Southeast Alaska is summer home to feeding humpback whales... the largest aggregation of humpbacks in the North Pacific. They migrate from warm, tropical Hawaiian calving and breeding waters arriving in May and generally staying until October. During this six month period in these inside waters, humpbacks feed almost continuously on the rich proliferation of sealife.

For nearly a decade, Admiralty Tours has been involved with a number of Humpback Whale research projects in the waters of Southeast Alaska. You have the opportunity to see the world's most incredible populations of Humpbacks along our cruising routes. The best thing about having a small group of guests aboard is that it offers flexibility to take advantage of shows only nature can bring us... and these spectacles occur many times when and where we least expect it.

The humpback is one of the most exciting whales to watch. Whales spend most of their time below the surface, out of sight. This is one of the reasons we know so little about them. But of all the great whales, humpbacks are the most active at the surface, almost always lifting their tails when they dive and sometimes acrobatically burst through the surface (breach) creating a spectacular splash upon reentry.

Humpbacks can be quite clever when it comes to feeding. To concentrate their prey, they use a strategy called bubblenetting, sometimes cooperating in groups of twenty or more. This cooperative feeding begins when the prey is located and a feeding call is began to scare the prey into a tighter group. And to ensure the concentration of the prey, one whale begins to release air bubbles though its blowhole while spiraling towards the surface. This results in a circle of bubbles rising towards the surface, entrapping the prey. Rising through the middle of the bubble ring, they lunge at the prey upon reaching the surface. Click here for more whales!

Wildlife always plays a big part in making your adventure one to remember. To see creatures in their natural surrounding, truly free, is an exhilarating experience. These photos demonstrate upclose and personal!