2 hours on-the-water whale watching for Humpback whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and other wildlife. . Many tour operators offer partial and full-day trips, with captains often maintaining radio contact with each other to share intel about sightings. View all 7 images. Everyone is guaranteed a seat to sit back and relax when the boat is underway. bob.j@whale-watching-alaska.com. Now, it is a young forest comprised of mostly Sitka spruce and alder with a few small western hemlocks growing in the shadows. I allow them to spread out, instructing them to reset their white balance, look for leading lines along the winding trail, and play with their perspective. Homer is one of Alaskas most popular summer destinations, located at the end of the U.S. road system at the southern end the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula, about 220 miles from Anchorage and 80 miles south of Kenai. After a third lunge, she shakes the water from her thick neck and head like a golden retriever after releasing a duck. Along with its whales, of course, Kachemak Bay and the surrounding region are simply teeming with all kinds of marine wildlifebirds, sea otters, seals, dolphins and porpoises, sea lions. Local Connections: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Photo - Cruises Alaska Yacht Cruise Whale Tour Viewing areas close to the glacier drop-off area (approximately 150 yards) provide excellent views. Dock representatives are waiting under the aerial tramway cables, holding Juneau Tours and Juneau Whale Watch signs, and wearing bright blue hats. somewhat of a mystery. to go on a tour with a well-trained guide who will not only keep you safe but will do so while giving you the experience of a lifetime! Roberts Tramway, on the cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau. If you only do one whale watching tour in Juneau, make sure you go with us! ACTIVITY LEVEL: EASY TO MODERATE. Less gear to lug around the park! . Learn more 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) discounts for Alaska Cruise Ship Passengers with discounts on the best whale watching times and Alaska. 2023 Juneau Tours and Excursions - Juneau, AK. Walk an easy permitted trail through the shelter of the forest to photograph the signs of glaciation. All aboard! and youre off for the Alaska waters of the Inside Passage and the ultimate whale watching experience. Roberts Tramway, on the cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau. Likewise, if traveling to Hope on the northern coast of the Kenai Peninsula opposite from Anchorage, check out Hope Highway pullouts after the tide has turned. been on the decline and even with all the research being conducted, the reasons still remain Snap pictures of . Some use the rail, others kneel to look through the slats beneath the rail. INCLUDED: Round trip transportation from downtown Juneau, entrance into the Mendenhall Glacier National Park, snacks and binoculars on the whale watching boat. The endangered beluga whales of upper Cook Inlet near Anchorage follow the runs of salmon and hooliganand aremost. Great trip, only 10 people; and tour guides that happened to be biologists. As chosen by Juneau cruise line passengers. During summer, humpback and fin whales chase schooling fish. 2020 Gastineau Guiding Company. Checking in person with tour companies in the early afternoon for vacancies on a same-day trip can sometimes conjure up a bargain discount. You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you. Have your cameras ready to try and capture breathtaking photos of humpback whale flukes, breaches, and rare bubble-net feeding. Highlights: This tour has three parts to it. Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska - Unofficial blog about Royal We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier; 3.5 Hour Whale Tour in . Nugget Falls, with Mendenhall Lake and shore in middle distance, with pioneering shrubs alder and willow in the foreground. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles soaring peacefully in the air. best hands on tours available with lots of marine life and the bald eagles will be landing so This 970-foot-deep fjord extending south from Seward toward the Gulf of Alaska and the Kenai Fjords National Parkmay. What they do know is the numbers have become serious and one wrong Nestled between stunning mountain vistas and winding waterways, the modern city of Juneau is reminiscent of the old west. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. The other Alaskan marine mammals proliferate, tooDalls porpoise, harbor seals, Steller sea lions and sea otters around. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Tours include complimentary snacks and beverages, and each boat has a marine restroom on board for your comfort. Your guide will provide photo coaching while helping you take full advantage of the opportunities each day presents. Seward Alaska Gray Whales Info, Trips and Tours. Whales and other marine mammals proliferate in Kachemak Bay and Lower Cook Inlet off this end-of-the-highway community, though perhaps not in the concentrations found in some other places like Resurrection Bay. We hear crunching of fresh fish and the whines of cubs, but see nothing. A dozen sockeye salmon slip side to side, battering their bodies to prepare beds, on which eggs are laid and fertilized. Seward Alaska Whale Watching. Your entire holiday is designed around your requirements, Select your preferred style of accommodation, Create the perfect trip with the help of our specialists, All our specialists have travelled extensively or lived in their specialist regions, The same specialist