Our 7 Best Whale Watching Shore Excursions Worldwide

1.Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in Sitka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $205Our pick

Cruise Sitka Sound and the outer coast of Baranof Island with local Captain Rick or another Sitka Sound Tours captain. Groups are limited to six, with outdoor viewing, a heated cabin, snacks, restrooms, and room to move around for wildlife photography. Sightings depend on weather and animal behavior.

“Fantastic day out with Rick in Sabeah Rose from Sitka Sound Tours. Sea Lions, sea otters, bald eagles and grey whales made it a truly amazing day. Thank you Rick.”

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2.Amazing Whale Watching and Marine Wildlife Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $199

Depart Harrigan Centennial Hall in Crescent Harbor for about two hours on the water with Captain Tad and a small private group. Expect live commentary, humpback whales, sea lions, otters, eagles, and possibly orcas or brown bears. A heated cabin offers shelter when Sitka weather turns wet or chilly.

“Tad is an amazing Captain. He went out of his way to make sure we had an experience beyond our wildest dreams. We saw whales with their calves, sea lions, eagles, otters, and a mama brown bear with her 2 cubs. All along, Tad informed us about the local culture, history, and the importance of the local ecosystem. Very approachable, Tad made this a wonderful experience beyond our expectations. We recommend Tad highly and without hesitation.”

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3.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Whale-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 61 reviews · 3 hours 50 minutes (approx.) · from $108Best value

Leave Reykjavik Port for a 3-hour-50-minute whale-watching trip around Faxaflói Bay. Your guide explains local cetaceans, geography, and wildlife while you watch for minke and humpback whales, porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, puffins, and gannets. Choose a leisurely or high-speed boat, use thermal coveralls, and try again free if nothing appears.

“The tour was well-organized, we boarded and left on time and there were warm, waterproof jackets available for those that were underdressed. It was easy to hear the guide throughout the boat with the installed speakers and she made a point to orient us to the position of the animals so we could all find them quickly no matter where we were. Dominiki was our guide and she had a lot of great information about the local whale and other cetacean species, local geography, and we felt like we learned a lot despite having taken other whale-watching tours in the past. The captain did a great job of making sure…”

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4.A Comfortable Sitka Whale Watching Wildlife Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $225

Join captain Rick of Coastal Tours Sitka for a 2.5-hour wildlife cruise from downtown Sitka. With no more than six people aboard, you will explore Sitka Sound, Baranof Island, and Kruzof Island while looking for humpback whales, orcas, otters, sea lions, eagles, puffins, bears, and seabirds. The boat has heat and snacks.

“Amazing tour! Rick has a spotless boat. My family was very comfortable and loved that he had heat and snacks. We saw whales, otters, sea lions and eagles. It absolutely met all of our expectations and more.”

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5.Victoria Shore Excursion: Whale-Watching Cruise with Expert Naturalist Guides

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $133

Board a fast, stable whale-watching boat near Victoria’s cruise terminal for three hours on the Salish Sea. Two naturalists explain orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, seabirds, and kelp habitats. Routes change with whale activity, and researcher Ron Bates or guides such as Emma may join the crew.

“Emma was awesome She was very knowledgeable Shared a lot of good information Interacted personally with everyone”

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6.Juneau Shore Excursion: Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $494

Join Above and Beyond Alaska for a six-hour Juneau excursion that combines a boat ride up the Inside Passage with guided kayaking in Channel Islands State Marine Park. You’ll paddle in double kayaks through a humpback feeding area, with rain gear, snacks, water, permits, and transport included. Whale sightings are possible but never promised.

“Amazing employees and excursions. I’ve never kayaked before but was given excellent instructions. My kayak mate and I were given the ultimate experience of having a humpback whale surface right in front of our kayak. A once in a life time experience!!!!”

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7.Icy Strait Shore Excursion: Whale Watching Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $326

Travel from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah’s whale grounds aboard a small charter boat with heated cabins, open viewing decks, onboard restrooms, water, and a light snack. A Tlingit captain and marine biologist first mate may share local stories and wildlife facts while you search for humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles.

“We waited and waited and no one ever showed up. I had sent multiple messages with no response. Wasted an hour of our short visit waiting.”

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