Sitka Expeditions

There are few moments more incredible than listening to wild orcas communicate beneath the surface.

During this encounter, we lowered one of our hydrophones into the water, allowing our guests to hear the whistles, clicks, and pulsed calls these amazing animals use to communicate. But listen closely and you’ll hear something even more incredible: their echolocation.

Those rapid clicking sounds are the orcas sending out sound waves to build an acoustic picture of the world around them. As those sound waves bounce back, they reveal the shape, size, distance, and even texture of objects around them. During this encounter, you can actually hear their echolocation reflecting off our boat as they examined us. While we were watching the orcas, they were also checking us out.

Each orca pod has its own unique dialect that’s passed down through generations, almost like a family language. These vocalizations help them coordinate hunting, stay connected with their family, identify one another, and strengthen the lifelong bonds that make orcas one of the ocean’s most intelligent animals.

Using a hydrophone transforms an orca encounter from something you simply watch into something you truly experience. It’s one of the reasons we make a point of bringing one on our tours regularly, something very few operators do.

Seeing them is unforgettable. Hearing them is something else entirely. This is a compilation of sounds from about 20 minutes of listening to the orcas!

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7/2/26 • How good is the whale watching this time of year?

YES.

This is exactly what summer in Sitka looks like. Humpback whales are feeding throughout the sound, and close encounters like these are something we experience on a regular basis.

Every trip is different, but this time of year consistently delivers incredible wildlife viewing with whales, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, and often much more.

Come see why Sitka is one of the best whale watching destinations in Alaska.

📸 Video cred from our Naturalist: Jac Ochoa

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One of the first questions we get is, “Was your boat making those sounds?” The answer is no. During this encounter, our sonar was completely turned off.

What you’re hearing is from a hydrophone (an underwater microphone) as a curious killer whale approached our boat. Those rapid clicking sounds are the whale’s echolocation, a natural sonar system it uses to explore its surroundings.

By producing clicks and listening for the returning echoes, killer whales can determine the size, shape, distance, and even the movement of objects around them. It’s one of the most advanced biological sonar systems on Earth.

Moments like this are incredibly special. We always keep a respectful distance and let wildlife choose the interaction. This whale decided to come investigate us, giving us a rare opportunity to hear and witness how it experiences the world beneath the waves.

The ocean has a language of its own, and this is what curiosity sounds like.

A full bubble feed erupted right next to us and then—boom—whales surfacing everywhere, close enough to feel it. This is why you never take your eyes off the water out here.

Disclaimer: We always follow the 100 yard law. In this case, the whales approached us after bubble feeding right next to us. Our motors and sonar were off.

🌊 Sitka Community Wildlife Tours 🌊

We’re back on the water April 24th & 25th and ready to get after it again! 🐋

🕘 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM
⏱ 2 hour tours
💲 $65 per person

Join us aboard our 13 passenger vessel with Captain Chad and Naturalist Jac for a fun, laid back, cruise ship guest free experience 🤙

And hey… there’s always a chance to get “mugged” by a grey whale (video in post) 👀

Spots are limited, follow the link to book!

Disclaimer: We always follow the 100 yard law and do not approach whales. In this case, we had our motors off and trimmed up, this particular grey whale is known for “mugging” vessels and voluntarily approaching boats on its own. They will come up to your boat from hundreds of yards to run up against your boat and it’s an amazing experience each time, this whale went between 5 different boats that day!

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When humpback whales start bubble net feeding just feet from the boat… there’s nothing else like it. 🐋💥

Please note that we stay outside of 100 yards from the whales but it is a common occurrence this time of the year for the whales to approach you and bubble net feed. Our motors and sonar were off during this.

Front row seats to one of the wildest shows on earth 🌊🐋

Watching humpbacks bubble net feed is unreal on its own… but hearing them coordinate through the hydrophone while it’s happening right next to the boat? Next level.

You don’t just see it… you feel it.

Sitka in the spring doesn’t miss. If you want to secure your spot for our 2027 season of bubble feeding where you can witness up to 50 bubble feeds a day! Shoot us a message!

We remain outside the 100 yard humpback whale regulation and follow this strictly. These particular whales approached us voluntarily with engines and sonar off..