The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours in Juneau

1.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

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

Meet Alaska Tales beneath the Mt. Roberts Tramway tent, ride past Mendenhall Glacier to Auke Bay, then spend about two hours watching humpback whales from a heated boat with outdoor decks. Naturalists such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate explain whale behavior, family groups, and safe viewing practices.

“Big kudos to Michelle (Captain), Ashley and Sophie. Go girl power!! This tour was amazing. Though the day was rainy and windy, these group of lady did a wonderful job making sure we were able to see some whale. This is my first time booking a tour through this company and I recommend it. Wonderful job!!!”

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2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

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

Spend about an hour at Mendenhall Glacier, then board a warm, windowed boat with an outdoor deck to search for humpback whales, orcas, seals, and eagles. Guides such as Captain Michelle, Nate, Taylor, and Jay add local detail, while round-trip transport keeps this cruise-friendly.

“Great tour at the Mendenhall glacier visitor center and picturesque hike around. Our bus driver was very knowledgeable about the area and gave great advice on food and shopping in Juneau. The boat trip was also manned by local experts and very fun seeing multiple whales and sea lions. Would definitely recommend this tour!”

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3.3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska

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

Join Juneau Whale Tours for a 3.5-hour outing with roughly 2.25 hours on the water aboard a heated 40-foot catamaran. TJ, Andrew, Cedar, and other local crew members share wildlife facts while you watch for humpbacks, sea lions, bald eagles, glaciers, and seals.

“Another excellent excursion with JWT. The crew was amazing and could not be more helpful and accommodating. We saw several whales and some incredible flying squirrels!!!”

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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 aboard a heated 24-passenger jet boat or 49-passenger catamaran. Naturalist guides such as Noah, Sarah, and Chris share wildlife tips while you search for humpbacks, orcas, eagles, and sea lions. A weather-dependent glacier photo stop completes the trip.

“This type of tour is dependent on time of year. Late septmebr had vey little activity in the water for whales. Found it expensive for what you got. Had to try it though.”

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

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

Ride from your Juneau cruise ship dock to Auke Bay, then spend three hours on the water aboard a comfortable 49-passenger, double-decker boat. Naturalists and captains such as Dalton, Tess, Chloe, and Cory share facts, track whales, and photograph the action. A weather-dependent Mendenhall Glacier view is included.

“Wonderful crew and they were so knowledgeable! Loved that they gave us a QR code for pictures they had taken of the whales.”

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6.Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo

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

Meet beneath the Goldbelt Tram, ride to Auke Bay, and spend two hours looking for humpbacks, orcas, seals, and sea lions from a heated boat. Then explore Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls, with flexible shuttle times and guides such as Captain Dustin, Haylee, and Will.

“Fantastic trip and great informative staff on boat. Carrie in particular was fab. Also had Connor and Dustin”

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

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

Meet near Juneau’s Goldbelt Tram for transport to a three-hour whale watch in Auke Bay, then enjoy Tracy’s crab combo. Crews have included Captains Jayden, Ben, and Dustin, with sightings of humpbacks, sea lions, bald eagles, and rare bubble feeding.

“We were able to see quite a few whales and some sea lions. The crew were very professional and top notch. As far as the crab shack goes, you are on your own with that so you can really go any time. The food is good and the service was quick. We were pretty lucky today the line wasn't as long as I have seen it other times.”

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8.Juneau Whale Watching Adventure

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

Cruise from Juneau to Auke Bay aboard the 48-passenger North Star, a fast jet boat with large windows and an outdoor deck. Naturalists such as Savannah, Tory, Jackie, and Jennifer explain the returning humpbacks, while the crew searches for whales, sea lions, eagles, and the occasional orca.

“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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9.Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

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

Spend about five hours exploring Auke Bay by whale-watching boat, with a naturalist, binoculars, and possible hydrophone listening. Then enjoy an all-you-can-eat salmon bake at Gold Creek, near a waterfall, mine entrance, campfire, and trading post. Captains Terry, Tom, Sara, and others have led memorable outings.

