We had a report of at least 15 gray whales near buoy #3 off Spruce Cape, heading to the north end of Long Island! These are moving steadily, feeding and BREACHING, according to Andy who spotted them. He expects them to move past Chiniak and then into Ugak Bay later today, so be on the look out near Narrow Cape. 

The Kodiak Killers 2 are back!

We just got a call that the Kodiak Killers 2 are back in the downtown harbor area. Enjoy!

Whales Sighted at Surfer's Beach March 31, 2015

Kodiak Whale Fest folks received a report at 2pm today of whales seen from Surfer's Beach, located between Pasagshak and Fossil Beach. There hasn't been a positive ID of the whales yet, but they are most likely gray whales. Has the early migration begun? Maybe!

Just in!

10:30am Just seen from Pier 2 (City Dock, where the Kennicott ties up):

Active Humpback whale AND an Orca - possibly more because the birds are going wild.
Happy whale watching!

Thank you, Andy Finke for the whale report!

More Grays are on the Way

Lots of folks have been seeing whales in the distance (beyond some big surf) at Narrow Cape, Surfer's Beach and from Pasagshak Point over the past couple of weeks.  This morning there was a report of what was probably a gray whale seen at 9:30am by a fisherman about 2 miles north of Woody Island, heading south.

Even better news: a contact in Southeast Alaska has reported seeing many grays pass by near the Skagway area today - our migrating grays are on their way!

Don't forget the final Whale Watching Walk this Saturday with the Audubon Society folks.  Meet a little before 9:30am at the ferry terminal building in downtown Kodiak.  From there you will car pool to Narrow Cape to walk and watch the whales.  Bring a lunch, water, boots (there will probably be some mud and mushy land to go through) and wind/water proof gear (you'll be fairly exposed to the wind on part of the hike).  Don't forget your binoculars!

Whales at Narrow Cape

We have reports of whales spotted from Surfer's Beach and Pasagshak Point in the Narrow Cape area. Some reports were from earlier in the week but spouts were seen as recently as Friday evening from Surfer's Beach. Time for a trip out the road!  Don't forget your binoculars. 

Getting Busy Out There!

Not only did we have multiple sightings of the local Kodiak Killer pod of orcas (March 26 - 29) and one humpback spotted east of Narrow Cape on the 29th, today we had our first report of a gray whale spotted off of Surfer's Beach.  The gray was about 300 yards off the beach.  Start watching for spouts everyone!

Lots of Grays at Narrow Cape!

We've had reports of a couple of dozen gray whales seen from Surfer's Beach and the Narrow Cape area today. Tomorrow's whale watching walk should be a productive one! To join the hike tomorrow, meet at 9:30AM at the ferry terminal building so you can carpool from there. Bring a lunch, appropriate outdoor attire, water and your binocs! Happy whale watching!

Now We're Cookin'

The whale reports are rolling in!  There were about 15 gray whales spotted near Chiniak on Wednesday, April 24th and another 76 counted around Ugak Island in the Narrow Cape area on Wednesday night.  Thursday morning some grays were seen near the north end of Woody Island.  Thursday afternoon 3 grays were seen feeding on the North West end of Woody.  Keep those whale sightings rolling in to Pam at 486-3181 or on the Whale Fest Facebook page. 

Have fun whale watching!

Orcas in the Near Island Channel Again!

The orcas are back again this morning - we just a report that they are near the small boat harbor breakwater as of 8:48am.

Another Great Showing by the Orcas

Orcas in Near Island Channel
Photo courtesy of Pam Foreman

Wow! They were here again today...entertaining crowds of onlookers downtown as they traveled back and forth in the Near Island Channel.  I left at about 4:00 but they were still in sight near City Dock.  There were four orcas, including the tiny new member to the pod.  

Orcas in Kodiak, March 19, 2013

Orcas in Near Island Channel  photo by Fred O'Hearn   
copyright Carpe Praedem Photography

The orcas made another visit today and entertained shoreside watchers from downtown Kodiak out to Spruce Cape and back.  Don't forget to call in your whale alerts to 486-3181.

Orcas in the Channel Again!

photo by James Brooks, courtesy of the Kodiak Daily Mirror

Orcas were spotted in the channel area earlier today (Monday, March 18, 2013).  As of 5pm, they were still moving back and forth between the north end of Near Island and Mission Beach in the Woody Island Channel.

Orcas in the Channel

The first 2013 sighting of orcas in the channel downtown was reported yesterday (February 23rd) at about noon. If we are lucky, they will stay in the area for a few days.

What a Fluke!

Jim Pfeiffenberger opened the shutter on his camera at just the right moment during Sunday's Whale Watching Walk at Narrow Cape.  Nice fluke!

Grays at Pasagshak Today

Betsy Lund sent in a report about an hour ago that there are gray whales at Pasagshak.

Orcas passed by on Monday Evening

At about 9:30pm Monday, four orcas passed through the channel following a seiner.  Be on the lookout...they often stay in the area for a repeat visit.

Grays Continue to Enchant Narrow Cape Explorers

Sunday's Whale Watching Walk turned out to be a good one.  There were gray whales "all over the place! - close to the cliffs and as far as the eye could see," according to group leader, Stacy Studebaker.  And although it was a gray day for much of the day in Kodiak, the weather at Narrow Cape turned out to be sunny. 

Gray Whale Breaching

Whale watchers at Narrow Cape last weekend were treated to not only the sight of whales spouting in the distance, but also an occasional breaching gray whale. Pretty cool stuff.  Thanks to Sharon Schlup for the video.

Whales are Us!

There have been multiple sightings of gray whales in the Narrow Cape area over the last several days.  Today (Sunday, April 22nd) there were reports of gray whales from Pasagshak Point to Surfer Beach (Bear Paw Beach) and Fossil Beach (Narrow Cape). While many of the whales were off shore quite a bit, several were seen in the surf zone closer to shore. 

Here's some footage shot on Saturday afternoon. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3731422565175

Thanks for sharing that footage with everyone, Sharon!