We are on the Diamond in Alaska on May 17. Our ports are Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchican. Our excursion list shows whale watching only out of Juneau. Are there no whale watching excursions out of Skagway or Ketchican?

Generally the answer is no. Juneau is the best whale watching spot. In Skagway, the attraction is the White Pass Railroad, which is a must do. Ketchikan has some variety, and it is possible you may encounter a whale somewhere, but it is not known for whale watching like Juneau.

If you are interested in a great splurge, try a private whale watching/wildlife charter with Harv and Marv's Alaskan Outback in Juneau. Also, be sure to see the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. We saw it from the viewing site, although you can do a helicopter charter which lands on it, as I recall. Have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by waterart:
Generally the answer is no. Juneau is the best whale watching spot. In Skagway, the attraction is the White Pass Railroad, which is a must do. Ketchikan has some variety, and it is possible you may encounter a whale somewhere, but it is not known for whale watching like Juneau.

I'm no authority on the subject but aren't the whales still in the warmer waters near Hawaii until the water warms up a bit? When do they actually return to Alaska?