Booking choice: The Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching cruise, from $177 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Juneau's whale cruises are sold as half-day tours with transfers: a bus from downtown to Auke Bay, about two hours on the water and the bus back. That makes the headline prices easy to compare, because they all include the same core.
Prices below are the live Viator from-prices per adult in 2026. They move with the season, so the checkout price is the one that counts.
The quick answer
Shared whale cruises with transfers cost from $154 to $209 per adult in 2026, and the most reviewed one, Alaska Tales, is $177. Combos with the Mendenhall Glacier, a lighthouse, a salmon bake or a crab meal cost $199 to $274. Children pay less on most tours, crew tips are extra, and three listings are non-refundable.
How much is whale watching in Juneau in 2026?
From $154 to $209 per adult for a shared cruise with transfers, and from $199 to $274 for a combo.
Here is every tour on this site with its live from-price and the one thing that sets it apart.
| Tour | From (adult) | What sets it apart | Free cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching | $177 | Most reviewed here | Yes, 24 hours |
| Auke Bay binocular cruise | $154 | Lowest price, binoculars | Yes, 24 hours |
| Harv & Marv's | $159 | Pickup at your ship | Non-refundable |
| Small-group catamaran | $209 | Max 20 guests | Yes, 24 hours |
| Whales + glacier | $199 | Mendenhall Glacier, fee paid | Yes, 24 hours |
| Whales + lighthouse | $199 | Lighthouse stop | Non-refundable |
| Whales + salmon bake | $239 | Salmon buffet | Non-refundable |
| Whales + king crab | $274 | Crab meal | Yes, 24 hours |
Want the safe choice? The most reviewed cruise here cancels free up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching cruiseWhat does the price include?
The bus from downtown to Auke Bay and back, about two hours on a boat with a heated cabin, a naturalist and usually snacks and water.
Some tours add more: the Auke Bay binocular cruise hands out binoculars, Harv & Marv's adds soft drinks and a glacier view stop from the water, and the glacier combo pays your Mendenhall entrance fee.
What is not included?
Crew gratuities on most tours, plus drinks on the crab combo and alcohol on the salmon bake.
Tipping the captain and naturalist is customary in Alaska. Bring small bills. If you add the glacier on your own rather than with the combo, the visitor center charges $5 per person aged 16 and over in summer.
Why is a combo more expensive?
Because it adds a real second experience and an extra hour or two, not just a photo stop.
The glacier combo ($199) includes the bus to the Mendenhall Glacier and its entrance fee; the salmon bake ($239) adds an all-you-can-eat buffet; the crab combo ($274) adds a meal at Tracy's King Crab Shack. Priced separately, those extras would cost you time and taxis on a short port day.
Short on time? The combo does the whales and the Mendenhall Glacier in about five hours.
Explore the whales and glacier comboDo children pay less?
Yes, most tours have a cheaper child rate, but the age bands differ by operator.
For example, Alaska Tales counts 12 and over as adults, while Juneau Tours and Harv & Marv's count 13 and over; infants ride on a lap. See Juneau whale watching with kids for more.
Is it cheaper than booking through your cruise line?
Often, but not always: independent tours visit the same waters and can cost less than cruise-line versions, so compare the same departure.
The trade-off is the return guarantee: a cruise line holds the ship for its own late tours, an independent operator does not. Choose a departure that ends with a comfortable buffer before all-aboard.
Ready to lock in a date? Transfers from the tram and a naturalist are in the price.
Check dates for the Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching cruiseWhich tours can you cancel for free?
Alaska Tales, the glacier combo, the small-group catamaran, the Auke Bay binocular cruise and the crab combo cancel free up to 24 hours before on Viator.
The Harv & Marv's, lighthouse and salmon bake listings are non-refundable, so book those once your port day is certain. If a tour is cancelled for unsafe weather, operators offer a new time or a refund.
Is a whale cruise good value?
Yes, if you want to see humpbacks up close: guests report whales on most trips.
The ratings are the evidence: every tour here rates 4.8 or higher, and Alaska Tales holds 5.0 from more than 9,500 reviews. If you want to compare boats and pickup styles, read the tours compared.
Picked your price point? Check the departures that fit your ship.
Check dates for the Auke Bay binocular cruiseFrequently asked questions
Do I need to book whale watching in Juneau in advance?
Yes, on busy ship days departures sell out. Booking a refundable tour early costs you nothing if plans change.
Should I tip on a Juneau whale cruise?
Tipping the crew is customary and usually not included in the price. Bring small bills or a card.
Is the Viator price the same as the operator's?
Often similar, but prices can differ slightly by channel, so compare at checkout. Cancellation terms follow the listing you book, and Viator shows the reviews in one place.
Ready to book
Choose your cruise
Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season. Check each listing's cancellation rules before you book.
Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching
- Round-trip shuttle from the Mount Roberts Tramway to Auke Bay
- About two hours on the water with a naturalist guide
- Boat with heated cabins and outdoor viewing decks (up to 49 guests)
Auke Bay Whale Watching with Binoculars
The cheapest whale cruise here, binoculars and snacks included
Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Combo
- Round-trip transport from the Mount Roberts Tramway
- 2-hour whale cruise on a 24-seat jet boat or 49-seat catamaran
- Naturalist on board, water and a light snack
