Juneau Whale Watch FAQs: Everything You Need Before Setting Sail

All tours begin with check-in beneath the Goldbelt Tramway (Mount Roberts Tramway) in downtown Juneau. Look for our team wearing bright blue hats and white safety vests. They will be holding “Juneau Tours and Whale Watch” signs. Nearly every cruise ship docks within a short walk of our meeting location. If your ship arrives at the AJ Dock, simply board the complimentary cruise shuttle, which drops you off directly in front of the tramway. We recommend arriving about 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Don’t worry; we monitor every cruise ship in real time throughout the day. If your ship is delayed, we adjust our departure schedule whenever possible so you can still enjoy your excursion. If weather or other circumstances prevent your cruise ship from docking, our No Port–No Pay Policy provides a full refund with no administrative fees.

Absolutely. Many cruise passengers hear they’ll miss their ship if they don’t book through the cruise line, but that simply isn’t true when you choose an experienced local operator. For more than 20 years we’ve coordinated our tours around cruise schedules and have never had a guest miss their ship because of one of our excursions.

Booking directly also means:

• Smaller groups
• Local captains and naturalists
• More personalized experiences
• Better value
• Direct customer support before and after your tour

Yes. From May 15 through September 15, every whale watching excursion includes our 100% Whale Sighting Guarantee. Each summer, humpback whales travel nearly 3,000 miles from Hawaii and Mexico to feed in the nutrient-rich waters surrounding Juneau. Unlike many coastal destinations, our tours take place within Alaska’s protected Inside Passage, where humpback whales spend nearly all day feeding. Because our captains are on the water every day and communicate constantly with other vessels, we consistently locate active whales. Seeing behaviors such as bubble-net feeding, tail slapping, breaching, or deep diving depends on the whales themselves, but seeing whales during the guarantee period is extraordinarily common.

Juneau offers a unique combination of geography and marine biology. The Inside Passage provides calm, protected waterways filled with nutrient-rich glacial runoff that supports enormous populations of krill and baitfish—the humpback whales’ favorite food. Instead of migrating through the area, whales spend the entire summer feeding here, often remaining in the same general waters for weeks. This gives our captains an incredible opportunity to locate whales consistently throughout the season.

For most guests, seasickness is extremely uncommon. Unlike ocean whale watching tours along exposed coastlines, our excursions stay within the calm waters of the Inside Passage. These protected waterways experience very little ocean swell, and you’re rarely more than a mile from shore. If you’re especially sensitive to motion, we recommend taking motion sickness medication before boarding, but most visitors are pleasantly surprised by how smooth the ride feels.

Federal regulations protect humpback whales, and we proudly follow—and often exceed—those guidelines. Our captains position the boats at safe viewing distances that allow the whales to behave naturally while still giving guests incredible viewing and photography opportunities. Many times, curious whales choose to approach the boats themselves, creating unforgettable moments while keeping the animals completely in control.

Most of our whale watching excursions at Juneau Whale Watch last approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on your specific tour package. This includes transportation, boarding, cruising through the Inside Passage, wildlife viewing, and returning to your cruise ship with plenty of time before departure.

Whales may be the stars of the show, but they’re far from the only wildlife you’ll encounter. Depending on the season and conditions, guests frequently see:

• Harbor seals
• Steller sea lions
• Dall’s porpoises
• Harbor porpoises
• Sea otters
• Bald eagles
• Black bears
• Mountain goats
• Sitka black-tailed deer
• Salmon
• Puffins and other seabirds

Every trip is unique because we’re observing wild animals in their natural habitat.

The prime whale watching season runs from May through September. This coincides with the humpback whales’ summer migration into Southeast Alaska. Throughout the season, whales are actively feeding, making sightings consistently excellent.

Our fleet wasn’t purchased from a catalog—it was purpose-built specifically for Southeast Alaska. Our founder, Sky, pioneered the design of our custom catamarans to provide exceptional stability while navigating Juneau’s waterways. Built by experienced boat builders in Port Angeles and Homer, Alaska, these twin-hull vessels deliver:

• Exceptionally smooth rides
• Outstanding stability
• Spacious heated cabins
• Large viewing windows
• Expansive outdoor viewing decks
• Excellent photography opportunities

The result is a more comfortable and immersive whale watching experience.

Yes. Every vessel features enclosed, heated cabins with oversized viewing windows. Because guests frequently move between the indoor seating areas and the outside viewing decks, temperatures can fluctuate throughout the tour. We recommend wearing layers so you’re comfortable both indoors and outside.

Capacity varies depending on which vessel you’re sailing aboard. Our fleet includes several custom boats that allow everyone plenty of room to enjoy unobstructed wildlife viewing while maintaining a comfortable atmosphere. All our vessels are small, our largest ones only hold 49 guests.

Yes. Every boat includes a clean onboard marine restroom (known as “the head”). We also recommend using the public restrooms near the Goldbelt Tramway before boarding.

Absolutely. Our boats are available for a variety of private tours:

• Family reunions
• Weddings
• Elopements
• Corporate events
• Photography groups
• Anniversary celebrations
• Bachelor and bachelorette parties

Several of our larger catamarans—including the Rochelle B and Chilkat—feature dedicated food service areas and bar spaces for private events.

Experience makes a tremendous difference. Many of our captains return season after season, giving us one of the highest captain retention rates in Alaska’s tourism industry. While on the water, local whale watching operators also communicate by marine radio to share wildlife sightings. Instead of competing, everyone works together to create unforgettable experiences while respecting the whales.

Whale SENSE is a voluntary conservation program that recognizes whale watching companies committed to protecting marine wildlife. As proud participants, we follow standards that often exceed federal requirements.

These include:

• Allowing whales plenty of space
• Limiting viewing times
• Reducing vessel speed
• Turning off engines when appropriate
• Educating guests about marine conservation

We believe protecting whales today ensures future generations can enjoy these remarkable animals tomorrow.

Dress in layers. We recommend:

• Waterproof rain jacket
• Warm fleece
• Comfortable pants
• Closed-toe shoes
• Hat and light gloves
• Sunglasses on sunny days

Juneau weather changes quickly, so layering helps you stay comfortable throughout the trip.

Bring:

• Camera or smartphone
• Binoculars (optional)
• Reusable water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Small backpack
• Motion sickness medication if needed

Most importantly, don’t forget your sense of adventure.

Our tours operate rain or shine. Juneau receives approximately 62 inches of rainfall each year, earning it the nickname “the rainiest capital city in the United States.” Rain rarely affects whale activity—in fact, whales don’t mind the weather at all. Some of our most spectacular wildlife encounters happen on misty, overcast days.

Juneau operates on Alaska Time (AKT) and observes Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT) during daylight saving time.

During peak summer, Juneau enjoys nearly 18 hours of daylight, giving visitors plenty of time to experience Alaska’s incredible scenery.

Most U.S. citizens visiting on domestic Alaska cruises do not need a passport to visit Juneau. However, many Alaska cruise itineraries stop in Canada, so always verify your cruise line’s travel document requirements before sailing.

Whale watching isn’t just something we do—it’s what we’re passionate about. For more than 20 years, our local team at Juneau Whale Watch has introduced visitors to the incredible marine wildlife that makes Southeast Alaska famous. From our experienced captains and naturalists to our custom-designed catamarans and commitment to conservation, every aspect of our operation is designed to provide an unforgettable wildlife experience. Whether it’s your first visit to Alaska or your tenth, we want you to leave with incredible photographs, unforgettable memories, and a deeper appreciation for the humpback whales and marine ecosystem that make Juneau one of the world’s premier whale watching destinations.