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Guide · Cruise day
Juneau whale watching tours from the cruise port
Your ship docks downtown and the whales are north of town. Here is how Juneau whale watching tours from the cruise port work, from the meeting point to the boat and back before all-aboard.
Check availabilityfrom $108 · free to cancel
Editorial team, juneauwhalewatchingtours.comUpdated October 16, 20266 minutes to read3 sources
Quick answer
- 01Meeting point
- Outside the Mt. Roberts Tramway building, near the docks.
- 02Getting out
- About 25 minutes by bus to Auke Bay.
- 03On the water
- About 2 hours on an enclosed boat.
- 04Whole trip
- 3 hours from downtown and back.
- 05Booking
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
How a cruise-day whale watch works
Juneau's cruise ships dock right in the middle of town, but the whale watching boats do not leave from there. They depart from Auke Bay, north of the city, and the tours bring you there by bus. So when you book Juneau whale watching tours from the cruise port, what you are really booking is a short loop: meet near the docks, ride out to the harbor, spend time on the water and ride back.
On the tour sold on this site, the whole loop takes 3 hours. The bus ride to Auke Bay takes about 25 minutes each way, and the boat part lasts about 2 hours. That leaves plenty of room on most port days, even if you want to add lunch in town or a walk along the waterfront before you head back to the ship.
The tour handles the transport, so you do not need a taxi, a rental car or a public bus. You simply need to be at the meeting point on time, dressed for the water, with your camera charged. Everything else, from the drive to the boarding at the harbor, is taken care of by the crew.
Your port day
A cruise-day whale watch, start to finish
-
Arrive
Walk to the tram
Find the representative outside the tram building.
-
Depart
Bus north
About 25 minutes to the harbor at Auke Bay.
-
Board
Down the ramp
Short briefing, then out into the channels.
-
Watch
About 2 hours
Search for humpbacks, orcas and sea lions.
-
Return
Back downtown
The whole trip takes 3 hours.
Finding the meeting point
Most tours meet near the Mt. Roberts Tramway building on South Franklin Street, a short walk from the main cruise docks. For the tour on this site, look for a representative standing outside the tram building, directly below the cable lines, holding a blue sign with yellow letters. Speak to them before you board any bus, and do not go inside the tram building to ask about the tour.
Other companies meet nearby, which can be confusing on a busy morning with several ships in port. The whale and glacier day trip, for instance, meets on the water side of the tram building at the main cruise terminal, under its own branded tent. The small-group trip meets on the south side of the tram, where its driver checks guests in on the sidewalk.
If your ship docks at a berth farther from downtown, plan an extra step. One listing points out that it does not collect guests from the outlying dock and that the city runs frequent buses into town for a small fee. Check your ship's berth the day before and allow time to reach the tram building.
Fits your port hours?
Tour length and meeting points
| Tour | Total time | Meets | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| This site's tour | 3 hrs | Outside the tram building | from $108 |
| Small-group tour | 3.5 hrs | South side of the tram | from $189 |
| Whales and glacier | 4 hrs | Downtown starting points | from $152 |
| Whales and glacier day trip | 4.5 hrs | Cruise terminal, by the tram | from $230 |
Durations and from-prices as listed on GetYourGuide; always check your ship's all-aboard time.
By port time
Which tour fits your call?
Safest timing
More space
Two sightsDecision helper
What fits your port day?
Tap your situation
This site's tour
3 hours in total from downtown.
Whales and glacier
4 hours with a glacier stop.
Small-group tour
Limited to 9 participants.
A morning departure
Mornings often bring calmer water.1
Book with free cancellation
Cancel for free up to 24 hours before.
Morning tours often provide calmer waters, while afternoon excursions offer the advantage of warmer daylight hours.
Timing it against all-aboard
The golden rule of shore excursions is simple: leave a margin. A tour you book yourself does not carry the same promise as a ship's own excursion, so if you return late, the ship may not wait. Pick a departure that brings you back with at least a comfortable buffer before all-aboard, and be honest with yourself about how long it takes to walk back and pass security.
The 3-hour whale-only tour fits most port calls easily. The small-group trip runs 3.5 hours, and the whale and glacier combos run 4 to 5 hours. On a short call, the whale-only tour is the safe option; on a long call, a combo lets you see the glacier and the whales without a second booking.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour gives you room to book early and adjust if your ship's schedule changes. Book as soon as you know your port times, then check the ship's final times the evening before and move your slot if needed.
Map
From the cruise docks to Auke Bay
Where this whale watching tour meets in downtown Juneau and where the boats leave from: Statter Harbor in Auke Bay, north of town.
1Meeting point (tram)2Statter Harbor, Auke Bay3Mendenhall Glacier
2Statter Harbor, Auke Bay4Shelter Island5Point Retreat Light
- 1Meeting point (tram)
Outside the Mt. Roberts Tramway building on South Franklin Street in downtown Juneau, where this tour's representative waits with a blue sign before the bus leaves.
In Google Maps ↗ - 2Statter Harbor, Auke Bay
The harbor in Auke Bay where the boat part of this tour begins.
