Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau
Juneau, United States

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

Outty Ranking 90 4.9 · 7,508 traveler reviews4.5 hoursFrom $24990+ Club

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September 2026

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Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$249
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Outty Ranking

90/100

90+ Club. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 7,508 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier worth booking?

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier is a 4.5-hour experience in Juneau, United States, from $249 per person. It scores 90 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 7,508 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

Outty Ranking
90 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (7,508)
Duration
4.5 hours
From
$249 per person

This wildlife viewing excursion takes you on a journey to see two of the major highlights in Southeast Alaska. You will be guided to the Mendenhall Glacier for a 45 minute self-exploration followed by our wildlife whale

What you get

    About this experience

    This wildlife viewing excursion takes you on a journey to see two of the major highlights in Southeast Alaska. You will be guided to the Mendenhall Glacier for a 45 minute self-exploration followed by our wildlife whale watching tour. Once you have had a chance to explore the glacier park on your own, we will take you to the whale watching harbor where you will come aboard one of our state-of-the-art vessels to search for majestic Humpback Whales and other water wildlife we may find along the way. Our expert captains and naturalists are so familiar with these amazing creatures that we can actually guarantee you will see whales in their natural habitat from a safe distance. Our boats are equipped with restrooms and heated cabins to make this journey extra comfortable. Our fleet of fast jet boats all have plenty of outdoor deck space so you can choose to watch the wildlife in the open air or from the comfort of the cabin. This is an Alaskan adventure you won't want to miss!

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • Roundtrip Transportation from Cruise Terminal
    • Driver/guide
    • Snacks
    • Port pickup and drop-off
    • Live commentary on board
    • 100% Guarantee to see Whales

    Not included

    • None
    • Shuttle cost to the Gold Belt Tram building ($ 3.00)

    What you'll see and do

    1. Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

      Mendenhall Glacier

      50 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Juneau

    You will find the team on the water side of the building underneath the green canopy tent.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    You will find the team on the water side of the building underneath the green canopy tent.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Alaska Tales

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Collapsable Wheelchairs Only
    • No Motorized Scooters
    • No Motorized Wheelchairs

    Photos

    Whale taking a peek above sea levelJuneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 3Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 4Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 5Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7,428 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    7,428 verified traveler reviews for Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    7,064
    4 star
    255
    3 star
    70
    2 star
    21
    1 star
    18
    Sort
    Amy_travels2015 · August 2026

    Glacier and whales !

    Great day, starting with a trip to Mendenhall glacier. There is a trail to get closer but not on the glacier Walk fast as you have one hour for the 1.6 mile round trip There is a nearby trail not as close but still great viewing Then our driver, Scott (great, lots of info to share) dropped us at the marina where another company took us out to whale watch. Griffin and Monica were great at spotting whales. We saw about 10-12. Not very active but several great fluke shows

    via Tripadvisor

    JDC0112 · August 2026

    Most Amazing Yet!

    Our Experience Was Amazing! Fred the Bus driver was Absolutely Amazing which took us to the Unforgettable and Terrific/Amazing Guides on the Boat - Captain James, Naturalist Taylor and Kacie! Truly our Best Experience so Far! Definitely recommend, however attempt to go with this Crew!

    via Tripadvisor

    Wander07204582806 · August 2026

    AWESOME EXPERIENCE

    Larry, Griffin, and Morgan were AWESOME. Great experience. Very fun and knowledgable, 6Whales 2 Seals.

    via Tripadvisor

    O5127HAsamc · August 2026

    10/10 Whale Watching in Alaska!

    10/10 experience great crew! Totally worth booking and a memoriable experience even as a solo rider!

    via Tripadvisor

    jisettew · August 2026

    Such a amazing experience

    Taylor by far was the best guide I have ever had so knowledgeable kind and very personable loved him

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    4.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2,628
    Verdict
    90+ Club

    Why this scores 90

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)93
    Review evidence (18% weight)100
    Booking momentum (14% weight)100
    Value for money (12% weight)70
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)68
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Juneau.

    How much does Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier cost?

    +

    Prices start at $249 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Juneau usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier take?

    +

    Plan for about 4.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Juneau is not rushed.

    Is Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 90 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 7,508 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Juneau, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier?

    +

    Around 2,628 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Juneau can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Juneau and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Juneau within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Juneau?

    +

    Juneau runs Mendenhall Glacier trips, whale watching in Auke Bay, helicopter glacier landings with dog sledding, and rainforest hikes. Most tours are timed to cruise ship windows, so we weight clear duration and pickup detail. On Outty we rank every Juneau experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour, Whales and Wilderness Exploration. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Juneau?

    +

    May to September, peaking for humpbacks in June and July. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Juneau?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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