alaska

[julieannbabe]

has anyone been?

was thinking of going for a bit of whale watching.

where you recommend staying - anchorage?

thanks!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I have been to alaska twice, but both times I took cruises. I did whale watch on both trips thoug--both times, I whalewatched in Juneau. It was amazing!

 

[dejr_8]

You can see Russia from there

 

[TLHB70]

Just like Blueeyes101817, I have been twice, and both times were on cruises. I did whalewatching in Sitka and Juneau. Honestly, Alaska is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I came home and asked DH if we could move there. I would love to live surrounded by that beauty every day! Sitka was my favorite city that we visited there, but I loved all of them.

 

[Bilberry]

I didn't make the trip, but this summer my folks and sister's family toured Alaska. They loved it! Whale watching was one of their favorite activities.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I lived in Anchorage for awhile. I'd definitely recommend staying in Anchorage! I've seen whales about 20 min outside of the city.

 

[monorailsilver]

My husband is there right now, well for another few hours until his plane leaves to come back home.

He is in Fairbanks & said it is really pretty & drove north today for a few hours vs driving south to go to the AFB up there.

He was hoping to get to the Dalton (can you tell we watch IRT?) but the sign said 40 miles to get there & he was behind a full sized tractor trailer (can't wait to see pics of that rig) so he couldn't get by it & they were going super slow. But he said that drive was beautiful.

And he could see Denali Nat. Park too but he didn't have time to drive there or to the Artic Circle like he was hoping to do.

 

[natenapril]

My husband is there right now, well for another few hours until his plane leaves to come back home.

He is in Fairbanks & said it is really pretty & drove north today for a few hours vs driving south to go to the AFB up there.

He was hoping to get to the Dalton (can you tell we watch IRT?) but the sign said 40 miles to get there & he was behind a full sized tractor trailer (can't wait to see pics of that rig) so he couldn't get by it & they were going super slow. But he said that drive was beautiful.

And he could see Denali Nat. Park too but he didn't have time to drive there or to the Artic Circle like he was hoping to do.

ed

Sounds like your DH was out our way (Eielson). I personally think Anchorage is overrated but I am biased.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

we have been there several times and enjoyed it very much. the first time I drove a pickup/camper and camped, useing the alaska marine highway. the second, we flew up took the ferry with a cabin and rented cars etc. I recommend visiting this site:

http://www.travelalaska.com/

and this also has some good info

http://www.alaskatravel.com/?gclid=CLrU5rmIxaQCFQUmbAodJmHxYA

they will send you all kinds of free information.

also, if you want to use the state ferry system:

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml

a trip dosn't have to be expensive. both times we went to bellingham washington, and used the ferry system. stayed a few days in each place (bed and breakfasts, or hotels) just about every city has a tourist web site and has information on everything that you could want to do while visiting.

 

[MM27]

Anchorage would be a good home base, but if you limit yourself to Anchorage you are missing a lot of Alaska.

They say Anchorage isn't Alaska, but you can see it from there.

 

[AlaskaMOM]

As previous posters mentioned Anchorage may be a good base, but you're not likely to see any whales from the city.
Driving South down the Seward Highway about 40-50 miles there's views of Cook inlet which sometimes has whales, although I've only seen them once in 11 years (and had someone else say they saw some, but I didn't)
There is tourist boats out of Seward http://www.kenaifjords.com/?gclid=CObZzYTIxqQCFRL6iAodByzVEQ and you can see lots of wildlife and a glacier. (I've seen otters, whales, seals, bear, doll porpoise (I think that's what they're called) and lots of birds on the 3 or 4 trips I've taken.
And there's a nice viewing spot in Kenai (South of Anchorage, 50 airmiles, 150 driving miles) that every couple years we see a pod of beluga (I think).

The most whales I've see was when we took a 10-day Alaskan cruise (I know! - my grandmaother wanted the whole family to go on a cruise together and she picked Alaska!)

Alaska is pretty lots of things to see and do here, besides the whales.

 

[AlaskaMOM]

Just like Blueeyes101817, I have been twice, and both times were on cruises. I did whalewatching in Sitka and Juneau. Honestly, Alaska is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I came home and asked DH if we could move there. I would love to live surrounded by that beauty every day! Sitka was my favorite city that we visited there, but I loved all of them.

My DH would love to swap with you. He's been trying to talk me into moving south - way south like GA or the carolinas for about 8 years now.

 

[SandrA9810]

I know you're all about the wild, but have you actually looked into how much damage these "whale watching" cruises do to the wildlife. One cruise line settled at $750,000 because the design of their ships has caused two deaths to whales.

I also want to say, some one posted on here, how they went on the cruise. And they were constantly hearing "thumps" along the ship. It was the ships running into whales themselves, and them getting bumped off of the ships.

So if you're going to be pro-wildlife, then take a moment to see what kind of impact you will have on the environment before visiting.

 

[Clifton]

I wish to see Alaska but so many to see and do. I'd love to do whale watching, see polar bears and walk/hike within Denali Natl. Park.

What's the best time to go?
What airport is closest to Denali NP?
Where in place to go whale watching and polar bears?

Sorry lol

 

[MM27]

I know you're all about the wild, but have you actually looked into how much damage these "whale watching" cruises do to the wildlife. One cruise line settled at $750,000 because the design of their ships has caused two deaths to whales.

I also want to say, some one posted on here, how they went on the cruise. And they were constantly hearing "thumps" along the ship. It was the ships running into whales themselves, and them getting bumped off of the ships.

So if you're going to be pro-wildlife, then take a moment to see what kind of impact you will have on the environment before visiting.

Oh please. This person heard thumps on the side of the ship and assumed they were hitting whales or they have proof that that is what was happening? You can say everything is a danger to wildlife.

OP, please don't let this stop you from seeing the beauty of Alaskan wildlife. You're not going to have much luck seeing whales without going out on a ship. That is, unless you go to Sea World and see them. Because we all know that being held in captivity is just soooo much better

 

[MM27]

I wish to see Alaska but so many to see and do. I'd love to do whale watching, see polar bears and walk/hike within Denali Natl. Park.

What's the best time to go?
What airport is closest to Denali NP?
Where in place to go whale watching and polar bears?

Sorry lol

To see Polar Bears you're going to need to go to one of the villages on the Arctic ocean. Barrow, AK would be a good choice, but it's pricey to get there and I don't know how many you would actually see in non winter months.

If you want to see black or brown bears, head to Denali. If a cruise is something you might be interested in, some of the cruiselines offer cruise/land tours. I did one out of Fairbanks and loved it. Denali was one of the places we stopped and stayed overnight.

 

[MichelleVW]

Lived in Anchorage for 6 years, I love Alaska! I want to go visit so bad!

 

[monorailsilver]

ed

Sounds like your DH was out our way (Eielson). I personally think Anchorage is overrated but I am biased.

Yes he was as he is currently driving home from the airport very tired!

He worked on base all week with the sirens/outdoor warning.

 

[SandrA9810]

Oh please. This person heard thumps on the side of the ship and assumed they were hitting whales or they have proof that that is what was happening? You can say everything is a danger to wildlife.

It was stated in the topic that they spoke with some of the crew about it. The crew was well aware of it, and knew it happened on a regular basis.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

It was stated in the topic that they spoke with some of the crew about it. The crew was well aware of it, and knew it happened on a regular basis.

I think somebody was having fun with them.

I have been not only on the alaska marine highway ferrys through the passages, but have ridden on other ships for months at a time. don't recall ever hitting a whale. but I do have some great shots of dolphins running the ship at the bow.