Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Juneau, USA
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience some of the best that Juneau has to offer on this full-day tour that combines whale watching and a salmon bake. Watch for the giant creatures breaching and playing in Auke Bay while learning about the ecosystem from a naturalist guide. Then, in a historic gold rush setting, enjoy freshly grilled Alaska salmon, part of an all-you-can-eat buffet.
- Explore Auke Bay with a naturalist guide to lead the way
- Travel outside or stick to a cabin with massive windows
- A salmon bake buffet with dessert is included
- Multiple start times are available to suit your schedule
Sample Menu
Main
Alaska Salmon Bake
What's Included
- Naturalist Guide
- Transportation
- Live Entertainment
- Buffet and Hot & Cold Beverages
- Gratuities
- Souveniers (available for purchase)
- Alcoholic Beverages
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Mount Roberts Tramway490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
JUNEAU MEETING PLACE: On the sidewalk, under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tram -15 minutes prior to tour departure. Once at the meeting area, look for the Alaska Travel Adventures tour representative. They will be wearing a red jacket/shirt, with the Caribou logo.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
This full-day Juneau tour will leave you refreshed, relaxed and bubbling over with action-packed tales of frontier adventure.
At Auke Bay, board a state-of-the-art 48-passenger vessel custom-built for whale watching in Juneau waters, complete with a hydrophone system for listening to whales communicate underwater.
More than 65 humpback whales migrate annually to Auke Bay, also home to harbor seals, porpoises and bald eagles. These waters are so rich, whale sightings are guaranteed! In fact, if a whale is not spotted you'll receive a $100 refund ($50 for children).
Stand on the exterior observation deck or stay inside the cabin with extra-large windows. Pick up provided binoculars, and listen to your naturalist guide’s commentary about the humpbacks, local ecosystem and other wildlife sightings. On a clear day, you may even see Mendenhall Glacier.
After whale watching, a motor coach takes you to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, a historic gold rush setting complete with authentic mining artifacts. The aroma of wild Alaska salmon grilling over an open alder wood fire will get your appetite going. This all-you-can-eat buffet includes parmesan chicken, au gratin potatoes, baked beans with reindeer sausage, wild-rice pilaf, and other sides, salads and beverages and blueberry cake for dessert.
A shuttle service departs for the pier every 15 to 20 minutes, so you can return to the pier at your leisure. Meanwhile, there are a number of activities you can try: Roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire, check out the Salmon Creek Trading Post, stroll to the Salmon Creek waterfall and see inside the entrance to the historic Wagner Mine.
At Auke Bay, board a state-of-the-art 48-passenger vessel custom-built for whale watching in Juneau waters, complete with a hydrophone system for listening to whales communicate underwater.
More than 65 humpback whales migrate annually to Auke Bay, also home to harbor seals, porpoises and bald eagles. These waters are so rich, whale sightings are guaranteed! In fact, if a whale is not spotted you'll receive a $100 refund ($50 for children).
Stand on the exterior observation deck or stay inside the cabin with extra-large windows. Pick up provided binoculars, and listen to your naturalist guide’s commentary about the humpbacks, local ecosystem and other wildlife sightings. On a clear day, you may even see Mendenhall Glacier.
After whale watching, a motor coach takes you to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, a historic gold rush setting complete with authentic mining artifacts. The aroma of wild Alaska salmon grilling over an open alder wood fire will get your appetite going. This all-you-can-eat buffet includes parmesan chicken, au gratin potatoes, baked beans with reindeer sausage, wild-rice pilaf, and other sides, salads and beverages and blueberry cake for dessert.
A shuttle service departs for the pier every 15 to 20 minutes, so you can return to the pier at your leisure. Meanwhile, there are a number of activities you can try: Roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire, check out the Salmon Creek Trading Post, stroll to the Salmon Creek waterfall and see inside the entrance to the historic Wagner Mine.
1
Auke Bay
2
Gold Creek Salmon Bake
3
Alaska Travel Adventures
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Children ages 13- 17 must have a signed parental consent form if traveling without a parent or guardian.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please indicate ship/hotel name when booking
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 90 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Jason_D
This trip was incredible. Our guide, Sara, was amazing from start to finish. Her energy and love for what she does is contagious. The humpback whales cooperated too. We must have seen 8-10 whales on this outing. Plus, we saw other wildlife along the way as a bonus too... seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and even a bear during the van drive. This we finished it all off with a delicious salmon bake alongside of Salmon Creek, and yes the salmon were coming in. Highly recommend this excursion!
