Juneau is a travel destination for a variety of reasons. But as the tourist season starts to slow in the fall months, whale watching hits its prime.
To avoid crowds while getting the best views of the incredible giants, October to November is an excellent time to visit Juneau.
During this season, you’ll be wowed as whales breach, spy hop and fin slap. Listen to the unique sounds of the season to hear the whales breathing and enjoy the incredible splashing noises as their bodies hit the water.
Some tour boats even make it possible to hear the whales communicating with one another.
Take in the ocean air scents and allow the cool fall breeze to hit your face. Engage all your senses as you make unforgettable memories with an Alaska whale watching experience.
Common Alaskan Whale Species
Alaska provides a prime habitat for a variety of whale species. You’ll see everything from the smallest whale – the beluga – to the largest – the blue whale. However, the most common species are the humpback and orca whales.
Humpback whales have distinct flukes and tails that make them easy to identify when they breach. And what a sight it is when these giants breach, which is when they leap from the water.
Another fascinating sight you might get to witness is when the humpback whales engage in bubble net feeding. Groups of whales can work together to release bubbles that trap small fish. Then all the whales have to do is open their mouths and capture their feast.
During the fall months, you’ll witness these creatures as they begin their migration south for warmer waters. Juneau is known as a great viewing site for humpback whales.
Orca whales are incredibly intelligent. But don’t be fooled, they are actually a member of the dolphin family. You may have heard of them referred to as killer whales.
The dorsal fins on orca whales can grow up to six feet tall. The whales travel in pods, often including as many as 40 animals. A female leads the pod of extremely social creatures.
How to View Whales in Juneau
For the best views of whales, you’ll need to take to the water. While you might see whales from shore, these massive creatures can’t get very close to shore due to shallow water, making it far easier to catch a glimpse of their behavior from a boat.
So if you’re planning to see whales during your Juneau travels, sign up for a whale watching day cruise. Various tourist companies offer experiences that can feature additional sightseeing activities. You can pick from half-day experiences and full-day experiences. If you are more prone to getting seasick, look for a tour from a company with larger tour boats.
On whale watching tours, you’ll enjoy nice perks like heated cabins and outdoor viewing decks. Most tours guarantee that you’ll see whales. That’s because the ship’s captain knows where to find whales and their common eating areas.
If you’re making a day-long experience out of it, your tour will likely include onboard meals. Many tour companies also provide you with a knowledgeable guide, such as a naturalist or park ranger who can talk to you about what you’re seeing.
While the name for these tours focuses on whales, you’ll see a variety of other wildlife, including birds, harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters and porpoises.
And from the water, you’ll take in incredible landmarks, like Mendenhall Glacier.
Finding whale watching tours during the fall months can be more challenging since many tourist activities slow down in the fall months. But it certainly isn’t impossible to find tours and you’ll face less competition since fewer tourists frequent the area during that time of year.
To get even closer to the animals, you can take a kayaking tour. You’ll get excellent exercise and experience up close encounters with marine life. For those with less kayaking experience, your companies can slow the pace and offer guidance on how to get started with kayaking and make the most of the experience.
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Best Juneau Whale Watching Tours
Once you’ve decided to take a fall trip to Juneau to enjoy the migrating whales, you should explore your tour options. Here’s a look at some of the leading options.
Whale Watching Adventure
Tours go through October, allowing you to see the migrating whales. The tour lasts 3.75 hours and gets you up close with many incredible nature sites in Juneau. It isn’t just about whales either. You’ll see:
- Steller sea lions
- Harbor seals
- Dall’s porpoises
- Bald eagles
- Bears
- Sitka blacktail deer
- A variety of seabirds
The tour takes place on a 48-passenger jet boat specially designed for whale watching. The captain is excellent at spotting whales. So much so that if you don’t see a whale, the tour company will refund you $100 per paying adult and $50 per paying child.
You’ll also be on deck for some panoramic views of the stunning nature scenes Juneau offers. Or stay inside the boat and watch out the large windows if you’re more comfortable there in the fall air.
Mendenhall Glacier Tours and Whale Watching
If you’re traveling with a young child under the age of 2, this tour will be more affordable because those children are free. You’ll get the chance to linger and explore the beauty of Mendenhall Glacier during this trip. Enjoy 45 minutes to yourself to explore the area. You could walk to Nugget Falls or hike one of the trails. Enjoy the chance to take some great photos of Mendenhall Lake.
Then hop back on board the ship to enjoy your whale watching experience. But really, it should be called a marine life watching tour because you’ll see more than just whales. You’ll likely get the chance to spot a bald eagle, watch sea lions sunbathe and perhaps enjoy black bears feasting to prepare for the winter slumber.
The most common whales you see on the tour are humpback and orca. On board the boat with you will be a naturalist prepared to explain what you’re seeing.
Just hurry to plan your fall whale watching trip because tours only run through early October.
Kayaking with Whales
When you’re ready for a full-day whale-watching experience, consider this tour that gets you close to these incredible creatures. The Inside Passage is a popular kayaking destination. The captain will guide you to wildlife viewing adventures.
In addition to whales, you might spy:
- Sea lions
- Porpoises
- Birds
- Seals
Your seasoned guide will explain the natural history of the area while seeking out the best wildlife encounters to make your tour memorable. The tour was voted as one of the Top 10 Best Kayak Tours by USA Today in 2023.
Where to Stay for Whale Watching
You have many outstanding options for where to stay when preparing for a whale-watching tour in Juneau. Frontier Suites puts you close to the airport and offers a more serene setting compared to downtown Juneau hotels. Enjoy a full kitchen in your hotel suite with everything you need to cook meals for yourself. Book your stay now to enjoy fall whale watching at its finest.
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