Where to book wildlife shore excursions?
There are many options for wildlife shore excursions, especially in Alaska! Alaska cruise wildlife excursions through Holland America are fully coordinated with your itinerary, so timing is handled for you. The two most popular wildlife shore excursions are bear viewing and whale watching, but there are also tours featuring raptors and sea otters. Book early, as wildlife excursions tend to sell out quickly.
Learn more about Alaska shore excursions.
Video Transcript:
[0:00] Where to book an Alaska cruise with wildlife excursions.
[0:03] If seeing Alaska wildlife is high on your list, the best place to start is with the itinerary.
[0:08] Look for routes that sail through glacier fjords or protected waterways, as these areas are known for whales, bears, eagles, sea otters, and other classic Alaska wildlife.
[0:19] Most Alaska sailings include whale watching tours, bear viewing trips, birding excursions, and small boat outings that get you closer to the shoreline.
[0:28] The options can vary a lot by port, so it's worth checking the list before you book.
[0:32] It also helps to know when wildlife is most active.
[0:39] Whales are active all summer with peak viewing in July, bears are easiest to spot during the salmon runs in the late summer, and eagles are everywhere from spring onward.
[0:45] Matching your sailing to what you want to see can make a big difference.
[0:53] For booking, going through the cruise line is usually the simplest because the timing matches the ship's schedule and you won't have to worry about getting back late.
[0:57] In short, choose a wildlife-rich route, check the excursions ahead of time, and pick a sailing that lines up with the animals you want to see.
[1:05] Follow us for more tips on planning your perfect Alaska cruise.