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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingFour to five hours on a jet boat — 1 hour at Mendenhall Glacier plus whale watching, with a family-owned local operator.
This tour combines a visit to Mendenhall Glacier with an exhilarating whale watching experience, lasting four to five hours in total. You'll have about one hour at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, where you can observe salmon, explore the Visitor's Center, and hike to Nugget Falls.
The tour uses small, mammal-friendly jet boats for an intimate experience with whales, allowing you to feel close to the wildlife. The tour is run by a family-owned company committed to the community and providing memorable experiences, ensuring local guides who are passionate about Juneau accompany you. Expect quick transfers between vehicles to minimize waiting time.
Places you'll visit
Reviews
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.
The guides were exceptional, well aware of the best places to take us, and provided us with a wealth of information about the local culture.
The experience was incredible. We really enjoyed our guide and captain. We got to see a mother humpback whale and her calf. It was great how the captain and guide respected the whales and maintained a safe distance.
The entire experience, from pickup to drop-off, was fantastic. The team put thought into every detail to ensure our adventure was just right. Thank you for an amazing time!
This excursion was our highlight of the trip. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and our bus driver shared captivating stories that made the ride enjoyable. We had multiple sightings of 3 orcas! The Mendenhall Glacier was stunning. Although the snow made me anxious about my white shoes, the trek to Nugget Falls was absolutely worth it. We also spotted beavers, bunnies, and a mountain goat.
This experience was fantastic. Even though we arrived late off our ship and missed our scheduled excursion, they were incredibly accommodating and managed to fit us into the next time slot. Our guides, Brendan, Aurora, and Sam, were friendly, entertaining, and well-informed. I appreciate that this is a small, family-owned local business. I strongly recommend Dolphin Jetboat Tours.
The whale watching tour was led by a knowledgeable guide, and we did see whales. However, the itinerary promised a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor's center and Nugget Falls first, but we ended up doing whale watching before the waterfall. While this wasn’t a major issue, the visitor's center was closed by the time we arrived, preventing us from seeing it. There was also some confusion regarding which participants had paid for a longer visit to the falls versus those who were only there briefly. Overall, we had a good time, but there were aspects that could have been managed better.
It was an amazing experience! We encountered whales, bears, and many bald eagles. Our whale watching guide, Rio, was fantastic. I just wish we had more time to explore Mendenhall Glacier Park. Hopefully next time!
Captain JJ, Kayla, and Kyle provided excellent service during our boat tour at Mendenhall Glacier. We spotted several humpback whales, although only one tail was visible. Sea lions were also relaxing nearby, which was charming. The bus drivers, including Brandon and two other friendly young men, were fantastic as well. Our glacier falls trail guide was also very kind.
I can't remember seeing the glacier. The boat ride was pleasant, and the crew was excellent. We did see some whale activity, although it was limited early in the season. The hike to Nugget Falls was quite challenging, particularly in early spring due to the slushy conditions.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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