May 28, 2016. We used VIATOR for this tour. Our cruise line offered limited choices in this small Alaskan port. We had a mild, cloudless morning. Glass-smooth, quiet surface. Finest of Alaskan days made finer by our Captain, Herminio Ramos. This tour was cheaper than the monstrous tours through our cruise line and much more valuable. Herm coasted his fishing boat, gently and quietly, incredibly close to the Humpbacks and otters in the area. WHAT AN ASTONISHING EXPERIENCE.
This was an amazing adventure. Our boat driver and his assistant were so experienced at spotting whales. We spent some time, maybe an hour going to the area where they knew we would see whales. We then began to see some far away. We proceeded to get up closer and closer until just before we needed to return, we saw a pod of six whales right up close to the boat. They were right there! They spouted and then dove - 2 pairs dove in unison - like synchronized swimming!