
Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 221 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour worth booking?
Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour is a 4.5-hour experience in Juneau, United States, from $189 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 221 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (221)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $189 per person
Although we are the original whale-watching company in Juneau (operating since 1994), we are still small and family-owned and operated! We want you to feel like part of the family, and we pride ourselves on prioritizing
What you get
About this experience
Although we are the original whale-watching company in Juneau (operating since 1994), we are still small and family-owned and operated! We want you to feel like part of the family, and we pride ourselves on prioritizing local hires in order to give back to our community and give you the best possible tour experience. We want our guides to love Juneau as much as you do! Our fleet consists of only mammal-friendly jet boats, and the small size and intimate setting will make you feel right at home with the whales. We pride ourselves on our quick transfers between vehicles! We don't want you to wait any longer than you absolutely have to!
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Tea and coffee
Not included
- Audio and written guides are not included. Just in person!
What you'll see and do
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
You will be dropped off at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area for a self guided stop. You will be able to overlook the glacier from Photo Point Outlook, and stop by educational displays at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. If you walk down the board walk over the salmon streams, you might get a chance to see spawning salmon, or even a bear!
40 minutes here · Admission included
Juneau
Take a mammal friendly jet boat out of Auke Bay Harbor, and explore the waters surrounding Juneau in search of the majestic humpback whale! This tour includes two hours on the water where an experienced captain will take you to where ever the whales are hanging out that day!
120 minutes here
Juneau
Take a bus ride from your cruise ship to the destination!
80 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Juneau
We meet directly below the cables of the Mount Robert's Tram. Look for a representative with a blue sign with yellow letters. Please do not go inside the Tramway building to inquire about this tour, or try to board any buses without first speaking to a representative.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We meet directly below the cables of the Mount Robert's Tram. Look for a representative with a blue sign with yellow letters. Please do not go inside the Tramway building to inquire about this tour, or try to board any buses without first speaking to a representative.
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
- Dolphin Jet Boat Tours
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
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 217 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
217 verified traveler reviews for Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fun on the Glacier
Glacier is a lot of walking. Enjoy the views, bring your binoculars. Go to the observation deck and watch the movie.
via Viator
great whale watching experience
excellent whale watching experience. knowledgeable and friendly naturalist and captain. smaller boat allowing for much better visibility when viewing dolphins.
via Tripadvisor
Naturalist on board the...
Naturalist on board the boat. Good snacks and hot chocolate. They know the whales by tail. Wonderful 👍
via Viator
It Was Amazing !!!
We saw so many whales and two of them even breached !!! The captain told us this never happens, what a fantastic day! Kyla Bivens was our naturalist and did a great job telling us cool facts about the whales. After the the Whale watching we went to Mendenhall Glacier and we even had time to go to Nugget Falls . Dolphin Jet Boat Tours are the best !!
via Tripadvisor
Whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier trip.
Excellent experience. We met the bus driver a short distance from the pier and were dropped off at the Mendenhall glacier. If you hurry you can hike up to the nugget falls which are spectacular. It would be good to add a little time to this stop because the falls are about a 45 min to an hour round trip. The whale watching was the highlight of the trip. Savannah our guide was awesome. Not only did she and Jay (our captain) go over safety details and take us really up close to the whales, they had hot chocolate and snacks on the boat as well. Savannah is very well informed about the whales, their behavior and life cycle. The boat was neat and tidy. There is a rest room on board as well. Overall highly recommended!
via Viator
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
- 77
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Juneau.
How much does Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour cost?
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Prices start at $189 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 Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour take?
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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 Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 221 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Juneau, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour?
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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 Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour suitable for kids and families?
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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 Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour?
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Around 77 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?
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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 Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tour start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour. 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?
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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?
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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?
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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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