lstrong Posted August 29, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Is the last week in September too late for a whale watching trip out of Juneau? Thanks, Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugaltravel Posted August 30, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Some whales stay near Juneau year-round so definitely not "too late." I would go with one of the more reputable companies that know the area well. It might be slightly harder to find whales that late in the season vs. earlier but they will definitely be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstrong Posted August 30, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Thank you for the encouragement. I have always wanted to go whale watching! Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyAgain Posted August 30, 2013 #4 Share Posted August 30, 2013 Laurie, you need to email or telephone the vendors now to make arrangements as several quit touring at some point in September. Get the information you need from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnyjane Posted August 30, 2013 #5 Share Posted August 30, 2013 I'm on the last cruise of the season on HAL and am booked for a nature hike and whale-watching trip through the cruise line. A whale sighting is guaranteed by the operator or we will receive $100 cash, so I figure nothing to lose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstrong Posted August 31, 2013 Author #6 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Thank you all for your help. I made reservations with Orca Enterprises for 9-24-13. Totally excited! Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted September 2, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Humpbacks don't migrate until around November. Sitka has a yearly festival for this. So, definitely end of Sept will offer humpback sightings on whale watches. (if they are still operating) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted September 2, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 2, 2013 I'm on the last cruise of the season on HAL and am booked for a nature hike and whale-watching trip through the cruise line. A whale sighting is guaranteed by the operator or we will receive $100 cash, so I figure nothing to lose! Sounds like the same excursion I took in Juneau, May 2013. If I am correct, your boat holds 22 with folding windows to open when whales are spotted. There will be lots of boats looking for them and with radio communications, the boats head for the latest sightings. The nature hike to Mendenhall Glacier is excellent with lots of information on glacier activity and the reforestation process. The excursion concludes with some breathtaking photo opportunities at the Glacier. FWIW the snack was healthy and filling. Bring rain gear since Alaska is in a rain forest and rain is measured in feet rather than the normal inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnyjane Posted September 2, 2013 #9 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Sounds like the same excursion I took in Juneau, May 2013. If I am correct, your boat holds 22 with folding windows to open when whales are spotted. There will be lots of boats looking for them and with radio communications, the boats head for the latest sightings. The nature hike to Mendenhall Glacier is excellent with lots of information on glacier activity and the reforestation process. The excursion concludes with some breathtaking photo opportunities at the Glacier. FWIW the snack was healthy and filling. Bring rain gear since Alaska is in a rain forest and rain is measured in feet rather than the normal inches. Thanks!! Yes the trip is small, capped at 20. I invested in a great Columbia rain jacket so I'm ready!!! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted September 2, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thanks!! Yes the trip is small, capped at 20. I invested in a great Columbia rain jacket so I'm ready!!! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Here is some of the plant life you will see on your nature hike near Mendenhall Glacier: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/?page_id=1105 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnyjane Posted September 2, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Ooh thanks! I bought a new waterproof camera with zoom lens and great macro setting just for the trip so I bet I can have fun on the hike taking pics like those! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobCruise Posted September 3, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I'm on the last cruise of the season on HAL and am booked for a nature hike and whale-watching trip through the cruise line. A whale sighting is guaranteed by the operator or we will receive $100 cash, so I figure nothing to lose! We did the whale watch with HAL (Westerdam) the 1st week of Sept last year. Allen Marine was great at finding them. We saw lots of humpbacks, minke and orcas :) Have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetocruise44 Posted September 17, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 17, 2013 We were in Juneau last week and saw numerous whales on our excursion with Harv and Marv's. We booked a 6-person boat so everyone would be able to see from inside, but it was a beautiful day so we sat outside. Captain Steve was a wonderful guide and as excited as we were to have "Spot" surface 10 feet away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetocruise44 Posted September 17, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Some more pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubfan63 Posted September 18, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Did whale watching in Juneau last Friday (Sept 13) in the morning. It was an amazing experience as we saw orcas in one location (within 15 minutes of starting the tour) and many humpbacks in two different locations. People on the afternoon tour did not see orcas, from those I spoke with. This was on an Allen Marine ship-booked excursion, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poipu04 Posted September 18, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 18, 2013 We just did whale watching last week with Gastineau Guiding and probably saw several humpbacks. I have dozens of pictures from the trip. We did the photo safari by land and sea and it was excellent. There were six people on our boat but it could have held 14. Besides the whale watching, we did a short nature hike at the Mendenhall Glacier. We even saw a bear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophy_23 Posted September 18, 2013 #17 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I got an email from my parents who are currently in Alaska and they were out whale watching in Juneau 2 days ago and saw many whales! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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