Types Of Whales To See In Alaska. Alaska has a variety of whales, including humpback whales, gray whales, killer whales (orcas), beluga whales, blue whales, minke whales, bowhead whales, bottlenose whales, fin whales, and sperm whales. The most common whales to see in Alaska are humpback whales, killer whales, gray whales, and beluga whales.

The killer whale (Orcinus orca) is the largest member of the dolphin family and lives in small groups called "pods," which are usually made up of family members ranging from juveniles (called calves) to adult males (called bulls). The orca was first known as the "whale killer" because they were observed killing and eating whales.

With powerful bodies, sharp minds, and the ability to work together like well trained soldiers, killer whales, also called orcas, can hunt down and kill virtually any living thing in the sea — including great white sharks and the largest creature to ever live, the blue whale.

Killer whales, also referred to as orca whales, are best known for their striking black and white coloring and tall dorsal fins. They are found in all ocean waters of Alaska, but they are most commonly seen in Southeast Alaska, the Gulf of Alaska, and in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.