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Juneau, Alaska Photography tours

Our most recommended Juneau, Alaska Photography tours

Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise and Mendenhall Glacier Tour

1. Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise and Mendenhall Glacier Tour

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.

From Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise with Refreshments

2. From Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise with Refreshments

Go in search of whales with a naturalist guide on a day trip from Juneau. Hop onboard a boat and get binoculars to spot other wildlife such as sea lions, bald eagles, and black bears. Enjoy a light snack, water, coffee, and hot chocolate onboard. Depart from downtown Juneau on a bus driven by a local tour guide through a scenic route to Auke Bay, where you board a comfortable jet boat. Be led by a captain and naturalist on an unforgettable search for whales in Favorite Channel, Stephens Passage, Lynn Canal, or Saginaw Channel. Binoculars are provided so you can see the humpbacks, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, black bears, and towering mountains better. With the growing abundance of whales in the area and their comfort with small boats, you are bound to see many. This tour includes transfers between downtown and Auke Bay and two hours on the water. Included in the price of the tour are onboard refreshments including bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, and a small snack of locally caught Alaskan salmon spread on a fresh bagel.

Juneau: Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide

3. Juneau: Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide

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.

Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier

4. Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier

Discover Alaska's capital city. Nestled between stunning mountain vistas and winding waterways, the modern city of Juneau is reminiscent of the old west. From the colorful port, to the busy capitol building, to the famous whale statue, this unique city has a surprise around every corner. The crowning point of the tour is Juneau's natural treasure, the Mendenhall Glacier. This is one of 38 glaciers flowing from the massive 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice field.  At this stop you can explore this glacial wonder from a variety of perspectives like Nugget Creek Falls and Photo Point Trail, which winds along Mendenhall Lake to an unobstructed view of the glacier's face. Visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for an elevated view of the glacier as well as interactive geological exhibits explaining glacier formation.

Ketchikan: Private Scenic Drive & George Inlet Fjords Cruise

5. Ketchikan: Private Scenic Drive & George Inlet Fjords Cruise

On this private, guided, half-day tour, embark on an adventure from Ketchikan through the Tongass Narrows as you travel to the George Inlet Fjords. Discover hidden gems of Alaskan culture on the drive through Saxman, then cruise through the rich scenery of the coastal fjords. Begin your tour in Ketchikan, where you'll meet your guide and explore the historic downtown area by van. Then, venture onwards to Saxman, which pays homage to Tlingit culture with its extensive totem pole park. Admire the breathtaking scenery of the Tongass Narrows coastline as you drive. Continue your adventure at the Beaver Falls Salmon Cannery. After visiting the historic cannery, relish the fresh air as you hike the rainforest trail to the Zodiac boat. Along the way, pause for Mahoney Falls Glacial Cirque's stunning views of snow-capped mountains and a 2000-foot waterfall. Next, your guide will provide a brief safety orientation of the Zodiac motorboats. Bundle up in rain gear, rubber boots, and a life jacket, then step into the four- or six-seater vessel. Follow your guide out to the George Inlet Fjords and marvel at the pristine scenery. As you cruise, keep watch for wildlife, including Sitka deer and black bears. Bald eagles may swoop to water for hunting, and in the water, you may be able to observe the salmon streams. After your cruise, return to the cannery for snacks and refreshments before heading back to Ketchikan.

Juneau: Rainforest Photo Safari on a Segway

6. Juneau: Rainforest Photo Safari on a Segway

Meet your guide at the cruise ship docks in Juneau and then head out on a brief, six-mile transfer to the tour starting point. A short training session helps you get acquainted with your Segway, and learn how it responds to your body language. After the briefing you’ll be given safety equipment and your own Segway. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you get the hang of it and how fun it is to ride.  As you set out, you will immediately encounter views of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. Cruise along the coastline and make several stops for photos while you take in the pristine waters of Lynn Canal, part of the Inside Passage. Because you are on a Segway, you will have the opportunity to intimately interact with nature. Listen for eagle calls in flight, the waves lapping the shoreline, and maybe even spot the occasional humpback whale. As an added adventure, hop off your Segway and walk a seven-minute trail to a secluded beach to enjoy locally sourced snacks. Immerse yourself in the Tongas National Forest, a temperate rainforest and the largest National Forest in the US. Continue on to snap incredible photos while witnessing panoramic views with your fellow travelers. Throughout the journey, your guide will teach you about the diverse native flora and fauna. Don’t miss this extraordinary experience to discover one of Alaska's most exceptional settings.

Juneau: City Highlights Tour

7. Juneau: City Highlights Tour

Begin the tour on a comfortable minibus for a scenic ride past the State Capitol Building, the Governor's House, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Make a stop at the Alaska State Museum where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Alaskan culture and gain an appreciation for its rich and diverse history. Continue to Douglas Island for gorgeous views and photos of the Juneau coastline and Gastineau Channel. From there you will make a stop at the Macaulay Hatchery, commonly referred to as "DIPAC" by the locals. Learn about the salmon industry, observe various marine life, and watch the salmon run up the ladder, depending on the time of the year. Conclude your tour with a stop at the 50-acre Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure in the Tongass National Forest. Walk through this award-winning botanical garden and admire the flower towers as your guide fills you in on this region's varied ecosystem. Your tour will end near "Deckhand Dave's", the latest go-to food option in Juneau. Receive a voucher for a free serving of the signature rock-fish tacos. This new venue only serves locally caught fish in a fantastic creative way.

Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip

8. Juneau: Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Day Trip

This half-day adventure is a combination of the two of the best experiences in Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier by bus and an experience watching whales by boat. The tour starts with a scenic ride through the historic town of Juneau on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier. Here you will enjoy a 45 minute visit to explore the area on your own. A short walk from the bus and you will have picturesque views of the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier towering mountain peaks. As you explore on your own, you will have access to walking trails, waterfalls, and an indoor visitor’s center with glacier exhibits. During salmon spawning season, you may also catch a glimpse of a bear fishing for salmon on the elevated walkways. At the conclusion of the time at the glacier, your driver and guide will meet you to continue on to the whale watching harbor for the second part of this excursion. On the next adventure, you will participate in the search for whales and other animals living in the ocean waters around Juneau. You are guaranteed to see a whale as these waters are the highest populated area for humpback whales during the summer months. Your captain and crew will make sure you are comfortable for the exciting journey ahead. Your boat has a heated cabin, outdoor viewing decks, and a marine restroom onboard for your comfort on this journey. You will be surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges in the distance as your boat navigates the water. The crew will interpret the sites and animals you see along the way. Aside from whales, you might also see eagles, sea lions, seals, or other water wildlife while while on this adventure. For the safety of the animals, your crew will always keep a regulated distance from the animals while allowing you spectacular views of these creatures in the wild. This is an Alaskan adventure you cannot miss! Once the boat returns to the boat harbor, your driver will greet you and take you on another scenic ride back to downtown Juneau.

Juneau: Sentinel Lighthouse and Whale Watching Cruise

9. Juneau: Sentinel Lighthouse and Whale Watching Cruise

Cruise to the Sentinel Island Lighthouse and search for humpback and orca whales on this cruise from Juneau. Snack on locally produced Alaskan fudge, granola bars (or similar), and caribou sausage sticks. Relax with beverages like coffee, tea, and water.  Be picked up from the meeting point in a comfortable van and listen to  facinating commentary as you ride to Auke Bay (Don D. Statter Harbor). Meet your captain and crew. Board the ship and venture off to explore the rugged Alaskan shoreline. Relax in a heated cabin with a hot cup of coffee and enjoy outside viewing areas while watching for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of local sea life like humpback whales, killer whales, Dall porpoises, harbor porpoises, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions. Sail through Alaska's Inside Passage and learn about whales and the history of Alaska's lighthouses. Once humpbacks are spotted the captain will maneuver the vessel into position for the best photo opportunity possible. Arrive at Sentinel Island and disembark the ship for a short walk on a scenic boardwalk with photo opportunities along the way. View Lynn Canal, (one of the longest and deepest fjords in the world) and the surrounding islands and waterways. Immerse yourself in history as you approach the Sentinel Lighthouse and think of the maritime history that goes back to its construction in 1902. Visualize the isolated life of a lighthouse keeper. Pursue a shop with commemorative lighthouse pins, t-shirts, caps, and sweatshirts that are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting ongoing lighthouse restoration. Climb the lighthouse tower, inspect the beacon, and look out at Lynn Canal. Return to the boat for a scenic ride to Yankee Cove to meet up with a driver that will take you on a trip to the Brotherhood Bridge viewpoint where you can see the Mendenhall Glacier (weather permitting). Head back to the ship and return to your meeting point in Juneau.

Juneau: Premier Whale Watch

10. Juneau: Premier Whale Watch

Take a 2-hour whale watching adventure, beginning when you board a coach bus that departs downtown Juneau from the Mount Roberts Tram parking lot. Enjoy a 25-minute journey through the picturesque landscape of Southeast Alaska. Climb aboard your boat at Auke Bay Harbor and head out into Alaska waters for the ultimate whale watching experience. Look out for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bears and more of Alaska’s wildlife. Keep your eyes out for the majestic Humpback Whale, and the playful Orca. Head up to the spacious viewing decks for great photo opportunities. Enjoy unrestricted viewing from inside the cabin as well as outside, as you refuel yourself with complimentary water and snacks.

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What people are saying about Juneau, Alaska

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 1 reviews

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.

Trip was amazing seen whales in abundance and close up. Skipper and Naturalist on board as well as bus driver transporting us to the boat went and above beyond to ensure we had a great trip. This was truly a bucket list experience. Highly recommend.

There be whales captain! and Beyond the end of Sept. Great crew - entertaining and informative. highly recommended (and 40% cheaper than cruise scheduled whale watching excursions)

Friendly staff who knew where to find the whales. Even though it was a rainy and foggy day, it did not rain on our whale watching. Highlight of our trip to Alaska!

Great people ,excellent boat , Faultless .Thank you