
Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier worth booking?
Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier is a 3.8-hour experience in Juneau, United States, from $185 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (19)
- Duration
- 3.8 hours
- From
- $185 per person
This tour includes two hours on the water following the whales, and a quick 15 minute peek at the Mendenhall Glacier. It is just enough time to step off the bus, take a quick picture, and then head back downtown for the rest of your Alaska adventure! This tour is recommended for those who want to see the glacier, but don't want to spend too much time exploring the surrounding recreation area. On this tour, you will take one of the tour buses from downtown Juneau on a 20-minute, narrated tour through Juneau and Mendenhall Valley to Auke Bay. In Auke Bay you will board one of the boats and head out on a 2-hour whale watching experience. Upon returning to the harbor you will be escorted back to the bus for a quick trip inland to Mendenhall Glacier. You will have 15 minutes to get out and take a quick picture, and then get back on the bus for your next adventure in Juneau.
What you get
About this experience
This tour includes two hours on the water following the whales, and a quick 15 minute peek at the Mendenhall Glacier. It is just enough time to step off the bus, take a quick picture, and then head back downtown for the rest of your Alaska adventure! This tour is recommended for those who want to see the glacier, but don't want to spend too much time exploring the surrounding recreation area. On this tour, you will take one of the tour buses from downtown Juneau on a 20-minute, narrated tour through Juneau and Mendenhall Valley to Auke Bay. In Auke Bay you will board one of the boats and head out on a 2-hour whale watching experience. Upon returning to the harbor you will be escorted back to the bus for a quick trip inland to Mendenhall Glacier. You will have 15 minutes to get out and take a quick picture, and then get back on the bus for your next adventure in Juneau.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
What you'll see and do
Juneau
Spend two hours on the water searching for whales.
120 minutes here
Mendenhall Glacier
A quick 15 minute peek at the glacier. Just enough time to take a quick picture.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Intimate small group with...
Intimate small group with good guidance. Saw a good number of whales and had some flexibility for the viewing time at the Mendenhaul glacier
via Viator
Definitely go on this excursion!
We LOVED this trip. The speed boat is fun and makes it very easy to get close to the whales. You really have a lot of time on the bay to the whales watch and they do a great job finding them and making sure we can see them. Libby was our naturalist and she was great - very informative and she made it fun. She really knew her stuff. The trip to Mendenhall was good, too! Highly recommend. It was the perfect amount of time to be able to have a little time in Juneau after the adventure.
via Viator
The guides did a great...
The guides did a great job. They were really funny! We saw a lot of whales and were lucky enough to see the whales bubble net feed. Great Experience.
via Viator
Must do!
We were lucky enough to see multiple humpback whales bubble net feeding. It was an amazing experience. Our guide and captain were friendly and informative. I highly recommend this tour.
via Viator
Dolphin Jet Boat Tours: Hold On, We’re Going Whale Watching!
We’ve done quite a few excursions over the years, and every once in a while you get one where you get off the boat and immediately think: “Okay…THIS is why we came to Alaska.” Our experience with Dolphin Jet Boat Tours was exactly that. This wasn’t just a whale-watching excursion. It was whale watching, glacier viewing, waterfalls, incredible scenery, and a boat ride that occasionally felt like someone had looked at a perfectly good sightseeing tour and said: “You know what this needs? HORSEPOWER.” 😂 🐋 The Ride Out: Texas Meets Alaska Let’s talk about the boat ride. For me and our 11-year-old son, it was AWESOME. The ride out was definitely bumpy. Not “a little choppy.” I’m talking about the kind of ride where you realize pretty quickly that your spine is no longer operating under the manufacturer’s original specifications. The best way I can describe it: Take a Texas boy, strap him to the back of a bull or bronco, slap that thing on the butt, and yell at the kid, “HOLD ON!” That’s basically what it felt like. And we loved every second of it. 😂 Our son was having an absolute blast. The ladies in our group had a somewhat different opinion of the aquatic rodeo. Let’s just say the boys were thinking: “DO IT AGAIN!” While the ladies were thinking: “ARE WE THERE YET?” So if you’re prone to motion sickness or don’t enjoy a rough ride, be prepared. This is not exactly a leisurely Sunday cruise. For us? 10/10. Would get launched across the boat again. Then We Found the Humpbacks Once we reached the whale-watching area, everything changed. There were humpback whales everywhere. Okay, maybe not literally everywhere, but there was so much activity that it felt like we had stumbled into whale rush hour. There was a ton of humpback activity, and the highlight was getting to see bubble feeding. That was absolutely incredible. Watching the whales work together and seeing the water erupt as they came up was one of those Alaska moments that you don’t forget. Everyone on the boat was locked in. Cameras were out. People were pointing. Nobody wanted to look away because you never knew what was going to happen next. The Orcas Apparently Had Other Plans We didn’t see any orcas. Apparently they checked the schedule and decided: “Nope. We’re busy that day.” Obviously, that’s wildlife. Nobody can control where the animals are going to be. And honestly, with the amount of humpback activity we experienced, we certainly weren’t disappointed. Would an orca have been the ultimate bonus? Absolutely. But we got an incredible humpback show instead. And Then…GO GO GO! This was probably the one thing we wished had been different. There was SO MUCH happening with the whales, and then suddenly it was time to leave because we needed to stay on schedule. And we understand why. The boat has a schedule. The excursion has a schedule. The port has a schedule. The cruise ship has a schedule. Nobody wants to be that boat calling the cruise ship saying: “Sorry, we’re running late because the whales were being awesome.” 