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Join a Juneau Whale Watch with Mendenhall Glacier Views from Downtown Juneau
You begin your 3-hour whale watching adventure when you board a coach bus that departs downtown Juneau from the Mt. Roberts Tram parking lot, then enjoy a scenic 25-minute drive through Southeast Alaska en route to Auke Bay Harbor; from there you head out into Alaska waters for a guided 2-hour whale watching tour where the star attraction is the humpback whale, while naturalist guides point out sea lions, bald eagles and the occasional orca, and experienced captains make the most of why Juneau is considered one of the best ports for whale watching-plus you’ll be offered a light snack and refreshments to round out the experience.
About this activity in Downtown Juneau
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Board a coach at the Mt. Roberts Tram parking lot in downtown Juneau and enjoy a scenic 25-minute transfer to Auke Bay Harbor before a 2-hour whale watching cruise.
- Search for humpback whales (plus orcas, sea lions and bald eagles) with an expert naturalist on a custom jet boat or spacious catamaran equipped with heated cabins and wide viewing windows.
- Experience one of the best whale watching opportunities in the region - sightings are guaranteed between May 15 and September 15 - with experienced captains guiding the tour.
- Stay comfortable aboard with spacious decks, onboard restrooms, filtered water, trail mix bars, and a light snack and refreshments included.
Important Information
- Total tour time is 3 hours (including round-trip transport from downtown); you’ll spend approximately 2 hours on the water.
- Dress in warm, layered, waterproof clothing and slip-resistant shoes - the tour runs in all weather and you’ll likely encounter rain in this coastal area.
- Infants may ride in a stroller or sit on an adult’s lap; service animals are allowed, but electric scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
- Check-in time is your tour time and departure occurs within 10–15 minutes; cruise ship guests must provide their ship name at booking and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Meeting Point
Meet under the cables in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway (downtown Juneau) - this is the designated check-in spot before the short coach transfer to Auke Bay Harbor.
Includes
- Enjoy a possible photo stop on the water near Mendenhall Glacier (weather dependent) for iconic Alaska and Juneau views.
- Ride with an informative, professional driver-guide during transfers to and from the Juneau harbor.
- Choose between a heated cabin with wide viewing windows or spacious exterior decks for whale watching; bathrooms are available on board.
- Pick from multiple tour times for flexible scheduling while in Downtown Juneau.
- Stay refreshed with filtered water and trail mix bars available aboard the whale boat.
- Benefit from round-trip transportation between the port and the boat harbor for easy access.
- Learn from a naturalist on the whale tour who provides local wildlife and habitat insights in this destination.
- Experience a 3-hour tour (approximately 2 hours on the water) aboard a custom 24-passenger jet boat or a 49-passenger catamaran.
Excludes
- Gratuities are not included and are greatly appreciated.
Other
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, but infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap.
- Service animals are allowed on the tour.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- The listed tour time is your check-in time; departures occur within 10 to 15 minutes of that time, so please arrive promptly.
- Meet under the cables in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway for check-in in Downtown Juneau.
- Most ports and docks are within a 10-minute walk; A Dock provides a downtown shuttle to the Mt. Roberts Tramway when needed.
- At booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the name of their ship for coordination with Juneau schedules.
- The tour operates in all weather conditions in the Juneau area; dress in warm layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable slip-proof shoes.
- Whale sightings are guaranteed between May 15 and September 15 in this region.
- The operator cannot accommodate any type of electric scooter or electric wheelchair, even very small ones.
- The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
We 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.
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Summary:
Great 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.
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Summary:
very knowledable people..we went looking and found our whales in different parts of the bay. it was a really good experience
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Know more about Downtown Juneau
You board a coach at the Mt. Roberts Tram parking lot for a 25‑minute transfer to Auke Bay Harbor, then enjoy a 2‑hour whale watching cruise focused on humpback whales. Your naturalist guide and experienced captain search for whales, orca, sea lions and bald eagles while you relax in a heated cabin or on spacious decks aboard a custom jet boat or catamaran. A light snack and refreshments are provided.
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and family‑friendly: infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller and must sit on an adult’s lap. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and service animals are allowed.
The total tour time is three hours, which includes round‑trip coach transfers from the Mt. Roberts Tram parking lot and two hours on the water aboard a custom 24‑passenger jet boat or a 49‑passenger catamaran. Your trip includes a naturalist, filtered water, trail mix bars, and a light snack with refreshments.
Whale sightings are guaranteed between May 15 and September 15, so book your tour during that window for the highest chance to see feeding humpback whales and other marine life in the abundant Alaskan waters near Juneau.
The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress in warm layers and bring a waterproof jacket and comfortable slip‑proof shoes. You’ll have access to heated cabins and wide viewing windows, plus spacious decks for photos if conditions allow.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Check in at the meeting place under the cables in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway; the listed tour time is a check‑in time and departure occurs within 10 to 15 minutes, so please arrive promptly.
