Juneau: Whale Watching & Sentinel Lighthouse Tower Tour

Three hours on the water hunting whales, then climbing a working lighthouse in the middle of it all

You board in downtown Juneau, spend three hours whale watching in Lynn Canal with binoculars and heated cabins, climb the Sentinel Island lighthouse tower and inspect the beacon, then pass Mendenhall Glacier at Brotherhood Bridge on the way back. Local snacks and drinks are included throughout. The whole day takes 4 hours and 15 minutes from pickup to drop-off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching and lighthouse tour

• Round trip transportation from pier
• 3 hours whale watching
• Short scenic boardwalk at Sentinel Island
• Tour lighthouse tower and inspect beacon
• View Lynn Canal from lighthouse
• Stop at Brotherhood Bridge viewpoint
• Enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks

The experience

You're not sure what to expect when you board the boat in downtown Juneau: whale watching can feel like a gamble, and lighthouses are usually just photo stops. This one isn't. The boat leaves the pier and heads straight into Lynn Canal, where humpbacks and orcas actually show up because the water funnels their food. Your crew knows where to look, and they've got binoculars on every seat so you're not squinting at the horizon hoping something moves. Three hours on the water, heated cabin if the weather turns, and the boat has two bathrooms because they built this for people who are actually going to be out here, not just tourists passing through.

Then you pull up to Sentinel Island and climb the lighthouse tower itself: one of the first activated in Southeast Alaska, and it's still working. You inspect the beacon, walk the short boardwalk, and look across Lynn Canal from up there. The renovations mean access is slightly limited right now, but you still get inside and up. After that, the boat swings by Brotherhood Bridge on the way back to drop you off, and that's where you see Mendenhall Glacier from the water. The whole thing takes 4 hours and 15 minutes from pickup to drop-off, with 3 of those hours actually on the boat.

The snacks are a detail that matters more than it sounds. Complimentary locally made Alaskan fudge, granola bars, caribou sausage sticks, coffee, tea, and bottled water are waiting on board. It's not fancy, but it's real food, and it's included. You're not buying overpriced stuff at the pier or going hungry while you're watching for whales. The boat itself has heated cabins and binoculars built in, so you show up, get picked up from downtown, and the rest is handled.

What’s included

Round-trip transportation from downtown Juneau, three hours of whale watching in Lynn Canal, a scenic boardwalk walk on Sentinel Island, a guided tour of the Sentinel Island Lighthouse tower with beacon inspection, views across Lynn Canal and Mendenhall Glacier from Brotherhood Bridge, complimentary locally made Alaskan fudge, granola bars, caribou sausage sticks, coffee, tea, and bottled water. The boat is heated with two bathrooms and binoculars available for all passengers.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 21 Jul 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (19 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (8 to 18 years) · Child (2 to 7 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 49

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.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 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Alaska Galore Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see whales and actually climb a lighthouse in the same morning without arranging separate tours: the boat's route puts you in the feeding zone, and the lighthouse is right there in the middle of it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 18 years); Child (2 to 7 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How long is the actual whale watching part?

Three hours on the water. The full tour, including pickup, lighthouse visit, and glacier viewpoint, is 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Can we go inside the lighthouse?

Yes, you climb the tower and inspect the beacon. Ongoing renovations mean access is slightly limited right now, but you still get inside.

Is the boat heated?

Yes, the boat has a heated cabin, two bathrooms, and binoculars available for all passengers.

What's included to eat and drink?

Complimentary locally made Alaskan fudge, granola bars, caribou sausage sticks, coffee, tea, and bottled water are provided throughout the tour.

Where does the tour start and end?

Round-trip transportation is included from downtown Juneau. You're picked up and dropped off at the pier.

What's the Mendenhall Glacier stop like?

It's a complimentary viewpoint stop at Brotherhood Bridge on the way back, where you see the glacier from the water.