Alaska Cruise Wildlife: When & Where To See It

An Alaska cruise is a dream trip for nature lovers, offering unparalleled opportunities to witness iconic wildlife in their natural habitats. From majestic bears to playful otters, the likelihood of spotting these animals varies by month, influenced by seasonal behaviors like migration, hibernation, and spawning. Below, I’ve outlined the likelihood of seeing bears, moose, seals, otters, whales, and salmon (with specific species noted) from May to September—the prime Alaska cruise season. I’ve rated the chances as very low, low, medium, high, or very high, based on wildlife activity and accessibility during a typical Inside Passage or Gulf of Alaska cruise. Plus, I’ll highlight the best ports for wildlife excursions each month. Let’s dive in!

Harbor seals in Alaska can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes while diving for food, making them expert underwater hunters!

May: The Awakening Season

Spring kicks off the cruise season with milder weather and emerging wildlife. It’s a quieter time with fewer crowds, but some animals are just waking up or migrating.

Bears: Low 

Bears emerge from hibernation in late March to early April, but in May, they’re still foraging closer to their dens on limited food like berries and roots. Sightings from a cruise ship are rare, though possible near shorelines. 

Excursion Tip: Inland tours increase your odds—try a bear-watching flight from Juneau to Admiralty Island.

Moose: Medium 

Moose are active year-round, and May is calving season, so you might spot a mother and calf near wetlands or forests. They’re less common in Southeast Alaska (the cruise focus) but more likely near Anchorage or Seward. 

Excursion Tip: Seward offers moose-spotting chances on land tours toward Exit Glacier.

Seals: High 

Harbor seals are plentiful in May, especially during pupping season. Look for them lounging on ice floes in Glacier Bay or near Tracy Arm. 

Excursion Tip: Glacier Bay cruises from Juneau are prime for seal sightings.

Otters: High 

Sea otters are active year-round and often seen floating on their backs in coastal waters like Prince William Sound or near Sitka. May’s calm seas make them easier to spot. 

Excursion Tip: Sitka’s kayaking tours get you close to otter rafts.

Whales: Medium 

Humpback whales start arriving in Alaska’s Inside Passage in May, feeding on krill and small fish. Orcas are also present, especially near Juneau and Ketchikan. Gray whales may linger in southern waters. 

Excursion Tip: Juneau’s whale-watching tours (e.g., to Auke Bay) are excellent in May.

Salmon: Low (Chum and Early King Runs) 

Salmon runs begin in May with early king (chinook) and chum salmon in some rivers, but they’re not widespread yet. You might spot a few in streams near Ketchikan. 

Excursion Tip: Ketchikan’s creek walks offer a slim chance to see early runners.

Best Ports for Excursions: Juneau (whales, bears), Sitka (otters), Seward (moose, seals).

Sea otters in Alaska can eat up to 25% of their body weight daily, munching on clams and urchins to stay warm in chilly waters!

June: Wildlife in Full Swing

Summer begins, days lengthen, and wildlife activity ramps up. June is a sweet spot for variety and accessibility.

Bears: Medium 

Bears move toward salmon streams as early runs start, increasing shoreline sightings. Black bears are more common in Southeast Alaska forests. 

Excursion Tip: The Anan Wildlife Observatory near Wrangell is a bear hotspot.

Moose: Medium 

Calves are still with their mothers, and moose are foraging in coastal lowlands. Sightings remain more likely on land tours than from the ship. 

Excursion Tip: Seward or Skagway land excursions boost your odds.

Seals: Very High 

Pupping season peaks, and harbor seals blanket ice floes in places like Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjords. Steller sea lions are also vocal and visible. 

Excursion Tip: Seward’s Kenai Fjords cruises are seal central.

Otters: Very High 

Sea otters thrive in June’s calm waters, often seen grooming or with pups near Sitka and Ketchikan. 

Excursion Tip: Ketchikan’s kayaking trips near kelp beds are otter heaven.

Whales: High 

Humpback whales are abundant in the Inside Passage, feeding voraciously. Orcas peak in May-June near Juneau and Seward, while gray whales head north. 

Excursion Tip: Icy Strait Point whale-watching tours are top-notch.

Salmon: Medium (King and Sockeye Runs) 

King salmon runs strengthen, and sockeye begin in earnest by late June, drawing predators to streams near Ketchikan and Juneau. 

Excursion Tip: Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier trails might reveal sockeye.

Best Ports for Excursions: Juneau (whales, salmon), Seward (seals, moose), Ketchikan (otters, salmon).

Humpback whales in Alaska perform a unique "bubble-net feeding" technique, where they blow bubbles to trap fish in a tight circle before lunging up to feast!

July: Peak Wildlife Action

July is the height of summer, with long days, warm weather, and peak wildlife activity—especially around salmon runs.

Bears: High 

Salmon runs explode, luring brown and black bears to rivers and streams. Sightings spike along coastlines and on excursions. 

Excursion Tip: Haines’ Chilkoot River tours or Wrangell’s Anan Observatory guarantee bears.

