Anchorage vs Juneau: Comparing Whale Watching Tours

Juneau is a mecca for whale watching thanks to the massive humpback whales that migrate here during summer.

These creatures come to Alaska to feed on krill and fish, and they love the rich waters of the Inside Passage.

The city is also home to a huge variety of tour operators, including small-group boat tours that offer eye-level views with these giant sea creatures.

1. See Lots of Whales

The waters surrounding Alaska are teeming with a variety of whales, including humpbacks and orcas (or killer whales), but the best way to see them is on a guided tour. This is particularly true in Juneau, where the cruise port is just a short drive from Auke Bay and Lynn Channel, two deep waterways that provide plenty of places for whales to frolic.

During the summer months, these giant mammals migrate to the area from their colder home in the Arctic Ocean. They spend a lot of time in the Gastineau Channel feeding off krill, small baitfish, and other marine life. Then, in the fall, they head to warmer climes, like Hawaii and Mexico, before returning to the region in springtime.

To spot these animals, you can sign up for a tour, book a shore excursion, or hop aboard a cruise ship. The best thing about a boat tour is that it’s generally possible to see whales at any time of day.

You may also spot porpoises, dolphins, bald eagles, and other wildlife while you’re out on the water, and it’s worth looking for tours that include land visits. These trips can be a fun way to see the scenery while getting a closer look at wildlife, and some offer a 100% money back guarantee should you miss a whale sighting.

If you’re staying in Juneau and want to experience whale watching from a whole new perspective, consider booking a private jet boat adventure. This unique vessel holds up to 14 people, and allows you to avoid the crowds and spend more time with your family and friends on the water, while still seeing whales and other wildlife. Combined with a trip to Mendenhall Glacier, this is an ideal combination for anyone who wants to maximize their experience in Juneau!

2. It’s More Affordable

There are many whale watching places near to juneau alaska that are very affordable to visit. These excursions usually take guests out to sea for an hour or so to search for humpback whales, orcas, Dall’s porpoise and other marine mammals in the pristine waters of the Inside Passage.

While there are a number of different tour options, the best whale watching excursions are those that are led by local guides who know where to find the most likely whales. They also have a deeper understanding of their behaviors and can provide additional insight into the animals’ unique habits that you won’t get from just looking at them from the deck of a boat.

During summer, humpback whales are a common sight in the waters around Alaska’s capital. These colossal creatures migrate to the area from their winter feeding grounds in the warmer southern Pacific to feed on krill and fish.

There are several companies in Juneau that offer whale watching trips, but some of the most popular options include Adventure Bound Alaska, Harv & Marv and Allen Marine Tours. They all depart from downtown Juneau and bring guests on a guided bus tour through the city before leading them in search of whales.

Another option is the “Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching, and Wildlife Quest,” which takes guests on a guided tour of whales and other wildlife while also offering free time to explore Mendenhall Glacier. It’s a great way to experience two of Juneau’s most popular attractions in one tour.

If you’re a true nature lover, whale watching is a must-do on your Alaskan cruise itinerary. It’s an incredibly exciting and rewarding activity that you won’t want to miss.

3. It’s Better for the Environment

Juneau is a major whale watching hub, and the humpbacks that spend their winters in Hawaii return here in July to feed on an abundance of nutrient-rich Alaska seafood. These large whales can weigh up to 29 tons, and they need a lot of fish and squid to fill up on each summer.

During the summer, humpbacks will be out in their pods searching for food, making them a prime sighting for anyone on a cruise in Juneau. And you’ll have a good chance of seeing them breach, slap their tails on the surface of the water, and even take part in a bonkers learned behavior known as bubble net feeding (where a whale circle a school of fish, blows a ton of bubbles, and then lunges out of the water and collects its meal in one synchronized motion).

You can also see a variety of different wildlife from the water, including sea lions, porpoises and bald eagles. If you want to see it all, check out a tour like the Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour, which gives you a taste of all of Juneau’s most famous sights from the water.

The 3.5-hour tour starts with transportation from downtown Juneau to Auke Bay Harbor where you’ll board the whale-watching boat for a comfortable ride out to the open water. The captain and crew will narrate the trip as you cruise, explaining the whales’ behavioral patterns and feeding habits along the way. Afterwards, you’ll head out toward the Mendenhall Glacier where you can walk out onto the ice, take pictures, and enjoy distant views of the glacier itself. You can also visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center and explore the surrounding area on your own if you prefer.

4. It’s Better for You

If you’re looking to see whales, Juneau is a great place to do it. Humpback whales, which can weigh over a hundred tons, can be spotted throughout the year in Alaska’s waters. They typically migrate from Hawaii and Mexico, where they can find warm water during the winter. In the spring and summer, they head to Alaska to seek out fresh krill, salmon, and other food to replenish their stores.

In Juneau, you’ll find a variety of tours and cruises that promise whale watching. You can take a day trip with a naturalist guide, or you can book an epic all-inclusive tour that includes a visit to Mendenhall Glacier.

A whale-watching tour in Juneau will allow you to see the area’s most famous glacier, as well as many humpback whales and other marine life. It’s also a great way to get up close and personal with the area’s wildlife, like Dall’s porpoises, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, and seals.

The best time to see humpbacks is during the warmer months, when they can find a steady supply of krill and salmon in the Gulf of Alaska. They usually begin their migration from the warmer waters of Hawaii or Mexico in February and March, arriving in Alaska around April and May.

The optimum time to spot humpbacks in the Inside Passage is July and August, but you can catch a glimpse of them all year long. There are several whale-watching tours that depart from Juneau, including Tracy Arm Fjord and Explorer. They’re all great for spotting humpbacks and other marine mammals, as well as bald eagles, seals, and bears.

5. It’s Better for the Tour Operators

Whale watching is a must-do activity in Juneau because it’s one of the best places to see humpback whales. These majestic creatures spend six months of the year feeding in Alaska’s Inside Passage, and most tours offer a guarantee that you’ll see at least one whale.

Most tours are guided, which means that a naturalist will help you learn about the whales’ behavior and habitat. They’ll be able to point out the different types of whales you’ll be seeing and tell you what they like to do during their time in the water.

For example, humpbacks love to bubble-net feed, where they circle a school of fish and blow a lot of bubbles that the fish cannot swim through. Then, the whales jump out of the water and lunge for their meal in a coordinated move.

Tours also allow you to see bald eagles, sea lions, and other marine wildlife. Many excursions also feature a naturalist photographer, who can provide tips on how to capture your favorite photos of Alaska.

Aside from whale-watching, there are other tours in Juneau that you can enjoy with a group of friends or family members. For example, Adventure Bound Alaska offers an unforgettable day trip that combines whale-watching with the exploration of Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier.

Another option is a small boat tour that takes you out on an intimate whale-watching boat. This way, you won’t have to elbow your way through a crowd to get the best views and capture those memorable photos.

The whale-watching season in Juneau runs from May through September, and it’s the most popular time for cruise ship passengers to see these majestic animals. It’s also the best time to take a whale-watching tour because of the large number of tour operators that are in the area.