Top 12 Tours in Juneau

1.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,379 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177Our pick

Meet Alaska Tales beneath the tent by Juneau’s Mt. Roberts Tramway, then ride to Auke Bay for a whale-watching cruise. Expect a heated cabin, outdoor viewing decks, snacks, bottled water, and a naturalist-led search for humpback whales. Guides such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate have been praised for clear wildlife talks and care around the animals.

“Every staff member at Alaska Tales that I encountered was friendly and knowledgeable. They genuinely care about their city and their wildlife. I was on their very last tour of the season couldn’t have been happier with the experience! We didn’t have to go far to see a pod of 3 whales. The captain did a great job getting us close but not too close.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249

Spend about 45 to 50 minutes at Mendenhall Glacier, then board a warm, wildlife-viewing boat with large windows and an outdoor deck. Local guides such as Captain Michelle, Nate, Taylor, Ashley, and Leon help you spot humpback whales, sea lions, eagles, and more. Round-trip cruise-port transport keeps this half-day outing simple.

“Glacier wasn’t as exciting as I had hoped but we got to see 4 different whales on our tour. Boat captain and guide was very interesting since he knew so much about the whales.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,285 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $376

Paddle across Mendenhall Lake in a large canoe with guides such as Jordan, Mason, Rod, or Meg, then hike rocky moraine near Mendenhall Glacier. You will see icebergs, waterfalls, bald eagles, and changing glacial features. Rain gear, boots, snacks, hot drinks, and downtown Juneau transport are included, but the tour requires a strong fitness level.

“We had a great time experiencing the glacier. Ed and Rod were very knowledgeable and experienced guides that shared lots of fun facts, which made for a great afternoon!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,269 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $250

You paddle a stable canoe across quiet Mendenhall Lake toward Mendenhall Glacier, with a wilderness guide such as Luke, Mason, Ben, or Issy leading the way. The four-hour outing includes cruise-dock transport, rain gear, boots, gloves, snacks, and a hot drink. Expect about two hours on the water, not a hike, and a real upper-body workout.

“We had a wonderful time! Highly recommend this tour. Issy was our guide, and she was great! We got a great workout in and lucked out with the weather. Such beautiful views! It was a short trip from the cruise doc, too!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,164 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $189

Join Juneau Whale Tours for a small-group cruise from Auke Bay aboard a heated 40-foot catamaran limited to 20 people. Guides such as TJ, Andrew, Cedar, and Alan share local facts while you watch for humpback whales, sea lions, seals, eagles, glaciers, and rocky inlets. Downtown pickup is included, but AJ Dock passengers must arrange transport to the Goldbelt Tram.

“This is singularly great tour! Love Cedar’s chat on the bus. Loved TJ and Andrew show was great but the mic needs to go up. I could only hear every second word. We saw so many whales it was rediculous! It was amazing to be out on the sea! Note, they need to mention that tips are encouraged for the staff because I had none and I hate not having a tip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 915 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $156

From downtown Juneau, ride 25 minutes to Auke Bay, then spend about two hours on the water with a naturalist guide searching for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, bald eagles, and more. Heated cabins, open viewing decks, snacks, and a short Mendenhall Glacier photo stop are included. Crews such as Noah, Sarah, Chris, and Ford are known for lively commentary.

“Travel to boat was terrific. Captain and Crew were knowledgeable. We got to see Humpback whales and see Sea Lions. The boat was clean. We also enjoyed seeing many many eagles. We had fantastic weather and I’d highly recommend this company and book again through Viator”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Alaska Whale Watching Cruise w/ 3 HOURS on the water

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 801 reviews · 4 hours 5 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Ride from your Juneau cruise dock to Auke Bay, then spend three hours on the water aboard Harv and Marv’s 49-passenger double-decker vessel. Naturalists such as Dalton, Tess, Sam, and Chloe provide live narration while the crew searches for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles. Glacier viewing depends on weather.

“From start to finish was excellent, Chris the bus driver was both entertaining and informative our 2 girl naturists were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable as was the captain, who took us further out than usual to ensure we saw whales and did we see them! So many, thank you so much for a most enjoyable and wonderful trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 771 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $199

Meet beneath the Goldbelt Tram for a five-hour Juneau outing that combines a two-hour whale cruise with Mendenhall Glacier. Expect heated boats, wide viewing windows, an onboard naturalist, and time to walk toward Nugget Falls. The order changes with departure time, and afternoon tours visit the glacier first.

“Captain Dustin, Nate, & Lauren were fantastic! They were very knowledgeable about whales & excellent at spotting them. We saw a LOT of whales. I highly recommend this tour when in Juneau. The glacier & waterfall were also incredible to see!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Ultimate Whale Watch and Tracy’s Crab Shack Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 614 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $274

Meet near the Goldbelt Tram for a three-hour whale watch in Auke Bay, with crew members such as Captain Jayden and guides Haylee, Ben, or Carrie sharing local insight. Finish with Tracy’s crab combo, including soup, crab cakes, and two king crab legs. Whale sightings are guaranteed from May 15 through September 15.

“Fins to the left, Fins to the right! Tails to the left, tails to the right! Breach to the left, breach to the right! Numerous whale sightings, an absolutely amazing experience! Tracy’s Crab Shack was quick, efficient and excellent! Best crab legs I’ve eaten in 40 years. Thank You…”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 556 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79Best value

Ride from Juneau’s cruise port to Mendenhall Glacier on a custom trolley, with about 25 to 30 minutes of narration each way. You get roughly two hours to walk to Nugget Falls, visit the center, and enjoy glacier views on your own. Guides such as Wayne, John, Troy Ford, and Jason have earned praise for friendly local tips.

“very organized on time and great tour. the driver was very knowledgeable about the city ! and super friendly”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Juneau Shore Excursion: Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 536 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $440

Fly from Juneau Airport over icefalls and mountain rock, then land on Herbert Glacier for a guided walk with your pilot. Coastal Helicopters provides transport, safety gear, boots, and raincoats if needed. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, but fog and wind can force a cancellation.

“…never too late to check this adventure off your bucket list! This was a magical experience with a great crew of organization to an awesome pilot and guide - Keith! We were the last flight of the day and it exceeded my very high expectation. I’m hooked on helicopters now and returned to walking an Alaskan glacier after 29 years with my love of 47 years. My heart is full!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 427 reviews · 3 hours · from $154

Leave downtown Juneau by narrated bus for Auke Bay, then spend two hours aboard a small enclosed jet boat searching for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. Naturalists such as Nia, Derek, and Rio explain the wildlife and scenery. Binoculars, hot drinks, water, snacks, and roundtrip transfers are included.

“Great experience, very enjoyable for our group of 8, all guides were very knowledgeable and made the whole trip great fun! Very memorable!”

Check availability →Read our full review