Experience Alaska: Humpback Whales in Sitka

Join Alaska photographer Carl Johnson for a powerful photo experience with the magnificent humpback whales!

This four day/three night journey will be based in the scenic and historic coastal community of Sitka, Alaska. Sitka served as the Russian capital of North America until the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, and the Treaty of Cession solemnifying that sale occurred in Sitka.

Arrive in Sitka no later than 3:00 p.m. on the first day. We will meet at 5:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby to walk to one of the nearby small boat harbors to photograph sunset, which is at 7:15 p.m. Afterward, we will enjoy a welcome dinner together.

You’ll spend about six hours each day out on a small boat as we explore the coastline and waters around Sitka in search of pods of humpback whales. At this time of year, the herring are returning to spawn, and the whales are engaged in the cooperative practice of “bubble net feeding.” This is one of the most spectacular wildlife events to witness and photograph in Alaska. The commercial fishing fleet will also be engaged in fishing for herring using purse seine nets. From the coastal landscapes to the whales and commercial fishing, there will be plenty of ways to test and grow your photography and compositional skills.

Following each day on the boat, we will go to different coastal locations in the vicinity of Sitka to photograph the evening light on the landscape.

On nights with clear skies, we may also have the opportunity to photograph the city, small boat harbors, and even the aurora borealis.

Your final day will start with breakfast, then we will take a trip over to photograph the traditional Tlingit totems and cedar rainforest at the Sitka National Historic Park. The trip will end at approximately 1:00 p.m.