
Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 249 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour worth booking?
Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour is a 5.5-hour experience in Juneau, United States, from $199 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 249 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 77 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (249)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $199 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 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! This tour offers an additional hour at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. This gives you an hour and forty-five minutes to two hours to look at salmon, visit the Visitor's Center, and make the hike to Nugget Falls! 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 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! This tour offers an additional hour at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. This gives you an hour and forty-five minutes to two hours to look at salmon, visit the Visitor's Center, and make the hike to Nugget Falls! 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
- Binoculars are provided
- English Guide
- Snacks
Not included
- Audio and written guides are not included. Just in person!
What you'll see and do
Juneau
Drive through the city of Juneau on a guided bus ride.
80 minutes here
Nugget Falls
Take an easy hike out to Nugget Falls to really immerse yourself in our rainforest! It takes most people about 45 minutes round trip, but if you are a slower hiker, or you want to stop and take pictures, this is the tour for you!
40 minutes here
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Stop by the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors center to learn more about the stunning glacier!
60 minutes here · Admission included
Juneau
Hop on one of our mammal friendly jet boats to go find some whales! Leaving from Auke Bay Harbor, our expirienced captains will use their local knowledge to show you the most exciting whales out there!
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Juneau
Please meet us outside the Goldbelt Tram building, on the street side. Look for a Dolphin representative with a blue sign with yellow letters.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We are happy to drop you off back at the meeting point, or we can take you directly to your ship.
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 30 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
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 248 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
248 verified traveler reviews for Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Worth your time!
This was awesome, well organized excursion. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. We saw at least seven whales and also some sea lions. They did a great job explaining everything and educating us.
via Viator
Great Double Tour
Everything they said it would be with snacks, coffee, great tour guides and fun. From the bus driver to the boat captain and mate they were professional and a lot of fun. We saw lots of wildlife and the glacier was an easy walk with pickup right at the visitor station
via Viator
Five star view for seeing...
Five star view for seeing 5 whales awesome experience savanna our guide knocked this one out of the park Jay the driver was awesome too
via Viator
Whale watching and Glacier sight sering
Entire trip was fantastic. From bus driver to boat captain and naturalist. Saw a lot of whales and dolphins. Mendenhall Glacier and Nuggett Fals were magnificent Sites. I highly recommend this excursion.
via Viator
10/10 experience! tour...
10/10 experience! tour bus drivers were friendly, organized, and punctual. whale watching guides were knowledgeable and kept the group engaged the whole time and helped point out whales out on the water. the stop at mendenhall glacier was gorgeous, definitely take the hike to nugget falls if you can. would definitely recommend and do it again!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 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
- 87
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Dolphin Jet Boat Tours, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.0.
See everything Dolphin Jet Boat Tours runsWhy this scores 77
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Juneau.
How much does Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $199 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 Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour take?
+
Plan for about 5.5 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 Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 249 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 Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour?
+
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 Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour?
+
Around 87 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 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour 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, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, 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.
What is included in Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour?
+
Included: Binoculars are provided; English Guide; and Snacks. Not included: Audio and written guides are not included. Just in person!. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour?
+
Please meet us outside the Goldbelt Tram building, on the street side. Look for a Dolphin representative with a blue sign with yellow letters. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour offered in?
+
It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour if the weather is bad?
+
This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour?
+
Across 249 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Mendenhall Glacier Waterfall and Whale Watching Tour.
Pick your date




