Whales and glacier in one day

What is the difference between a combo, a whale-only tour and a jet boat?

A combo includes land time at the glacier and a boat. Whale-only trips are boat-focused. The jet boat tour is a smaller vessel with the glacier on land.

The table compares the four boat options on this site. All lengths are approximate.

Do the whale boats leave from the glacier?

No. They leave from Auke Bay, a separate harbor, so every combo includes a drive between the two.

Combos drive you from the glacier to the marina. Whale-only tours meet downtown at 490 S Franklin St and bus you to the harbor. Whichever you choose, the boat time starts when you board, not when you leave the ship.

Read the order of the day on the listing. One guest on the jet boat tour wrote that the schedule on Viator did not match the company's, which cut their glacier time, and the visitor center had closed by the time they arrived.

What whales and wildlife do you see near Juneau?

Humpbacks are the headline. Guests also report orcas, sea lions, bald eagles and seals.

Operators list humpbacks feeding in Auke Bay in whale season, May to September. The whale-only listing names bald eagles, sea lions and black bears as possible extras. Guests on the whale watching and glacier tour report "a pod of orcas and multiple humpback whales." Another wrote: "Though no Breaches, LOTS of tails, fins and blow holes."

Is whale sighting guaranteed?

No tour can promise it. The operator of the flagship tour lists a guarantee, so read the terms before you rely on it.

Wild animals move. A guest on the whale-only boat wrote: "Check migratory patterns before you go. Not the guide’s fault if they are not there." Another guest had an orca swim under the boat, which they were told is unusual.

Go earlier in the season window if you can, and ask the operator how it handles a day without sightings.

What should you wear on a whale boat?

Waterproof layers, a warm hat and gloves, and shoes with grip. It is colder on deck than on land.

Listings for the whale-boat tours describe a heated cabin with wide viewing windows, spacious decks and bathrooms on board. Step outside when whales surface, and expect wind and spray. One guest on the flagship tour wrote: "Bring waterproof gear as it RAINED for us."

Dress in layers you can peel off between the cabin and the deck.

What about seasickness?

The listings do not give a seasickness policy, so decide for yourself and bring your own remedy.

The whale boats run about 2 hours on the water, on a 24-passenger jet boat or a 49-passenger catamaran according to the combo listing. Sit mid-boat, watch the horizon and eat light. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask the operator what the water is like on your day.

Which combo suits you?

The flagship for the most reviewed day, the combo for the longer boat, the jet boat for a smaller vessel, and the whale-only tour for a short port day.

The flagship suits first-timers who want both sights with snacks and live commentary. The glacier and whale combo gives you two hours on a heated boat with a naturalist. The jet boat tour is for people who prefer a small boat, with coffee or tea and snacks, though audio and written guides are not included. The Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch is the cheap, strong-rated option with a weather-dependent glacier photo stop, and it is not a land visit to the glacier.

Two hours on a heated whale boat with a naturalist, plus the glacier on foot.

★ 4.8 972 reviews · 5 hours · from $199

Explore the glacier and whale combo →

How does the day run from the ship?

You meet at the cruise terminal or the Goldbelt Tram area, ride a bus to the glacier, then to the harbor, and return downtown.

The flagship tour lists round-trip transport from the cruise terminal and a $3 shuttle to the Goldbelt Tram building as not included. Plan for the whole thing to run about 4.5 to 5 hours. If your ship leaves early, the cruise port guide walks through timing.

Frequently asked questions