Water activity

Juneau: Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide

Water activity

Juneau: Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide

From US$ 152.25 per person

Embark on a scenic ocean cruise from Juneau to see whales in the wild. Marvel at these gentle water giants from the comfort of your boat, enjoying snacks and drinks as you do.

About this activity

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Duration 3.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Feel the cool, salty breeze on your skin as you look for whales
  • Marvel at panoramic views of mountains and forests from the water
  • Keep a lookout for wildlife from the comfort of a heated boat
  • See whales in their wild ocean environment from a safe distance
  • Learn about local flora and fauna from your local guides
Full description

Head out on a wildlife adventure in Juneau on a whale watching cruise. Glide over the ocean in search of these marvellous creatures, taking in the impressive surrounding coastal landscape as you sip on drinks and tuck into snacks onboard.

Begin your adventure in downtown Juneau at the central cruise ship terminal. Enjoy a narrated and scenic drive to the small boat harbor, where you meet your captain and crew.

Board your state-of-the-art whale watching boat, built specifically for this purpose. After a short safety briefing, embark on a search for whales and other wildlife off the coast of Alaska.

As your boat navigates protected ocean waterways and channels, ride in comfort with multiple viewing decks and restrooms onboard. As you search for whales, learn about the area's flora and fauna from your local guide.

Once whales are spotted, view the animals from a safe distance with plenty of photo opportunities. Marvel at their majestic beauty as they glide smoothly through the water, hopefully seeing a whale breach out of the ocean or slap its tale on the surface.

Keep a lookout for other water wildlife along the way, including seals, sea lions, eagles, and more. Once you've soaked up this natural landscape, return back to the boat harbor where your driver will bring you back to downtown Juneau.

Includes
  • Round-trip transportation by bus
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Whale watching cruise
  • Guide and boat crew
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Tips
Not suitable for
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet your tour representative outside the main cruise terminal in Downtown Juneau, on the wooden dock that is on the water-side of the large red Mt. Robert's Tramway building (building that houses the gondola that goes up the mountain) at the main Cruise Ship Terminal. The guide will be holding a sign that reads "Alaska Tales". If you have any trouble finding them, please call the local supplier's number on the voucher. If you are on a cruise ship that is docking at the AJ dock, a shuttle is available to the Mt. Roberts Tram. Cost is generally $5 for an all day pass, which is offered by your cruise line. If you are an overnight guest staying outside of downtown Juneau and have your own transportation, you may meet the tour directly at the harbor instead of downtown. If so, contact the local supplier for different meeting instructions.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Camera
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

  • Luggage or large bags
  • Mobility scooters

Know before you go

  • This tour will take place rain or shine
  • This tour may make 1 stop to pick up passengers on the way to the starting point
  • This tour includes walking up 4 steps on and off the bus unassisted
  • This tour includes a short walking distance onto the boat
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 27 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.8/5

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Star rating:

Great tour, cheaper than booking with a cruise ship excursions. Seen two groups of humpback whales and a couple hundred sea lions on an island. Even got a short side trip to see Mendenhall Glacier on the bus. Guides Maryna, Danny and Greg were great and informative on the different wildlife we seen. Would book with Alaska Tales again.

March 28, 2023

I am a person who gets motion sickness in my living room if a first person video game is on the big screen, so I was apprehensive about a boat ride. Even worse, It was terrible weather. Don’t know if it was the captain or the boat, but I didn’t feel sick. The captain was in contact with other ships so we were informed about possible sightings. We were fortunate to see many breeches by “Limpet” and very up close. Until an orca came and chased the whales away. We were sopping wet, but the happiest tourists in all of Juneau that day!

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March 28, 2023

Sehr schöne Tour. Sehenswert und gut organisiert. Leider wurden am Hafen noch Tickets verkauft und so musste die ganze Gruppe noch einige Zeit im Bus warten - diese Wartezeit hätten wir lieber auf dem Boot verbracht. Sehr nettes Team - sehr gute Einblicke und Erklärungen - sehr schönes Erlebnis.

March 28, 2023

Product ID: 411304