Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau
Juneau, United States

Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier

Outty Ranking 66 5.0 · 14 traveler reviews3.8 hoursFrom $185

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$185
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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 14 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 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
5/5 (14)
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

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

    1. Juneau

      Spend two hours on the water searching for whales.

      120 minutes here

    2. 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

    Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 2Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 3Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 4Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 5Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    4 mentions

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

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Physical effort

    2 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Traveler reviews

    14 verified traveler reviews for Whale Watching With a Peek at the Mendenhall Glacier. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    14
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Sonya_R · August 2026

    Whale Watching and Glacier

    Fun and exciting... Jake was very knowledgeable and funny! We had a great captain and assistant who were very knowledgeable and gave great information on the whales

    via Viator

    Jennifer_J · August 2026

    We had an amazing day....

    We had an amazing day. Everyone who worked together to coordinate the experience was amazing. I would love to give a special shout out to the naturalist on board. Kyla was exceptional. She was so knowledgeable and personable which created a top notch experience.

    via Viator

    Kathy_J · August 2026

    Best Ever

    I’ve been on several whale watch trips in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico & Cape Cod & this was the BEST EVER!!! Hot chocolate & snacks were an added bonus! Would def choose them again!

    via Viator

    Sara_E · August 2026

    Great experience!

    We had an awesome time on this excursion. In addition to the driver, there was also a naturalist on our boat. He gave us lots of information and we could ask questions. We saw so many whales. We even got to see a big group “bubble net feeding!” We could have stayed longer at the glacier, but we wanted to make sure we got back to our ship on time. They had lots of buses going back and forth. I highly recommend this activity.

    via Viator

    Mike N · August 2026

    Whale watching was great!

    A great whale experience. Just wish we had a little more time at the glacier.

    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
    5
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 66

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)90
    Review evidence (18% weight)31
    Booking momentum (14% weight)23
    Value for money (12% weight)78
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)63
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 14 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    Around 5 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 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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