Recommendations needed - Best whale watch - Juneau

[claybrookpunch]

We are doing our first Alaskan Cruise in July of 2024.

We are hoping to do a whale watch, but not with the cruise line. 

Would love any recommendations and helpful hints.

[Glaciers]

Harv n Marv, Jayleen’s & Juneau Whale Watch get consistently good reviews. The main differences are the size of the boat and time on the water. Harv n Marv & Jayleen’s spend 3 hours on the water, JWW 2 hours on the water but also have a combo tour where they take you to Mendenhall Glacier after the whale watch and then back to the ship. If motion sickness is an issue, the JWW boats are bigger holding up to about 40 passengers. We have had about 25 passengers on 4 trips out with them. They all go to the same places. If seeing whales is a priority, more time on the water is better.

[donaldsc]

We have used Gastineau Guiding Company twice.  They were excellent both times,  In fact the guide we had this summer was one of the best we have had ever on any cruise we have taken ever.

 

DON

[Uff da]

Juneau Lighthouse Tours does a combo whale/lighthouse tour. I just saw it yesterday on ParoDeeJay. Looked great! 

[quack2]

Just don't take the ship's whale watching excursion.  As many people as they can cram onto the boat.

[azappraiser]

thought this was cute...

[dd57]

On 8/19/2023 at 11:53 AM, quack2 said:

Just don't take the ship's whale watching excursion.  As many people as they can cram onto the boat.

We took our ship's excursion and it turned out to be with Gastineau Guiding who only have small boats.  And as @donaldsc says, one of the best excursion guides ever.

[surgie]

On 8/25/2023 at 4:02 PM, dd57 said:

We took our ship's excursion and it turned out to be with Gastineau Guiding who only have small boats.  And as @donaldsc says, one of the best excursion guides ever.

So curious why you wouldn't just book directly with Gastineau Guiding if that's the tour you prefer? If you broke with the ship you don't have control over the tour company they use, correct?

[surgie]

1 minute ago, surgie said:

So curious why you wouldn't just book directly with Gastineau Guiding if that's the tour you prefer? If you broke with the ship you don't have control over the tour company they use, correct?

Ok now I see - Gatineau makes you choose your cruise line to book a tour. 

[roadtripper]

We took Celebrity's evening whale watch excursion and it was incredible. One thing to consider is that if you are with a ship excursion, you don't need to rush to get back. We saw so many whales (bubble net feeding!) that we were late getting back to the ship, but never worried that they would leave without us. 

[NWA395]

We booked Harv and Marv's in May 2023.  A 15 pax boat and there were only 8 of us onboard.  Very comfortable and they provide transportation to and from the pier.  Saw many whales and did not have to fight crowds.  Snacks an water provided.

[Italy52]

We are big fans of Jayleen's Alaska.  @Glaciersprovided a nice overview of some of the favorite whale watching vendors in Juneau.  I encourage you to take a look at their websites and see which one works best for you.  Have a great time.

[libtrek]

Another vote for Gastineau. We did the scientific one (through NCL) and was one of the best ever. Smaller boat, close to the water. Saw many whales, some the guide knew by name. They also pulled up a crab pot and we got up close and personal with sea life.

[triplemom3]

We are scheduled with Harv & Marv in 2 weeks so I will try and come back for a review.  Never been to Alaska, and so a bit nervous on going out on my own, but really don’t want to do the ship excursion with so many people.

[Chips401]

Harv and Marv's Outback Alaska | Juneau Whale Watching (harvandmarvs-juneau-whale-watching.com)

 

By far the best company we went on an excursion with.  They meet you right at the pier, transport  you to the dock.  Very personal, gave us lots of little sightseeing tips on the way back.  Stopped at the glacier as we had extra time.  

[KruisinKath]

On 9/8/2023 at 6:26 AM, triplemom3 said:

We are scheduled with Harv & Marv in 2 weeks so I will try and come back for a review.  Never been to Alaska, and so a bit nervous on going out on my own, but really don’t want to do the ship excursion with so many people.

They’re one of the longest running vendors in Juneau; you’ll be in good hands!

[sambamama]

I booked Harv and Marv and it was awful. The boat was small, the captain was nice. But every boat that day saw whales BUT US!!! And a fair many. Our captain thought she didn't want to be around anyone and we were not. But we did not see whales, we saw nothing until in the last 10 minutes we saw a tail fin. Yup, that was it. No orcas, no seals, no sea otters, no eagles, one tail fin for 30 seconds.