Marine Wildlife of Kodiak
thrives in the waters surrounding Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge, within one of the most biologically productive marine environments in the North Pacific.
Humpback and fin whales are frequently encountered, feeding along current lines or deep bait concentrations. Transient and resident orcas occasionally move through the area, and Dall’s porpoise often appear suddenly at the bow, tracing arcs in the wake before disappearing just as quickly.
Steller sea lions haul out on offshore rocks and exposed reefs, while harbor seals rest in protected coves. Sea otters raft in sheltered bays, with pups on their bellies or drifting in the calm, protected waters of Raspberry Strait.
Seabird life is equally abundant. Horned and tufted puffins, common murres, marbled murrelets, pigeon guillemots, sooty shearwaters, and gulls follow baitfish movements along the tide lines, occasionally harassed by parasitic jaegers. We also look for Arctic terns and storm petrels, while bald eagles remain constant presences along the shoreline.
Because these cruises are dedicated to observation, we adjust speed and course to observe wildlife behavior without disturbance. At times, that means idling quietly while whales surface in sequence. At other times, we maintain distance from rookeries or haul-outs, observing through onboard stabilized binoculars.
No two days are identical. Marine life moves with current, prey, and season. We move within that rhythm from the comfort of our boats.
Geoffrey N. Forbes FYI
Wildlife Cruises
Explore the protected waterways, outer coastline, and islands surrounding Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge, combining marine wildlife viewing with dramatic coastal scenery and comfortable travel by boat.
