Best of · JUNEAU WHALE WATCHING TOURS

Our 15 Best Juneau Whale Watching Tours

24 tours  ·  from $150 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 juneau whale watching tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching - What the boat is like for three hours on the water
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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

1.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,379 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177Our pick

Meet Alaska Tales near Juneau’s Mount Roberts Tramway for a port pickup, a brief Mendenhall Glacier photo stop, and a boat ride from Auke Bay. You’ll have heated cabins, outdoor decks, snacks, bottled water, and naturalist commentary. Guides such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate explain whale behavior while the crew searches for humpbacks.

“What’s a whale watching adventure after the whales migrate out of the area? It’s a little boat ride out. It’s a little boat ride back. Fortunately for us, it was a beautiful day. And the crew was delightful.”

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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier - Out on the water with humpback whales
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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249

Spend about 45 to 50 minutes at Mendenhall Glacier, then cruise Juneau’s coast aboard a warm, wildlife-viewing boat. Local guides such as Michelle, Nate, Taylor, Leon, and Jay share stories about the area and its whales. Expect comfortable viewing, a small snack, and a whale sighting guarantee, but bring binoculars for distant animals.

“Loved Alaska Tours with Kacie, Justin, and Nate aboard the George Mason. Very informative and we saw 2 whales that breeched! So exciting to see Sasha and her baby Chacha! Kacie knows her stuff and you can tell she loves her work! Great time! Highly recommend!”

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3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska - More than whales: seals, sea lions, and bald eagles
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3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska

3.3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,164 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $189

You’ll ride a heated 40-foot catamaran from Auke Bay for about 2 hours and 15 minutes of whale watching, with room to walk around the deck. Guides such as TJ, Andrew, Daisy, Alan, and Cedar have helped make these trips lively and informative. Expect humpback whales, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and possible glacier views.

“This was an outstanding small group whale tour. We saw tons of whales and had a wonderful experience! I would do this again without hesitation. Support local/small business and go with these guys, it was awesome!”

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Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View - Guides who make the difference
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Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View

4.Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 915 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $156

Ride from downtown Juneau to Auke Bay, then spend about two hours on the water with a naturalist guide looking for humpback whales, orcas, eagles, seals, and sea lions. The 24-passenger jet boat or 49-passenger catamaran has heated indoor seating, wide windows, decks, restrooms, snacks, and a weather-dependent five-minute view of Mendenhall Glacier.

“Captain Chris, Dani and Ethan did a great job. Kept us comfortable on a cold rainey day. Saw 4 humpbacks.”

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Alaska Whale Watching Cruise w/ 3 HOURS on the water - From your cruise ship to Auke Bay
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Alaska Whale Watching Cruise w/ 3 HOURS on the water

5.Alaska Whale Watching Cruise w/ 3 HOURS on the water

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 801 reviews · 4 hours 5 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Ride a courtesy shuttle from your Juneau cruise dock to Auke Bay, then spend three hours on the water with Harv and Marvs naturalists and captain. Look for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, bald eagles, and other wildlife from a double-decker boat with indoor cabins, restrooms, snacks, and wide viewing decks. Mendenhall Glacier viewing depends on weather.

“We took the whale watching tour with glacier viewing. The day we were there was rainy and foggy so we didn’t go to the glacier. We don’t miss that at all. We went out and the team found a spot where a mama and baby humpback whale were playing. They breached multiple times, put their tails and fins in the air, and put on a full show! We couldn’t believe what we were seeing. The crew was just as excited as we were! After they moved on we drove further north and got to see a couple orcas too! Even with the rain, it was an incredible trip that we…”

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Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo - Auke Bay and the two-hour whale watch
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Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo

6.Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 771 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $199

Meet under the Goldbelt Tram for a five-hour combo outing. Ride to Auke Bay for a two-hour whale watch with a naturalist, heated cabin, wide windows, and outdoor decks, then explore Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. Guides such as Dustin, Haylee, Will, and Mary add local stories along the way.

“Mary (bus 51), Chelsie, Gracie,Noah, and Captain Chris were all so friendly, knowledgeable, and funny. They helped make the experience fun and memorable. Whale watching was so cool! And the Mendenhall Glacier and nugget falls was a must see!”

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Ultimate Whale Watch and Tracy's Crab Shack Combo - Auke Bay wildlife, with realistic expectations
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Ultimate Whale Watch and Tracy’s Crab Shack Combo

7.Ultimate Whale Watch and Tracy’s Crab Shack Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 614 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $274

Meet near the Goldbelt Tram for round-trip transport to Auke Bay, where your crew searches for humpback whales, sea lions, and eagles. Captains including Jayden and Ben have led trips noted for bubble feeding and large whale groups. Finish with Tracy’s crab combo, though the shack is marked closed for the season, so confirm dates before booking.

“We booked a Whale watching excursion and Tracy's Kung crab combo lunch. Whale watching was phenomenal and the food was extraordinary amazing.”

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From Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks - Meeting below the Mt. Roberts Tramway
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From Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks

8.Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 427 reviews · 3 hours · from $154

Join Dolphin Jet Boat Tours for a 25-minute ride from downtown Juneau to Auke Bay, then spend two hours searching Favorite Channel, Stephens Passage, Lynn Canal, or Saginaw Channel. Naturalists such as Nia, Derek, Rio, or Mia share whale facts while the captain handles the boat. Binoculars, hot drinks, water, and snacks are included.

