The annual migration of whales to Alaskan waters is one of the planet’s most significant wildlife events, driven by the seasonal availability of food. Each year, thousands of whales journey from warm, low-latitude breeding grounds to the colder, high-latitude waters of Alaska. This massive movement is an intensive summer feeding trip, allowing these marine mammals to store the vast energy reserves needed for breeding and the long return journey. Alaska’s northern waters, particularly the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, become immensely productive during the warmer months, creating a dense, nutrient-rich environment.
Key Migratory Species and Their Feeding Grounds
The primary participants in this annual migration are the Humpback and Gray Whales, each utilizing different regions of the vast Alaskan coastline. Humpback Whales, traveling from tropical waters off Mexico and Hawaii, concentrate heavily in the protected fjords and bays of Southeast Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska. These areas, including the Inside Passage and Prince William Sound, provide rich concentrations of small schooling fish, krill, and herring, which Humpbacks consume at a rate of up to 1.5 tons daily.
Gray Whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling up to 12,000 miles round-trip to reach their preferred feeding territory. Their destination is farther north, primarily the shallow, muddy shelf waters of the northern and western Bering Sea and the Chukchi Sea. Gray Whales are bottom-feeders, scooping up massive amounts of amphipod crustaceans from the seafloor, leaving behind characteristic feeding pits. Transient Orcas, or Killer Whales, are also commonly seen, moving into Alaskan waters in spring to follow the migrating populations of seals, sea lions, and other whales that serve as their prey.
Seasonal Migration Timetable
The arrival and departure times of the migrating species define the overall whale season in Alaska, which is highly predictable based on the cycles of plankton and ice retreat. The first major arrivals are the Gray Whales, whose northbound passage begins as early as late February, moving along the coast from California toward the Bering Sea. They pass through the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, with the peak movement past Southcentral Alaskan viewing points occurring between March and May.
Humpback Whales begin arriving in the southerly waters of Southeast Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska in April, with the majority settling into feeding areas by May. Their numbers swell throughout the summer, hitting a peak feeding period from June through August. During this time, cooperative feeding behaviors like bubble-netting are often observed. This summer window represents the best time for viewing multiple species, as Humpbacks are abundant and Orcas are actively hunting.
The southbound departure begins in the early fall. Gray Whales start leaving their Arctic feeding grounds in mid-October, passing back through the Aleutian chain and the Gulf of Alaska from late October through December. They head toward their breeding lagoons in Baja California, Mexico. Humpback Whales typically remain in the southern Alaskan waters later, departing south to Hawaii and Mexico throughout September and October.
Best Methods and Locations for Whale Viewing
To maximize the chance of seeing these migrating giants, visitors should focus on areas that serve as natural feeding funnels or concentrated feeding grounds. The Inside Passage, particularly the waters surrounding Juneau and Icy Strait, is recognized for having one of the highest concentrations of feeding Humpback Whales during the summer. Point Adolphus in Icy Strait is a noted location where the density of Humpbacks is high due to the area’s rich food supply.
The waters of Resurrection Bay near Seward, which leads into Kenai Fjords National Park, offer reliable sightings of Humpbacks and Orcas throughout the summer months. Gray Whales are best observed during their migration periods from coastal spots like Kodiak Island or when they pass through Resurrection Bay in the spring. While guided boat tours are the most reliable way to get close, ethical viewing practices require maintaining a respectful distance to avoid disturbing their feeding or movement. Observing federal guidelines helps ensure the whales can feed undisturbed and that the experience remains safe for both the animals and the viewers.