Alaska: Icy Strait Whale Watching & Drone Footage Tour

Summary

Whale watching in Alaska’s Icy Strait with drone views and local stories

You’ll ride out into Alaska’s wild Icy Strait on a small-group whale watching trip led by Captain Josh himself. Listen for humpbacks surfacing nearby, spot orcas or sea lions up close, and watch live drone footage capturing their world from above. Includes snacks onboard and your own USB video to take home — plus moments you might find yourself replaying long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell — that sharp, salty air rolling off Icy Strait, mixed with something green and alive from the shoreline. Captain Josh waved us onto his boat (he really does own it — he told us about fixing the engine himself last winter) and we all squeezed in, just fourteen of us. The boat felt sturdy but not fancy, which honestly made it better. You could hear the water slapping against the hull whenever he cut the engine to let us listen for whales. There was this quiet moment where nobody said anything, just waiting. Then someone gasped — a tail flicked up maybe thirty yards out, and suddenly everyone was pressed to the rails.

Josh has this way of talking about humpback whales that makes you feel like you’re meeting his friends. He pointed out how one mother kept circling her calf, explaining their patterns in a way that wasn’t show-offy at all — more like he couldn’t help sharing what he knew. The main keyword here is whale watching Alaska, but honestly it didn’t feel like “watching” so much as being let into their world for a bit. The air was cold enough to sting your nose if you stood outside too long, but inside there were snacks and hot drinks (I spilled my soda when Josh shouted “Orca!” — worth it).

I didn’t expect the drone part to be such a highlight. Josh launched it right from the deck — said he’s got the only tour around here doing that. We watched on his screen as it soared above us, catching these overhead shots of whales gliding through blue-green water. It’s weird seeing yourself from above, tiny on a boat while these huge animals move below. At one point a sea lion popped up near our bow and someone joked about him wanting to be in the video too.

When we got back to shore, Josh handed each group a USB stick with all the drone footage (I’ve already shown mine to everyone who’ll watch). The whole thing lasted about three hours but parts of it still pop into my head sometimes — mostly that hush before we saw our first whale tail break the surface. There’s something about being out there with someone who really knows these waters and wants you to see what he sees… I don’t know, it sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale watching and drone filming tour

• Travel out into Icy Strait
• Spot Humpback Whales and wildlife
• Enjoy indoor and outdoor viewing
• Deploy drone for aerial filming
• Watch whales and wildlife from above
• Return with drone footage

Top questions

How many people are on this Alaska whale watching tour?

The boat holds up to 14 passengers per tour.

Is drone footage included in the whale watching trip?

Yes, each group gets a USB drive with drone shots from their tour.

How long does the whale watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the trip?

Yes, snacks and soda/pop are included onboard.

What wildlife can you see besides humpback whales?

You may also spot orcas, sea lions, otters, brown bears, and seals.

Is this Alaska whale watching suitable for kids?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are allowed onboard.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transport options are nearby.

Who leads this Alaska whale watching trip?

The owner-operator Captain Josh personally guides each tour.

What’s included

Your day includes a three-hour cruise on Captain Josh’s custom 14-passenger vessel through Icy Strait, guided narration by Josh himself as you spot whales and other wildlife together, professional drone filming of marine life from above (with live viewing during your trip), snacks and soda onboard to keep warm between sightings, plus a USB drive per group with all your unique drone footage to take home at the end.