will handle your trip from start to finish, Make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding one, Hand picked by us or our local partners as the best available, Offering more than just dates and names, they strive to offer real insight into their country. Alaska's Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Trail: Small-Group Experience View Alaska's humpback whales and the Mendenhall Glacier on a small-group excursion (capacity is limited to 20 travelers) tailored for sensational encounters with nature CMS Help? The Mendenhall Glacier is Juneau's biggest attraction and a humbling sight: an enormous river of ice that stretches from the Juneau Icefield, a massive ice and snow cap that covers 3,885 square kilometres. Upon check in, you will either be escorted to a shuttle for a narrated 25 minute drive to the glacier or to the boat harbor for whale watching. Mendenhall Glacier | How to Visit | ALASKA.ORG Beneath and before us, a narrow tongue of fast water flattens into a shallow, sandy-bottomed flow. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. close to you that their size will completely fill the viewfinder of your cameras without the Begins and ends in downtown Juneau, main cruise ship terminal Seward is one of Alaskas most popular destinations, a friendly small town with full services and gobs of things to do. this situation and get the trends reversed. Fin whales occasionally enter the inlet, and tour operators have even reported seeing blue whales far offshore. The tour includes return transfers from downtown Juneau as well as lunch and drinks. The only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road, Mendenhall's grand edifice plunges from the immense Juneau Icefield, dropping 4,500 feet over 13 miles. Easy to Moderate. waters of the Alaska coastline. 45 minutes at the glacier Our custom design provides unrestricted viewing from inside the cabin as well. The custom design vessels provides unrestricted viewing from inside the cabin as well as outside. The forest here is young. Off her left hip, one of the cubs splashes into the water. Whale watching with our friend, Sasha the Whale. I would want to catch the return bus no later than Noon to allow for any possible traffic delays. Some of the touches that set this tour apart include: A small group size limited to 14, an informative and entertaining media show, a naturalist photo guide that travels with you throughout the tour, and our unique customized safari vessels that offer the best vantage on the water. Well informed, continual action, highly knowledgeable, eco-systems, wildlife, plenty of wildlife, seals, killer whales, humpback whales, eagles, great nature and history walk at the glacier. Salmon are scattering in all directions. Killer whales also work these waters, usually appearing in pods of fish-eating residents. Except for, For another travel option that actually offers potential whale watching while underway, book a trip on the, If youre prone to sea-sickness, chose to tour aboard a larger rather than smaller vessel. This tour operates in all weather conditions and may run in reverse order. Under most conditions, the double-decker tour boats will feel solid, with little perceived motion. Though it is not mentioned, we are all focused on one thing: black bears. A small snack and water are available. A light snack and refreshments will be provided. Upon check in, our friendly dock representatives will put you on the right bus for a narrated 30-minute drive to your first destination. This is a popular trail due to its short length of just 1.5 miles roundtrip on a gravel path. Thank you for making it all come alive and for teaching us how to use our cameras!. petuniaflower, May 30, 2022 in Alaska. 2022 Tours - Juneau Whale Watch | Top Whale Watching Tours in Juneau Alaska The 18-mile Hope Highway cuts off the Seward in the Kenai Mountains at Mile 54 (about 71 miles south of Anchorage.) We stand on a bridge overlooking Steep Creek in the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on the edge of Tongass National Forest in Juneau, Alaska. Does Mendenhall Glacier& Whale Quest allow time to do the trail? I would probably consider either a combination tour through the ship (to guarantee the ship will wait) or choose just whale watching or the glacier, if booked independently. Which one is right for you? Become proactive in the preservation of Your Alaska. Alaska's Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Trail: Small-Group Experience Make sure your batteries are charged and bring plenty of memory or film. Capture that perfect shot of Alaska landscapes and wildlife as you as you explore the hiking trails near Mendenhall Glacier. 2017 Alaska Cruises and tours featuring Humpback whales We specialize in the finest Juneau whale watching and hiking shore excursions and can arrange custom trips by land and sea for families or groups seeking private wilderness experiences. If your along the coast of Southeast or South Central Alaska The Mendenhall Glacier is one of many major glaciers that connect to the vast Juneau Ice Field, a 1,500 square mile remnant of the last ice age, cradled high in the coast mountain's lofty peaks. This tour has three parts to it. In Alaska, everybody shares whale intel. environmentally responsible whale watching trips featuring gray This is an enthralling opportunity to witness two jewels in Juneau the graceful elegance of humpback whales and the serene beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier. Quick Details Duration: 4.5 hours Begins and ends in downtown Juneau, main cruise ship terminal 45 minutes at the glacier 2 hour whale watching by boat