Things to do in Juneau
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Juneau: Whale Watching Tour & Guaranteed SightingsYou’ll head out from Juneau with local guides who know where to find whales — and yes, you really will see them. Feel the sea air as humpbacks surface nearby, snack on board, and swap stories on your way back to town. It’s not just whale watching; it’s that feeling of being tiny in all the best ways.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Watching with PickupYou explore Mendenhall Glacier on your own for 45 minutes, then board a heated jet boat with a naturalist guide to search for humpback whales in their natural habitat. The company guarantees whale sightings. Roundtrip pickup from the cruise terminal is included, along with water, snacks, and live commentary on board.Is it for me?Book this if you're on a cruise stop and want to see both the glacier and whales without arranging separate transport or timing — the pickup from the terminal and fixed itinerary mean you're back at the ship on schedule.
Juneau: Whale Watching Cruise & Glacier View with PickupYou’ll ride out from Juneau with a local guide, watch for whales from a comfy double-decker boat (with snacks), and stop at Brotherhood Bridge to see Mendenhall Glacier shimmering in the distance. Expect salty air, maybe some laughter over mispronounced names, and that quiet awe when a whale surfaces nearby.
Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour from JuneauMendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour is a 4-hour guided paddle across Mendenhall Lake in Tongass National Forest, starting from the cruise ship docks in Juneau. You gear up in waterproof rain jacket, pants, boots and gloves, receive paddling instruction, then spend about 2 hours on the water navigating to the face of the glacier under expert guidance. The guide handles transport to the West Glacier boat launch, provides a PFD and paddle, and brings bottled water, snacks and a hot beverage. Children from age 12 are welcome; you'll need a signed liability waiver and a high level of physical fitness for up to 2 hours of canoe paddling.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guided paddle on Mendenhall Lake with a small group—the guide leads the route and handles safety, so you focus on paddling and wildlife spotting rather than navigating.
Juneau Whale Tour: 3.5 Hours & Glacier Views, Small GroupsYou board a heated catamaran with 19 other people max, spend 2.25 hours watching for whales and sea lions from a full walk-around deck, and return via complimentary bus. The small group size and custom-built vessel mean you're not competing for space or views, and the naturalist guide has time to explain what you're actually seeing instead of just pointing.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Juneau's whales and glaciers without arranging your own transport or competing for deck space — the small group size and included bus pickup handle both, which is what makes a short port stop feel unhurried.
Mendenhall Glacier canoe and hike tour from JuneauThe Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour is a guided canoe and hiking experience in Juneau that combines paddling across Mendenhall Lake past icebergs and waterfalls with a 60-minute interpretive hike on the moraine directly facing the glacier. The tour operates in the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States, and includes expert guides, all safety gear, transportation from downtown, and refreshments; space is limited to small groups.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to paddle across a glacier-fed lake and hike the moraine in front of the ice itself—the small-group format and expert guides mean the day is fully arranged, and the combination of canoe work and steep hiking is what makes this Juneau's most physically demanding glacier adventure.
Juneau Whale Watch: Humpback & Orca with Mendenhall GlacierYou ride a coach bus from downtown Juneau to Auke Bay Harbor, then spend two hours on a heated, custom-built whale boat with a naturalist guide watching humpbacks and orcas feed. The boat stops for a photo of Mendenhall Glacier, and snacks are provided. The whole experience takes three hours, with guaranteed whale sightings during the May–September season.Is it for me?A good choice if you want to see humpbacks and orcas without arranging your own transport or timing—the fixed schedule and guaranteed sightings (May–September) mean you board a bus downtown and spend two hours on the water with a guide who knows where to look.
Juneau: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Combo TourYou’ll watch humpback whales glide through Alaska’s Inside Passage from a heated boat with wide windows, then ride out to Mendenhall Glacier for walks along icy trails or down to Nugget Falls—all with local guides who know their stuff. Expect real wildlife moments, salty air, and just enough time at each stop to feel you’ve really been there.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour from Cruise PortYou board a trolley at the cruise ship dock for a narrated 30-minute ride to Mendenhall Glacier, then spend two hours exploring the visitor center and trails on your own before returning with the same guide. The tour is timed to your ship's re-boarding window, includes round-trip transport from the port, and operates regardless of weather. Book with your ship details to lock in your return time.Is it for me?Book this if you're on a cruise ship and want to see Mendenhall Glacier without arranging a separate car or worrying about missing your departure—the fixed schedule and port-to-port timing take both off your hands.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier & Nugget Falls by Blue BusYou get roundtrip narrated transport from the cruise terminal, two hours to explore Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls on your own, and Visitor Center entry with exhibits included. The self-guided format means you choose whether to hike, photograph, or linger at the viewpoint, and the return timing is built around your ship's departure window.Is it for me?A good fit if you're docked in Juneau and want to see Mendenhall Glacier without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing back to the ship. The self-guided format means you set the pace, and the return is timed around cruise departures so you're not rushed.
