Top-Rated Juneau Excursions
The best-reviewed Juneau tours, ranked from highest to lowest across Viator, Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026 · Ratings checked October 18, 2026
17 Juneau excursions, in order of traveler ratings across several review sites. Tap any one for what to expect, how long it takes and where to read the reviews.
How we ranked them
On October 18, 2026, we looked up every Juneau excursion on Viator, Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide and noted its star rating and number of reviews. We used the numbers for the specific tour, not an operator's total across everything it sells. Because Tripadvisor reviews also show up in Viator's totals, each tour gets a single Viator or Tripadvisor figure, with GetYourGuide counted on its own. We sorted tours into rating bands first, then put the most-reviewed tours at the top of each band, so a new tour with a few five-star reviews doesn't jump ahead of one with thousands of strong ones. The Goldbelt Tram was closed on the day we checked, so it isn't ranked. Reviews stay on the sites that host them; the links take you there. Operators can't pay to be listed or to move up.
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
All 17 excursions
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, Tripadvisor
Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast
Wings Airways · About 3 to 3.5 hours, including roughly 2 hours at the lodge
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide
Underground Gold Mine Tour and Panning
AJ Mine Gastineau Mill · About 2 hours 15 minutes
Rated on Viator
Guided Salmon Shore Fishing
Alaska Anglers Club · About 3 hours
Rated on Viator
Helicopter Flight and Glacier Walk
Coastal Helicopters · About 2.5 hours, with 25 to 30 minutes of flying
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor
Helicopter Dog Sledding on Herbert Glacier
Coastal Helicopters · About 3 to 3.5 hours, with roughly 60 to 70 minutes at the camp
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor
Craft Brews and Epic Views Brewery Tour
Alaska On Tap · About 3 hours 45 minutes
Rated on Viator
Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Day Cruise
Allen Marine Tours · About 8.5 hours
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor
Alpine Zipline and Axe Throwing
Kawanti Adventures (Alaska Zipline Adventures) · About 3.5 hours
Rated on Viator, Tripadvisor
Mendenhall Lake Canoe Paddle
Liquid Alaska Tours · About 4 hours (about 2 hours paddling)
Rated on GetYourGuide
Mendenhall Glacier Round-Trip Shuttle
Juneau Tours & Whale Watch · About 3 hours (about 2 at the glacier)
Rated on Viator
Gold Creek Salmon Bake
Alaska Travel Adventures · About 1.5 to 2 hours
Rated on Viator, TripadvisorRatings change daily. Rank order reflects ratings read on October 18, 2026. Price links go to our booking partner.
Questions visitors ask
Which tours depend on the weather?
Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast, Helicopter Flight and Glacier Walk and Helicopter Dog Sledding on Herbert Glacier fly only when cloud and conditions allow. Book one early in your cruise if you can, so a cancelled flight can move to another day.
Which tours fit a short port day?
Underground Gold Mine Tour and Panning, Helicopter Flight and Glacier Walk and Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch are the shortest of our top picks. Each takes about 2¼ to 3 hours.
How did you rank these excursions?
On October 18, 2026, we noted each tour’s own star rating and review count on Viator, Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide. Tours are grouped into rating bands, and within a band the most-reviewed come first, so a few five-star reviews can’t beat thousands of strong ones.
Can operators pay to rank higher?
No. Operators can’t pay to be listed or to move up. Price links go to our booking partner, which may pay us a commission.