In Google Maps ↗ - 3Mendenhall Glacier
Inland from Auke Bay; combo tours stop here before or after the boat.
In Google Maps ↗ - 4Shelter Island
A forested island across the water west of Auke Bay, a landmark on the way out.
In Google Maps ↗ - 5Point Retreat Light
A lighthouse on the far shore of the channel, north west of Auke Bay.
In Google Maps ↗
Checklist
Take off the ship
01
Bring
- Cruise card and photo ID
- Rain jacket
- Warm layer and hat
- Cash for tips
02
Check
- All-aboard time and your margin
- Where your ship docks
- Ramp and mobility needs
Cost calculator
What your cabin's whale watch costs
Choose a tour and the number of people in your party.
People
Total from$216
per participant from $108
Check availabilityfree cancellationThe calculator multiplies each listing's lowest GetYourGuide price by your party size, converting with the ECB rate where needed; the booking step has the binding figure.
Video
Juneau, Alaska Cruise Port Guide: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour
The video loads only when you tap play.
Morning or afternoon in port
Your ship's hours usually decide this, but if you have a choice, consider the conditions. Travel Juneau notes that morning tours often have calmer water, while afternoon trips enjoy the warmer part of the day.1 If anyone in your group gets seasick, take the morning; if you want a warmer deck and softer light, the afternoon is pleasant.
Long summer days make both slots workable. In June, Auke Bay sees 17.9 hours of daylight at mid-month, and even in September there are 12.5 hours.22 Light is rarely the limiting factor for a cruise-day whale watch; your ship's timetable is.
Think about the rest of your day as well. A morning whale watch leaves the afternoon free for the town, the tram or a museum. An afternoon trip lets you sleep in or explore first, but leaves less margin if anything runs late. Plan the fixed point first and fit the rest around it.
Whale watching tours out of Juneau, step by step
Most whale watching tours out of Juneau follow the same rhythm. You check in at the meeting point, board a bus or coach and ride north along the coast, often with the driver pointing out sights on the way. At the harbor in Auke Bay you walk down to the boat, take a short safety briefing and head out into the channels.
Boarding involves a ramp, and on the tour sold on this site it can be steep depending on the tide. Wear shoes with grip and keep one hand free for the rail. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, so check the details before you book if that applies to anyone in your group.
On the water, the crew searches for whales and calls out sightings. Federal rules keep boats at least 100 yards (91.4 m) from humpbacks, with some exceptions, so be ready with binoculars.3 This tour includes binoculars, water and a snack bag, and its enclosed, climate-controlled cabin is a welcome place to warm up between sightings.
What to bring off the ship
Dress for the water, not for the town. Even on a sunny day in Juneau the channels can feel cold once the boat is moving, and the listing asks guests to plan for rain and to expect cooler air on the water. A waterproof jacket, a warm layer and a hat are the essentials; gloves are welcome early and late in the season.
Bring your cruise card, a photo ID and some cash for tips, which are not included on the tour sold here. A small backpack keeps your hands free on the ramp and on deck. Charge your phone and camera overnight, and carry a spare battery if you have one, because cold air drains batteries faster.
Leave bulky items on the ship. There is little space on a bus and less on a boat, and you will want to move freely when a whale surfaces. Snacks and water are provided on this tour, so you do not need to bring your own food.
Making the most of your port day
Once you are back downtown, the rest of Juneau is on your doorstep. The tram up Mount Roberts starts at the same building where most tours meet, and the waterfront, the shops on South Franklin Street and the restaurants are all within a short walk. For ideas on the town itself, see the sister guide to Juneau city tours.
If you want to see the glacier as well and have enough time, a combo tour handles both in one booking. Otherwise, the Mendenhall Glacier trolley guide explains how to get there on your own after the boat. Either way, keep an eye on the clock and leave your margin intact.
A cruise day in Juneau can be one of the best of the voyage. With a well-timed whale watch, a warm jacket and a little planning, you can be back on board with photos of tails, blows and sea lions, and still have time for a hot drink before the ship sails.
Book your seat
The humpbacks are feeding off Auke Bay.
Claim a place now, settle up nearer the date, and change your mind at no charge until the day before sailing.
You ask,we answer.
Where do whale tours meet near the cruise docks?
Around the Mt. Roberts Tramway building. This tour's representative waits outside the tram building with a blue sign.
Do boats leave from the cruise docks?
No, from Auke Bay. A bus takes about 25 minutes each way from downtown.
How long does the tour take?
3 hours in total. About 2 hours of that is on the water.
Is hotel or ship pickup included?
No. You meet the tour downtown near the docks; hotel pickup is not included.
What if my ship's times change?
Move or cancel your booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before.
Morning or afternoon?
Morning for calmer water. Travel Juneau notes calmer mornings and warmer afternoons.1
Is it wheelchair accessible?
This tour is not. Boarding uses a ramp that can be steep, depending on the tide.
Sources
Evidence for this guide
- 1Travel JuneauDiscover Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska↩
- 2↩
- 3NOAA FisheriesAlaska Humpback Whale Approach Regulations↩
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