Choosing a Juneau Whale-Watching Tour
How the top-rated whale tours differ on time on the water, group size, glacier stops, price and accessibility.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026
Humpback whales feed in the waters north of Juneau all summer, and whale watching is the city's most-booked excursion. Nearly every trip works the same way: a bus takes you from the docks to Auke Bay, about 12 miles north, and a boat goes looking for humpbacks, with good odds of seals, sea lions, porpoises and bald eagles too. What differs is how long you're on the water, how many people share the boat and what else is packed into the trip.
The top-rated trips compared
Prices and ratings below were read on October 18, 2026. They change, so the booking page has the final word.
| Tour | On the water | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Tales: whales and Mendenhall Glacier | About 2 hours | The most-reviewed Juneau excursion. Boats carry up to 49. Check how long the glacier stop is on the version you book. |
| Harv and Marv's | About 3 hours | The most time with whales. A steep ramp and steps; not for wheelchair users. |
| Juneau Whale Tours small group | About 2 hours | About 20 people on a 40-foot catamaran. Meets at the tram building; no AJ Dock pickup. |
| Juneau Tours & Whale Watch | About 2 hours | Heated cabin and a naturalist. Sighting guarantee from May 15 to September 15. |
| Dolphin Jet Boat | About 2 hours | Propeller-free jet boats. The longer version gives you over two hours at the glacier. |
| Whales and Sentinel Island lighthouse | About 4 hours in all | Lands at an old light station when the sea allows. All sales final. |
How to choose
- Short port call? A three-hour trip with about two hours on the water fits most days. Morning departures leave room for downtown afterward.
- Want the glacier too? A combination saves you arranging separate transport, but compare the glacier time.
- Hate crowds? Pick a small-group boat, or go when fewer ships are in. In Port Today shows how busy each day is.
- Mobility limits? None of the top boat tours above is wheelchair accessible, and low tide can make ramps steep. Call the operator before you book.
- Prone to seasickness? The water inside the channels is usually calmer than the open ocean, but take your usual precautions.
What to bring
Boats run in the rain, and it's colder on the water than in town. Bring a waterproof jacket, a warm layer, a hat and binoculars if you have them. Some trips include snacks; others ask you to bring your own.
Our rankings come from public ratings, not from operators. No one paid to be listed. See all top-rated excursions.
Sources
- Viator: Alaska Tales whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier
- Viator: Harv and Marv's 3 hours on the water
- Viator: Juneau Whale Tours small-group catamaran
- Viator: Juneau Tours & Whale Watch
- GetYourGuide: Dolphin Jet Boat whale cruise
- Viator: whale watching and Sentinel Island lighthouse
- Holland America: Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest
More guides
Juneau Cruise Port Guide
Which dock you'll use, the AJ Dock shuttle, free wifi, restrooms, accessibility and getting back to the ship on time.
How to Get to Mendenhall Glacier
City bus, glacier shuttle or a tour: how long each takes, what it costs, and what to see once you're there.
Rainy-Day Juneau: Indoor Things to Do
Museums, Native art, the Capitol, a gold mine and a hatchery aquarium for a wet port day, with the hours that catch people out.