jacobla

We are considering going on the Orca Enterprises whale watching trip the second week of August. They say they can get within 100 yds. of the whales unless they decide to come closer on their own. If that is the closest we see them are you able to see much of them? We are also going on the Kenai trip where you may or may not see any and we are going on the PWSound trip where you probably won't see any but its another boat trip. In your opinions is that too many water trips. Our primary focus of the trip is nature, scenery and the animals. Can you ever see too many whales? Also do you see animals you're not likely to see on the Kenai trip?

BudgetQueen

These trips are all different and very worthwhile. As for whale watching, BE AWARE, likely viewing is blows, backs and tails, with most of the animal in the water. If you see anything further, consider it a gift.

A great many people are disappointed due to unrealistic expectations and those brochure photos.

jq

Although less experienced (whalewize that is) than BQ, I have been on five or seven or eight whalewatching tours. Almost all places you can see whales have similar rules regarding how close you can get. These distances are close enough and the whales will often come closer. I have done the Orca Enterprises tour twice and both times we got close. In all our trips, we have never seen full breech or even major head shots. But in ISP last Sept,we saw 50-60 whales or more and all kinds of different behavior, including just laying on top of water, flipper splashing, and rolling in water. Don't think it was bubble feeding but not sure. You may well see whales from ship but most likely will not be closer than tour boat. Take the whalewatching in Juneau and the Kenai Fjords tour and hope you will see and experience whales in both. Have great trip.

BudgetQueen

Bubble net feeding once you see it is unmistakable. You will see big rings of air, several and the whale coming out of the water vertically with mouths open, then dropping back down. Many times a big amount of birds and usually more than one whale, although humpbacks are solitary except for mothers and calves and sometimes a male "escort". They get together by chance and move on.

freespirit61

I just returned from alaska and i did both Orca Enterprises out of Juneau and the Kenai Fords National Park Tour. Both trips are excellent. If you can do both go for it. Our Orca trip was great although it was rainy. We saw 8 humpbacks, an eagle and stellar sea lions and as Budget Queen said mostly blows, backs and tails. This was our second Kenai Fords trip. The seas were a little rough on our first trip two years ago. This trip was awesome. Not a cloud in the sky and we encountered a 38 foot humpback that gave us a show. I took a picture of a partial breach and got his entire head comming out of the water(you can even see the barnicles on him). We also saw seals, eagles, otters, stellar sea lions and many birds. The more time spent on the water the better the chances of seeing these amazing animals.. Have a great trip.

crazy4Hawaii

I was blessed to see whales on our ferry trip from Ketchikan to Juneau last week. As we passed by the Frederick's Sound part of the journey - about 6 am - we were treated to almost an hour of whales everywhere. Two full breaches by humpbacks and many tales, fins, backs, and spouts from orcas. The dolphins were also performing by leaping out of the water (perhaps to escape the orcas). By the time my family got up about 7:30 am all was over for the day!