whale watching? opinions please

[kclark0637]

We are booked for Alaska in May (keeping fingers crossed...obviously, we realize it might not even happen). Initially, I had wanted to book a whale watching excursion, but then I started thinking back to a trip to the beach we did once. We did a dolphin cruise, and while it was neat'ish, it was honestly pretty boring in our opinions.

 

Are whale watching excursions comparable to this, or is it totally different? Thoughts and opinions welcome. Thank you!

[Glaciers]

If you’re asking about humpback whale tours you’re guaranteed to see humpbacks but that may only be a back and/or a tail from a distance.  There is also bubble net feeding which is less frequent and breaching that is even less frequent.  I will always do a whale watch tour in Juneau and hope for the best although I’m thinking that you may not be satisfied with this tour based on your post.

[oaktreerb]

The scenery that you will view from the ship is amazing.  There will be lots of snow on the mountains in May.  Juneau and Icy Strait are good ports for whale watching.  Who knows how many whales you will see but most people enjoy whale watching excursions in the rugged waters of Alaska.  

Edited October 20, 2020 by oaktreerb

[Crew News]

By law, any tour boat can only get so close to a whale.  Now if the whale comes close to the boat, that is another story.  The excitement of spotting the first whael will bring every passenger enjoying the warmth of the larger whale watching boats rushing outside to the railings to get a photograph.  If seeing wildlife is not your thing for Juneau, take the flight excursion to Taku Lodge for a salmon dinner or maybe a Mendenhall Glacier trek.

 

May is the month when whale calves are experiencing the Alaska waters: for the first time:

 

 

Or the Orca that appears so close to the excursion boat that its length will not all fit into the camera frame:

 

 

[kclark0637]

Thank you all so much for your replies. These are all very helpful to help us as we consider.

[masterdrago]

If we were able to do another whale watch, we would definitely use Glacier Wind Charters in Icy Strait again. Great team and family run small boat tours. I think they have a new boat that can hold 13. And a 6 passenger boat.

 

 

 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

There are no guarantees of great whale sightings.  If you are in Juneau I recommend Jayleen's Alaska. Small boat (6 passengers) excursion and if there are whales to be seen you will get as close as allowed.

[Italy52]

Another vote for Jayleen's Alaska if you are going to be in Juneau.