From Cache

Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

4.8
1078 reviews

Excursion Overview

Want to get out onto the open Alaskan waters?

Our captains and naturalists will take you in search of humpback and killer whales, sea lions, porpoises and so much more! A multi-year award winner as one of the best excursions in North America, your Juneau whale watching journey will take you through Favorite Channel, Stephens Passage, Lynn Canal, or Saginaw Channel, all popular spots for spotting some of Southeast Alaska's finest wildlife. Take a guided bus ride from downtown Juneau out to Auke Bay, where you will board one of our specially designed boats with large windows, heated cabins, and outdoor decks.

Come aboard for up-close viewing of Alaska's most incredible creatures, while listening to a naturalist and experienced guide. There is a 100% guarantee or your money back to see the majestic humpback whales that travel to Alaska for feeding in the nutrient-rich waters. Once a whale is spotted, our captain will slow down and passengers are allowed out on the decks for a truly unique and up-close experience. With plenty of time out on the water, you're sure to see an array of spouts, tails, breaches, and more from these magnificent whales!

Coupled with this tour is a stop at the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier!

Take in the massive and mighty glacier, an explosive river of ice with rugged crevasses and vibrant blue color. At the glacier visitor center, you will have approximately 45 minutes to explore the walking paths and the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center. Make sure you have your camera ready to snap photos of the famous Black Bears feeding on Wild Alaskan Salmon as you walk along raised trails over salmon spawning streams. It's truly a wild experience! This tour operation is under permit with the Tongass National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.

This Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour combines two of Juneau’s most iconic highlights into one unforgettable Alaskan adventure. We promise, you really won't want to miss this! Whale watching plus a photo stop at Mendenhall Glacier is the ultimate tour experience.

Most departures are scheduled to align with cruise ship arrival times, with options typically available in the morning to late afternoon.

Visitor Center: Open daily from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM for the season.

This tour is typically available from late April through early October. Our excursions were designed for cruise ship passengers but are available to everyone.

Cruising to Alaska in 2027? Complete our excursions inquiry form.

Click here to sign up to be notified about excursions for 2027. Once your requested tour becomes available, our team will notify you via email. All of our tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so completing our Excursion Inquiries Form gives you the best chance of booking all of your desired experiences for next year.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal
  • 100% Guaranteed whale sightings or a full refund for the whale watching portion of your tour
  • Beverages and light snacks
  • Restrooms available while onboard the boat
  • Admission to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Requirements:

  • There are no additional requirements for this excursion.

Duration: Approximately 4.5 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal)

  • 30 minutes - transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
  • 45 minutes - open exploration at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
  • 30 minutes - transportation to Auke Bay for whale watching
  • 2 hours - whale watching onboard a boat
  • 30 minutes - transportation back to the cruise ship terminal

Meeting Instructions:

  • This tour meets in the back of the Goldbelt Mt. Robert's Tramway building. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

  • This tour is limited mobility accessible. Guests must be able to climb 4 steps into and out of the bus. There is limited space for collapsible wheelchairs and walkers. There is no storage available for motorized scooters. If you have ADA needs or questions, please contact our customer service team for detailed accessibility information. Leave a comment during checkout if you’ll need accommodations for collapsible equipment on tour.

    • Fully Wheelchair Accessible: No
    • Limited Mobility Accessible: Yes
    • Stroller Accessible: Yes
    • Collapsible Wheelchair & Stroller Storage Available: Yes

Refund Policy:

  • You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
  • Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

The boats hold 49 guests. Compare this with the boats used by the cruise lines which hold up to 150 guests at once!

Every boat has open seating as well as outside viewing areas when permitted.

You will enjoy the view of Mendenhall Glacier from a distance as you stand on the shore of Mendenhall Lake. The face of Mendenhall Glacier is 1.5 miles from the Visitors Center Viewpoint. You can get a slightly closer view from Nugget Falls. You can get to the falls by the .75 miles from Nugget Falls trail. From Nugget Falls you will be 1 mile from the face of Mendenhall Glacier.

If you are interested in an excursion that allows you to get closer to Mendenhall Glacier, please consider one of our other glacier hiking tours.

The interior of the boat is heated when needed due to weather conditions to keep a comfortable environment.

Yes, the boat has a restroom.

Yes, the indoor restrooms will be open Sunday - Friday from 10am - 5pm, and will be closed on Saturdays. Portable restrooms will be available at all times.

Humpback whales and other sea animals are protected species and a safe distance of at least 100 yards must be maintained at all times according to NOAA regulations.

Sightings are guaranteed or you'll receive a full refund for the whale watching portion of your tour.

Air temperature can drop as much as 20F with the wind chill factor when viewing whales outside.

The maximum capacity for this tour is 51 guests.

There is open seating on the tour bus, however if you require a certain seat due to physical impairment then please inform your tour guide.

No, unless you can walk 2 miles within 45 minutes. Nugget Falls is located about 1 mile from the Visitor Center and can be seen from the parking lot and various walking trails and view points around the Visitor Center building.

Wildlife is abundant in Southeast Alaska and sightings are possible on any tour. Bears are often seen near the glacier during the late summer salmon spawning season, however this is not a designated bear watching tour and nothing can be guaranteed!

Walking on or getting up close to the glacier is not possible during this tour.

Yes, admission is included.

There are no age restrictions for this tour.

Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.

Non-alcoholic beverages in closeable containers and snacks are allowed on the tour.

Beverages, bottled water and a light snack (granola bar) are included.

 

Guest Reviews

4.8

1078 total

83%
13%
3%
0%
0%

Billie G

On Jul 2026

Great info on whales in general and the ones that we saw specifically.

Arianna C

On Jul 2026

The best day in Juneau: our driver was amazing- so fun and knowledgeable. She really helped us learn about what it is like to live in Juneau. The Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see, and the whale-watching part is done aboard a beautiful boat with the best guide in the world

John R

On Jul 2026

Best whale trip yet. All-female crew. Learned everything there is to know about whales. Saw many whales, but highlife was seeing 3 at one time. Highly recommend

Eileen A

On Jun 2026

Fantastic tour! We loved the boat and the team. They were so informative, engaged, and professional. We were able to see so many whales doing things like lunge feeding, breaching, and slapping the water while turning. They created a beautiful experience for our family!

Lawrence T

On Jun 2026

Fun trip despite the rainy weather. Captain Larry, Morgan and Monica were great guides!

$239.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$239.00

Duration: 4.5 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 4.5 hours



Adult (12+): $239.00

Child (2-11): $199.00

Infant (Under 2): $0.00

From Cache -BTN