It was originally constructed by national oceanic and atmospheric administrations alaska fisheries science center, and is now supported and managed by university of alaska fairbanks, with funding support from north pacific research board nprb and the marine ecosystem sustainability in the arctic and subarctic. Last minute decision to take this tour, so glad we did. Went whale watching with dolphin jet boat tours in juneau, aug 23, it was a wonderful trip. We provide shore excursions to the mendenhall glacier visitors center, tours through historic juneau, and whale watching in the inside passage.
Owner, terry has over 30 years of experience in the tourism industry. We are thinking of doing a whale watching tour in juneau around sept 23. But dont let that title mislead you, this family operation is all about the customer experience. Itll be the same with the other 2 cities, but juneau was where i enjoyed it the most. 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. On this combo package you get two of our most popular tours, one at each of your cruise stops. One of the biggest things that makes a whale watching tour juneau an unparalleled and worldclass adventure is its proximity to a number of different waterways. The big question is what time of year travelers should go whale watching in juneau to get the most out of their vacation experience. Daily boat tours to tracy arm rarely return without whale sightings and youll often spot many on a single trip. Whether youre staying for a day or a week, here are a few of the most popular things to do in juneau. Whales may breach to let others know of nearby food. Juneau whale watch 2020 all you need to know before you go. The trip was as part of a day stop in juneau for whale watching and a visit to the glazier, best was the fantastic opportunity to have expert team to guide us through to witness all forms of sea life.
My friend and i want to take a whale watching tour while in juneau the week of may 25th. Juneau whale watch 2020 all you need to know before you. Juneau whale watching shore excursions royal caribbean. Put juneau at the top of your travel destinations and check it off on your list of must see places in the world. Your juneau whale watching adventure begins with a narrated transfer from the juneau cruise ship pier in downtown juneau to auke bay. Juneau whale watching tours and excursions juneau tours. Cruise across the inky blue waters of the inside passage on a comfortable jet boat to get up close to majestic humpback whales in the wild. Here you will board a custom designed jet boat providing a comfortable platform for a superb juneau whale watching adventure. Here is why juneau is the alaska whale watching destination. Info for cruise ship passengers dolphin jet boat tours. Our standard luxury trip lasts four hours, with a minimum of 3hours being spent directly on the water. Juneau is the best spot for whale watching in alaska. Between may and september, humpbacks stay in the northern parts of the passage to feed.
Whale watching adventure aweinspiring scenery and whale sightings are guaranteed. There are two things you definitely need to experience while youre in juneau. Experience the magic of whale watching aboard one of our comfortable boats. Alaska whale watching tours is dedicated to providing the best wildlife viewing and whale watching experiences in juneau. Humpbacks migrate more than 3,000 miles from tropical waters, like hawaii, to the cooler waters of southeast alaska in as few as 30 days. Whale watching tours are offered in juneau and near glacier bay. Our tours are operated under special use permit in the tongass national forest. Of all these possible scenarios, the ones with the most validity appear to be a combination of using breaching as a form of play, to show off a humpback whale. Our captains and naturalists will take you in search of humpback and killer whales, steller sea lions, dalls porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles, bears and deer, making for the ultimate southeast alaska wildlife viewing.
Embarking on a whalewatching trip and seeing these animals in the wild can be the thrill of a lifetime. We are now planning our 2021 alaska cruise and would like to try a different monthso either may or june. Juneau by sea take to the pristine waters and say hello to juneaus largest residents, the humpback whales. Weather permitting alaska whale watching juneau all you. Watching for sea life is a real passion for usespecially humpback whales and orcas. Outlined above are all potential theories about breaching. Juneau has many tours for sightseeing and it helps to have a guide to help you choose the perfect one and make your trip successful. Here, a case study of whale watching in juneau, alaska is presented, which. Our experienced captain and knowledgeable naturalist lead the way on an unforgettable search for whales around juneau. Would you recommend doing the whale watching in ketchikan. Alaska tales juneau whale watching tours in alaska. The whale watching tour doesnt disappoint and puts you up close and personal with all sorts of alaskan wildlife, of course with humpback whales being the focus of this halfday juneau shore excursion. From easy sightseeing to epic outdoor adventures, juneaus activities and attractions include everything youd want for a tripofalifetime in alaska. Juneau tours and whale watch 76 egan dr suite 300, juneau, alaska 99801 rated 4.