Reviews
4.8
based on 307 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Georgette_T, Jul 2026
The whale watching portion with Amanda and Matt was incredible. The whales didn’t breach but we did see a few. After that, the experience went downhill. Our van driver never showed up and we didn’t get to attend the salmon bake. We need a partial refund for five people!
Arlene_J, Jul 2026
The whale watching was excellent! Our naturalist and captain got us to see quite a bit of whales. Just so beautiful to be out on a sunny day!
The salmon back was OK, was disappointed in the salmon. Did not like the very smokey taste. Liked the ribs better! Everything else was good.
Jacob_S, May 2026
The guides are great at spotting whales.. we got a lot of great pix and videos. The salmon bake was real good too. We feel the price for this excursion was a bit high, and has to be essentially booked months in advance, and is non refundable, but I get the fact that this is very popular and it is what it is. All in all STILL 5 star review.. well done
DAN_B, Sep 2025
The boat was very slow which caused us to take most of the time traveling out and back. We also waited around for an hour to merge with other groups before boarding the boat. So the tour is not really 6 hours as they advertise. Then when we got to the area of the whales, our boat captain, Jen, did not get us close enough to even get pictures. The other boats were much closer and she stayed outside the circle of boats; she said before the trip that she had a 100 yard minimum distance requirement but we were at least 4-500 yards from any whale. Also, the advisement indicated that the boat was high tech with great viewing areas and sound system. They never used a sound system and we were all 3 to a row inside a cabin and could go onto a small back open deck when the boat was stopped. But you are either looking over someone out a glass window or trying to look over someone on the back deck. No top deck on this boat tour.
melisa_O, Sep 2025
While I understand whales are animals and their location & schedules are not able to be predicted, I did find the whale watching portion of this excursion to be very disappointing, especially after whale watching in Auke Bay on my 3 previous trips and witnessing breaching, bubble net feeding and seeing both orcas and humpbacks. I think on our next trip we will revisit with whale watching at Icy Straight which was great on our last trip.
The Salmon Bake was delicious as always. I would advise you to watch out for bones in your fish though.
Mark_M, Sep 2024
Great time watching the whales. Sid took us to the Great spots to watch along with Savannah giving us lots of info on the whales. Polite, helpful and very friendly.
emma_a, Aug 2024
The event itself was good but it got delayed an hour, I was not notified and then it was turned around meaning the salmon bake was 1st and then whale watching. Staff on both parts was amazing, knowledge, professional and great customer service.
Ashley_J, May 2024
We saw ORCAS. For the first time, it was awesome. Our guides were great and knew the area/other local guides so they knew where to go.
James_H, May 2024
Captain Terry and our Naturalist
Savannah were amazing. We were able to see quite a few whales and sea lions. We had a great time and learned a lot.
LukiaBarbara_M, Oct 2023
Great tour with lots of information about whales and locating them. The tour guide and captain of boat were fantastic. Just wish it was longer.
Salmon bake was a little ordinary as the food didn’t accomodate for people from Australia. No food served had Anne’s of what it was. A bigger variety with more mains and deserts would have been lovely. The salmon bake wasn’t really worth it.
Marta_M, Sep 2023
Our whale watching trip was phenomenal!! Crew was interesting and knowledgeable . Our van driver did her best to get us through a traffic jam and to the salmon bake … but it was very rushed only 20 mins for lunch! Food and setting was spectacular wish we had more time there.
Anita_C, Aug 2023
Captain Dan and Tori were very friendly and knowledgeable! They took us to the perfect whale watching areas. We saw plenty of whales!! We had a great time!
Loretta_G, Aug 2023
The trip was very disappointing. First of all they changed the time and did not notify us until the last minute, and then we left late because they were waiting for people. When we got on the boat we were told that we would stay about a half hour each time we spotted whales. But every time we saw any whales the captain moved the boat away within minutes. We never got a really good look at anything. I believe the trip was cut short because they were running late. The salmon bake was good. But we expected to spend alot more time actually seeing whales.
