Alaska is a very popular travel destination for families and explorers alike for obvious reasons. The Alaskan landscape is largely untouched and offers epic, fantasy-world vistas nearly unmatched in the world. Big cruise lines sail up to the Alaskan frontier every year when the snow melts and continue through the beginning of fall. One of the most exciting aspects of Alaska is watching the wildlife interact with its natural surroundings. While you may be able to catch glimpses of Alaskan wildlife on big cruise lines, whether from your cabin balcony or a shore excursion at an extra cost, it’s quite rare you’ll actually get an up close look.
There is one company that addresses this shortcoming however. UnCruise Adventures, who we’ve had the pleasure of using on a trip to Hawaii last year, is a small ship expedition cruising company that specializes in Alaskan itineraries. Six of the company’s nine vessels traverse the Alaskan coastal landscape from April through September everywhere. Not exceeding 86 guests, each vessel is uniquely suited and equipped to provide an up close experience for passengers, something large cruise ships are unable to do. With UnCruise, you’ll have ample opportunities to witness the abundant Alaskan wildlife especially if you choose to sail with them in April, just as the wildlife awaken from their winter slumber.
Should you plan to go on an UnCruise adventure, here are some of the Alaskan wildlife you’ll likely see! Do keep note that these are just a slice of what you might actually see. The spectrum of Alaskan wildlife is vast!
Orcas
Orcas, or Killer Whales, migrate northward throughout the Bering Strait in the spring as the pack ice retreats and leave the Beaufort and Chukchi seas in the fall when the ice advances. Because resident Orca of Alaska tend to feed on salmon, you’ll find many pods during the early summer season in the Gulf of Alaska as king salmon follow the currents to feed. You’ll also get to see the more elusive transient Orcas, who feed primarily on the marine mammals such as porpoises and sea lions who in turn feed on the salmon.
Humpback Whales
Ah, the mighty Humpback Whale. These magnificent creatures migrate from winter breeding grounds near Japan, Hawaii or Mexico to summer breeding grounds that extend from Washington State to the Chukchi Sea in Northern Alaska. During the summer, the highest concentration of humpbacks occurs in the Inside Passage.
Dall’s Porpoises
Dall’s porpoises frequent Alaskan waters and rival the killer whales as the fastest marine mammals in the region. Like dolphins, Dall’s porpoises often “bow ride,” so you’ll likely get to catch a glimpse of these compact and muscular marine mammals on your small-ship cruise. Don’t mistake these for killer whales, however! They resemble the markings but are indeed different.
Salmon
Watching fish can be fun, especially when it comes to the behaviors of Alaskan salmon! Time it right and you will see king, coho, sockeye, chum, or pink salmon battling en masse to make their way up Alaskan rivers and streams to spawn - a mesmerizing sight to see.
Stellar Sea Lions
Stellar sea lions inhabit the Gulf of Alaska and southeastern Alaska and can usually be found on remote islands where access by predators is limited. They do not migrate but do mover their center of foraging activity to track seasonal concentrations of prey, which include walleye Pollock, Atka mackerel, arrowtooth flounder and cephalopods. When they become seasonally abundant Stellar sea lions prey on Pacific herring, Pacific salmon, Pacific cod, eulachon and capelin.
Sea Otters
These playful creatures are often spotted on the water surface floating on their backs. Within Alaska, there are 3 stocks of sea otters. The southeast stock can be found in the coastal waters of southeast Alaska. The southcentral population spans from west of Glacier Bay to the eastern edge of Cook Inlet. The Southwest population stretches from the western edge of Cook Inlet out the Aleutian islands.
Bald Eagles
Bald eagles, the national emblem of the United States since 1782, are more abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the States. The bald eagle population in Alaska is estimated at 30,000 birds, so there is a good chance you will see one on your trip up north. During the spring in April, bald eagles begin building nests, usually in old-growth timber along saltwater shorelines and mainland rivers. Bald eagles in southcentral Alaska next in old cottonwood trees near water.
Black Bears
An estimated 100,000 black bears inhabit Alaska. They are the smallest of the North American bears. During the spring, black bears are usually found on low elevation south-facing slopes, and in riparian forests and wetlands for early green vegetation and moose. They will eat nearly anything they encounter following their long winter hibernation. During the summer and fall, you may find black bears on large rivers where salmon is plentiful.
Brown Bears
Usually larger than its close relative the black bear, brown bears occur throughout Alaska except on islands south of Frederick Sound in southeast Alaska, west of Unimak in the Aleutian Chain, and Bering Sea islands. Just like the black bears, brown bears are usually found on low elevation south-facing slopes during the spring and in large rivers during the summer and fall.
Mountain Goats
You’ll find these beautiful mountain goats in coastal regions in southeastern and south-central Alaska, generally confined to the Chugach and Wrangell mountains. Mountain goats are brilliant climbers, having specifically adapted hooves for climbing in rough, slippery terrain.
Moose
The Alaksa-Yukon race of moose is the largest of all of these creatures. Adult moose can range in size from 800 pounds to 1,600 pounds and can reach heights up to nearly 6 feet tall. While observing moose from an expedition cruise is likely not possible, there are chances to catch a peak at one of these creatures at the Unuk River drainage in southeastern Alaska.
Ptarmigan
During the spring, you’ll find these small grouse, namely the male ones, establishing territories that they defend vigorously with aerial chases and a variety of gargling, croaking, and screaming noises. At times, you’ll even see the three different subspecies of ptarmigan, the willow, rock, and white-tailed, occupying a single mountain.
Loons
Loons are known as “spirits of the wilderness,” and Alaska is home to all five species of loons found in the world. You’ll find these integral species of birds on lakes all over the state of Alaska during the summers, with some congregating in the northern portion of Southeast Alaska. The red-throated loon variation breeds in coastal ponds and marshes around the state. You’ll quickly notice that loons are exceptional divers, with the ability to stay under water for more than a minute.
Red-faced Cormorant
These medium-sized birds can be found on steep, inaccessible cliff faces. They come to land only to breed or roost. The most common locations for cruises to spot red-face cormorants are in the Chiswell Islands and Kenai Fjords.
Wildlife information taken from Alaska Department of Fish and Game*
