The 9 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 $156Best value

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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