Whale Fest.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha
• Position: TRAVEL

This April, travel to Kodiak to witness whales as they enact their own version of a summer get-away. Cheryl Nugent, one of the volunteer coordinators of Whale Fest Kodiak, explains: "Every April, the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale migrates past Kodiak Island. Their journey begins near the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, and they travel up the west coast to Alaska, down the Aleutian Chain, through False Pass, and continue up to the Arctic Ocean for feeding. [They] go back south in the fall. In the mid '90s, Whale Fest Kodiak was founded to celebrate their return to our waters." It isn't just a busy time for the whales--activities that take place during Whale Fest, which runs from April 18-28, include "guided hikes, talks, a shark dissection, music, art, and school projects," Nugent says.

During this time, hikes are guided by the Kodiak Audobon Society every Sunday. Participants meet at the Ferry terminal at 9:30 a.m. and carpool to the hiking areas. Nugent says, "This is a very scenic drive, and the hike offers views of the migrating Gray Whales...