Our tour buses always meet passengers in the same convenient spot at the base of the mount roberts tramway, which is a short walk or shuttle ride from the dock. Most of my alaska whale watching has been in early may with lots of good photographs. We go where the whales are, and our trip may cover the waters of stephens passage, lynn canal or chatham strait on board a vessel specifically designed to optimize your viewing. Photo and camera tips for whale watching in juneau, alaska. Start your best of juneau day tour in alaska with a narrated, guided tour to spectacular mendenhall glacier and its adjacent visitor center. This whale watching trip saves you the trouble of getting to the harbor and back with a roundtrip shuttle directly from your cruise ship dock or a designated meeting point.
Jun 07, 2017 best whale watching city and glacier and whale watching glacier and whale watch juneau uncategorized whale watching photo and camera tips for whale watching in juneau, alaska by juneau skagway tours june 7, 2017 june 26th, 2017 no comments. Wrap three popular juneau experiences into one hasslefree outing on this multipart tour. Take a whalewatching cruise to look for humpback whales in the wild. And while people always think it will never happen to them, our ship left 8 people in juneau. Whale watching tour juneau tours and shore excursions. Why juneau is the alaska whale watching destination. Dress warmly and bring a rainproof jacket to wear on the observation deck. Its just so beautiful being around all that nature. Visit sewards ice box and discover all of the exciting things to do in juneau. Explore the area on your own before you continue your alaska whale watching adventure from auke bay. We initially avoided the whale watching tours because we figured we see one or two from our balcony on. The orca, or killer whale, is also common to juneau. Inquiries placed to viator will be directed back to groupon. There your captain and onboard naturalist will welcome you aboard our state of the art 48passenger jet boat, custom designed for juneau whale watching with large windows and an outside viewing deck.
We provide the highest quality and competitive whale watch tours aboard our fantastic fleet of custom boats. We were on the tour boat maybe 20 minutes before we heard that there had been a humpback whale sighted and we were on our way to find it. Who knows, breaching may just serve multiple purposes. While youll find plenty of guided tours and viewing spots up and down the coast, you dont have to wander far from juneau to see you some whales. Experience alaskan wildlife and wilderness with ease on a halfday group tour. Juneau private whale watching excursion juneau excursions. You may see other charming marine mammals such as steller sea lions, harbor seals, and dalls porpoises.
Juneau whale watching, glaciers or other shore tours albom. Dolphin jet boat tours dolphin jet boat tours groupon. Our 100% whaleviewing success rate, exceptional crew performance, and superior vessel design has combined to make this tour a multiyear winner of the shore excursion of the year in juneau. Tour includes whale watching cruise with onboard naturalist. The tour identified in this promotion is made available through viator. Juneau tours and juneau whale watch is an independent tour provider in the beautiful capital city of juneau, alaska. This combo is the best way to make the most of your day in juneau. The small beach there offers excellent views of admiralty island, the chilkats, lynn canal, and the mountains behind the mendenhall glacier. Everyone rushed to the side of the boat hoping that they picked the right side to look for the whale. Winter temperatures average about 29 degrees, but if you think thats cold consider this. In highly social groups breaching may be used as a method of communicating to others that they have found nearby food.
This site is a public resource focused on humpback whales seen in juneaus waters. Auke bay, with its harbor of whale watching vessels, lies about a halfhours ride from juneau. There your captain and onboard naturalist will welcome you aboard the north star, our state of the art 48passenger jet boat custom designed for juneau whale watching, with large windows and an outside viewing deck. Many whales begin arriving in alaska in april so in early may, they are still very hungry after their summer without food. Enjoy a magical evening cruise that features great food, a relaxing ambiance and guaranteed whale viewing. Whale watching juneaustyle, is a 3 5 hour whale watching adventure that begins when you board a coach bus that departs downtown juneau from the mt.
Juneau, alaskas professional whale watching and wildlife tours. While out on the water, there is no doubt that youll see humpback whales this is the time of year they travel to alaska to feed on thousands of pounds of krill a day. Embark on an exciting cruise to explore the beautiful waters around juneau. Juneau whale watching tours alaska shore excursions. Dolphin jet boat tours juneau whale watching tours. Work continues on the juneaus bridge park on may 16, 2017. Situated as they are in one of the worlds premier whale grounds, juneau whale watching tours are a mustdo on any visit to alaska. Captain elizabeth had recommended the dolphin jet boat tour, because of the awesome staff on board and the breathless views of mountains, glaciers, and whales that you will see. Average summer days are in the 60s, with many days reaching into the high 70s and low 80s. They may not be seen much from the whale watching boats because they make so much noise, but from our cabin on shelter island, near where all the whale watching boats go, we see them pretty much every day we are out there in the summer. Whale watch and salmon hatchery juneau shore excursion. There are city tours meant for land or water travel, however, the whale watching tours are famous in this city. This can be extremely effective in groups that hunt together by allowing them to quickly locate food and strategize their plan of attack. For your convenience, we arrange for you to be picked up directly at your cruiseship, and once your whale watching tour concludes.