Mendenhall Glacier Tour On this half-day tour, an Alaska Whale Watching Tours representative greets and escorts you to the tour bus where your trip begins. in Prince William Sound, See Map ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks, Most of our coastal towns feature many excellent tour operators, But best bet will be to take a tour boat deep into the bay, Liquid Adventures Wildlife Cruise & Kayak, Seacor Tours Small-Group Wildlife & Glacier Tours, Lazy Otter Charters Custom Sightseeing Tours, Phillips Cruises & Tours - 26 Glacier Cruise, Traveling to small Southeast Alaska communities, Alaska marine mammal biology from NOAA Fisheries, Official guidelines for approaching marine mammals, Kenai Fjords Vs Prince William Sound Day Cruise, For a complete list of whales, dolphins and porpoises that can show up in Alaskas ocean, check out the marine mammal list of the, For a unique 180-degree panorama of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, stop at the, Point Aldolphus in Icy Straitabout 50 miles west of Juneaumay draw the most intense concentration of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska. This is an enthralling opportunity to witness two jewels in Juneau the graceful elegance of humpback whales and the serene beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier. Its active face regularly calves big icebergs and brash into its lake. Embark on a bus journey to the Mendenhall Glacier on this day trip from Juneau. In April and May, gray whales pass the mouth of the bay on their epic spring migration to the Arctic. Look for the dock representatives wearing bright blue hats. There are three steps up and onto the bus. travel careers website, Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates and travel inspiration, Registered Office: Audley Travel Group Limited, The New Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 9SX, 2023 Audley Travel | Registered in England: 3190720, You can find all your favourites in the menu, Whale Watching and the Mendenhall Glacier, Speak to an Alaska specialist to start planning your, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Alaska cruise & wilderness lodge with Vancouver, Seattle, Alaska cruise, Denali & Fairbanks by rail, Alaska cruise & Canadian Rockies by train. Great tour for those arriving in Ketchikan on any of the cruise ships during 2-5 day small ship explorations. Juneau, AK 99801 limited to the larger of the Cetacean order of mammals known to the Alaskan coastline. A hundred years ago, the spot where we stand was under the glacier. The on-board naturalist is full of information about Alaskas wildlife Humpback whales, Stellar sea lions, Dalls porpoises, bald eagles. Not unlike the Humpback whales that return to This bubble net feeding sometimes brings together a half dozen whales at once. One of 38 glaciers flowing from the massive 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice field. After an 80-year journey, iceaccumulated each winter at the top of the mountain slips down to form the terminus of the glacier only to slowly melt in the warmer summer air. walk towards Nugget Falls, or hike the East Glacier Loop Trail. MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: The meeting point is under the cables of the Mt. Bring layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, a camera and/or video camera, and comfortable shoes. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Big ship or small ship? Mendenhall Glacier See More Premier Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier Combo 636 Reviews Badge of Excellence Juneau, United States 5 hours (approx.) These are some of the hot spots for Alaska whale watching trips. This can lead to some confusion because Orcas ("Killer Whales") and Pilot Whales have "whale" in Alaska's Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Trail - Tripadvisor Helicopter glacier trekking is the most exciting way to explore the scenic wonders of the glaciers flowing from the Juneau Icefield. There is no guarantee we will see these bears, and I do not tell them where we are going, or why we are turning aroundonly that there is a change of plans. Of course, I dont have to tell them. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. From April through September is prime whale watching for most species. In the spring, Seward AK Small Whales, Gray Whale, Humpback For years now the numbers of Cook Inlet Beluga whales has Locally known as "Fortress of the Bear", this large island is home to over 1,600 grizzly bears, one of the highest concentrations in the world with approximately one bear per square mile! These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. Welcome to Whale Watching in Alaska; if your looking This is a Mecca Alaska Whale Watching includes Where To See Whales in Alaska It's a must-see destination for any Alaska vacation. then 100 passengers per voyage are based out of Seattle, and Vancouver B.C. Camera towels and rain jackets/ponchos are also provided. Mendenhall Glacier Hike & Juneau, Alaska Whale Watching Tour feeding and breading areas in the Bering and Chukchi seas of Northern Alaska. Add Cruise Critic's Community Forums to your iPhone's Home Screen! Whales and Mendenhall Glacier 4.8 / 5 | 299 Reviews Review This Tour Likely To Sell Out Book Now to Guarantee your Spot Price: $270.00 Sale Price: $225.00 Save: $45.00 Children under 2 years old are free but must be accounted for below. Best bet: During big falling tides between mid-July and September, watch for belugas exiting the arm down a channel that parallels the highway between Girdwood and Bird Point Wayside. The fleet of whale watching boats and glacier shuttles offer a seamless combination of two of Juneaus favorite activities and one of Juneaus most popular tours. Whale Watching in Alaska ranks at the top in the most popular tours for visitors to the coastal Although the cabin is enclosed and heated. Call (907)523-6095. Cam Byrnes. Once there, you have 45 minutes to explore on your own. The drop-off location is the same as the pickup location at the Mt. Today information on Alaska whale populations, distributions and over-all Snacks, water and binoculars are also provided. It is another guide, who is doubling as my driver for the day. 2020 Gastineau Guiding Company. rich feeding and calving grounds of the arctic ocean. One ship actually used tenders when I was there in early May, so that would make a difference. Roberts Tramway. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Humpback whales gallivant among the fiords and open bays of Prince William Sound, most often as lone animals sounding, Humpback whales gallivant among the fiords and open bays of Prince William Sound, most often as lone animals sounding with flukes up as they dive in pursuit of the Sounds rich concentrations of fish. Once we spot a whale the captain will slow down and allow you to go on the spacious viewing decks for a great photo opportunity. Best of Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake. To find your bus, check in with one of our Dock Representatives holding a Juneau Tours or Juneau Whale Watch sign, sporting a smile and wearing a bright blue hat. The 7:30 with Juneau Tours is doable, but you have to watch your time. Be sure to ask your driver for exact times on the day of travel and plan accordingly. Thanks so much, this is a great option for us. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Departure at 1:30 would usually mean all aboard by 1:00. . Amazing places deserve to be shared with others - why not Write a Review! Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari Our top picks for the best wildlife viewing in Alaska, Get great wildlife shotswithout gettinghurt, Nine Alaska experiences you shouldnt missand will never forget, One has better whale watching, the other better glacier viewing. Juneau, AK 99801 Continue to Montana Creek Road and follow the signs to Mendenhall Glacier campground. tours operate within the Inside Passage. When our captain spots the whales, the boat slows allowing passengers to step out on the deck for that perfect whale shot. Juneaus premier whale watching and guiding company. A walk to an additional good viewing point of the glacier will add another 10 - 20 min., depending on how far you go and stay. Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier | Book Alaska Excursions regions of Alaska. As the myriad bays and channels bloom with krill and feeder fish, the whales converge to feast around the clock. As I watch, I feel my phone vibrate in my vest pocket. After a short 20-minute bus ride through downtown Juneau, you arrive at the breathtaking Mendenhall Glacier. Roberts Tramway, look for the Juneau Tours and Juneau Whale Watch signs, and bright blue hats. Gastineau Guiding Training Program: Small groups makes for a Big Difference. Discover Alaskas capital city! are commonly seen inside the bay. Of course, youre able to take scenic pictures of Mendenhall Lake and, if you are lucky, you can even see black bears fishing for salmon out of the salmon-spawning streams that traverse the area. Fortunately, getting out on a boat is easy to do in Alaska! Join us for a colorful narrated tour! Some say seeing a bear catch a fish was the event of a lifetime. Anytime you're out exploring the Mendenhall Glacier or Mendenhall ice caves, it's always best (and safest!) Contact Us, Juneau's Premier Whale Watching and Hiking Excursions, Alaskas Whales, Glaciers & Rainforest Trails, Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari, Mendenhall Glacier Guides Choice Trail Hike, 2023 Capture Juneau Photo Contest Entry Form, 2022 Capture Juneau Photo Contest Winners, 2022 Capture Juneau Photo Contest Honorable Mentions. Mosses cover nearly every inch of ground that was bare rock with a little glacial silt when the glacier exposed it. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Call one of our experts or arrange a video appointment for ideas and advice. A naturalist is with you the whole time on your Juneau whale watching tour to explain everything that you are seeing and to answer any of your questions. Overwhelmed by choices? Many tour operators motor from the Homer Spitwhich reaches several miles into the baydirectly to the noisy rookery on Gull Island with 20,000 nesting seabirds and then proceed from there to the fiords and headlands along the Kachemak Bay State Park. This 970-foot-deep fjord extending south from Seward toward the Gulf of Alaska and the Kenai Fjords National Park may be one of the most reliable places to view marine wildlife in the world. Gray whales return to Alaska the first week of March. Every spring, Gray whales migrate through the waters off Alaska on their way AJ dock passengers must take a 5-minute shuttle back to their ship. WHAT TO WEAR: Always be prepared for chilly and rainy weather. Alaska's Whales, Glaciers & Rainforest Trails - Gastineau Guiding Gastineau Guiding: Alaska's Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Trail: Small-Group Experience - See 5,212 traveler reviews, 4,343 candid photos, and great deals for Juneau, AK, at Tripadvisor. As you head back into the dock, make sure to capture a photo of the Mendenhall Glacier in the background. She tells me there are three bearsa mom and two cubscrossing the road, headed in the direction of Dipper Bridge.