“Captain Perry and Rio were awesome! The boat ride was very smooth and informative! We saw quite a few whales and sea lions!”

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Juneau Whale Watching Adventure - What whale watching in Auke Bay is really like
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Juneau Whale Watching Adventure

9.Juneau Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 303 reviews · 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $189

Cruise Auke Bay aboard the 48-passenger North Star, a fast jet boat with large windows and an outdoor deck. A naturalist guide explains Juneau’s returning humpbacks, while the captain searches for breaches, feeding groups, sea lions, and possible orcas. The tour lasts about 3 hours 45 minutes and includes transport from downtown Juneau.

“The bus driver -- whose name I have forgotten -- was a hoot. A true and genuine character, who added a touch of genuineness to this experience, as were the guides on the boat. All were informative and helpful. An added surprise was a family of orcas, not something you see every day. And the sight of a tail gracefully making an experience made my day.”

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Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake - What the 48-passenger boat is like
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Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

10.Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $239

Spend about five hours exploring Auke Bay with a naturalist guide, binoculars, and a whale-listening hydrophone, then ride to Gold Creek Salmon Bake for grilled Alaska salmon, sides, dessert, and hot or cold drinks. Guides and captains have included Savannah, Sara, Terry, Tom, Libby, and Dan. A $100 refund is offered if no whale is spotted.

“The boat was very slow which caused us to take most of the time traveling out and back. We also waited around for an hour to merge with other groups before boarding the boat. So the tour is not really 6 hours as they advertise. Then when we got to the area of the whales, our boat captain, Jen, did not get us close enough to even get pictures. The other boats were much closer and she stayed outside the circle of boats; she said before the trip that she had a 100 yard minimum distance requirement but we were at least 4-500 yards from any whale. Also, the advisement…”

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Whale Watching Adventure in Juneau - How the whale search actually works
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Whale Watching Adventure in Juneau

11.Whale Watching Adventure in Juneau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 269 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $154

Ride from downtown Juneau to Auke Bay, then spend about two hours aboard a comfortable jet boat searching for humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, bald eagles, and more. A captain and naturalist guide, including guides such as Nia, Rio, Sam, and Jay, help you spot wildlife and understand the waters around Juneau.

“Wonderful experience! We saw many whales and had a very personal experience! Our bus driver, captain and naturalists were all amazing! Highly recommend”

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Best of Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake - Mendenhall Glacier: beautiful, but watch the clock
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Best of Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

12.Best of Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 147 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $279

Spend 6 to 7 hours seeing Mendenhall Glacier, cruising from Auke Bay on a 48-passenger whale-watching boat, and eating an all-you-can-eat salmon bake. Guides such as Claire, Lee, Mary, and Max have earned praise for their local knowledge and friendly style. You also get round-trip transport, a waterfall walk, campfire marshmallows, and a whale-sighting guarantee.

“This trip is well worth the investment. In the staff are very helpful. From start to finish you feel very welcomed and taken care of from the bus driver all the way to the place they drop you off for lunch.”

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Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour - Mendenhall Glacier in a 40-minute window
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Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour

13.Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 139 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $189

From Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram, ride by bus to Mendenhall Glacier, then board a mammal-friendly jet boat in Auke Bay for about two hours of whale watching. Guides such as Nia, Rio, Jay, Sam, and Charlie have helped make the day informative and fun. Expect coffee, hot drinks, snacks, mountain views, and a maximum group of 60.

“We only spend a little more than one hour at the glacier, which was not enough time to go to the falls, but we knew that was the case before we signed up for this excursion. We got to the glacier early enough so that there wasn’t a big crowd. It was a beautiful day and the glacier looked spectacular against the beautiful blue sky. We had a little bit of time to walk around the trail and saw salmon (alive and dead) in the river. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any bears but there was plenty of evidence that they had been there. Loved the glacier!! The whale watching was…”

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Private Luxury Whale Watch - Four hours on the water
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Private Luxury Whale Watch

14.Private Luxury Whale Watch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet your captain and naturalist after pickup from your ship or hotel, then ride to Auke Bay and board a private yacht. Over about four hours, watch for humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, seals, eagles, and bears. Champagne, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and snacks are included.

“So incredible! Our crew was super informative and an overall great time. We felt comfortable as soon as we got on the yacht thanks to Mallory and Captain Pete's awesome efforts! Saw bubble feeding and breaching! 10/10”

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Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall & Whale Watching Tour - Auke Bay and the search for humpback whales
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Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall & Whale Watching Tour

15.Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall & Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 133 reviews · 5 hours · from $199

Spend five hours pairing a humpback whale search from Auke Bay with a longer Mendenhall Glacier visit. You get up to two hours for Nugget Falls, salmon viewing, or the visitor center, plus indoor boat seating, binoculars, hot drinks, and snacks. Guides such as Nia, Jay, Sam, and Lisa have earned strong praise for their energy and local insight.

“The excursion was very good. We had plenty of time to walk to Nugget Falls and see the Glacier. Then, we were able to see multiple whales. We actually came upon a research boat trying to tag a whale and watched the process for a while. Also, we saw many sea lions sunning on a buoy. It was a great experience. Our guide and driver were knowledgeable and provided a fun trip.”

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