Against a majestic backdrop of snowcapped peaks and glaciers, the onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of wildlife you may encounter. Pdf can whale watching be a conduit for spreading educational. These stunning features cradle diverse natural habitats that are home to fascinating animals. The large, waterfront park stretches over half a mile, past two state office buildings. The waters around juneau are rich in krill shrimplike organisms and small baitfish, a humpbacks favorite food. Experience an intimate encounter with humpback and orca whales on a scenic whale watching tour around juneau harbor. Departing downtown juneau, you will be transferred on a scenic drive through the mendenhall valley to auke bay, approximately 30 minutes away. Provided binoculars may enhance your panoramic view of whales and other marine mammals like sea lions, seals and porpoises. From sales agents and dock representatives to bus drivers guides, naturalistsdeck hands and boat captains.
We love whale watching and had to opportunity to visit juneau in our cruise. On a trip through southeast alaska youre most likely to see humpbacks, orcas aka killer whales, and belugas, plus your bonus nonwhale cetaceans porpoises and dolphins. Unlike whale watching in the open ocean, the waters of juneau alaska are more restricted, which brings the whales closer together. I thought we would reserve the whale watching for juneau, but then the ship gets into juneau at 2pm, leaves at 10pm, and i wanted us to do the medenall glaciersalmon bake, which does not leave us anytime for the whale watching. Throughout the cruise your onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of the humpback whale and other wildlife you may encounter, including killer whales, sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles and more. Juneau wildlife viewing whale watching whales and other marine mammals occasionally venture into gastineau channel but, for more reliable viewing, take a whale watching cruise. The 25minute narrated journey takes you past downtown juneau and some of the most picturesque landscape in. We have been fortunate to have seen numerous whales from our ship on both cruises, plus weve taken whalewatching excursions in juneau. Your whale watching adventure begins with a narrated transfer from the pier to auke bay. Captain larry has been vice president of marine education and research of southeast alaska mersea, a nonprofit whale support group based in juneau, since its inception in 1996. Juneau whale watching toursalaska whale watching step off the cruise ships into our world, to enjoy exclusive juneau whale watching tours o ur smaller boats offer more personal experiences with the option of 6 guests on our smaller vessels or up to 18 guests on our larger vessels. Whale watching in may 2016 alaska forum tripadvisor.
Juneau whale watching tour alaska shore excursions. If youre looking for whale watching opportunities during your alaskan cruise, juneau is the place. Nothing makes you feel so powerfully alive as the sight of one, especially in an intimate setting and at close range like what youll find with. Why juneau is the whale watching destination juneau tours. For our juneau whale watching tours, we offer small group whale watching experiences and private charters on warm, comfortable boats, departing daily from auke bay from may through september. Take in the coastal scenery as you scan the surface for spouts and tails, and keep your eyes peeled for alaskas other famous whalethe orca. Juneaus weather is probably not as cold as you think. But our shamu doesnt jump through hoops like he does at sea world. Make the most of your time in juneau on this whale watching boat trip. Juneau adventures is a locallyowned and operated charter company, based in juneau, alaska.
Not sure what to do, as we will only probably be able to do one whale trip. Terry was born and raised in juneau, spending much of his early life on the water with his family. Looking for the perfect whale watching tours in juneau. Sightseers may see both types of whales on a juneau whale watching excursion, especially during the summer months of may and june for orcas and june and. Alaska the best tips for whale watching in alaska whaletrips. Near the end of the north douglas highway is a small halfmile trail leading out to the north end of douglas island. Its most notable feature is a breaching whale sculpture called takhu. The centre of the inside passage is the area between ketchikan in the south and juneau and gustavus in the north. Our juneau excursion was cancelled at the last minute so we jumped on an excursion that included both viewing the glacier and whale watching.
