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Ordinary Traveler / Blog / Alaska / Surrounded by Whales in Stephens Passage, Alaska

Surrounded by Whales in Stephens Passage, Alaska

By Christy Woodrow, Last Modified: January 23, 2019

Surrounded by Whales in Stephens Passage, Alaska

“Good evening, Adventurers. We just noticed some whale action on the starboard side of the boat. A humpback calf is breaching and seems to be pretty active.”

 

Surrounded by Whales in Stephens Passage, Alaska

 

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

 

Our first whale sighting! A young, playful humpback graced us with its presence on the second night of our un-cruise in Alaska.

I don’t know why, but it seems Scott and I have unusually good luck when it comes to whale sightings. The week progressed with a few more humpback sightings here and there, in addition to two transient Orcas who came right next to our boat in Port Houghton.

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

 

Surrounded by Humpbacks

But… the real show began on Thursday evening as we cruised through Stephens Passage — en route to Dawes Glacier.

Our Captain and crew said they had never seen anything like it. Just before sunset, we found our boat surrounded by fifty to one hundred humpback whales — either feeding along the surface, tail slapping, breaching or showing off their tails as they prepared for a deep dive.

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

 

You couldn’t look in a single direction and not see a whale. They came in close as they slid along the surface with their mouths open — so close you could see their baleen!

It’s moments like these that remind us why we travel.

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

 

Pin it!

Whale Watching in Southeast Alaska with Un-Cruise Adventures

 

A special thanks to Un-Cruise Adventures for making this magical whale experience possible.

 

 

Read More:

7-Day Road Trip Itinerary to Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley

Top 10 Winter Activities in Jasper National Park

10 Common Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them

See What You’re Missing in Southeast Alaska

How To Find Cheap Flights To Anywhere (Insider Tips & Tricks)

What to Pack for a Winter Trip to Canada

 

About Christy Woodrow

Christy Woodrow is a travel photographer and professional blogger based in San Diego. She has been traveling around the world with her partner, Scott, since 2006. Join them in their quest to find off-the-beaten-path destinations by signing up for weekly emails. You can read more about her on our about page.

Filed Under: Alaska, Photography Posts

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sherry Viray says

    I too went to see Dawes Glacier on a cruise (you were on a cruise, right) in Alaska. Our captain said it was rare sunny and warm day when we arrived. We were lucky. But I guess not as lucky as the two of you to have seen the whales. Such magnificent creatures! I only saw the dorsal fins of some orcas during my cruise.

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      Yes it was on a cruise with Un-Cruise Adventures. Is that who you went with?

      Reply
  2. Travel Origins says

    I’m going to check out UnCruise. I have heard good things. The pictures you have captured are also very beautiful!

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Tom Clancy says

    Wow great photos, planning a cruise next year. Alaska is high on the list of places to visit. Was in Cruise Holidays during the week and was happily surprised with by the price.

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      Thanks, Tom! I would definitely do another un-cruise in Alaska.

      Reply
  4. Traveling Ted says

    Unbelievable whale shots and views of the ocean and the mountains in the distant.

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      Thanks, Ted! I kept hoping the whales would breach with a gorgeous background. It wasn’t that tough with so many whales. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Anne says

    Great photos! I hope to someday travel to Alaska myself.

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      Thank you, Anne!

      Reply
  6. Jennifer Dombrowski says

    This is so incredible whale! I once wanted to become a marine biologist focusing on whales and dolphins. I even started the beginnings of a program in college, but life took me another direction. I’m still in love with whales and dolphins though. I’d have been over the moon had I been on your Un-cruise!

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      I wanted to be the same thing when I was young. I’m still so fascinated with them.

      Reply
  7. Jess says

    I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about UnCruise – I have to check them out next year. I work right on the water in Alaska and sometimes we see whales or seals, but they’re too far away to get any detail.

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      I bet you see a lot of animal sightings in Alaska! We see dolphins often while surfing at home, but rarely ever whales — except the occasional spout way far out in the distance.

      Reply

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Christy&Scott
Welcome to our adventure travel blog! We are Christy and Scott and we've been traveling the world together since 2006. Our goal is to inspire others to live an adventurous life, as well as provide trip ideas and helpful travel tips for people with limited vacation time.
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