8 Great Reasons To Take A Juneau Whale Watching Tour

Embarking on a whale watching tour in Juneau, Alaska, is not just an adventure; it provides an unforgettable experience with nature’s majestic giants. Alaska cruises run from late April to early October. But did you know this coincides with the longest global migration? 

The rich waters of the Gulf of Alaska give humpback whales a binge-feeding opportunity during the summer months before returning to Hawaii and Mexico in the fall.

While the first week of May may not be the best time for viewing, whales are prevalent through cruises in August and into the beginning of September.

In this article, we’ll explore eight compelling reasons to take a Juneau whale watching tour.

1. Whale Sighting Guarantee

If traveling to Alaska by cruise ship, enjoying sightings from a stateroom balcony is not unusual. However, vessels sail in the deepest parts of the inside passage, and whales usually swim close to the coastline.

To see them, we needed binoculars. Buy the best whale-watching binoculars for your budget, whether high-end or, if you’re concerned about luggage space, a compact pair instead. However, we recommend a tour to get a closer look—no binoculars required.

There are many private whale tours in Juneau, Alaska, and most have a whale sighting guarantee. I’ve taken many tours and seen whales EVERY time!

Booking whale watching in Juneau can be arranged in advance through cruise lines or local tour operators. Independent whale-watching tours often cost less than those offered by cruise lines and may provide a more personal experience.

Tour operators collaborate by sharing whale sighting information, allowing every group to locate these magnificent creatures faster and enjoy more time observing them. Many of our tours included a naturalist who offers valuable insights into Alaska’s diverse marine life.

Humpback whales are the most frequently seen, famous for their enormous size and spectacular breaching displays. Gray whales, Minke whales and Orcas may be sighted too. We’ve seen a Minke once and Orcas on two of our tours.

Recommendation:

• Book early with a reputable local operator to secure smaller-group experiences.
• Choose morning tours for calmer seas and optimal visibility.
• Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens for the best wildlife shots.
• Dress in layers—Alaskan weather can shift quickly, even in summer.

2. Small Boat Experience

While spotting whales on an Alaskan cruise is common, a sightseeing vessel offers a contrasting experience. Travelers can select from a wide range of companies like Allen Marine Tours, Gastineau Guiding, and Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska.

However, Jayleen’s Alaska offers a small group experience with a maximum of six passengers. Bear in mind that these 26-foot small boats don’t have washrooms and, due to their size, may cause seasickness.

Remember to use a seasickness remedy onshore long before your tour if you are prone to motion sickness. The motion sickness patches work well and do not make you drowsy.

Alternatively, slightly larger vessels accommodate more but still give that small vessel experience. Gastineau Guiding has unique safari vessels with upper indoor and outdoor viewing decks.

Some excursions include onboard naturalists or tour guides who will educate you about Alaska’s wildlife and flora.

3. See More Than Just Humpbacks

The waters around Juneau are a major marine thoroughfare. For most, seeing a whale up close is a bucket list activity, but it’s also a great opportunity to see other wildlife. We’ve seen orcas, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles during the excursions.

In fact, on the way back to the harbor, boats always swing by a buoy, a favorite spot for sea lions to hang out. We also enjoyed distant views of Mendenhall Glacier and the snow-capped mountains from Auke Bay.

On our Juneau Lighthouse Tour, the route included a visit to a seal lion rookery. It was fun to watch and listen to their noisy barks from a distance.

Guests on the Tracy Arm Fjord and Explorer tours also see whale sightings. Along with humpbacks and Orca, they may see bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, black bears, mountain goats, and many bird species.

4. Get Up Close And Personal

Your captain and crew will be scouring the waters of Juneau, but passengers can help in the search if they have binoculars. The more eyes, the better the chances of seeing wildlife.

For incredible whale photos, bring a camera. A phone will work, but a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a zoom lens delivers sharper, closer shots. If you don’t own a zoom lens, don’t rush to buy one—rent it instead.

Remember, to achieve great Alaska photography, it doesn’t take expensive gear. Take time to learn your camera’s settings before your trip. Practice shooting moving subjects, and get comfortable switching between autofocus and manual focus.

On the water, watch for mist spouts—these signal whales surfacing for air. Once spotted, your captain must follow Alaska’s humpback whale approach regulations (in effect since 2001). These rules protect both passengers and the whales. These include:

• Staying at least 100 yards away from a humpback whale.
• Never position a boat in its path.
• Avoid disturbing its natural behavior.
• Always operate at a slow, safe speed near whales.

But remember—whales don’t always follow the rules! Sometimes, they’ll swim right up to a boat. On one unforgettable day, a pod glided beneath mine, and for a moment, their size dwarfed my vessel. It reminded me of Jaws—except these gentle giants were simply curious.

Pro tip: Keep your camera ready, use burst mode, and focus on the whale’s blowhole or tail for dramatic shots. The perfect moment sometimes surprises us.

5. Smell Whale’s Breath

During one of my whale-watching excursions in Juneau, my boat stayed with two adult humpbacks with a new calf for quite some time. Let me tell you, being in a small vessel next to a whale was quite eye-opening and left me speechless.

Be warned; when whales exhale through their blowhole, it’s loud…really loud! Not only that, when close, their breath smells bad when they exhale, like rotten fish or garbage!

I’m not sure it’s a good reason to take a whale tour, but it makes for an interesting memory.