Sophia_H, Jul 2023
We were able to see both orcas and humpback whales- which the naturalist on board said was her first orca sighting this season. The salmon bake was not what I expected- it was mostly regular picnic food. The venue was ok, had live musician, friendly people and had protection from rain.
Amanda_K, Jul 2023
Our driver Sara was the most incompetent and irresponsible person leading a group. She seemed to be intoxicated, perhaps under the influence of narcotic medication. Her "tour of Juneau" was completely nonsensical. She left my family at the salmon bake after announcing the wrong pickup time. She then appeared to doze off while driving to the dock and crossing lanes. Completely unacceptable to jeopardize our safety and the safety of my 3 very young children. Find a different company.
Lesley_F, Jul 2023
What an amazing whale-watching adventure. We saw at least thirty humpback whales today, and this included seeing whales breaching whales and bubble feeding. Other sightings that day included seeing puffins, sea lions, and eagles. There was a change in the boat for our tour at the last minute and the boat we were on had a non-working restroom and pretty dirty windows.
margie_d, Jul 2023
The combination of a tour and then outdoor salmon bake at a scenery spot was awesome. Next time will be with family.
Julie_A, Jul 2023
Seeing some humpbacks and stellar sealions. However, as the trip was promoted as a 'full-day tour (6 hours approx.), I was disappointed that the whale-watching part of the tour only lasted just over 2 hours. So, unless you stayed at the salmon bake for 3 hours or so, the tour was definitely NOT a full-day/6 hour tour. Misleading advertising.
Gaylen_B, May 2023
Captain Lee and Naturalist Libby did an awesome job! Saw several whales, including a breach and a big surprise by the boat. Highly recommend this excursion. Salmon bake was very good and a beautiful waterfall right there for that photo op!
Art_A, Aug 2022
The guides for the trip to the boat & on the boat were knowledgeable and friendly. The salmon bake was delicious and was an all you eat buffet. The boat we were assigned to was new and clean. We were able to see over 8 whales during our time on the water.
Shirley_B, Jul 2022
Whale watching and salmon salmon bake Tour with Alaska travel Adventures was awesome. Nick and Libby was are guide. Very knowledgeable. Libby was a blast with a sense of humor. Food was great at the bake. Must see and do!
George_M, Jun 2022
We loved the Whale Watching! Great experience, absolutely beautiful! We had to have been in one of the most beautiful spots on earth! After that, no organization and a complete mess re salmon bake. No one could tell us how to get to salmon bake. No drivers were headed there. We boarded a bus that took us to a bridge to view a glacier. We called for help and after a period of time we were put back on the bus and the driver who said he was not taking us to Salmon Bake said he’d drop us off but we’d have to take their transportation back. It was very unorganized. We enjoyed the salmon bake once we got there.
Magdalena_N, Aug 2021
Seeing whales and great guide and boat captain
I will not write any more review
This is ridiculous to impose write a review
Mary_B, Jul 2021
The crew were great in pointing out whales and seals and answering everyone’s questions. The salmon bake food was wonderful
Shannon_M, Jul 2021
We lucked out and there was only 5 on the tour. The caption and driver were amazing. We saw many whales. We saw 3 seperate pairs of mommies and calfs.
Jason_D, Jul 2021
This trip was incredible. Our guide, Sara, was amazing from start to finish. Her energy and love for what she does is contagious. The humpback whales cooperated too. We must have seen 8-10 whales on this outing. Plus, we saw other wildlife along the way as a bonus too... seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and even a bear during the van drive. This we finished it all off with a delicious salmon bake alongside of Salmon Creek, and yes the salmon were coming in. Highly recommend this excursion!
farinamariana, Jul 2021
Nice trip! We were able to see a group of whales and some others than were alone.. Sara is the sweetest guide!
Thank you for this experience!
Katie_G, Jul 2021
This whale watching and salmon bake trip was the best way to spend our last day in Juneau. We had a perfect day and Tom and Terry were a great team! We saw so many whales and with such a beautiful backdrop.
Dawn_P, Jul 2021
The teens loved it. The tour company was very friendly and informative, multiple whales were seen. :)
Joseph_L, Jul 2021
The captains Tom and Terry were great. And the views were great. Saw lots of whales and sea life.
The cook out was delicious and waterfall spectacular
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