Frederick Sound, Alaska Scenic Cruising

Where glacial destinations showcase Alaska's ice and mountain fjords display its vertical grandeur, Frederick Sound reveals the marine soul of the Last Frontier. This expansive body of water between Kupreanof and Admiralty Islands serves as summer feeding grounds for nearly a third of the North Pacific humpback whale population. Unlike narrower channels where wildlife sightings might be fleeting, Frederick Sound's open waters create a natural theater for observing spectacular whale behaviors—breaching, bubble-net feeding, and tail-slapping against a backdrop of the Coast Mountains and the Brothers Islands.

• Icy Strait Point - Visitors enchanted by Frederick Sound's whale populations will find comparable marine mammal viewing opportunities in these nutrient-rich waters near Hoonah, another prime feeding ground for humpbacks practicing spectacular behaviors like bubble-net feeding.
• Inside Passage - Those who appreciate Frederick Sound's protected waterways will enjoy the broader Inside Passage experience, where similar mountain-framed channels and abundant marine life extend throughout Southeast Alaska's sheltered waterways.
• Glacier Bay National Park - Wildlife enthusiasts drawn to Frederick Sound will discover this park offers not only glaciers but also exceptional opportunities for viewing marine mammals, including humpback whales, orcas, and sea otters in a protected wilderness setting.
• Lynn Canal - Travelers impressed by Frederick Sound's mountain-lined waters will marvel at North America's deepest fjord, where the narrow channel concentrates marine life against a backdrop of some of Southeast Alaska's most dramatic peaks.
• Stephens Passage - Adjacent to Frederick Sound, this body of water between Admiralty and Douglas Islands offers wildlife viewers additional opportunities to witness humpback whales, orcas, and other marine mammals in a similar scenic setting.

Written by: James Hills

Pro-BloggerWest Coast Cruise ExpertThought Leader

James is an avid fan of all types of cruising but especially enjoys exploring the Pacific coastal regions since it perfectly captures the elements that he is passionate about, including natural beauty, conservation, opportunities to explore new cultures, and meeting some fantastic new people too.