Best Time to See Wildlife in Alaska

Posted on Friday, July 09, 2010

It's not surprising that in the land that has the biggest bears in the world, the largest salmon, the greatest gathering of bald eagles and more than half the world's humpback whale population, you'd find this kind of spectacular wilderness.  View with your own eyes the most dramatic scenery and the most abundant marine life and wildlife in the world on your Alaska cruise or land tour.

When is the best time to see Wildlife in Alaska?

That all depends on what you want to see!

Whales can usually be seen June through September.  You may see Humpback, Beluga, Orcas, Sea Otters, Beavers, Dolphin and Harbour Porpoises.

Salmon spawn late July and August so your chance of seeing bears improves these months. Bald eagles also feed on salmon, so this time is also great for bird watching. Other types of birds include hawks, puffin, ducks and loons. Wildflowers also bloom in late July/August.

Early June there is more wildlife viewing as young are born, and migrating to better feeding areas in the summer. If you are interested in seeing other wildlife such as Moose, Caribou, Dall sheep, Arctic Fox, mountain goats and bears, try to extend your stay to include a few nights in Anchorage or Denali National Park.  

Summer Solstice is June 21st, which is the longest day of the year. Many festivals are held throughout Alaska.

To avoid Alaska mosquitoes, travel in late July or early August. The evenings are normally a bit colder, which ward off the bugs.

Alaska Whale Watching

Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Last year I went on an Alaska cruise, and although most of family was able to see wildlife throughout the trip, I always seemed to just miss the whale jumping out of the water or the bear eating on the side of the road. Very disappointing to go all that way and not see wildlife.

The ship usually has a naturalist throughout the cruise spotting wildlife, so make sure and listen out for this, and go on deck - don't try to see everything from inside the ship. It is warm, but you tend to miss all of the action. 

Here's a list of list of popular whale watching tips to keep in mind to improve your odds of seeing whale while in Alaska.