Juneau: Whale Watching Tour & Tracy’s Crab Shack Combo

Summary

Juneau whales and crab feast with local flavor and laughter

You’ll watch for whales in Juneau’s wild channels with a local guide who actually knows their names, then dig into fresh crab at Tracy’s Crab Shack—messy hands encouraged. Expect laughter with strangers, sea air in your hair, guaranteed whale sightings (in season), plus easy pickup from port so you don’t miss a thing.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a pair of binoculars before I even realize we’re leaving the dock. The boat hums quietly as we slip out past the harbor, and our guide—her name’s Emily—starts pointing at distant ripples. She says you can tell by the way the water moves if it’s a humpback or just a seal. I try to see it but honestly, I’m mostly distracted by the salty air and the way my jacket keeps catching on the rail. There’s this hush every time someone thinks they’ve spotted something—then suddenly, a spout, right there. Everyone cheers like kids. It smells like seaweed and diesel and rain on metal.

I didn’t expect how much I’d laugh with strangers on a whale watching tour in Juneau. Emily tells us about each whale (“That one’s probably called Fluke—we see her every year”) and someone tries to snap photos but misses half of them because they’re too busy grinning. The clouds hang low over the mountains, making everything feel close and kind of private. And yeah, we really did see whales—more than one—and it felt less like checking off an activity and more like being let in on a secret for a few hours.

After that, we pile back onto the shuttle (still damp from the mist) and head straight to Tracy’s Crab Shack. It’s not fancy—red plastic trays, people cracking shells with their hands—but that first bite of crab is pure butter and ocean. I got sauce all over my sleeve; nobody cared. There was this older couple next to us who’d done the same tour three times already—they said it never gets old eating here after seeing whales. Maybe it’s just the combo of cold air and hot food, but I still think about that taste sometimes when I’m stuck at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale watching and crab feast

• Enjoy premier whale watch tour
• Have crab combo at Tracy's

Top questions

Is whale watching in Juneau guaranteed on this tour?

Yes, whale sightings are guaranteed between May 15th and September 15th.

Does this tour include transportation from the cruise port?

Yes, round trip transportation from port is included.

What meal is included at Tracy's Crab Shack?

The tour includes Tracy's Combo Meal at Tracy's Crab Shack.

Are infants or small children allowed on this whale watching tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller but must sit on an adult's lap.

Is this Juneau whale watching tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with poor cardiovascular health.

Are service animals allowed on this day trip?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes round trip transportation from the port so you won’t have to worry about getting there or back; a guided whale watching tour with guaranteed sightings during season; plus Tracy's Combo Meal at Tracy's Crab Shack where you can get your hands messy with real Alaskan crab before heading back full and happy.