What it's like
Juneau is the capital of Alaska and cannot be reached by road or rail, so the whales are reached by water. Juneau whale watching tours let visitors see humpbacks and orcas in their natural habitat, in the calm waters around the city.
A typical trip lasts three to four hours and includes transport from town. Boats range from large catamarans to jet boats and six-passenger vessels, so the size of the boat is a choice. Tours run on set schedules, so check the departure times before you plan the rest of the day.
Good to know
- The best months are the ones when humpbacks and orcas gather in the calm waters, so timing matters.
- Tours range from large catamarans to small six-passenger boats, so pick the boat size you prefer.
Whale waters off Juneau
Whale watching from Juneau means a boat trip into the Inside Passage waters around the city. Humpback and orca whales feed here, and boats carry visitors out to see them.
Tours that go here
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Juneau Channel Island State Marine Park
A group of 14 islands in the waters off Juneau, reached by boat. Paddlers come for wildlife viewing, photography and sport fishing among the islands.
Rainforest Trail
Rainforest Trail is an accessible walk through rainforest to a small beach with views near the end of North Douglas Highway. It is one of the easiest ways to reach the shore on the Juneau side of the water.
Mendenhall Glacier
A massive glacier calving into its own lake, and Juneau's most popular attraction. Most visitors look at the face from the visitor center, then walk the trails to Nugget Falls.
Nugget Falls
Nugget Falls is a 377-foot waterfall that drops into Mendenhall Lake, reached on a short, flat trail from the Mendenhall Glacier area. It is one of the most popular walks in Juneau.
The same kind of day, elsewhere
Whale watching
