While planning a trip to Alaska one of the things that you will want to make sure you schedule is time to go watch the whales along the coastline of Alaska. There are different times to see the various whales from when they begin their migration from the warm waters of Mexico in February and arriving in Alaska waters in April. There are also various species of whales that can be seen throughout Alaska during the months of May – September. The best way to see them is to take a tour that is specifically structured to show you these magnificent mammals.

If you are interested in seeing the Gray whales you will probably want to be in Ketchikan, Kitka, Kodiak or Seward during the months of April and May. During this time they are moving to the far north Alaska water of the Bering Sea and are usually there by late April. The name for the gray whales comes from its mottled gray body color. They fiercely defended their calves and themselves against whalers, thus earning the nickname “devilfish”. This whale is now known for its curiosity. The gray whale is a baleen whale. The average length for the male gray whale is 39 feet with female being slightly larger. They live for over 40 years.

These entertaining whales can be seen standing on their head in shallow water. They occasionally will raise their heads above the water and check out what is around them. They usually travel alone or in small groups except furing feeding and mating time when they form together in larger groups. These are the whales that breach creating a loud noise and big splash. Certainly something to see. Now, whether they do this to communicate or to free themselves of the of some of the sea lice or barnacles from their skin isn’t truly known.

The Gray Whale is the only baleen whale to be bottom feeders. They eat tub worms, plankton, mollusks and small crustaceans found in the sediment on the bottom of the ocean.

The Beluga whales can be seen along Cook Inlet going south from Anchorage along what is known as Turnagain Arm in the spring through fall months. These whales are able to be viewed year round in the southern Alaska waters of Shelikof Strait between Katmai National park and the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island.

The Beluga whale is still on the Endangered Species List where it was entered in 2008. At the latest count there are only 321 Beluga whales left in the cook inlet, down from 1,300 in 1979.

The famous Humpback Whales can be seen during the summer months in the Barren Islands between Homer and Kodial. June and July are the best months for seeing these enormous whales. Over 500 of them make Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage their home during the months of summer. So, when you want to see them you will want to plan on lining up a tour during the spring, summer and fall when they are in the cooler waters around Alaska.　

Humpback’s are usually found in groups of four to five but generally travel and feed individually. Humpback whales breech, throwing themselves completely out of the water. You may also see them swimming on their back with both flippers in the air. They are known for tail lobbing, raising its huge fluke out of the water and slapping it on the water surface. Researchers believe this is a form of communication as the slaps can be heard for long distances underwater.

If you are going to be in Alaska’s northern and eastern areas of the Gulf of Alaska in July and August you may be able to see the Blue whales. You will need to take a tour to see them since they are more often seen in open water and rarely near the shoreline.

The Blue whale is the largest of all whales and most notably it is the largest animal on earth today. It can grow to be 110 feet long and weigh in excess of 200 tons. The baby blue whale drinks approximately 100 gallons of its mother’s fat rich milt every day for the first seven months of its life.

They are dark blue in color. They migrate away from Alaska in the winter months to warmer waters off Baja California where they mate and give birth to their young. They are known to live up to 90 years but have an average lifespan expectancy of 35 to 40 years. They are loners and travel most often alone of in small pods of two or three. They are known to often have Fin whales with them. The Fin is the second largest whale species.

You may be able to see the blue whales in the Bering Sea with larger concentrations around the Aleutian Islands. These whales were near extinction but are now making a come back.

Have you heard of the Killer whales? These are the Orca whale and are in the area between early May to early June with some being spotted during the months of June through September. They are usually seen near Seward in the waters of Resurrection Bay.

These are actually a member of the dolphin family. They are the largest, fastest and most powerful members of the dolphin family. They are called killer whales because they are great hunters. These are social animals and live in family-related pods which may have as many as 40 members.

They eat sea lions, fish, squid, seals, penguins, dolphins, porpoises and large whales like the blue whale. Resident pods that live in primarily in one area seem to prefer fish whereas pods that are more transient prefer a variety of marine animals. They are successful hunters because the whole pod participates and works together while hunting.

During the summer months, from June to September, the northern resident whales can generally be seen from northern Vancouver Island to Alaska. They prefer to live in coastal waters in cooler regions.

The orca or killer whale is readily identified. With it’s pointed dorsal fin of up to 6 feet tall and shiny black and white bodies typically sporting a white patch behind the eyes.

There are many Whale watching tours available in Alaska. Depending on where you are going and which ones you are most interested in you will be able to find the right tour operator for your needs.

