Alaska Whale-Watching Photo Expedition I

Itinerary

Friday, July 11 (D)

Meet the group in Juneau, Alaska, capital of the Land of the Midnight Sun. We’ll embark at 4:00 pm. Welcome dinner on the boat.

For six nights, we’ll tour Alaska’s Inside Passage on a custom-designed private cruiser built for extended trips throughout southeast Alaska. Thanks to a specially engineered layout, everyone has a clear view regardless of their position on the main level or observation deck.

Following the whales is our prime interest, however, there will be time also for exploring the Inside Passage’s bays, coves and fjords with glaciers, seals sunning themselves on icebergs with pups or maybe pop a kayak into the water for a whale’s eye view. Anglers will appreciate casting a line into Alaska’s cold, clean water.

Saturday, July 12 (B, L, D)

Today we head south to Endicott Arm to spend some time at the face of Dawes Glacier photographing glacial calving. We’ll search for whales and also keep an eye out for seals, birds, and ice floes. Tonight we overnight at Ford’s Terror, a stunning glacially carved cove.

Sunday, July 13 (B, L, D)

This morning we’ll continue to cruise south to look for humpback whales in Frederick Sound, home to a large population of humpbacks. We’ll spend the day looking for and tracking whales, while also seeking other wildlife such as sea otters and dolphins. Later in the day we’ll stop at a popular sea lion haul-out to observe and photograph these eared seals. Watch for Alaska brown bears that can possibly be seen along the coastline.

Monday, July 14 (B, L, D)

We’ll spend another day in Frederick Sound looking for humpback whales bubble-net feeding, breaching, and training their calves. To score a big meal of herring, the whales dive beneath the fish, and blow a circle of bubbles around them. This “net” traps the herring and the whales swim up from below with their mouths open, eating their fill of fresh seafood.

Loons, cormorants, albatross, scoters, murres, herons, eagles, and other birds also live in this area.

Tuesday, July 15 (B, L, D)

We’ll start the day with a trip to Kake to refuel, a small Native village which boasts the world’s tallest totem pole. The fish hatchery is a favorite fishing spot for brown bears. In the afternoon we head back to Frederick Sound to overnight and search for whales.

Wednesday, July 16 (B, L, D)

More opportunities to to search, follow and photograph whales.

Thursday, July 17 (B, L, D)

We’ll make our way back to Juneau, looking for whales including orcas and Dall’s Porpoises as we go. We arrive back at the dock by evening. Farewell dinner and one night’s stay at Juneau Aspen Suites Hotel.

Friday, July 18

Depending on the time of your flight, you may be able to explore one or more of Juneau’s museums, wander around the docks, or sneak in a little shopping. Then it’s time to head home. Transfers provided to the airport.