“The combination of a tour and then outdoor salmon bake at a scenery spot was awesome. Next time will be with family.”

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10.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 and orcas. Naturalists such as Nia, Rio, Sam, or Jim explain whale behavior while binoculars, hot drinks, snacks, and roundtrip transport are included.

“Everything about the booking was efficient and easy. The meet up and drop off spot was easy breezy! The excursion…OMG! was simply amazing. Rio, our naturalist was absolutely the best. He was knowledgeable and he seemed like he really enjoyed his job. And the Captain really knew how to navigate the waters. We seem many humpbacks and rarely seen Orcas. I would definitely recommend you book now!”

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

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

Pack Juneau’s biggest sights into 6 to 7 hours: visit Mendenhall Glacier, cruise Auke Bay aboard a 48-passenger whale-watching jet boat, then enjoy an all-you-can-eat salmon bake with live music, waterfalls, and marshmallows by the fire.

“No False Advertising here! It certainly was “The Best” ! Mary our driver was Fun & Engaging. Claire & Capt Melissa found us Plenty of Whales, Sea Lions and More to Watch! Mendenhall Glacier was Incredible - even with a Close Bear Encounter! Topped off with the Delicious Salmon Bake! The atmosphere was Entertaining, Food Delicious … & so many sides!! Perfect Day! Thanks to All!!”

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12.Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour

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

Pair a self-guided visit to Mendenhall Glacier with two hours aboard a mammal-friendly jet boat from Auke Bay. Captains such as Jay, Sam, Perry, and Simon work with naturalists including Rio and Nia to search for humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, seals, and eagles.

“Don't take this trip as you don't get a good view of the Mendenhall Glacier. The Nugget Falls were fabulous. Also, the bus picked us up late and we had to run down a trail to view the Glacier and then up to the bus. We were only allowed 40 minutes and the hike was 45-50 minutes round trip. The bus driver almost left us in the parking lot without a ride and he yelled at us when we returned a few minutes”

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13.Private Luxury Whale Watch

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

Spend four hours on a private Juneau yacht with a US Coast Guard master captain and naturalist. Watch for humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, seals, and eagles while enjoying snacks, coffee, wine, beer, and champagne. Pickup comes from your cruise ship or local hotel.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see so many whales. No orcas but Beautiful humpbacks. The crew was outstanding and down to earth in explaining the way of the whales! You get what you pay for and this was the highlight of our entire Alaskan vacation.”

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14.Juneau Lighthouse Tours – Whale watching & Lighthouse Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 4 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $199

Join Alaska Galore Tours for about three hours on the water, searching for humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, otters, and eagles. Visit Sentinel Lighthouse, walk its short boardwalk, inspect the beacon, and finish at the Brotherhood Bridge view of Mendenhall Glacier. Pickup is direct from your cruise ship dock.

“We didn’t know what to expect. It was a typical Alaskan day- rain. However, the crew took great care of us and we saw a lot of whales, both moms and babies! Plus, they were so knowledgeable of both environment and wildlife.”

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15.Juneau Whale Watch Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 3 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $150Best value

Meet Charter Juneau at 356 S Franklin St, then ride to Auke Bay Harbor for about two hours on the water. Captain Libby and naturalist Aliyah help you spot humpback whales, orcas, seals, sea lions, and porpoises from a small boat with indoor seating, a restroom, snacks, and binoculars.

“Everything was great from the booking thru Viator.com, pickup at the pier and return to boat on time. The tour boat was for up to 20 passengers so not crowded at all. The drivers of the shuttle and boat were very personable and shared their extensive knowledge of orcas and whales. We had read comments before the cruise that you could see a lot of whales and orcas from the ship. This was not the case for us so it was a last minute decision to book a tour in hopes of seeing some of these magnificent creatures. AND the price was reasonable, something to consider when you have a…”

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