Bookable Excursions
Compare whale watching, helicopter and dog-sled tours with trusted booking partners. Summer ship-day tours sell out, so book early.
Most Juneau excursions begin with a ride out of downtown. Whale-watching boats leave from Auke Bay, about 12 miles north, so nearly every whale trip includes the bus. Tracy Arm fjord cruises take most of a day, and helicopter and floatplane trips depend on the weather, so read the cancellation policy when you book. Our top-rated list sorts 17 Juneau tours by what travelers say about them.
Best for…
Short port day
Each takes about 2¼ to 3 hours.
- Underground Gold Mine Tour and PanningAbout 2 hours 15 minutes
- Helicopter Flight and Glacier WalkAbout 2.5 hours, with 25 to 30 minutes of flying
- Ultimate Juneau Whale WatchAbout 3 hours (about 2 on the water)
Whales
Our three top-rated whale trips.
- Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier ComboCombo about 4.5 hours (about 2 hours on the water); whale-only about 3.5 hours
- Harv and Marv's Whale Watching CruiseAbout 3 hours on the water; about 4 hours total
- Crowd-Skipping Small-Group Whale TourListed as 3.5 hours (about 2 hours on the water per the itinerary)
Glaciers
By helicopter, floatplane, boat or shuttle bus.
- Helicopter Flight and Glacier WalkAbout 2.5 hours, with 25 to 30 minutes of flying
- Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and FeastAbout 3 to 3.5 hours, including roughly 2 hours at the lodge
- Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Day CruiseAbout 8.5 hours
- Mendenhall Glacier Round-Trip ShuttleAbout 3 hours (about 2 at the glacier)
Active day
Paddling, ziplining or fishing from shore.
- Mendenhall Lake Canoe PaddleAbout 4 hours (about 2 hours paddling)
- Alpine Zipline and Axe ThrowingAbout 3.5 hours
- Guided Salmon Shore FishingAbout 3 hours
Sled dogs
Dog sledding on Herbert Glacier, reached by helicopter.
- Helicopter Dog Sledding on Herbert GlacierAbout 3 to 3.5 hours, with roughly 60 to 70 minutes at the camp
Food and drink
A salmon bake that runs in all weather, or a brewery tour that stops at Alaskan Brewing.
- Gold Creek Salmon BakeAbout 1.5 to 2 hours
- Craft Brews and Epic Views Brewery TourAbout 3 hours 45 minutes
Top-rated excursions, ranked
Ordered by traveler ratings across Viator, Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide.
Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Combo
Alaska Tales · Combo about 4.5 hours (about 2 hours on the water); whale-only about 3.5 hours
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor
Harv and Marv's Whale Watching Cruise
Harv and Marv's Outback Alaska · About 3 hours on the water; about 4 hours total
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor
Crowd-Skipping Small-Group Whale Tour
Juneau Whale Tours · Listed as 3.5 hours (about 2 hours on the water per the itinerary)
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide
Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch
Juneau Tours & Whale Watch · About 3 hours (about 2 on the water)
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor
Jet Boat Whale Watching (plus Nugget Falls option)
Dolphin Jet Boat Tours · 3 hours (whale only); 5 hours with Nugget Falls
Rated on GetYourGuide, GetYourGuide
Whale Watching and Sentinel Island Lighthouse
Juneau Lighthouse Tours (Alaska Galore Tours) · About 4 hours 15 minutes
Rated on Viator, TripadvisorCompare by type
Whale Watching Tours
Compare humpback whale-watching trips from Auke Bay, most with transport from the docks.
Helicopter Glacier Tours
Compare helicopter flights that land on a glacier above Juneau.
Glacier Dog Sledding
Compare helicopter dog-sledding trips to summer camps on the ice.
Tracy Arm Fjord Cruises
Compare day cruises into Tracy Arm's granite fjord and tidewater glaciers.
Floatplane Flightseeing
Compare floatplane flights over the Juneau Icefield, including Taku Lodge feasts.
Salmon Fishing Trips
Compare guided salmon fishing from shore or by charter boat.
Walking map: the docks and downtown Juneau
The cruise berths line the waterfront along South Franklin Street. Downtown rises steeply behind them: the shops, saloons and the Walter Soboleff Building are on the flat blocks near the water, and the Capitol and St. Nicholas Church are uphill.
Map: USGS elevation; streets and buildings © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Excursion links go to booking partners; prices and availability are theirs.
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