Humpback Whales Bubble Net Feeding

Humback Whales Bubble net feeding in Kenai Fjords National Park. July 19, 2024

Early July, we were in Homer visiting with friends and embracing the rainy days in hopes to see all that the Kenai Peninsula had to offer. After days of salmon fishing, walks on the beach looking for fossils and petrified wood, a wildlife tour across the bay to Seldovia, and a chartered Halibut fishing trip, we were all itching for the sun to make an appearance.

Since the begining of our adventure into Alaska, I knew I wanted to take one of the day cruises to see the glaciers and wildlife. But after what felt like weeks of clouds and rain, I was starting to wonder if it would be worthwhile. So I looked into the weather for the upcoming week and late in the week was predicting a day with sun and no rain! So, I booked our trip out of Seward in hopes the weather predictions came to fruition.

The days prior left us wet again and kept us wondering if those clouds would ever clear.

Then on the morning of our cruise, we woke to sunshine and beautiful views all around. I was so excited for our day and looked forward to seeing glaciers and sealife…and not in the rain.

What I didnt realize was how spectacular this day would be. And as I sit here trying to put it into words, I just can’t do it justice, but I will try my best.

We ventured up along the coast, passing Fox Island and up to our furthest destination through Harris Bay into Northwestern Lagoon where we would see the glaciers. We saw everything from Stellar sea lions, Harbor selas, Horned and Tufted puffins, Dall’s porpoise, Fin whales, bald eagles, a black bear swimming across the bay, Murrelets, Oyster catchers, Murres and Humpback Whales.

The views were breathtaking. The blues of the glacier ice, the red rock, jagged cliffs and lush green landscapes that clearly see a lot of rain was like traveling through one of natures most beautifully designed landscapes. I felt inspired being able to experience this on such a beautiful day. I was at peace.

After hours of wildlife and glacier viewing, we made our way out of Harris Bay and towards the open water. The first whales we saw were two Fin whales swimming along side our boat. And as we traveled a bit further, we saw some activity in the distance so our captain took us closer. Josh, Hannah and I were up near the bow of the boat and Hannah was getting sleepy, so I mentioned to Josh that we should move to the very front of the bow. Hannah soon fell asleep and we were peacefully enjoying the time it took as we approached an area that looked like there might be whale activity.

As we got closer, we could see whale tails and spouts in the distance. Then it began. Our captain announced that some people get the wildlife tour, and others get the National Geographic tour that we were about to get.

We watched closly and suddenly we heard over the loudspeaker a whale bellow out its announcement. At that moment, hundreds of seagulls race to an area where the whales would be surfacing, and about the time that you could focus on where the gulls were flocking to, about a dozen humpback whales surface with mouths wide open. And as if that wasn’t enough, the second time they did this, they came up right in front of us. Josh had his iPhone video recording, so you can view it below. It never feels as close in the video, but believe me when I say we could see down into their mouths and smell their fishy breath.

They flapped their fins as they turned in the water and bellowed a sound so deep you feel it vibrate in your chest. It felt like a celebration every time it happened. I couldnt get enough. I could have sat there for hours watching this.

We watched for over an hour as they feasted on the herring. It is a feeling and experience I will forever hold close. It was epic. It was special.

We couldn’t be more grateful to have had the opportunity to see one of natures most beautiful moments!