Tips for the best whale watching tours in juneau alaska fjordlines. For several years he has operated whale watching and wildlife tour boats in southeast alaska. Plenty of whale tours let you watch the orcas and humpbacks as they breach and spout from the waterbut not many also let you eavesdrop on the big mammals conversations. Whale watching in a very wet juneau, alaska the planet d. Your juneau whale watching journey will take you through favorite channel, stephens passage, lynn canal or saginaw channel. This private exploratory journey through coastal fjords introduces you to this wilderness in an intimate. This excursion guarantee youll be able to view at least one. Here is why juneau is the whale watching destination. Although we were told that we may not see whales due to nature and time of year we were so lucky seeing whales. Juneau might be alaskas capital, but the city offers much more than business and politics. This site is a public resource focused on humpback whales seen in juneau s waters. Info for cruise ship passengers we make it as easy as possible for cruise ship passengers to enjoy our tours. Travelers with flexibility should look to the months of june, july and august when whales are the most active and easier to find. Juneau has a healthy humpback whale population with some 65 whales returning each season to feed in the nutrientrich waters and your captain is well versed in locating them.
Although we were told that we may not see whales due to nature and time of year we were so lucky seeing whales basking, diving and even breaching. As a member of whale sense, juneau tours is one of the premier tour providers in. We had looked into dolphin jet boat tours because they have a guarantee. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the dolphin jet boat tours in connection with this deal. Your adventure begins with a short drive through downtown juneau all the way to auke bay where you will have the opportunity to see humpback and orca whales, dalls porpoises, steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, and more. Juneau whale watching whale watching in alaska juneau ak. Juneau, alaskas professional whale watching and wildlife tours alaska, the last frontier, land of the midnight sun, northern lights, glaciers calving into pristine waters, grizzly bears feasting on wild salmon, otters frolicking in kelp beds, eagles soaring overhead, humpback and killer whales feeding and playing in quiet inlets. You may think that the only difference in is price, but there much more to considder. It was more personal, friendlier and it just makes the experience more relaxing and unique. Juneau exclusive whale watching excursion juneau excursions. The adventure continues to mendenhall glacier, where you can choose from a. Your experience will be in depth, authentic, genuine and personalized. You may observe breaching, spy hopping and bubble net feeding on your juneau adventures whale watching trip.
Step into alaska with one of these dedicated and knowledgeable local guides. Mayor bill overstreet park features tahku, a humpback whale fountain, restroom facilities, a picnic shelter, table. Create your own private juneau whale watching tour this private whale watching tour showcases southeast alaska as a spectacular place of islands, glaciers, and rugged mountain peaks. At the end of our whale watching, we visited a couple of steller sea lions. Though you may be able to spot some movement from the.
Best whale watching tour in juneau juneau forum tripadvisor. The park is named after bill overstreet, a former mayor of juneau who. Breathtaking scenery surrounds you as you search for humpback and orca whales guaranteed sighting. All you need to know about whale watching in alaska. Gastineau guiding supports responsible viewing practices adhering to the alaska humpback whale approach regulations and does not intentionally approach whales within 100 yards. Here you will board the state of the art jet boat which is custom designed for juneau whale watching and features large windows as well as an outside viewing deck. Then you wait and hold your breath hoping that the whale appears. Nov 01, 2010 whale watching on september 17, 2010 with captain shawn of harv and marvs based in juneau, alaska. While juneau is an easy port to get around on your own, it is the one port you dont want to be left at should you be late getting back to the ship. Begin with a cruise to view humpback whales and other marine life from a picture perfect vantage point. Juneaus winters are warmer than cities like minneapolis, chicago, and cleveland. Committed to our community, we take pride in our services and our vast knowledge of the local waters. Mayor bill overstreet park, also known locally as overstreet park, is a beach and public park, located in the city of juneau, the state capital of alaska. The importance of sustainable whale watching in juneau.
Book your tickets online for juneau whale watch, juneau. Please contact groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Later in june, a boat was caught on camera striking with a humpback whale in the san francisco bay. This juneau whale watch and glacier tour is an unbelievable way to do both in a single excursion helping keep your alaska shore excursions cheap. From juneaus cruise port, it is only a short drive to auke bay. Step into alaska juneau whale watching tours and hiking. Your juneau tours are sure to keep you occupied and expedia can help you to find the best local, as well as tourist spots on the map. Tours from juneau whale watch tend to sell out travelers recommend booking in advance. Allen marine is committed to the longstanding relationships we have.
In its 15 th year of operation, alaskanowned company juneau tours and whale watch weighs in as the largest independent tour provider in southeast alaska. Juneau is majestically rugged and contains some of the most beautiful, enchanting and mesmerizing wildlife and scenery in the world. While juneau whale watching topped my list, there are plenty of other things to do in juneau for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure. Apr 06, 2020 2 harbor seals are extremely common around juneau. Sometime in may, a blue whale washed up on a marin county beach after being hit by a ship, leaving it with 10 broken ribs, a badly fractured spine, and signs of skull trauma, as reported by the marine mammal center.