale watching tours.

Alaska Whale Watching FAQs:

1. What are the best Alaska whale watching tours?

Juneau Whale Watching Tours are the most popular because whale sightings are guaranteed. The  Icy Strait Premier Whale Watching Adventure is also a popular choice. If you are seeking a private option, we recommend the Icy Strait Private Whale-Watching Charter.

2. What is the best port for whale watching?

Juneau is the best port for whale watching, because seeing whales is 100% guaranteed. Icy Strait is also a good choice for whale watching, because whales are abundant.

3. When is the best time for whale watching in Alaska?

The best time to see whales is May through September. Late July and August are especially good, as this is when the humpback whales begin "Bubble Net Feeding" and you can see 10-12 whales emerge from the water at once.