Whale Watching – Coastline, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Visit the Past at Bering Land Bridge National Park – Bering, Alaska

When you are interested in learning about the past, say 12,000 calendar years past, you may want to visit Beringia in Alaska.  During the Last Ice Age, the water level of the oceans were about 300 feet lower then they are today.  This provided for a land link that connected Alaska and Asia.  Today Bering Land Bridge National Park covers 2.7 million acres of wilderness preserve on the northern Seward Peninsula.  The park covers mountains, the central sections of the peninsula and the northernmost extension of the continental divide.  It is 100 miles north of Nome, Alaska.

Most archeologists agree that it was across this Bering Land Bridge, also called Beringia, that humans first passed from Asia to populate the Americas. The Preserve’s western boundary lies 42 miles from the Bering Strait and the fishing boundary between the United States and Russia.  The people of these two areas people have common language, traditions and depend on the same environment.

Today Bering Land Bridge National Preserve provides archeologists and paleontologists a chance to explore the past, while the native Inupiat still utilize the land as their ancestors did long ago.  This mix of past and present make for a unique opportunity to do some travel into areas that will provide you with sites that you will not see anyplace else on earth. 

Unless you are familiar with the area it is suggested that you only visit in the company of a guide, whether it is for a day or for a multi-day adventure.  To actually see the sites and understand what you are seeing you will be far better off with the advice and experience of a guide.  To access to the area you will need to go by small plane or small boat in summer; ski plane, snowmobile, or dogsled in winter. Facilities and services in the area are extremely limited.  A guide will be able to make sure you find the facilities and services you need to make your trip far more enjoyable and safe.  Come prepared to experience the wild and unpredictable Alaskan backcountry.

Wilderness travel through the Preserve requires one to be skilled in backcountry travel and camping and to be self reliant. Rescues and pick-ups from remote locations can be delayed for several days due to inclement weather conditions. Those traveling to the Preserve should come prepared for extreme conditions and unexpected delays. Always carry an ample first aid kit, extra food and water, and adequate clothing.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is a small remnant of the land bridge, also known as Beringia, protected for the study of these past cultures and to support the traditional lifestyles its residents present and future.

There is an archeological study going on to discover the origins of those first people in the area.  The Study is being done by Texas A&M.  The group will return to Serpentine Hot Springs to futher investigae the significant, yet complex, archeological site.  They will be spending more time digging deeper to find out more about how the people lived and where they came from to this area.

If you visit Serpentine Hot Springs you may be able to get a space in the bunkhouse but it is on a first come, first serve basis.  The traditional name for Serpentine Hot Springs is Iyat which means "cooking pot."

While you are in the area you will see a diverse landscape.  There is tundra, lakes, rivers, lava fields and mountains.  One of the highest peaks in the Preserve is an unnamed peak at 3379 ft. above sea level in the Bendeleben Mountains on the southern park boundary.

You will be able to get information for your trip from the Nome Office.  The Administrative Office and Visitor Center for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve are located on the First Floor of the Sitnasauk Building on Front Street in Nome, Alaska. Nome is not on the road system so access to the town is primarily through commercial airlines. The Visitor Center has limited exhibits about the Preserve, films, and offers programs year round.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
The Preserve is open year-round. Highest visitation is in June and July; lowest in December, January and February. Serpentine Hot Springs is the most popular site in the park. Space at the Bunkhouse is first-come, first-served.

The preserve is home to raptors, waterfowl, and some rare Asiatic species. You can hike among the huge granite tors which encircle the springs, sightsee, fish, and relax in the warmth of the hot springs. Camping, hiking, backpacking, exploration, nature observation, photography, and coastal boating are among the many possible activities. Winter offers opportunities for snowmobiling, dog sledding, and some cross-country skiing.

You can explore remains of the gold rush era and evidence of ancient Eskimo life. The Preserve and surrounding areas including Native villages, offer opportunities to observe and learn about traditional subsistence lifestyles and historic reindeer herding.

Hunting and fishing are permitted under state regulations; Alaska hunting and fishing licenses are required.

A bit of trivia: Musk Oxen were once extinct on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska and were reintroduced in 1970 and are today thriving on the Peninsula, including Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.  More: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is home to many geological wonders like Devil Lake, the largest maar in the world.  Also: Mammals living in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve include the grizzly bear, musk ox, reindeer, wolf, wolverine, foxes, and smaller species.  More than 170 known species of birds migrate 20,000 miles yearly to Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.  More than 400 species of plants have been listed at the in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. Many of them evolved in ancient Beringia and spread into Asia or North America.

