A Juneau Whale Watch Goes Beyond Whales: Meet the Dall’s Porpoise
When it comes to wildlife in the waters that surround the Alaskan capital, whales seem to get all the spotlight. After all, on a Juneau whale watch there are hundreds of humpbacks that travel to these waters. Between May and mid-September, sightings are practically guaranteed. In fact, the city is considered the best in the Inside Passage for whale watching, and among the best places in the world.
While it’s always a thrill to see whales, in Juneau, there’s a wide range of wildlife that can be seen out on the water. That includes Harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and Dall’s porpoises, the cheetahs of the sea.
Meet the Dall’s Porpoise
Dall’s porpoises are named for naturalist William Healey Dall. One of the earliest scientific explorers of interior Alaska, he recorded the first specimen of this species in 1885. Sometimes referred to as the cheetahs of the sea, they have the ability to reach high speeds just like the spotted felines. The fastest swimmer among small cetaceans, Dall’s porpoises can reach up to 34 miles per hour. A seemingly fun loving animal, they can only be found in the North Pacific. They prefer cooler water temperatures ranging from around 36 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Dall’s porpoise is the most commonly seen porpoise in Juneau and throughout the Inside Passage. They live here year-round, using echolocation to local their prey. Those high-frequency clicks help ensure they find a feast, feeding on everything from sardines and squid to crustaceans and many other small fish. The animals usually travel in groups of two to 20, but occasionally congregate in huge groups. As many as 200 might be seen during feeding times.
The black back, white flank and belly of the Dall’s porpoise looks similar to the markings on an orca, but they’re much smaller, weighing roughly 300 pounds and average about six feet in length. Their bodies more closely resemble that of a bottlenoise dolphin. Adults have more distinct coloration, while calves have a greyish color without frosting on their flukes or flippers. As they mature, their signature black and white markings develop.
How to Spot Dall’s Porpoise on a Juneau Whale Watch Tour
When you’re out on a Juneau whale watch tour and see something playing in the ship’s wake or leaping from the waves near the bow, odds are, it’s a Dall’s porpoise. The animals seem to have a very playful attitude and enjoy putting on a show. It can often make for a highlight of your tour that can be just as exciting as spotting the spout of a whale.
Dall’s porpoises are actually attracted by fast moving vessels as they love to zip around at high speeds themselves. That fast swimming creates something that’s unique to these creatures. Often referred to as a “rooster tail” of water spray, it’s always a thrill to watch. It also brings great opportunities for photos, so be sure to keep an eye out. Of course, experienced guides/captains will often seem them first.
The Only Luxury Whale Watching+ in Juneau
If you’re hoping to see a Dall’s porpoise while in Juneau, it’s important to choose a company that follows ethical guidelines. While Dall’s porpoises are not currently endangered, they do face threats from bycatch in fishing nets in many places, as well as disturbance from noise pollution. Underwater noise pollution interrupts the normal behavior of Dall’s porpoises and interferes with their communication.
It’s essential to remember that anytime anyone is out on the water, us humans are visitors to the underwater world and the marine life that lives within it.
At Alaska Luxury Tours, we practice Whale SENSE, a program that recognizes whale watching companies committed to responsible ecotourism practices. Of course, that doesn’t just mean whales, but all cetaceans, including Dall’s porpoises. You can read more about that in our recent post, Juneau Whale Watching & The Importance of Whale SENSE
The overall experience is obviously an important consideration as well.
If you’re looking for an exclusive, luxury whale watching trip, you should know that Alaska Luxury Tours is the only company in Juneau providing this option. Your excursion includes private transportation. You’ll be picked up right at dockside next to your cruise ship (or your hotel) in a Mercedes “Land Yacht” and delivered to a state-of-the-art private yacht. You’ll also have a master captain/naturalist at the helm who is highly knowledgeable when it comes to Alaskan wildlife. Alaskan beer, wine, champagne, coffee, soft drinks, charcuterie board and snacks for the kids are all included too.