Sunday, January 25, 2015

Experiencing Whale Watching Tours In Alaska

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By Janine Hughes


Anyone who has traveled or even looked at pictures of the world knows that there are numerous places to see that with take one's breath away. There are very few places, however, they can compare to the beauty of whale watching tours in Alaska. The northern state is dotted with majestic mountains that are surrounded by pristine waters to leave no one disappointed.

Aside from the beautiful landscapes are the majestic mammals. The large creatures with their gentle eyes can often be seen from up close, making it a trip that won't soon be forgotten. In fact, as they have become accustomed to being on display, they are not fearful of coming close to the boats, and often swimming beneath them. For anyone who can be a part of this, it's an experience of a lifetime.

In some cases, it's possible to see upwards of 100 whales in certain areas, depending on which months. Observe orcas or humpbacks, sometimes in the same area. In fact, there are all kinds of wildlife to enjoy on such a trip, including bears, sea lions, a variety of schools of fish, and more. Simultaneously, while anticipating watching these gentle giants, don't forget about the beautiful glaciers. There is a lot of information that will be provided by the charter crew, but it's always good to do a little research and learn what can actually be anticipated on such a trip. Becoming familiar with the appearance of the different sea creatures will have the tourist ahead of the game.

A good example of this is knowing what the humpback is known for. For instance, this majestic creature jumps and leaps right out of the water, especially closest to the shore. It is capable of doing this because it has such long pectoral fins. On the other hand, the Minke type is kind of hard to spot because of its agility and speed.

Killer whales, or the orcas, hunt in groups known as pods. These are very distinct, with black and white bodies, and tail fins that can be visible to the naked eye, as they swim so closely to the surface. These creatures hunt lots of different prey, including dolphins and penguins.

Taking an Alaskan tour to view these beautiful creatures out in the open, in their natural habitat, will be a memorable experience to anyone of any age. Plan ahead of time, well in advance, as these trips can book quite quickly. For a successful trip, pay attention to charter companies reviews.

Planning ahead for a trip means proper packing. One needs to stay warm in the open seems that bring on a cold breeze, even if the sun is shining. If one isn't dressed properly, they may have to stay inside, instead of where they should be, on the deck. Most would advise to dress in layers, removing layers one by one if it's warmer than expected. Also, it's essential to bring along a hooded raincoat, in case of rain.

Sunglasses would also serve anyone really well. The bright sun can be quite blinding, interfering with glimpses one might have on such a trip. It's definitely tempting to snap photos of what may be, but be careful not to experience the entire trip behind the lens, as so much can be missed. Keep in mind that these glimpses last only a couple of seconds.




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