HandC4Me Posted June 17, 2022 #1 Share Posted June 17, 2022 If you had to pick one port to do a whale watching excursion, would you pick Icy Strait Point or Juneau, and why? I've read great reviews of different operators in each place. I'm wondering if there are other points to consider besides tour operators, ie, is one place more "known" for good whale spotting over another? We will be traveling July 4 - 11th. Many thanks in advance for any input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skrufy Posted June 17, 2022 #2 Share Posted June 17, 2022 50 minutes ago, HandC4Me said: If you had to pick one port to do a whale watching excursion, would you pick Icy Strait Point or Juneau, and why? I've read great reviews of different operators in each place. I'm wondering if there are other points to consider besides tour operators, ie, is one place more "known" for good whale spotting over another? We will be traveling July 4 - 11th. Many thanks in advance for any input! Can't go wrong with either one. We did our last one from Icy Strait and it was an amazing trip 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted June 17, 2022 #3 Share Posted June 17, 2022 The time and distance to reach whale feeding locations is far superior in ISP than in Juneau. I have seen a whale show a huge tail within 100 yards of the ship at the ISP pier. Lots more active feeding in ISP. Huge open mouths!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted June 17, 2022 #4 Share Posted June 17, 2022 ISP is the best option. I have been twice (2017 & last month) and saw lots of whales from the tour and shore both times. I have used Glacier Winds and Hoonah Adventures and would recommend either. Another reason in choosing ISP is that there are more options in Juneau for excursions than in ISP. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted June 17, 2022 #5 Share Posted June 17, 2022 Having done both, I would go with ISP. Less time it getting to the area and better display of whale activity, including MULTIPLE bubble feedings viewed. Also, Juneau has more other things "to do" as compared to ISP, so save the whale watching for ISP. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehowlingroad Posted June 17, 2022 #6 Share Posted June 17, 2022 We're in the "same boat," so to speak; we're cruising in September and not July. We're saving the whale-watching for ISP and choosing Hoonah Travel Adventures, which runs a smaller 18-person boat for certain trips and has a whale-spotting guarantee (I believe it's $100/passenger if no whales are seen during a trip). There are also a couple of other companies in the area that have smaller boats as well. Our reasoning is similar to DaveOKC's and JT1962's; Juneau has more options for excursions and self-guided explorations, whereas ISP really only has the zipline, bear-watching, and whale-watching. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandC4Me Posted June 18, 2022 Author #7 Share Posted June 18, 2022 Great input - thanks so much, all! I'm very grateful. Looks like ISP it is! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camella Posted June 18, 2022 #8 Share Posted June 18, 2022 I was going to add to this but yes I agree with everyone. I was lucky enough to see a mama whale and her baby breach right outside our cabin leaving ISP! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBP&O2/O Posted June 18, 2022 #9 Share Posted June 18, 2022 We have booked a small group Whale Watch at Juneau (4 hrs) and a Whale Watch and Bear Watch excursion at ISP (6 hrs). Fingers crossed but both WW trips are offering the refund if no Whales are seen ... they also say that they have never had to offer the refund 🙂and sightings are guaranteed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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