Whale Watching - Juneau or Ketchikan?

[Priszm]

Hello.  Booked on Sapphire Princess Southbound June 2024. This trip to Alaska I really want to do whale watching. How is whale watching in Ketchikan? Is it a good as it better than Juneau? Thank you. 

[Kat915]

I would go with Juneau. They usually offer 100% guarantee even if it's only a tail.

I never heard of whale watching in ketchikan. 

[Northern Aurora]

@Priszm:  Is your cruise possibly stopping at Icy Strait Point?  Incredible whale watching there.  But definitely book Juneau.  

[Priszm]

2 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

@Priszm:  Is your cruise possibly stopping at Icy Strait Point?  Incredible whale watching there.  But definitely book Juneau.  

Sadly no.  Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.

Edited December 18, 2022 by Priszm

[Northern Aurora]

In ISP in September 2021 we watched  ninety (yes -90) minutes of bubble feeding.  Incredible.  When ships dock at that floating dock whales will approach the cruise ship itself.  Really great whale watching at that port.

 

But book your whale watching at Juneau.

[Mountaineer0313]

Of your ports, you will want to whale watch in Juneau. I recommend Jayleen's Alaska.

[Italy52]

From your port list, I would choose whale watching in Juneau.  I also second the recommendation for Jayleen's Alaska. 

[Coral]

I don't remember any whale watching vendors in Ketchikan.

 

You will want Juneau. Very popular in Juneau at Auke Bay.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Coral

[Brandis]

A couple of years ago, we did Whale Watching in Juneau, it was part of a bigger excursion package (Mendenhall glacier, whale watching and salmon bake)

 

They had a $100 refund guarantee if we wouldn't see any wales, they said they didn't have to pay not even once in 10 years of operation.

 

And we truly saw so many whales on that trip, it was amazing!

 

[Glaciers]

Another option for whale watch tours in Juneau is Juneau Whale Watch. We have had about 25 people on the two-deck boat with plenty of room at the rail for everyone. We’ve been out with them 4 times and they are our preference over Harv n  Marv and Jayleen. They can also drop you at Mendenhall Glacier to explore and then take you back to the ship. Other than the size of the boat, most of the operators are more similar than different. They all go to the same places which are primarily between west of Douglas Island and the north end of Shelter Island. The advantage of Harv n Marv and Jayleen is  that they spend  more time on the water.

[peety3]

I recommend Gastineau Guiding. We've done two different tours with them, and I strongly suggest their Photo Safari. Great opportunity to learn about photography, smaller boat (14 vs 20) than their other tours, and a short trail hike to learn about the recession of Mendenhall Glacier. That said, any of their tours are top-notch.