11. Whale watching boat tour in Juneau
5.0· 41 reviews· 3.3 hoursThree hours on the water — observe whales in their natural habitat with knowledgeable guides, and return shuttle service from Downtown Juneau included.
“This company is a new venture in Juneau and is operated by a husband and wife duo who also offer tours in Hawaii, which is quite impressive. They are currently working on establishing their social media presence for Juneau tours. As you explore, you will find that they are reputable and offer significantly better pricing than many competitors. I highly recommend their whale watching tour. We had a fantastic experience. The owner picked us up at the port, which was very convenient, and he was a pleasant guy who ensured we returned on time. During our drive to the marina, he shared interesting details about Juneau, wildlife, and glaciers. Once we arrived, we met our naturalist, Aliya, who was exceptionally knowledgeable, followed by our captain, Libby, who was equally impressive. It was just a small group of 12, allowing for a personalized experience. They were both responsive to our questions, highlighting how important good tour guides are. We were fortunate to have such great leaders. We spotted Sasha and her calf, which was a highlight! While they played hide and seek for a while, the experience was truly captivating. If you have the chance to take this tour, I wholeheartedly recommend it for a memorable outing. Thank you for your hospitality, and best wishes on this new venture!”— christine_w
22. Canoe tour on Mendenhall Lake near Juneau
5.0· 1297 reviews· 4 hoursThree and a half to four hours on Mendenhall Lake by canoe, guided 30-minute transfer from cruise docks, focused on glacier views and wildlife encounters.
“Hannah was an incredibly kind guide. Her humor added to the fun of the rowing experience. I highly recommend this tour.”— 898missyf
33. Mendenhall Glacier canoeing and hiking tour
5.0· 1301 reviews· 5 hoursJoin a guided canoe trip across Mendenhall Lake, followed by an interpretive hike near the glacier, with stunning views of icebergs and mountain peaks.
“What a fantastic experience! Being so close to the glacier was truly awe-inspiring—the views were remarkable, and the hike struck a perfect balance between challenge and reward. It's one thing to admire a glacier from a distance, but being right next to it is a memory I will cherish forever. Our guide was exceptional—approachable, well-informed, and genuinely passionate about his work. He ensured the entire experience was enjoyable, engaging, and hassle-free, attending to all our needs along the way. His dynamic spirit really enhanced the tour and transformed it into more than just a hike. I particularly appreciated the second hot drink after the rain.”— R461AXjohannaw
44. Whale watching tour in Juneau, Alaska
5.0· 7579 reviews· 3.5 hoursThree hours on a jet boat, searching for Humpback Whales and local wildlife, with knowledgeable naturalists on board.
“We encountered numerous whales on this tour. Nate was very informative and responded to many of our inquiries. Watching a mother and her calf made the experience even more special. I highly recommend this tour.”— margaret_j
55. Sea kayaking tour with Mendenhall Glacier views in Juneau
5.0· 61 reviews· 3.5 hoursThree hours on the water in single kayaks — guided small-group paddle to Mendenhall Glacier with wildlife sightings along the way.
“Our kayak tour with Paddle Juneau was fantastic, thanks to our friendly and patient guides. I was initially nervous, but they provided encouragement and reassurance throughout. They engaged us with interesting facts about Juneau while sharing personal stories on the way to our destination. It was evident that all four of us felt relaxed and excited, exchanging jokes. Their expertise in kayaking ensured everyone’s safety as we learned how to navigate waves and paddle effectively. I’ve never encountered such wonderful guides before. The soothing tea they made on-site was a delightful touch. I'm very grateful for this unforgettable experience with Nigel and his companion.”— YinMei_M
66. Whale watching tour from Juneau
4.9· 945 reviews· 3 hoursThree hours, coach bus and boat combination — 25-minute bus ride to Auke Bay, followed by two hours on the water searching for humpback whales and orcas.
“Mia Calvin and Nick were excellent tour guides. I enjoyed spotting the whales, and they also located seal lions. I highly recommend this tour.”— Shelly_F
77. Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour in Juneau
4.8· 57 reviews· 5.5 hoursFour to five hours on a jet boat — 1 hour at Mendenhall Glacier plus whale watching, with a family-owned local operator.
“We selected this tour for both Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching, and while we found it pricey, we anticipated the added benefits of hot chocolate and snacks. The crew was friendly, and Nia was particularly entertaining. The bus and boat were clean, but I likely would not choose this option again. First, other companies start right at the ship, but this one required a walk to the tram. During check-in, we received the wrong green card, nearly boarding the incorrect tour. When we got on the bus, one individual ended up without a seat. Fortunately, a young crew member called out names and discovered we had been sent to the wrong bus. Despite arriving early, we were the last to board the correct bus. We were informed that whale watching would be first, but we were taken 20 minutes away to an area where whales had previously been spotted. Ironically, we saw more whales coming into port where our ship docked than from this boat. On the return trip, hot chocolate and snack packs were served. Despite knowing the number of passengers, they only provided each of us with half a cup of hot chocolate and ran out of cup lids, which became essential later. Having been whale watching before, this experience did not meet expectations. Captain Jay frequently made poor navigational choices, staying far from the whales compared to other boats. We observed some whale blows and tails, but felt too distant to enjoy the sight properly. On the return journey, Jay seemed more concerned about reaching the dock than the sea conditions. We noticed wake waves from oncoming ships, but he appeared distracted, leading to a hard impact that spilled hot chocolate everywhere. A man's coat ended up completely soaked, while my seat and pants absorbed what remained of my half cup. After cleaning up, we received snack bags, but I expected local Alaska snacks and instead got children's items like applesauce, goldfish, and granola bars. Finally, we headed to Mendenhall Glacier. Lisa was a pleasant bus driver, but I would have preferred more commentary about Alaska rather than yard art. The visitor center was closed since it was after 5 PM, and it was dark by the time we finished the trail. There was no guidance for the trails; we only got transportation. While I appreciated Nia's contributions, overall, I left this tour feeling disappointed.”— family4MI
88. Whale watching tour in Juneau
4.8· 280 reviews· 3 hoursTwo to four hours on a small jet boat with experienced local guides — see humpback whales and more in a relaxed setting.
“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the whale watching tour. Our bus driver, Otto, and Naturalist, Rio, provided great insights about the local wildlife and tips for spotting them in their natural environment. The boat was heated, enclosed, and offered snacks and beverages, along with comfortable decks for wildlife viewing. Boat driver Austin and Rio guided us to see a humpback whale, orcas (including a baby that breached), Dall's porpoises, and sea lions. We booked this trip at the last minute and were incredibly impressed by the company’s expertise and hospitality. We would give it 10 stars if we could.”— jaredbA4247QB
99. Mendenhall Glacier Express from downtown Juneau
4.5· 320 reviews· 3 hoursThree hours total — direct bus from cruise terminal to Mendenhall Glacier with two hours of free time to explore trails and the Visitor Center.
“Kristal was knowledgeable and welcoming. We had the opportunity to observe many eagles resting on lampposts. The overall experience was enjoyable.”— Sherwin_E
Top places to visit in Juneau
See all 17 →
More in Juneau
Other things to do
Adventure in other destinations
Top adventure elsewhere
Same category, different cities — hand-picked adventure experiences across USA.
Stay elsewhere
Places to stay in other destinations
Hand-picked, verified serviced apartments across our network.
See more
Places to see in other destinations
Hand-picked sights, neighbourhoods and landmarks across our destination network.
Visiting Juneau?
Stay with Rovostays
Hand-picked, verified serviced apartments — concierge always included.