Here Are the Best Places for Wildlife Sightings in Alaska
Alaska isn’t just home to towering blue glaciers and dense green forests. You’ll find bears flocking to the water for their catch of the day, whales breaking through the sea’s surface to exhale, and bald eagles soaring across the sky. Looking for the best places for wildlife sightings?
Here are some of the magical creatures that have made Alaska their home with tips on where to find them.
Orca Whales
Orca whales are easily recognized by their black-and-white coloring and triangular dorsal fins. Often swimming along the surface, you can see sprays of water as they exhale (or spout). To increase your chances of seeing these majestic creatures, take a cruise between early May and early June, exploring their favorite hangouts in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Seward.
Learn about the different whales that navigate Alaska’s waters by checking out these whale-watching tips.
Seals
Alaska gets the seal of approval from these sea creatures. When they’re not diving deep or swimming shallow waters for a fresh catch, you’ll find them resting on floating ice, sandbars and beaches. Spring and summer are the best times to see them in action. You’ll find them in Kenai Fjords National Park along with otters and sea lions.
The Big 5
Moose, bears, Dall sheep, caribou and wolves – oh my! These incredible animals make up Alaska’s Big 5. Though you may get a glimpse of them in different parts of Alaska, from Anchorage to Denali National Park, you could potentially spot all of them on an Alaska cruisetour from our luxury glass-domed McKinley Explorer.®
Bald Eagles
Having a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet, you can spot the bald eagle riding the wind and soaring across the sky. With an estimated 30,000 making Alaska their home, bald eagles can be seen year-round. Ketchikan, Juneau, and the Tongass National Forest near Sitka are just some of the places they dwell.
Check out our Alaska wildlife guide to learn more about these beautiful animals and the many others that roam about the beautiful state of Alaska. And if you don’t already have them, check out our article on how to find the best binoculars for wildlife viewing in Alaska.
