Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Your 3 hour whale watching adventure begins when you board a coach bus that departs downtown Juneau from the Mt. Roberts Tram parking lot. A 25 minute journey through the picturesque landscape of Southeast Alaska will take you to Auke Bay Harbor. “All aboard!” and you’re off for Alaska waters and the ultimate whale watching experience. The star of the tour is the humpback whale, but we are always looking out for sea lions, bald eagles, or the playful orca. The whales are here to feed in our abundant Alaskan waters. Our naturalist guides you on a 2 hour whale watching tour. With our experienced captains and Juneau being one of the best ports for whale watching in Alaska, this tour will be an unforgettable experience. A light snack and refreshments will be provided.
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 10 to 15 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.
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.
THIS TOUR IS OPERATED BY JUNEAU TOURS & WHALE WATCH
Whale sightings are guaranteed between May 15th-September 15th.
We cannot accommodate any kind of electric scooter or electric wheelchair, even very small ones.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
A photo stop on the water of the Mendenhall Glacier (weather dependent)
Informative professional driver guide during transfers
Heated cabin with wide viewing windows, spacious decks for whale watching, and bathrooms on board
Multiple tour times for flexibility
Filtered water and trail mix bars available aboard the whale boat
Round-trip transportation between port and boat harbor
Naturalist on whale tour
3 hour tour time, 2 hours on the water on a custom 24-passenger jet boat or 49-passenger catamaran
Gratuities (greatly appreciated)
What To Expect
THIS TOUR IS PROVIDED BY JUNEAU TOURS & WHALE WATCH Our 3 hour whale watching adventure begins when we board a coach bus that departs downtown Juneau from the Mt. Roberts Tram parking lot. A 25 minute journey through the picturesque landscape of Southeast Alaska will take you to Auke Bay Harbor. “All aboard!” and you’re off to Alaska waters and the ultimate whale watching experience. On our quest for whales, we will be on the lookout for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bear and more of Alaska’s wildlife. The star of the tour is the humpback whale, but we are always looking out for the playful orcas. Once we spot a whale, the captain will slow down and allow you to go on the spacious viewing decks for a great photo opportunity. Towards the end of the cruise we stop on the water for a 5 minute photo stop of the Mendenhall Glacier (weather dependent). Our custom designed vessels provides unrestricted viewing from inside the cabin as well as outside. Although the cabin is enclosed and heated we recommend you dress in layers, after all it is Alaska! Snacks are also provided.
Options
9:30am Check-in
2 hours on the water on one of our custom whale watching boats.
8:30am Check-in
2 hours on the water on one of our custom whale watching boats.
1:30pm Check-In
2 hours on the water on one of our custom whale watching boats.
2:30 pm Check-In
2 hours on the water on one of our custom whale watching boats.
4:30pm check-in
4:30pm check-in : 2 hours on the water on one of our custom whale watching boats.
10:30am Check-in
2 hours on the water on one of our custom whale watching boats.
Reviews
918 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Mendenhall Glacier provides a trove of activities & whale watching is fun.
Marf13669,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We took a five-hour combined tour of Mendenhall Glacier and boat trip looking for whales. The U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center is located just twelve miles from downtown Juneau and it provides amazing views of the Mendenhall Glacier and lake. In addition, it offers high-quality recreation opportunities for hikers, amateur geologists, etc. Due to the cold weather and the fact that we were underdressed, we declined the outdoor activities but took an active interest in mini-films, the indoor displays, and other activities. The glass windows did provide excellent photo opportunities of the glacier. Once on water in a boat with an enclosed cabin, we were looking for humpback and other varieties of whales. To our dismay, we only recorded a picture of an Orca. But it was a fun day and I would recommend it to you, if you travel in season. We were on the “shoulder” and many of the species were already moving South. The glacier was amazing.
Ford, Nate, and Chriss...
PetrinIssy I,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ford, Nate, and Chriss were absolutely spectacular! I was a solo traveller at the end of the season yet we had such an amazing time. We saw orcas, a whale and her calf. The crew was funny, educative, caring and so informative. I can’t wait to be back on a better season, will definitely be sailing with them
Nice Staff/Saved money
Elizabeth B,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We went on a whale watch this past week. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any whales. The staff coordinated with other boats to spread out to try to find whales in the area. They did their best and were very friendly and knowledgeable. This just gives us another reason to return to try again a different time of the year. Oh, and booking here saved us about $200 from the cruise sponsored excursions.
Whale tour
HV N,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour, the captain and mate got the boat in a spot to see 8 different humpback whales and a couple of killer whales. Then on the way back some eagles. They told us all about the whales and how to spot them.
No whales no photo of the glacier
viajesdevida,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I don’t think they should sell tickets for this tour if they know from the beginning there will be no way to see any whales, and they tell you it would be a miracle to see one, then we where expecting to take a picture of the glacier and the lady told us that was a photo opportunity and there is no opportunity to take a picture. I guess it is because of the date of the tour it was middle of October, but if they know the tour will not work they should not offer it from the beginning. We should have stayed downtown and walk the nice stores and restaurants.
Nice crew, safe boat
Jonas J,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The crew was very funny and professional. Unfortunately we have not seen any whales, which causes a little frustration. This is not the fault of the operator or the crew.
we found the whales!
neil r,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00very knowledable people..we went looking and found our whales in different parts of the bay. it was a really good experience
A must do!!!
Teri J,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Noah and Sarah were amazing!! If you are looking for an amazing trip with very knowledgeable and personable hosts, go through them! I can’t say enough good things about our trip!
Excellent your a must do..
Stephanie a,
Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent from start to finish.. very well organised the bus driver “Randy” was informative and funny.. Chris and Ben on the boat were great we got to see 4 whales
Whale watching adventure
Ellen H,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The team is fully committed to making sure everyone is safe and they see whales. We had to drive further because migration had begun, but that was fine with the crew.
From US$156.00
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