Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales Photography Holiday
Reserve with a deposit of £1700
No payment is taken at enquiry stage. We confirm availability first, then send booking forms and deposit payment details. Please read our booking conditions and financial protection information before paying a deposit.
Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales - 23rd - 30th Mar 2028 - £8499 - Single occupancy
No payment is taken at enquiry stage. We confirm availability first, then send booking forms and deposit payment details. Please read our booking conditions and financial protection information before paying a deposit.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Sitka, Alaska, with our Bubble-Netting Whales of Alaska Photography Holiday. Spend seven nights in single occupancy accommodation in a cosy hotel in central Sitka, centrally located for easy access to the town’s charm.
Embark on a thrilling adventure aboard a licensed ship with a seasoned skipper. Observe humpback whales in their element. Experience the awe-inspiring sight of these majestic creatures displaying their intelligence & teamwork during feeding frenzies.
Capture the magical moment as humpback whales burst out of the water in unison, their throat grooves filled with herring, showcasing their extraordinary feeding behaviour.
Witness brown bears, gulls, & bald eagles converging in the waters, creating a dynamic scene that will leave you breathless. Only a few humpbacks worldwide have mastered this unique fishing technique, making Sitka a premier destination to witness this natural spectacle.
Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in one of nature’s most incredible events. Join us on this unforgettable journey to photograph & witness the Bubble-Netting Whales of Alaska in action.
What is the Bubble-netting Behaviour That the Whales Exhibit?
Bubble-netting is a fascinating feeding behaviour exhibited by certain species of whales, such as humpback whales. During bubble-netting, a group of whales work together to blow bubbles in a circular formation around a school of fish, trapping them in a “net” of bubbles. This cooperative hunting strategy allows the whales to concentrate their prey in one location, making it easier for them to feed. Once the fish are corralled, the whales swim upwards with their mouths open to engulf large amounts of fish in one gulp. This behaviour showcases these marine mammals’ intelligence & social cooperation & is a captivating spectacle for photographers, researchers & whale watchers alike.
What Wildlife Other Than the Humpback Whales is Found in Sitka?
Sitka, Alaska, is home to a wide variety of diverse wildlife besides the majestic humpback whales. Our guests will also likely encounter bald eagles soaring through the skies, sea otters playing in the waters, brown bears foraging along the coast, & various seabird species nesting on the rocky cliffs. The rich biodiversity of Sitka is attributed to its unique temperate rainforest ecosystem, providing a habitat for numerous animal species to thrive. Exploring Sitka’s wilderness offers a chance to witness these incredible creatures in their natural environment, making it a popular destination for wildlife photographers & nature lovers.
Capture the grace & power of the Bubble Netting Whales in Alaska – Join this wildlife photography holiday of a lifetime!
The wildlife highlighted on this departure represents an important strand of the NaturesLens winter photography portfolio, demonstrating the strength of photographic storytelling during winter months. Discover more seasonal journeys via our winter wildlife photography tours.
This trip can be combined with
See also: Two Alaska Trips, One Winter – Why Combining Sea Otters, Eagles & Bubble-Netting Whales Works
This trip is one of our wildlife photography holidays in the United States & part of our programme of North American wildlife photography holidays.
The following is the proposed itinerary for this photography holiday, it should be considered provisional & subject to change.
- Day 1 - Assemble Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport - transfer to local hotel - overnight Sitka
- Day 2 - Day 7 - Full-day of whale watching & photography on the waters of Sitka Sound & surrounding Baranof Island & St Lazaria - overnight Sitka
- Day 8 - transfer to Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport
We have taken care to refine the itinerary for this wildlife photography holiday; as such, we consider the following to be amongst the highlights of this tour.
