The TourOur Auke Bay departure point allows us to cruise along the shorelines of Admiralty Island, known as the "home of the bears". It boasts the largest concentration of Alaskan Brown Bears and nesting Bald Eagles in the world. While cruising around islands in Stephans Passage we encounter and photograph the endangered Humpback Whales and Stellar Sea Lions, along with Harbor Seals, Dalls Porpoise, regular sightings of Orcas (Killer Whales), an occasional Otter, and a variety of sea and shore birds. Our location on the "Inside Passage" of Southeast Alaska offers well-protected and usually quite calm waters. Marine mammals, the majestic Chilkat Mountains and several glaciers provide our guests the photo opportunities of a lifetime.
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Captain Larry Dupler is US Coast Guard licensed and is an internationally renowned whale watch captain with over 30 years experience on the water. During this time he has served as captain and engineer on charter fishing boats, commercial diving boats, and tug boats along with his own pleasure boats. He is educated in wildlife management and marine biology and has been recognized for his work in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.Captain Larry's love and admiration for whales developed while observing these awesome animals during boat trips around Southeast Alaska. For several years he has operated whale watching and wildlife tour boats in Southeast Alaska. Captain Larry has been vice president of Marine Education and Research of Southeast Alaska (MERSEA), a non-profit whale support group based in Juneau, since it's inception in 1996. He works with the National Marine Mammal Laboratory and other research organizations to identify the whales that visit the Juneau area. |
 J.R. "Trapper" Erwin grew up in the midwest. After college he elected to live and work with mother nature. He spent the next twelve years in Montana and Wyoming studying animal activities and behavior patterns in the wild. This fed a desire to educate people about the beauty of mother nature and their impact on her and her children. He operated a nature and wildlife tour on the Salmon River for several years. In 1993 "Trapper" took a trip to Alaska, was entranced by the country, met Captain Larry, and was captivated by the whales and other marine life. Trapper has worked with Captain Larry as a tour guide and naturalist ever since. |
 Our fully customized, mammal-safe jet boat, the "AWESOME ORCA", was designed and built specifically for whale-watching and wildlife tours and the comfort of our guests. It is 42 feet long and 12 feet wide, and is the fastest excursion vessel in Southeast Alaska. It features a fully enclosed, heated cabin with fantastic viewing from every seat. It is handicap accessible with a restroom and full galley. The rear open deck and upper level observation areas are perfect if you prefer to be outside.
The "AWESOME ORCA's" design offers an opportunity for our guests to be up close and personal with the whales and wildlife we encounter. It is US Coast Guard inspected and documented, and operated by a USCG licensed captain. Our personalized tour-style and high speed boat allows us to stop, observe and photograph marine mammals in their natural environment, while safely and comfortably enjoying the rugged Alaskan scenery. |
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