Juneau Tour: City, Douglas Island & Mendenhall Glacier ViewsThis guided bus tour of Juneau covers downtown highlights, crosses to Douglas Island, and stops at Homestead Park and Brotherhood Park over 90 minutes with an experienced guide. Park fees are included, and the tour runs year-round with weather-dependent glacier views from the final stop.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving by cruise ship and want the key Juneau landmarks without arranging separate transportation—the guide handles the stops and timing, and you get the downtown context and photo moments in a single 90-minute loop.
Juneau: Whale Watching Tour & Tracy’s Crab Shack ComboYou’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.
Juneau: Helicopter & Glacier Walk Shore ExcursionYou board a helicopter at Juneau airport, fly 25–30 minutes over the Juneau Icefield with a pilot-guide, land on Herbert Glacier for a 20–25 minute walk on the ice, drink fresh glacier melt, and return by air. Transport from your hotel or airport area is included, as are boots and raincoats. The whole excursion fits the ship's port window, and weather cancellations come with a full refund.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers with a few hours in Juneau who want to see the Icefield without arranging their own transport or timing. The 25–30 minute flight plus 20–25 minute glacier walk fits the ship's port window, and weather cancellations come with a full refund, so the risk is on the operator, not you.
Juneau: Whale Watching & Sentinel Lighthouse Tower TourYou 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.Is it for me?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.
Juneau eBike Rainforest: Mendenhall Glacier & Old Growth ForestYou ride an electric-assist bike along a dedicated coastal lane with Mendenhall Glacier views, then walk into old growth rainforest to a private beach. The e-bike's pedal assist means you control the effort—steep sections flatten out, and you cover more ground than you would on a regular bike. Pickup from Juneau, training included, and the whole experience fits into three hours.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see the rainforest and glacier without arranging your own transport or worrying about steep terrain—the e-bike's pedal assist is what makes it possible for mixed ages and fitness levels to ride the same route together.
Juneau Scenic Road Trip: Wildlife & Glacier ViewsA private 3-hour scenic road trip through Juneau's 100-mile road system with a live guide, bottled water and photo stops at Nugget Falls, Mendenhall Glacier, the Gastineau Channel and downtown landmarks. The tour is the only one covering the full Juneau road network, taking you past salmon and seals at the docks, mountain goats in the mining areas, and glacier views from Brotherhood Bridge. Pickup is included; the van holds up to 11 passengers or runs as a private tour for smaller groups.Is it for me?Book the private tour option if your group wants the route to yourself and the guide's full attention; the van works just as well if you're comfortable sharing the drive and the stops with other travelers.
Juneau Whale Watching Tour & Jet Boat with Local CrewYou’ll board a small jet boat in Juneau with locals who know these waters by heart. Watch whales breach nearby, sip hot chocolate as you scan for sea lions and eagles, and share quiet moments with fellow travelers—all with easy transfers included. You’ll remember that hush after seeing your first spout rise against the mountains.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier White-Water Rafting & FloatYou board a raft at Mendenhall Lake and float five miles downriver past the glacier, either relaxing in a guide-led boat or paddling your own through Class III rapids. The tour includes a photographer on the bank, wildlife spotting, snacks, and a return transfer to your ship — all within 3.5 hours, so you're back before departure.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Juneau for a few hours and want to see the glacier without arranging your own transport or timing — the fixed 3.5-hour schedule is built around ship departures, and you choose between relaxing or paddling depending on how active you want to be.
Juneau Segway Tour: Coastal Ride to Mendenhall GlacierYou’ll roll along Juneau’s coast on a Segway, catch glacier views most people miss, and walk through Tongass rainforest to a hidden beach for snacks with just your group. Expect eagle calls overhead, salty air on your face, and time to actually breathe—it’s not your usual crowded tour.Is it for me?Cruise the coastline and reach secluded photo spots in three hours—the Segway covers more ground than walking, leaving you time to linger at the beach without rushing back.
Juneau: Whale Watching Tour in Auke Bay with Local GuideYou’ll feel that electric hush as humpbacks break the surface in Auke Bay—watching with locals who know these waters inside out. With pickup from Juneau and a naturalist guiding your way, you’ll spot whales (guaranteed), sea lions, maybe even an eagle or two—all while catching glimpses of Mendenhall Glacier if weather allows.
