Water activity

Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise and Mendenhall Glacier Tour

Water activity

Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise and Mendenhall Glacier Tour

From US$ 165 per person

Grasp the enthralling opportunity to witness two jewels in Juneau: the graceful elegance of humpback whales and the serene beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Admire the beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier
  • Discover majestic Humpback Whales in their natural habitat
  • Learn about the city of Juneau and the waterways of Alaska
Full description

Seamlessly combine two of Juneau's favorite activities on this whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier tour. Marvel at majestic humpback whales in the company of a naturalist guide, and select from a range of trails to discover Mendenhall Glacier, the world's only drive-up glacier.

Upon check-in, you will either be escorted to one of the shuttles for a narrated 25-minute drive to the glacier, or to the boat harbor for whale watching. 

On the glacier section of the tour, choose to hike to Nugget Falls, take the Photo Point Trail, look for wildlife along the Steep Creek trail, or stroll up the easy walk to the Visitor Center. Take your time at the glacier with flexible shuttles back to town every 30 minutes.

During your time on the water whale watching, listen to your naturalist guide explain the feeding habits of these magnificent creatures and identify the many other kinds of wildlife that share these waters. 

Enjoy an enhanced experience on a custom-built boat with a warm heated cabin with large viewing windows, and two decks to hurry to when the captain slows after spotting the whales. There is a bathroom onboard and snacks are also provided.

Includes
  • Entrance fee to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
  • Snacks on the whale watching vessel
  • Naturalist guide on the whale watching vessel
  • Roundtrip transportation from the Mount Roberts Tramway
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Guide at Mendenhall Glacier
  • Gratuities

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Check in is under the cables of the Mount Roberts Tramway. Representatives will be wearing bright blue hats and holding signs with the local partner's name on them. Please arrive at the check-in location 5 minutes before the check-in time.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Camera
  • Rain gear

Know before you go

  • This tour operates rain or shine
  • Weather is unpredictable in Alaska and dressing in layers is recommended
  • At the whale watching dock, the distance from where the bus drops you off to the dock is about 200 yards (around 180 meters) down a wooden ramp that can be steep, depending on the tide
  • Flexible timing at the glacier is offered as the glacier shuttles run back to town every 30 minutes
  • In the afternoon, the tour order may be reversed
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 28 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Value for money
    4.8/5

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Star rating:

Great experience. Boat is safe and comfortable. We saw humpback whales bubble feeding. Bring binoculars. Captain and Crew are friendly and informative. Even the bus drivers were informative. As far as the glacier, you are on your own there. We paid the entrance fee, although I found out later it was included in the price of the tour. I don't know how we would have proved that

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March 30, 2023

Slightly disorganised (late to leave, not the recommended time on boat and not enough seats on the bus) but the team know there stuff and was a great trip out. Expected to see more than just the tail of a whale but I know that can’t be helped, felt a little rushed to move on when one was sighted.

March 30, 2023

The experience was incredible. The captain knew exactly where to go to find the whales . We saw 7 whales . One whale literally breached right next to the boat . The first and second mate were very knowledgeable about the whales and history of the area . I would totally do this tour again.

March 30, 2023

Product ID: 324953