Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Join us for Whale Watching in our cool Alaskan waters and then view one of 38 glaciers from the Juneau Ice Fields - the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier. We guide you on a 2 hour whale watching tour, spotting Humpback whales and other wildlife. Then off to the Mendenhall Glacier to spend some time hiking, watching fish spawn at Steep Creek or enjoy an outstanding view from the Visitor Center. You get 1.5 hours at the park, but don't worry! That is the perfect amount of time to walk to nugget falls and take in the displays at the visitor center.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tour time is a check-in time; departure is within 15 to 30 minutes.
The meeting place is under the cables in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway.
All ports or docks are within 10 minutes walking distances, except one - the A Dock - which provides a “Downtown” shuttle to the Mt. Roberts Tramway.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the name of their ship
A moderate amount of walking is involved.
No food is allowed at the Mendenhall Glacier.
Tour operates in all weather conditions, so please dress appropriately in layers and for the likely chance of rain. It is recommended that you wear warm layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and comfortable slip-proof shoes
Whale sightings are guaranteed between May 15th-September 15th.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Informative professional driver guide during transfers
Heated cabin with wide viewing windows, spacious decks for whale watching, and bathrooms on board
Water and a light snack aboard the whale boat
2-hour whale watching tour on 24-passenger jet boat or 49-passenger catamaran
Bus transportation and entrance fees to park
Round-trip transportation between port and boat harbor
Naturalist on whale tour
Gratuities
What To Expect
Goldbelt Tram
This is our meeting point. We chose it because it is easy to spot from everywhere. We meet under the cables of the aerial gondola.
Inside Passage
We will drive you via bus out to Auke Bay Harbor, where you board our custom whale watching boats
Options
8:30am Whale Watch and Glacier
Duration: 5 hours
3:30pm Whale Watch and Glacier
Duration: 5 hours
7:30am Whale Watch and Glacier
Duration: 5 hours
2:30pm Whale Watch and Glacier
Duration: 5 hours
1:30pm Whale Watch and Glacier
Duration: 5 hours
12:30pm Check In
9:30am Whale Watch and Glacier
Duration: 5 hours
10:30 Whale Watch and Glacier
Duration: 5 hours
Reviews
771 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Oversold the tour resulting in lost time
K Y,
Oct 25, 2025
- Viator
3.00The guides and drivers themselves were fantastic. Very informative and friendly. The tours themselves - whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center was also fine. However, this tour company oversold by several people and the check in process was sloppy. The line management and instructions were messy so multiple people ended up cutting. This was frustrating for those who had been waiting over 30 min just for people to walk up and cut because the tour employees gave bad instructions. We also watched a family get kicked off a bus and told tough luck because the company accepted more bookings than they had spots for. This bus debacle caused the first delay by about 20 min. Once we got to the marina for the whale watching tour, another delay. There was too many people on both boats departing. 15 more minutes. They had to figure out who they had to kick off and send on a bus elsewhere. We saw no whales, but the guide on board was very informative. We knew chances were lower in October. We got picked up on another bus and dropped off at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. We arrived just before 6pm, about 30 min from nightfall. We barely had any time in the daylight, which was disappointing. Overall, if you book with this company, beware of our experience. We still made the best of it, but I would not book with them again based on how they operate.
Captain Dustin, Nate, &...
Laura S,
Oct 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00Captain Dustin, Nate, & Lauren were fantastic! They were very knowledgeable about whales & excellent at spotting them. We saw a LOT of whales. I highly recommend this tour when in Juneau. The glacier & waterfall were also incredible to see!
A must do in Juneau
Vincent L,
Oct 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was an amazing experience! Everyone from the bus drivers to the naturalists and captain were amazing and informative and added to the joy of our experience. Seeing orca made this an encounter of a lifetime!
The crew on the boat was...
Sue E,
Oct 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00The crew on the boat was fun and full of jokes. These guys seemed to love their jobs. Found quote a few whales which was a surprise as it was late in the season. Drivers on the busses were great with lots of stories and information about the area. The hike to the waterfall at the glacier was a good chance to stretch ones legs in spite of the rain. Great trip overall.
Whale Watching Amazing
Rosemary T,
Sep 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00I purchased the Whale Watching and Mendenhall Combo Tour. The whale watching was amazing and our crew was awesome. The views at the Glacier were incredible, but there’s not an actual tour or guide. The path to the falls was flooded so honestly could have been less time spent there.
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Operated by Juneau Tours