Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake

[MistyRo76]

We will be in Juneau from 7AM to 3PM and would like to do both a Whale Watching Tour and the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. 

 

Has anyone done both of these tours on a cruise stop with a similar amount of time in port? I was initially looking at using Harv & Marv or Jayleen, but I did find a couple tour company sites that offer tours that include both activities. The sites are Alaska Travel Adventures and Alaska Shore Excursions. Are there any other companies who offer this combo tour? 

 

Is anyone familiar with Alaska Travel Adventures or Alaska Shore Excursions? Would love direct feedback on these companies! Has anyone been able to use Harv & Marv or Jayleen and been able to combine the tour with a drop off at Gold Creek for the Salmon Bake? 

 

Also, how early do these Whale Watching tour typically start? It looks like the lunch Salmon Bakes are at 11AM and 12PM. 

Thanks! 

[Jnsplace1]

The timing of Harv & Marv has tours that start 730am.  4 hours is the total time of the tour.   3 hours on boat, 1 hour of transportation time.  Assuming you get on a 730am tour, you'd want to get a Salmon bake at Noon.

 

https://www.harvandmarvs-juneau-whale-watching.com/

 

And from what I understand, they book out during the peak season quickly.   Perhaps check to see if your day is still open to help you decide?   

good luck!

[jean87510]

Shoreexcursioneer.com used to offer a combo of this.  We actually really liked it. We were in Juneau 9a to 9p.  In the morning we made our way on our own to Mendenhall and explored the area.  Then we went back to the port.  We met up with our excursion at I believe 1 or 2pm.  They first took us to whale watching then over to the salmon bake.  I was a little disappointed with the whale watching because I had thought naively that the boat was close to the whales.  I truthfully didn't realize a distance has to be maintained in the US.  In the canary Islands, the boats are literally next to the whales.  Still was pretty good.  The whole excursion was 5 hours.  

[Brandis]

Last time, we even did a 3 part tour while in Juneau, first to Mendenhall Glacier, then the Whale watching and finished at Gold Creek. Really liked it. The salmon with the maple syrup glazing was delicious and the surroundings were nice.

 

On our upcoming cruise, I decided to do all our tours on our own, so we rented a car in Juneau through Turo then will go to the Glacier first, visit a salmon hatchery and finish with the salmon bake, giving us some time to spare to walk around in Juneau. This time, we do the Whale Watching in Icy Strait Point.

 

I contacted Gold Creek Salmon Bake about booking it on our own and was told that they accept Walk-Ins, they recommend to be there about 15 min. before the posted starting time to give a head start before the organized tours arrive and we could just pay at the bar.

[wolfie11]

If I was renting a car I wouldn’t bother with the very touristy salmon bake, but find a great local restaurant in the Valley or Auke Bay.  My favorite is the halibut and chips at the Sand Bar.

[Brandis]

I know it‘s touristy but it was fun last time and I enjoyed the food. I can go to a regular restaurant any day.