Moose: Medium 

Moose stick to forested areas, less visible from ships but still active. Males start growing antlers, making them striking if spotted. 

Excursion Tip: Skagway’s Klondike Highway drives offer moose glimpses.

Seals: Very High 

Seals remain abundant, basking on ice or rocks in Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. Pups are growing and more active. 

Excursion Tip: Glacier Bay cruises from Juneau are a seal spectacle.

Otters: Very High 

Otters are everywhere—playful and plentiful in coastal waters near Sitka, Ketchikan, and Seward. 

Excursion Tip: Seward’s Resurrection Bay kayak tours are otter-rich.

Whales: Very High 

Humpback whales peak in July, breaching and bubble-net feeding in the Inside Passage. Orcas and occasional fin whales join the show. 

Excursion Tip: Juneau or Icy Strait Point whale-watching trips are unbeatable.

Salmon: High (Sockeye, Pink, and King Runs) 

Sockeye and pink salmon dominate, with king runs continuing. Streams near Haines and Ketchikan teem with fish. 

Excursion Tip: Haines’ salmon-viewing platforms are a must.

Best Ports for Excursions: Juneau (whales, seals), Haines (bears, salmon), Seward (otters, seals).

Brown bears in Alaska can eat up to 90 pounds of food a day during salmon season, turning rivers into their personal all-you-can-eat buffets!

August: The Feast Continues

August mirrors July’s vibrancy, with wildlife still active and salmon runs at their height. It’s a photographer’s paradise.

Bears: Very High 

Bears gorge on salmon, making August prime for sightings along shores and at feeding sites. Brown bears shine in Katmai or Anan. 

Excursion Tip: Wrangell’s Anan Wildlife Observatory or a flight to Katmai from Seward.

Moose: Medium 

Moose remain in forested areas, with bulls sporting larger antlers. Sightings are steady but not ship-friendly. 

Excursion Tip: Seward’s Kenai Peninsula tours might yield moose.

Seals: High 

Seals are still common, though pupping season wanes. Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjords remain hotspots. 

Excursion Tip: Seward’s Kenai Fjords cruises keep seals in view.

Otters: Very High 

Otters stay active and visible, especially in kelp forests near Sitka and Ketchikan. 

Excursion Tip: Sitka’s small-boat tours are otter goldmines.

Whales: Very High 

Humpbacks dominate, with spectacular feeding displays. Orcas and minke whales add variety near Juneau and Icy Strait. 

Excursion Tip: Icy Strait Point’s whale tours are August highlights.

Salmon: Very High (Pink, Coho, and Late Sockeye Runs) 

Pink and coho salmon surge, with sockeye lingering. Rivers near Ketchikan and Haines are alive with fish. 

Excursion Tip: Ketchikan’s creek walks showcase coho and pink runs.

Best Ports for Excursions: Wrangell (bears), Icy Strait Point (whales), Ketchikan (salmon, otters).

In Alaska, moose are such strong swimmers that they can dive up to 20 feet underwater to munch on aquatic plants!

September: The Winding Down

The cruise season nears its end, with cooler weather and fewer tourists. Wildlife is still present, but activity slows.

Bears: High 

Bears fatten up for hibernation, feasting on late salmon runs. Shoreline and excursion sightings remain strong. 

Excursion Tip: Haines or Wrangell bear tours are still reliable.

Moose: Medium 

Moose prepare for mating season (late September), with bulls more visible. Southeast Alaska sightings stay limited. 

Excursion Tip: Skagway or Seward land tours might catch rutting moose.

Seals: Medium 

Seals are less tied to ice floes as glaciers recede, but they’re still around in Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. 

Excursion Tip: Juneau’s Glacier Bay cruises offer seal views.

Otters: High 

Otters remain active, though rougher seas can make spotting trickier. Sitka and Ketchikan are dependable. 

Excursion Tip: Sitka’s coastal tours keep otters in sight.

Whales: High 

Humpbacks begin migrating south, but many linger to feed. Orcas stay resident near Seward and Juneau. 

Excursion Tip: Juneau’s late-season whale tours are still rewarding.

Salmon: Medium (Coho and Late Pink Runs) 

Coho runs peak early September, with pink salmon tapering off. Streams near Ketchikan and Skagway host the last runners. 

Excursion Tip: Skagway’s Taiya River trails catch late coho.

Best Ports for Excursions: Juneau (whales, seals), Haines (bears), Sitka (otters).

Final Tips for Wildlife Spotting

- Bring Binoculars: Essential for distant sightings from the ship.

- Book Excursions: Small-boat tours, kayaking, or flightseeing vastly improve your odds over ship-only viewing.

- Timing Matters: Early morning or late afternoon excursions often align with peak animal activity.

- Top Ports Overall: Juneau (whales, seals), Seward (seals, moose), Ketchikan (otters, salmon), Wrangell (bears), Sitka (otters), Haines (bears, salmon), Icy Strait Point (whales).

Alaska’s wildlife is unpredictable, but with the right timing and ports, your cruise can be a front-row seat to nature’s grand show. Happy cruising!