Spot The Humpback Whale On Its Annual Migration Through Alaska This Fall
By Megan McDonald|Published September 29, 2020
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
If you want to get on the water and enjoy this season to its fullest, then you need to take a boat tour that showcases the fall humpback whale migration in Resurrection Bay outside of Seward, Alaska. As the whales head down south for the winter, you can get an up close and personal view of these giant mammals!
When you think of the fall season, pumpkins and changing leaves come to mind.
But for the humpback whales, the colder temperatures mean it’s time to start migrating south. They begin their journey back in autumn, and by late September and early October the whales are swimming right by Resurrection Bay.
Humpback whales spend their summers in our northern waters filling up on food.
After a winter giving birth to calves 10-15 feet in length, come April they head on up to Alaska. They spend their time in and around Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, the Barren Islands, and along the Aleutian Islands. Seward is the perfect spot to see these gorgeous creatures as they make their way south for the winter.
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In the fall they head to their breeding grounds in Hawaii.
Many of these whales will swim over 6,000 miles during their annual round trip to Alaska. It usually takes them 6-8 weeks to travel, and they will swim non-stop to reach the warmer waters for breeding.
This tour takes you through Resurrection Bay, where you’ll view humpback whales, orca whales, Stellar Sea Lions, harbor seals, puffins, and more. You may even spot Bear Glacier on a clear day.
There are two great times to experience this seasonal wonder.
You can book their morning cruise that departs at 9:00 a.m., or their afternoon cruise that departs at 1:30 p.m. Both tours are 3.5 hours long, the perfect length to explore the Kenai Fjords and get a good look at the local wildlife.
Prices for this whale watch tour start at $94.00 per adult.
This is the perfect outing for the whole family. Make sure to bundle up and head on out on the waters of Resurrection Bay this fall to spot some humpback whales making their way south!
Have you ever seen the fall humpback whale migration on a whale watch? What did you think? Was it amazing? Would you recommend it? Let us know in the comments below!
