When Is the Best Time to Visit Alaska for Whale Watching and Wildlife?

Oct 16

For so many, a bucket-list vacation to Alaska is perfect! Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing this great land - America’s “Last Frontier” - and immersing themselves in the raw beauty that teams with wildlife at every corner?

The traditional vacation season to Alaska is short, with most guests arriving from late April to late September when the weather is more pleasant and flights are more easily available.

Whale watching is a must-do experience for many travelers, and some of the most popular times to view these majestic animals are in June and July near Ketchikan or Juneau. Several whale species arrive in and around the famous Inside Passage to gorge on food among the nutrient-rich waters. Humpback whales give birth to calves in the warm waters off Hawaii or Mexico in the winter and migrate back to Alaska with their young in the late spring or summer. Orca (killer) whales often welcome their young in their immediate “home territory" which reduces the need for a long migration with young. Humpback whales are the most commonly seen whale species in Alaska.

If you have an opportunity to enjoy a whale-watching cruise, it’s a fantastic experience to see whales in their natural habitat feeding and (sometimes) displaying their quirky sense of playfulness at observant travelers. Pro Tips: Be sure you bring binoculars and dress in layers!

Not into whales? There are plenty more wildlife adventures waiting for you in Alaska!

Other wildlife can be spotted throughout the state: from various birds, to rarely-seen lynx, moose, bears, eagles, Dall sheep, seals, sea lions, reindeer and more, you can find plenty of wildlife sightings. During our vacations to Alaska, we’ve noticed more young in the mid-May time frame vs. later in the summer. I highly encourage an Alaskan land-based option or enjoy a pre-or-post cruise land tour for your next vacation to the “Last Frontier”. You’ll experience so many more eye-opening sights than you would on a cruise!