Waking Up With Whales

OVERVIEW

Experience the magic of Point Adolphus first thing in the morning! Departing directly from the pier as soon as your ship docks, this is the first adventure of the day, leaving you with plenty of free time afterwards to explore the wonders of Icy Strait Point. Point Adolphus is noted for having the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so it is highly likely that you will see these behemoths feasting on teeny crustaceans known as krill and on small schooling fishes. It is quite the spectacle to watch a 50-foot-long, 35-ton humpback whale waving its fluke up and down before diving to feed and fatten up for its winter migration south. You may also spot them bubble-feeding, a group effort in which several whales work together to drive fish into a mass to easily consume them in great quantities. The onboard naturalist will describe the behavior and characteristics of the whales and the other marine life that inhabits these waters. They include Dall’s porpoises, Stellar sea lions, harbor seals and orca whales.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for humpback whales in the waters off Point Adolphus in the early morning.
• Watch for whales breaching the water’s surface before diving to feed.
• Keep an eye out for other marine life such as orca whales, porpoises and sea lions.
• Learn fascinating facts about the marine life from the onboard naturalist.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.