Contact:
National Park Service
P.O. Box 220
Nome, AK 99762
By Phone
Visitor Information
(907) 443-2522

Visit the Past at Bering Land Bridge National Park – Bering, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Situated at 2,200 feet elevation on the divide between the Anaktuvuk and John Rivers in the central Brooks Range sits the last remaining settlement of the Nunamiut Eskimos.  The inland northern Inupiat Eskimo have lived in the area since at least 500 BC.  It sits on a caribou migration route and is one of several departure points for trips into Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve.

Because of the location you can plan on cool and cold weather regardless of the time of year you visit.  In the summer it will get to the 50′s and in January the average temperature is -14 degrees.  There to have extremes recorded from -56 to -91 degrees.  They receive an average of 11 inches of precipitation with an average snowfall of 63 inches per year.

The Nunamuit bands scattered for awhile in 1926-27 when the caribou were not there and due to the influx of western civilization.  In 1938 a number of them returned to the home area and in 1949 resettled the area.  It attracted Nanamuit form many other locations and villagers today have settled into a lifestyle that is more sedentary that the earlier lifestyle.  The City was incorporated in 1959.

The residents continue to depend on caribou and other natural resources for food, clothing and cultural continuity.  Visitors to the area that are going on to the Gates of Arctic National Park cause some disruption to the lifestyle of the people.

In order to respect the rights of the Nanamiut the Park Rangers ask visitors to follow these suggestions while in the area:

Introduce yourself. Be friendly, but respect the privacy of others.
Ask for permission if you wish to photograph local residents or their homes, particularly in the village, but also in the field.
Be sensitive toward the native village culture and lifestyle. Often it will differ from your own, so assume nothing and ask if you do not understand.
Respect any private property that you may encounter in the backcountry and leave it be. This includes structures, camps, traps, and what may often appear as abandoned property.

The village has designated a specific area for overnight camping which is located among the willows along the east side of the runway opposite the town.  Please check at the store, restaurant, community center or ranger station for more information on the requirements for camping here.  It is disrespectful toward the residents to camp within sight of the village so stay inside the designated area.

When you are planning to visit this area you must bring what you need with you.  Being a bush community supplies are limited and sometimes not available at all.

Today, Anaktuvuk Pass is a village of 250 people with regular air service, a village store, and a popular museum that highlights Nunamiut history and culture. Although the village offers only minimal visitor services, the NPS maintains a ranger station there, and visitors to Gates of the Arctic stage trips out of Anaktuvuk Pass when backpacking and floating the John River. Village residents still rely on caribou herds for most of their meat, though they also hunt Dall sheep and harvest trout and grayling, ptarmigan, and waterfowl. The people of Anaktuvuk Pass still trade for food resources from the Arctic coast like meat and blubber from seals and whales.

Nunamiut Village – Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Although dog mushing is generally a winter sport, visitors in the summer months can still take advantage of it.  Although you’re ideal dog mushing experience should take place on thick Alaskan snow, you don’t have to worry if it’s a little warm when you visit as many of the area’s mushers have taken you into account.  The further north you travel the better chance you’ll have to go mushing in the snow.  Or, why not just go mushing on a glacier?  It’s always snowy there.  In Alaska, this is definitely an option.

Fairbanks is an excellent area for dog mushing in the summer months.  If there’s no snow, you have the option of taking a ride on a summer cart, a cart with wheels.  You can pay for just a quick spin or you can spend the day learning how to drive a team of dogs. If you are in the area from January to March, then there’s a good chance there will be plenty of snow on the ground.  Many dog racers actually offer specials for you to come and stay in their large and learn how to drive a team of veteran dogs.  This is a great way to see the Alaska wilderness, as you have the opportunity to not only take part in the state sport, but you’ll get to see wildlife such as Caribou, seals, moose, eagles and wolves.  The Northern lights and the breathtaking mountains are also perks.  These trips are typically around $2,000 a person, but many believe they received their money’s worth after the first day.  You don’t typically need anything special if you’re going to take a summer cart ride, although it can be quite chilly so a jacket is advisable.  If you’re coming for a winter ride, then the mushers will provide you with the proper outfit for the freezing weather.  

If you come during the winter, you also have the opportunity to experience the Iditarod.  The Iditarod has been called the “Last Great Race on Earth” and you can have the opportunity to see the finalists come in as they finish the race.  You’ll need to be in Nome, Alaska for this special day.  Many of the dog mushers who are also racers offer packages for visitors to be in Nome and experience the end of the Iditarod themselves and meet the mushers at the Iditarod Finishers Banquet.

Iditarod – Nome, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Alaska Vacation is a post from: Alaska Tourism