- Six full days in Sitka photographing the humpback whales
- Daily excursions making use of a locally skippered boat to traverse the bay
- A flexible itinerary to allow photography of other native wildlife as well as landscape shots
- Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in central Sitka
- Stay for seven-nights on a full board, non-shared basis
- Single occupancy accommodation is provided at no extra cost to you
- You don't need to bring long lenses to get incredible images
- A great guide to client ratio of no more than 1:6
- Guided by Jane Palmer & Pui Hang Miles for NaturesLens
What Do You Need To Bring With You?
The items listed below are intended as guidance rather than requirements. They outline optional & recommended clothing & camera equipment to help you prepare for the conditions & photographic opportunities you may encounter.
Clothing suggestions for the conditions expected.
- Clothing suitable for cold conditions
- Windproof & waterproof outer layers
- Footwear for very cold conditions
- Warm hat & gloves
- Sunglasses
Suggested camera equipment for the opportunities expected.
- DSLR or mirrorless camera body
- Spare camera body
- Spare batteries, charger & memory cards
- Tripod, monopod or bean bag
- Camera rain cover or waterproof protection
- Lens cleaning kit
- Camera backpack or suitable carry-on bag
- Laptop or storage device for image backup
What's Included & What's Not Included On The Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales Photography Holiday
Before booking the Breathtaking Bubble-Netting Whales Photography Holiday, we recommend reviewing what is included in the trip price, along with any items that are not. This helps ensure you have a clear understanding of what is covered, allowing you to focus fully on the photographic experience.
Most services & experiences are included in the trip price.
- Guidance from our experienced team members
- Accommodation on a Single occupancy basis
- Internal transfers
- Boat trips
- Permits
- Meals on a half board basis
Some items & services are not included in the trip price.
- International flights
- Internal flights
- Camera equipment
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- All drinks
Travel Insurance – it is a requirement when booking on any wildlife photography holiday scheduled by NaturesLens that you have adequate travel insurance, we suggest a policy from TrailFinders or Campbell Irvine.
NaturesLens photography holidays do not include flights unless it is explicitly stated on the event page. When it is time to book your flights, we will send you the details in plenty of time to allow for bookings at the best available price.
The photography holiday itinerary is subject to change & is to be considered provisional.
NaturesLens photography holidays require a minimum number of participants in order to be viable. If this minimum number is not met, the photography holiday may not go ahead.
In the event that the minimum number for a photography holiday to go ahead is not reached, NaturesLens reserves the right to cancel any given photography holiday. In that event 100% of monies received will be returned. However, NaturesLens is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
Not all mentioned wildlife can be observed & photographed at all times of the year, thus some activities may be considered seasonal & not available.
Please note the cuisine on many of the NaturesLens photography holidays is authentic & typical of the region in which you are travelling. International or western cuisine is often NOT available. If you have any concerns over the food arrangements or have any special dietary requirements, please contact us prior to making a booking.
All personal luggage are the responsibility of the owner & we request that photography holiday participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag & tripod. We do not wish to appear dictatorial in this matter & the request is made to ensure space & comfort for everyone in our vehicles.
NaturesLens & its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, & as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause.
NaturesLens reserves the right to substitute hotels, & other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience.
NaturesLens reserves the right to pass on to photography holiday participants any additional & unplanned expenditure incurred during a photography holiday, via events beyond the control of NaturesLens. NaturesLens reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a member of any photography holiday.
Payment of a deposit by photography holiday participants or their representative constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein.
All bookings are made subject to our terms & conditions.
Nothing happens quickly with bubble-net feeding. Whales circle below, birds gather above, & the surface stays calm – until it doesn’t. This photography holiday runs during the short seasonal window when the behaviour is most likely, keeping photographers on the water & ready when it breaks.
Combine This Trip
This photography holiday pairs perfectly with the trips shown below. Running immediately before or after this tour, they allow you to extend your time in the region, photograph additional species & habitats & make the most of your international travel arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to the questions we are most commonly asked about this photography tour, covering everything from accommodation, transport & group size through to photography opportunities, fitness requirements & what to expect in the field. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re always happy to discuss any aspect of the trip before you book.