Wildlife Viewing in Alaska

Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010

There are many ways to view wildlife in Alaska, but don't expect bears and moose at every turn. It is a matter of timing whether or not you'll be in the right place at the right time.

• Black bears are frequently seen around Juneau. You might be lucky enough to spot one near Mendenhall glacier where there is a salmon stream or in town on of Mt. Roberts as you go up the tramway. (With the addition of bear proof garbage cans in town, sightings on the downtown streets have been reduced.)
• Excursions to view bears generally take you to salmon streams where you observe them feeding.
• Bear and Mountain Goats are often seen on flightseeing tours as they feed and roam in the mountains.
• When cruising the fjords, you may see brown bear on the meadows around streams.
• Eagle sightings are frequent even in town where they are attracted to fish canneries. At Sitka there is a Raptor Rehabilitation Centre where you can see eagles, owls, hawks and other birds close up as they recover from injury for their return to the wild.
• Keep an eye out for Mountain Goats which precariously manoeuvre the steep mountain sides and moose which may suddenly appear at the road side.
• The area between Juneau and Hoonah (Icy Strait Point) is the best for observing whales, Steller sea lions, Dall porpoise and harbor seals on excursions by catamaran.
• You may see whales from your cruise ship so be alert as you look out to sea. The onboard naturalist should make an announcement of any sightings.
• The Kenai Peninsula is one of the best places to see Caribou in the wild.
• Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary near Ketchikan is a safe way to learn about the forest and its wildlife. See reindeer (domestic Caribou), a salmon hatchery and eagles, bears, seals and shorebirds during spawning season.

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.

Tombstone Park Alaska

Posted on Friday, December 25, 2009

Explore a subarctic landscape of saw-toothed peaks where wooly mammoth and scimitar tigers once roamed. This remnant of ancient Beringia preserves sites dating to Alaska's earliest habitation and protects unspoiled habitat for migrating caribou, foraging grizzlies, soaring eagles and travelers in search of a more personal wilderness experience.

Travel through the millennia with your fellow adventurers. Your seldom seen destination, an hour-and-a-half outside of Dawson City, invites exploration. Tombstone Park, a spectacular, untrammeled region, has stayed wild for two billion years. Here, where the first human inhabitants crossed over a primeval land bridge, archaeological sites unveil timeless treasures, unique geologic features reveal unbounded nature, and captivating mammals and birds bring it all to life.

Imagination soars to the pinnacles of the park's namesake mountain.

Curiosity stirs at the sight of unique permafrost landforms. Diverse ecological niches from carpeted tundra to naked, dragon-backed ridges soothe the soul. And our informative driving tours and guided hikes immerse you in scenic splendor. The vistas are endless, the valleys are broad, and wildlife is all around you. See it, feel it, and never forget.

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.

• Take a good pair of binoculars.
• Choose clear, calm days.
• Look for the blow of a whale, which is the cloud of spray or mist that appears as the air is exhaled through the blowhole. This is usually how whales are first seen.
• If you are a first time whale watcher, you may want to consider motion sickness medications. A good breakfast is key! Very often people will go on their first whale watch fearing they may get sick. They will skip breakfast thinking that no food in their stomach means they won't get sick. In fact, the opposite is true. An empty stomach produces acids and, in turn, can actually make you sick. Eat a good carbohydrate breakfast.
• Keep Warm! It is always colder on the ocean than on land.
• Don't forget the sunblock! Water reflects and magnifies the sun rays.
• Bring extra batteries and film, or a picture card, for your camera.