Best bet for seeing seals?

[CarolinaMamma]

We are cruising to Ketcikan, Skagway and Juneau in August on Celebrity. We have a full day in Skagway and Ketcikan, but don't arrive in Juneau until 2:30 p.m.

 

One of my kids is really, really into seals. Can anyone recommend any tours where we would be likely to see some? Not looking for a guarantee, just our best chances. Prefer something fairly affordable, as we are a family of 5. Youngest child will be 6, so something accessible to kids that young would be good.

[Budget Queen]

Sorry, on your itinerary, not good chances for any specific locations. IF you were to go to Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm, you do frequently see harbor seals hauled out on ice. But in Hubbard, it is a far bigger open area- they haul out partially for protection. That would be your best area- binoculars will be necessary, and have a forward view. Look for black spots on ice.

 

Harbor seals are difficult to see in the water. I have seen them pure chance in many areas. You'll be lucky to see a "bump" in the water, a quick look then dive.

 

I suggest, always keep an eye out, and always have binoculars- all the time.

 

IF it doesn't matter, sea lions are frequently seen on the Juneau whale watches, For many years, they can be seen hauled out on a buoy that some whale watches detour to.

[Cruiser304958]

Skagway is great for seals - they hang out at the mouth of the Skagway River, an easy walk from some of the docks, a mile or so from the Railway Docks.

[Northern Aurora]

Last summer, while docked at Skagway, we had a harbor seal swimming up and down the length of the ship. The seal would pop up and look up at folks on their balconies. It was as if the seal was posing for photos.

[framer]

Harv and Marv in Juneau. You can buy the whole boat for the 5 of you and you tell them what you want to do and see. They nornally don't take kids unless you buy the whole boat. The cost for the whole boat for 5 is just what you would pay if went on a normal tour but they would have 6 onboard.

 

Here's a photo on got 2 years ago on one of their tours.

 

 

They cover more than whale watching.

 

framer

[Suzanne123]

Here are some "seal cams" that might interest your kids:

http://www.animalcameras.com/seals/live-seal-webcams/

 

If you ever get back to Alaska, plan on a visit to the Seward Alaska Sea Life Center. You can take a "behind the scenes" marine mammal encounter and pet and feed the seals in their displays. I had a 2 for 1 coupon from the Northern Lights book, and it was one of the best tours I've ever taken.

 

We have seen those sea lions that BQ mentioned on every whale watch, and there was also a group of sea lions we saw several times on the way to Haines from Skagway if you take one of the high speed ferry rides over there. They will also be on the port side as your ship leaves in the evening. You'll need binoculars, though.

 

CruiseExplorere - Thanks for the tip about seals at the mouth of the river. Can you tell me how to get there?

[paddingtonbear]

Harv and Marv in Juneau. You can buy the whole boat for the 5 of you and you tell them what you want to do and see. They nornally don't take kids unless you buy the whole boat. The cost for the whole boat for 5 is just what you would pay if went on a normal tour but they would have 6 onboard.

 

Here's a photo on got 2 years ago on one of their tours.

 

They cover more than whale watching.

 

framer

 

You had beautiful weather. What time of year did you go? Great photos too!

[Coral]

Every whale watching trip I have gone on sees the seals in Juneau. They are always on a buoy.

[CarolinaMamma]

Thanks for all the replies. I am checking out Harv and Marv.

 

We will be cruising Glacier Bay from 6-10 a.m. The day we go to Juneau

If we were to do a whale watching trip in Juneau, would it likely be a repeat of what we had already seen? Would it be better to spend more time at Mendenhall Glacier? Just wondering how to best spend our limited time in Juneau.

 

Thanks.

[CarolinaMamma]

Harv and Marv in Juneau. You can buy the whole boat for the 5 of you and you tell them what you want to do and see. They nornally don't take kids unless you buy the whole boat. The cost for the whole boat for 5 is just what you would pay if went on a normal tour but they would have 6 onboard.

 

Here's a photo on got 2 years ago on one of their tours.

 

 

They cover more than whale watching.

 

framer

 

LOVE this pic!!!

[mouse0217]

We live on Whidbey Island, WA (South on Vancouver Island) and we see tons of wildlife in the surrounding waters. Puget Sound holds a ton of wildlife if you are close to the water. Here are are a few photos from my adventures.

[Toyz711]

on a whale watching with orca enterprises, we had 2 that came right up to the boat. put on a nice show right up close and personal. then went over to bother a couple of humpbacks. tale smacking didn't bother the seaks at all.

[Budget Queen]

Every whale watching trip I have gone on sees the seals in Juneau. They are always on a buoy.

 

Those are sea lions, not seals. They have been hauling out there for years.

[Budget Queen]

Thanks for all the replies. I am checking out Harv and Marv.

 

We will be cruising Glacier Bay from 6-10 a.m. The day we go to Juneau

If we were to do a whale watching trip in Juneau, would it likely be a repeat of what we had already seen? Would it be better to spend more time at Mendenhall Glacier? Just wondering how to best spend our limited time in Juneau.

 

Thanks.

 

Absolutely not, no repeat. BUT, if you are sailing Celebrity, like you mention, you aren't sailing Glacier Bay. (which I comment on the harbor seal sightings there).

[framer]

You had beautiful weather. What time of year did you go? Great photos too!

 

That was around May 19, 2010 give or take a day. It was a nice day.

 

framer

[paddingtonbear]

That was around May 19, 2010 give or take a day. It was a nice day.

 

framer

 

Very nice photo. Thank you.