Top Juneau Whale Watching

When choosing a whale-watching tour in Juneau, you’ll want to book one that receives top marks and reviews from guests. These are currently the highest rated Juneau whale-watching tours: 

• 3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau Alaska
• Juneau’s Premier Whale Watching
• Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake
• Private Luxury Whale Watch
• Juneau Whale Watching Adventure

Yes, Juneau is known as one of the best places for whale watching in Alaska due to its location along the Inside Passage, where nutrient-rich waters draw whales and other wildlife. Guests often rave about whale-watching cruises being a top experience when visiting this part of southeast Alaska.

Tickets for a standard half-day Juneau whale-watching tour start at US$150. Longer cruises that include a meal or additional experiences, such as a visit to Mendenhall Glacier, run closer to US$250 and more. For private or luxury tours with helicopter landings and other perks, expect to pay well over US$1,000.

Massive humpback whales are what most guests hope to see on Juneau whale-watching tours, especially during the summer season. You’re also likely to see orcas, aka killer whales, which can be found throughout the Inside Passage year-round. Gray whale sightings are also common in the spring.

The best months for whale watching in Juneau are June–September. While sightings of whales, especially migrating humpbacks, are common from April–November, the warmer summer months are peak whale-watching season. This is also the best time to visit Alaska overall, since you’ll enjoy warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and a wider selection of tours and activities.

Book as far ahead as possible. Many of the top-rated whale-watching tours in Juneau are booked 3–6 months in advance, especially for cruises during the peak visiting months of June–August. Reserve your spot early for the best choice of departure times, boat sizes, and activity inclusions, such as glacier viewing and sea kayaking.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Juneau aside from whale watching. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Helicopter Tours
• Kayaking Tours
• Port Transfers
• Bus Tours
• Nature and Wildlife Tours

Juneau whale-watching tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now: 

• Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch Plus Mendenhall Glacier Photo Stop
• Narrated Whale Watching Cruise with Glacier View Stop
• Juneau Whale Watching Adventure
• 3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau Alaska
• Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

Before booking your Juneau whale-watching tour, be aware that smaller boats—for around 6–20 passengers—offer more personalized experiences, but may feel choppier on the water. Larger vessels come with crowds but typically provide more stability and amenities. Regardless of your choice and when you go, always wear non-slip shoes, layers, and a waterproof jacket, as it can get cold and misty on the water no matter the season. Remember to bring a camera with a zoom lens to get the best wildlife photos.

While wildlife is unpredictable, some Juneau tours guarantee whale sightings. Even on cruises without a guaranteed-sighting policy, you’re very likely to spot whales—especially during the months of June–September when humpbacks feed on small fish in the Inside Passage’s warm waters. Plus, boat captains take you to the best-known spots for whale watching to improve your odds.

Whales feed throughout the day during Juneau’s peak whale-watching season from June–September, so there’s no bad time to book. Plus, tours depart from the early morning until the late afternoon due to the summer’s long daylight hours. If you’re prone to seasickness, opt for a morning tour for calmer waters and less wind.

It depends on your cruise line. Generally, booking through an independent operator gives you a wider choice of prices, group sizes, and experience types. To save money, book half-day whale-watching cruises on larger boats, which host up to 50 passengers and start at US$150. Prices go up for smaller-group excursions with additional activities, such as kayaking and glacier hiking.

Yes, several tours let you go whale watching and visit Mendenhall Glacier in just a few hours. This top-rated Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier tour runs about 4.5 hours and starts at US$250. You’ll get free time at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to soak up views of the ice (and even bears, if you’re lucky) from the trails, followed by a whale-watching cruise with guaranteed sightings. The fee also includes water, snacks, and round-trip transportation from the cruise terminal.

Most tours depart from a meeting point next to the Juneau cruise port, usually in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway (Goldbelt Tram). Look for your tour provider’s sign, and you’ll hop on a short shuttle ride to your whale-watching destination. Some tours may pick you up directly outside your ship instead of at a central meeting point, so read the instructions carefully.

It depends on the tour. Most whale-watching cruises are suitable for all ages, though excursions with added kayaking or glacier hiking often have minimum age requirements for kids and demand a moderate level of fitness. If you have limited mobility, look for accessible whale-watching cruises; many tours are not wheelchair-friendly due to the types of boats and shuttles used.