😂 But from a passenger perspective… WE WEREN’T READY TO LEAVE. The whales were still putting on a show, and we would have happily stayed out there longer. That’s really a testament to how good the experience was. Our complaint wasn’t: “That was boring.” It was: “WHY ARE WE LEAVING?! WE JUST GOT HERE!” Then Came the Glacier The glacier portion of the excursion was another highlight. There were two trails, and this is where our 11-year-old and I apparently decided we were participating in the Alaska Trail Olympics. One of the trails took us approximately 1.4 miles to a waterfall. So naturally… WE RAN. Well, as much as two people can run while trying not to die on an Alaskan trail.😂 My son and I apparently looked at the available time and decided: “Challenge accepted.” We made it to the waterfall, got some epic photos, made the 1.4-mile trip back, and still managed to complete the second trail. Out to the waterfall. Back again. Second trail. All in roughly 40 minutes. At this point, I’m pretty sure the tour operators were watching us thinking: “Who let these two Texas maniacs off the boat?”😂 Our son absolutely crushed it. The glacier, waterfall, trails, and surrounding scenery were spectacular, and being able to get off the boat and actually explore made the excursion even better. Back to Port After the glacier, Dolphin Jet Boat Tours brought us back to the port. That gave us time to enjoy the local area before returning to the cruise ship, which we really appreciated. We weren’t immediately rushed back onboard. We had time to walk around, explore, and take in a little more of the area. It made the excursion feel like a full Alaska experience rather than simply a boat ride and back. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Verdict This excursion was AWESOME. The humpback whale activity was incredible. The bubble feeding was unforgettable. The glacier was spectacular. The waterfall was worth the 2.8-mile speed hike. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. And for me and our son, the boat ride itself was half the fun. Would we have liked more time with the whales? Absolutely. Would we have liked more time at the glacier? Absolutely. Would we have stayed out there all day if they let us? Also absolutely. That’s really our only complaint: We wanted MORE. And honestly, that’s a pretty good problem to have. We didn’t leave thinking: “Well, that was disappointing.” We left thinking: “WAIT…WE’RE DONE ALREADY?!”😂 🏆 Final Score 🐋 Humpbacks: Incredible 🫧 Bubble feeding: EPIC 🐋 Orcas: Apparently on vacation 🚤 Boat ride: Texas rodeo on water 🏔️ Glacier: Spectacular 💦 Waterfall: Worth the 2.8-mile speed hike 📸 Photos: Epic 👦 11-year-old: Had the time of his life 👩 Ladies: Survived the aquatic bronco ⏱️ Time available: Never enough 🔥 Overall: 10/10 If you’re visiting Alaska and considering Dolphin Jet Boat Tours, DO IT. Just know what you’re signing up for. If you’re looking for a smooth, gentle boat ride where everyone quietly sips coffee while admiring the scenery… This may not be your adventure. If you want humpback whales, bubble feeding, glaciers, waterfalls, breathtaking scenery, and a boat ride that occasionally makes you question whether your internal organs are still in their original positions… Welcome aboard. 😂 This was easily one of the highlights of our Alaska trip. All of us wish it had lasted longer. And that’s about the best endorsement we can give. Five stars, without hesitation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dolphin Jet Boat Tours gave us an Alaska experience we’ll be talking about for a long time. Worth every bump.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
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 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Juneau.
How much does Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier cost?
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Prices start at $185 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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier take?
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Plan for about 3.8 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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 19 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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier?
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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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier?
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Around 7 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 3.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier 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, 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?
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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.
What is included in Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier?
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Included: Snacks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Juneau.
What languages is Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier offered in?
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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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier?
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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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier if the weather is bad?
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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 Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier?
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Across 19 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, organization. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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