There's nothing more awe-inspiring than seeing a mighty humpback whale breach the glassy surface of the ocean and splash thundering back into it, and these whale-watching tours allow you to witness it up close from the deck of your boat or even closer from a dinghy. Our tour operators know just where to find the whales and how to spot them, which means that you are almost guaranteed to see this majestic feat of nature on any of these expedition cruises through the Arctic, and Antarctic waters. Of course, whales aren't the only wildlife you'll encounter on these cruises - you might also come across lazy walruses, seals, colonies of thousands of sea birds, cute penguins of all sorts, and other hardy animals that populate these waters. Let us know when you're ready to start planning your whale-watching adventure!

Top 10 Whale Watching Cruises & Tours for 2024-2025

Top 4 Destinations for Whale Watching

Antarctica

Arctic

Iceland

Alaska

Arctic & Antarctic Whale Watching Travel Guide

A humpback whale feeds on krill in Antarctic waters

Whales of the Antarctic

One of the highlights of any expedition into the Antarctic waters is whale-watching. These majestic creatures can be spotted breaching the water in magnificent displays as they blast air and water high into the sky. If you’re lucky, they might even swim close to your ship.

Whale Encounter of a Lifetime

On a recent voyage of the Plancius, passengers were able to witness an incredible sight. While looking out at the edge of the sea ice between Northeast Greenland and Spitsbergen, they counted between 80-100 Bowhead Whales!

A humpback whale breached right in front of us in Fournier Bay!

Whale Watching in Fournier Bay

After lunch, we set out for a final excursion, this time by sea: seeking cetaceans, the ship took us to Fournier Bay, where a high concentration of krill attracts large populations of whales.

10 Best Alaskan Whale Watching Cruises for 2024-2025

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Last Frontier Adventure	$4995	8	May 23, 2025	Chichagof Dream's 8-day Last Frontier Adventure offers more time in the woods and a higher level of adventure. On this journey, visit Baranof Island, … 0
Alaska's Inside Passage Sojourn	$5695	9	May 10, 2025	Sail through Alaska's Inside Passage on this 9-day Alaskan cruise on the Baranof Dream. Visit the ports of Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, and visit Glacier … 0
Last Frontier Adventure	$4695	8	Jun 21, 2025	This Last Frontier Adventure aboard Admiralty Dream is an 8-day small-ship cruise that offers more time in wilderness areas and a higher level of … 0
Inside Passage & Glacier Bay Wilderness Cruise	$7200	13	Sep 3, 2025	Thirteen days take you through the Inside Passages and Glacier Bay National Park, encountering remote wilderness, Native culture, and history. Set … 0
Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness	$6223	8	May 10, 2025	Explore Southeast Alaska aboard National Geographic Venture on its 8-day Alaska cruise from Juneau to Sitka. Hike over the spongy earth and float … 0
Wild Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands, and Tracy Arm Fjord	$2972	6	Apr 29, 2025	Board the National Geographic Sea Lion on this 6-day Wild Alaska Escape cruise exploring the coasts and forests of Alaska. Visit ports such as Sitka, … 0
Northern Passages & Glacier Bay	$4900	8	Sep 21, 2024	Set sail aboard the SafarI Endeavour from Juneau to Sitka, Alaska, on an 8-day voyage to the Glacier Bay National Park, Chichagof Island, and Peril … 0
North to True Alaska Expedition	$3995	6	Jul 8, 2025	Experience Alaska’s famous wildlife, pristine wilderness bays and rainforest, kayak and skiff adventures, stunning Glacier Bay National Park, and … 0
North to True Alaska Expedition	$3495	6	Jul 5, 2025	Experience Alaska’s famous wildlife, pristine wilderness bays and rainforest, kayak and skiff adventures, stunning Glacier Bay National Park, and … 0
Alaska's Glacier Country	$6100	8	May 23, 2025	Make the most out of this 8-day cruise aboard Safari Quest as you explore the wilderness and encounter marine animals by kayaking, paddle boarding … 0