Have questions? We're here.
Travelers watch an Orca come to the surface

Marine Mammals of the Pacific Northwest

Example 15 Day Cruise aboard Spirit of Enderby
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Russia trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
You are invited to join this 15-day cruise as it embarks on the ultimate whale-and marine mammal-watching expedition in the Russian Far East. This part of the world is amazingly rich in marine live and is a major feeding ground for numerous migratory whale species. This Russia cruise visits the best sites for cetaceans and other marine mammals, including Kamchatka, the Commander Islands, and the Northern Kuril Islands. Come along in search of species such as Gray whales, Orcas, Russian Sea Otters, Habour Seals, or even the reclusive Ribbon Seal.
A ribbon seal cools himself on the sea iceA group of Stellar Sea Lions swim past the boatVisit a Sea Otter hangout on your Marine Mammal voyageSpirit of Enderby, Russian Far EastTravelers watch an Orca come to the surface
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Embark in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy

Arrive in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy and transfer to your vessel. You are welcome on the bridge as there is a possibility of seeing Orcas and Sperm Whales as the ship sails out of Avacha Bay on its way to Olga Bay in the north.

Day 2: Olga Bay

Olga Bay is a shallow cove on the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula and a well documented feeding ground for Gray Whales. Plan to launch Zodiacs to get a closer look at some of the animals who frequent the area. Plan to make a landing on a sandy beach near the forest to look for the iconic Kamchatka Brown Bear and amazing Steller’s Sea Eagles.

Day 3-4: Commander Islands

The Commander Islands are a unique and majestic place with one of the highest cetacean diversities in the Russian Far East. Plan to visit the village of Nikolskoye and learn about the region's human history, then move on to the North West Bay to discover its rookery of Northern Fur Seals. Visit the deep oceanic trench that comes close to the shore on the western coast of Bering Island in search of various species of whales, including Humpback, Minke, Fin, Orca, Dall’s Porpoise, Sperm and Baird’s Beaked Whales. There are also several recorded sightings of Northern Right Whales as recently as 2013 in this area.

Day 5: Kukhta Russkaya, Kamchatka

Russkaya Bay is a beautiful fjord near the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula. During your landing, hope to see Steller’s Sea Eagles and possibly brown bears. Depending on weather conditions, take a Zodiac cruise to the fjord's entrance, where a resident Orca pod has been frequently spotted. There is also a Steller Sea Lion haul out nearby and some Sea Otters around the rocks.

Day 6: Second Kuril Strait

Zodiac cruise at Ptich’i rocks, which hold an amazing concentration of Sea Otters, Harbour and Largha Seals as well as sea birds. Make a landing on Atlasova Island, on which is situated Alaid – the tallest volcano in the Kuril chain. The island is inhabited by Red Foxes, and Sea Otters frequent the surrounding ocean.

Day 7: Kambal'naya Bay, Kamchatka

There have been several recent records of Northern Right Whale sightings, the rarest baleen whale species in the world, in this bay on the west coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Plan to check the area and possibly make a landing if conditions are suitable.

Day 8-9: At Sea

As the ship crosses the Sea of Okhotsk, catch up on some lectures from the on-board specialists or help keep observations on the bridge. This area can be quite productive for Orcas and baleen whales.

Day 10-11: Shantar Archipelago

The Shantar Islands are synonymous with wilderness and wildlife, but few people have had the opportunity to visit. For much of the year the islands are icebound, but this expedition has been scheduled at a time that gives the best opportunity to sail through and around the many islands in the group. The shallow waters around the islands are home to a known population of Bowhead Whales and Belugas. There are also records of Northern Right Whales and regular Orca sightings. Explore the islands and surrounding waters by ship and Zodiac as well as make some expedition landings.

Day 12: Pil'tun Bay, Sakhalin Island

Embark on a Zodiac cruise near the entrance to the lagoon in Pil’tun Bay to look for the endangered ‘Western’ Gray Whales population and possibly make a landing at the lighthouse situated at the entrance to the lagoon. Steller’s Sea Eagles and Largha Seals can regularly be seen nearby.

Day 13: At Sea

Cruise along the coastline of Sakhalin Islan and spend some time attending lectures and observing the area from the bridge.

Day 14: Tyuleniy Island

If sea conditions are suitable, Tyuleniy Island is your last landing of the expedition. At the height of the season it is a major breeding rookery for Northern Fur Seals and Steller Sea Lions as well as numerous guillemots. Although in September the breeding season is pretty much over, there are still animals around. There is a research station on the island that was built in the 1960s in the course of an international fur seal research program. Fences and walkways provide access to well-placed viewing platforms and lookouts.

Day 15: Sakhalin Island

The expedition finishes today at the Port of Korsakov. Transfer to a central hotel and the airport in the town of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Ship/Hotel

Spirit of Enderby

Seating for all passengers in the Lecture Room
Heritage Suite
South Pacific fish

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Main Deck Triple-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Main Deck Triple
One cabin located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, one upper bunk bed, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
Main Deck-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Main deck
Thirteen cabins located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
Superior Cabin-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Superior
Four cabins located on the Middle Deck,with one lower and one upper bunk, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Superior Plus Cabin-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Superior Plus
Eight cabins located on the Upper and Middle Decks,with two lower bunk beds, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space. and private bath facilities.
Mini Suite- Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Mini Suite
Two cabins located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single bed, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Heritage-Spirit of Enderby
Select a Date
Heritage Suite
One cabin located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, forward- and side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single pull-out bed, desk and table area, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.

Notes

- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers aboard the Spirit of Enderby.
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By