6. Bubble-net Feeding

One of the exciting facts about humpback whales is they can eat by bubble-net feeding. Strategically working together, humpbacks create columns of bubbles under the water by releasing air from their blowhole.

The ring of bubbles traps their prey in a netting of fizzle. When the signal is giving, the massive whales lunge out of the water, devouring their prey in a frenzy feeding. Sea gulls often join the binge.

Bubble net feeding is unique to the humpback whales in Southeast Alaska and a great reason to book a west coast whale-watching tour.

7. Enjoy A Private Performance At Sea

The majority of tours from Juneau see tails and fins. Whales can stay underwater for approximately 20 minutes before coming up for air.

So, practice patience when viewing whales because once they dive, it could take up to 15 to 20 minutes before they resurface again.

Whales are mammals and breathe through the blowholes on the top of their heads. When they dive deeply into the water, they flip their tails up. Once you’ve seen a flipped whale tail, you know it will be a while before that whale resurfaces.

Whales sometimes jump out of the water, then hit the water with a thundering splash. This is known as breaching.

While scientists are still studying why whales breach, many believe it’s a way of communicating with other whales. Watching a breaching performance is spectacular.

8. Supports The Local Economy

Companies that offer whale-watching trips were hit hard by the pandemic. You’re supporting a small local company by taking a Juneau tour to see whales in their natural habitat.

Alaska relies on tourism and cruise ships to bring people to explore its wilderness. If you’re looking for a unique experince, book an excursion with Juneau Lighthouse Tours. Their trips combine whale watching with a visit to Sentinel Island Lighthouse.

Mendenhall Glacier is a must-visit, and a trip to the park allows you to explore on your own. If you have an hour or more, the hike to Nugget Falls lets you see a thunderous waterfall close to the ice field.

Alternatively, combine a whale-watching tour with the Gold Creek salmon bake.

What To Wear?

Weather is very changeable in Alaska. Even if it’s sunny in downtown Juneau, expect slightly colder conditions on the water. Be prepared for wet weather by wearing a waterproof rain jacket, since the chances of rain can be 25% or more in the summer months.

Also, wear layers because being out on a boat can sometimes be very chilly. Since UV rays reflect off the water, protect against sunburn (even on a cloudy day) by wearing sunscreen. A pair of sunglasses will also help with the glare from the water.

If showers are in the forecast, wear waterproof shoes. I prefer Vessi shoes because they’re lightweight, vegan, and 100% waterproof, even in a downpour. They have many styles and colors on their online store.

Similar shore excursions are available in other Alaska ports if you’re conflicted about tours in Juneau.

Whale Watching In Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Like Juneau, Icy Strait Point (ISP) offers plenty to do, including whale-watching tours. Boats are much smaller, so you can enjoy wildlife viewing with fewer people. Fewer people also mean less competition for finding whales.

In ISP, there are plenty of opportunities to see humpback whales, Orca, sea lions, and porpoises. Most tour boats have a covered area (in case of rain), a bathroom, and plenty of seating.

The excursions usually include a drink and a snack too. Also, transportation to and from the cruise port is provided if you’re traveling by cruise ship.

Kenai Fjord Tours

If on a one-way itinerary to Seward, consider booking a whale-watching cruise to Resurrection Bay or combine it with a Kenai Fjords National Park tour.

Further north, offers an excellent opportunity to see the California gray whales. Also, look out for humpback whales, Orca, stellar sea lions, puffins, and other marine wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions About Whale Watching

Q: How much does it cost to go whale watching?
A: Most tour operators charge approximately USD 150+ for a 4-hour tour, but cruise lines charge upwards of USD 180 or more for the same excursion.

Q: Can you do a Juneau whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier tour together on a cruise port day?
A: Absolutely, and I’ve done it several times. Just be aware of the last shuttle bus back from Mendenhall Glacier.

Q: When is Alaska whale watching season?
A: The season runs from May to September, which is Alaska cruise season.

Q: What to wear whale watching in Alaska?
A: The weather can change quickly in Alaska. So it’s best to wear layers and bring a waterproof jacket in case Alaska blesses you with liquid sunshine.

Q: My cruise ship arrives late in the day. Are tours still offered?
A: Yes, companies keep track of cruise ship arrivals, and some offer excursions later in the day.

Q: Are whale watching tours in Juneau worth it?
A: A Juneau whale watching tour rarely disappoints. Seeing whales on a tours contrasts greatly from spotting from a cruise ship.

Q: Who offers the best whale-watching excursion in Alaska?
A: While this is a popular question, there is no defined answer because everyone’s opinion differs. I have taken whale-watching tours with Allen Marine Tours and Gastineau Guiding; both are amazing companies.

But I have also heard rave reviews from Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska, Juneau Tours, and Whale Watch.

Final Thoughts

While I’m blessed to live in Vancouver and can participate in whale watching near me, there is something special about taking a similar experience in Alaska. It could be the allure of Alaska’s natural beauty of rugged mountains with glistening glaciers.

I have taken several Auke Bay whale-watching day tours, and they are amazing. I think the waters near Juneau offer great wildlife viewing in Alaska.

Or maybe it’s the adventure of being somewhere other than home. If you’ve booked an Alaskan cruise, what are you waiting for? Book a thrilling Juneau whale-watching tour today. You won’t regret it!