Glacier Bay is where whale experts first studied humpback whales "bubble-netting" or blowing bubbles to herd fish into a tight ball before swallowing them. "Many visitors to the area are treated to sightings of pods of humpback whales engaged in this extraordinary hunting technique.

Best time to see whales in Glacier Bay: June to early September.

Glacier Bay Alaska

Whale Watching in Glacier Bay National Park.

To truly explore the great land of Alaska, one must include the region of the southeast panhandle known as Glacier Bay. This marine wilderness consists of many massive tidewater glaciers, miles of intriguing coastline, magnificent fjords and wilderness streams seen cascading down from the massive snowcapped mountains of Glacier Bay National Park in Southeast Alaska.

Throughout the spring and summer months, the whales you will encounter throughout this area frequently move in and out of Glacier Bay and the area known as Icy Strait. Sightings of whales here are very common and rate high amongst Alaska cruise ship passengers and visitors alike.

Prepare to focus your shutters upon humpback and gray whales, as well as the Orca or (killer whales) commonly seen in these waters.

Humpback whales migrate to these waters each year from their winter grounds off the coast of Hawaii. These whales, and those believed to live in the local waters year round, spend their time feeding in the various fjords and inlets. Humpback whales feed primarily on krill, shrimp, and various fish, including capelin. Humpbacks feed heavily in Glacier Bay because they do not feed year round. Humpbacks must store enough fat in summer to last the rest of the year. Adult whales average in length from 40 to 50 feet long, females being the larger. Adult humpbacks weigh on average about three quarter ton per foot in length.

The gray whales migration routes generally limit sightings to the nearshore waters of the outer coast during their northern journey in the spring and again on the southern migration in late fall.

Dall porpoise are mainly inhabitants of the open waters, while the harbor porpoise tend to favor more sheltered waters like inlets and fjords. Orca (killer whales) commonly journey into and around the waters of Glacier Bay all through of the year.

Remember: There are no roads to Glacier Bay so you find yourself limited to air or water for all access to this great marine destination. Most people that visit Glacier Bay arrive on one of the large cruise ships that arrive in Southeast Alaska each year.

Glacier Bay Whale Watching Tours

Alaska Whale Watching offers independent travel tour listings and general information on Alaska’s whale population. Listed tours include vacation trips and travel options featuring gray whale, orcas, humpback whale, killer whale, beluga and whale pod tours.

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