Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watch Combo Tour in Juneau

Humpback whales, a glacier hike, and the Visitor Center: all in one Juneau afternoon

This five-hour combo tour in Juneau pairs a two-hour whale watching boat tour on the Inside Passage with time at Mendenhall Glacier, one of 38 glaciers in the Juneau Ice Fields. You board a heated jet boat or catamaran at Auke Bay Harbor with a naturalist guide, then travel by bus to the glacier park for hiking to Nugget Falls, watching salmon spawn at Steep Creek, or viewing displays at the Visitor Center. Humpback whales are guaranteed between May 15 and September 15. A professional driver guide handles all transfers from the Mt. Roberts Tramway meeting point, and park entrance is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mt. Roberts Tramway2m
2. Inside Passage2h
3. Mendenhall Glacier1h 30m · entry included

Whale watching and glacier park visit

• Meet under aerial gondola cables
• Drive to Auke Bay Harbor
• Whale watching tour for 2 hours
• Drive to Mendenhall Glacier Park
• Hike and visit visitor center

The experience

Meet under the Mt. Roberts Tramway cables in downtown Juneau, then ride the bus out to Auke Bay Harbor where you board the whale boat. The vessel is heated with wide viewing windows and spacious decks. A naturalist travels with you to point out humpbacks and other wildlife as the boat moves through the Inside Passage. Water and a light snack come aboard. After two hours on the water, you head back to the harbor and transfer by bus to Mendenhall Glacier.

You have 1.5 hours at the park. That window is built for the walk to Nugget Falls and time at the Visitor Center to see the displays, though if you arrive after the Visitor Center closes (which happens on the 2:30pm and 3:30pm departures), the trails and photo spots stay open. Salmon spawn at Steep Creek if the timing aligns. The park sits in the Juneau Ice Fields, and Mendenhall Glacier fills the view. A moderate amount of walking is involved, and the operator recommends layered clothing, a waterproof jacket and slip-proof shoes since the tour runs in all weather.

The boat holds either 24 passengers on the jet boat or 49 on the catamaran. Round-trip transport between the port and the boat harbor is included, and all docks sit within a ten-minute walk of the Mt. Roberts Tramway except the AJ Dock, which has a downtown shuttle. Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship's name at booking. Infants ride free but must sit on an adult's lap. Strollers are welcome. Check-in happens at your chosen time, with departure within 15 to 30 minutes.

What’s included

• Two-hour whale watching tour with a naturalist guide aboard a heated boat with wide viewing windows and spacious decks.
• water and a light snack on the boat.
• bus transportation from downtown Juneau to Auke Bay Harbor and then to Mendenhall Glacier.
• park entrance and 1.5 hours to hike to Nugget Falls, watch salmon at Steep Creek or visit the Visitor Center.
• round-trip transport between port and boat harbor.
• professional driver guide for all transfers.

Options for this experience

8 options

Early morning departure, whale watch and glacierGuide in English · Available from 4 May 2027Departs at dawn, combining a whale watching outing with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier Park.

Afternoon check-inGuide in English · Available from 2 May 2027

Morning departure, whale watch and glacierGuide in English · Available from 24 Apr 2027Departs in the morning, combining a whale watching outing with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier Park.

See 5 more options

Mid-morning departure, whale watch and glacierGuide in English · Available from 2 May 2027Departs mid-morning, combining a whale watching outing with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier Park.

Late morning departure, whale watch and glacierGuide in English · Available from 4 May 2027Departs late morning, combining a whale watching outing with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier Park.

Early afternoon departure, whale watch and glacierGuide in English · Available from 26 Apr 2027Departs early afternoon, combining a whale watching outing with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier Park.

Mid-afternoon departure, whale watch and glacierGuide in English · Available from 26 Apr 2027Departs mid-afternoon, combining a whale watching outing with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier Park.

Late afternoon departure, whale watch and glacierGuide in English · Available from 4 May 2027Departs late afternoon, combining a whale watching outing with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier Park.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 24 Apr 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 49

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Juneau Tours & Whale Watch - Meeting location is the Mount Roberts Tramway. Our representatives will be wearing bright blue hats that say "Juneau Tours" and holding signs that say "Juneau Tours and Whale Watch."”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Juneau Tours

Is this one for you?Book an early or mid-morning departure if you want the Visitor Center open during your glacier time. The 2:30pm and 3:30pm slots arrive after it closes, though the trails stay accessible. The combo format works because the five-hour window holds both the whale boat and the glacier without rushing either one, and all logistics (transport, park entry, the naturalist) are arranged so you only show up at the Mt. Roberts Tramway.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

When do humpback whales appear on the Juneau whale watching tours?

Humpback whale sightings are guaranteed between May 15 and September 15. Outside those dates, sightings are possible but not assured, and the tour still operates year-round in all weather conditions.

What is there to do during the 1.5 hours at Mendenhall Glacier?

You can walk the trail to Nugget Falls, watch salmon spawn at Steep Creek if the season aligns, and visit the Visitor Center to see displays about the glacier and the ice fields, though the Visitor Center closes at 6pm, so afternoon departures after 2:30pm will find it closed even though the trails and photo spots remain open.

What's included in the price for this Juneau tour?

The tour includes the two-hour whale watching boat ride with a naturalist guide, heated cabin with viewing windows and bathrooms, water and a light snack aboard, all bus transportation between the meeting point and the boat harbor and the glacier park, Mendenhall Glacier park entrance, and a professional driver guide for transfers.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the meeting point?

You meet under the Mt. Roberts Tramway cables in downtown Juneau. All ports and docks are within a ten-minute walk of that spot except the AJ Dock, which provides a downtown shuttle to the tramway, so most cruise ship passengers can walk from their port.

What should I wear for this tour?

The tour operates in all weather, so dress in warm layers, bring a waterproof jacket, and wear comfortable slip-proof shoes. The boat cabin is heated, but decks are exposed, and rain is likely in Southeast Alaska.