Harv and Marv's Outback Alaska | Juneau Whale Watching

[carlp]

want to do 'whale watching' in Juneau - there are many companies offering this

including Princess.  can someone recommend and comment on which to choose

so confusing! what you thought were best

 

thanks

[Gsel]

We have always used Jayleen's Alaska for whale watching. Smaller boats and she is a native Alaskan. Her Captains pick you up at the pier and bring you back. Great company!

[LEMJMcC]

We're booked for a private tour for the ten of us this July with Harv & Marv's in Juneau.  They have been very responsive to my inquiries.  We'll see if they live up to their reputation, which seems positive from what I've read of them.

[SirTomster]

The board here have highly praised both of them. (Harv and Marv and Jayleen) I do not think you will do wrong with either.

 

The big thing I would look for is the time on water.  Both groups above have you on the water for 3 hours.   I think there are some others out there that have less.   Watch out for that.

 

 

 

 

[NWA395]

We used Harv and Marv's last year.  It was a 15 pax boat and we only had about 6 people so lots of room.  The picked us up at the port, shuttled us to their marina and provided water and snacks.  A full three hours on the water.  Lots of whales and the boat captain did a great job.

 

We were very pleased with their operations and the cost was about half of the Princess tour.  The also guarantee they will get you back to the ship on time.

[Italy52]

Jayleen's Alaska is our preferred vendor for whale watching in Juneau.  We have gone out with her numerous times and have never been disappointed.  Juneau offers many whale watching vendors.  It is important to check them out  and see if they fulfill your needs.  Some vendors offer more time on the water than others. If interested, here is Jayleen's website:  https://jayleensalaska.com/

[GORDONCHICK]

Jayleen, of Jayleen's Alaska is the daughter of Jay Beedle, one of the two founders of Harv & Marv's.  Our last Harv & Marv's, it had been bought out but we had Jayleen as our captain.  We will be booking with Jayleen's Alaska.

[Jobo18]

On 4/22/2024 at 9:57 AM, LEMJMcC said:

We're booked for a private tour for the ten of us this July with Harv & Marv's in Juneau.  They have been very responsive to my inquiries.  We'll see if they live up to their reputation, which seems positive from what I've read of them.

Harv and Marv are fabulous. Took them when they originally owned it and 4 years ago under new management and no issues either time. First class operation.

[vacation44]

On 7/8/2024 at 12:23 PM, Jobo18 said:

Harv and Marv are fabulous. Took them when they originally owned it and 4 years ago under new management and no issues either time. First class operation.

Thank you for your post as we are looking to book a private tour with them next June.

[LEMJMcC]

We had a great experience with Captain Greg and Wildlife Biologist Cory on the Kaytos last Friday, 7/5/2024.  We saw so many Humpback whales that we quit counting, with several breaching nearby the boat.  We also encountered a pod of Orcas.  Both Capt. Greg and Cory were very knowledgeable, friendly, engaging, and entertaining.  I can't recommend them highly enough.  We had a group of ten in our cruise party, so elected to reserve a private tour with H&M.  Everything went smoothly and it was the highlight of the cruise for us!

Edited July 9 by LEMJMcC

[vacation44]

2 hours ago, LEMJMcC said:

We had a great experience with Captain Greg and Wildlife Biologist Cory on the Kaytos last Friday, 7/5/2024.  We saw so many Humpback whales that we quit counting, with several breaching nearby the boat.  We also encountered a pod of Orcas.  Both Capt. Greg and Cory were very knowledgeable, friendly, engaging, and entertaining.  I can't recommend them highly enough.  We had a group of ten in our cruise party, so elected to reserve a private tour with H&M.  Everything went smoothly and it was the highlight of the cruise for us!

Thank you very much for reporting back!   Happy to hear that you had a wonderful time.    I am going to contact them tomorrow.    

 

Did you just pay a deposit or did you have to pay in full at booking?

[LEMJMcC]

13 hours ago, vacation44 said:

Thank you very much for reporting back!   Happy to hear that you had a wonderful time.    I am going to contact them tomorrow.    

 

Did you just pay a deposit or did you have to pay in full at booking?

I paid the whole price upon booking.  Be aware that there is a 3% booking fee that is not apparent on their website.  For a private tour we paid $1,630.80 (including this 3% fee) and there were only ten of us on the boat, not including the captain and the biologist.  There might have been room for a couple more, but it would have been tight.  Ten was a comfortable number. Harv & Marv's run multiple tours, some on larger boats.

 

We were shuttled from the cruise pier in Juneau to the marina in a medium sized bus with I think three other tour groups; took about 10-15 minutes.  There are nice restrooms available at the marina.  On our way back to the pier after the tour the shuttle stopped at the Mendenhall viewpoint and we were able to get out and take some pictures of the glacier; it was a good distance away, still it was neat to see it.

 

Enjoy!

[vacation44]

24 minutes ago, LEMJMcC said:

I paid the whole price upon booking.  Be aware that there is a 3% booking fee that is not apparent on their website.  For a private tour we paid $1,630.80 (including this 3% fee) and there were only ten of us on the boat, not including the captain and the biologist.  There might have been room for a couple more, but it would have been tight.  Ten was a comfortable number. Harv & Marv's run multiple tours, some on larger boats.

 

We were shuttled from the cruise pier in Juneau to the marina in a medium sized bus with I think three other tour groups; took about 10-15 minutes.  There are nice restrooms available at the marina.  On our way back to the pier after the tour the shuttle stopped at the Mendenhall viewpoint and we were able to get out and take some pictures of the glacier; it was a good distance away, still it was neat to see it.

 

Enjoy!

Thanks for the additional information, especially the 3% booking fee!

 

Another question, were there any type of refreshments on board?    

[LEMJMcC]

1 hour ago, vacation44 said:

Thanks for the additional information, especially the 3% booking fee!

 

Another question, were there any type of refreshments on board?    

Not much to speak of; some bottled water and some packaged snacks like Nature Valley Biscuits, I think.  Frankly we were so busy looking at and photographing whales that we didn't think much about eating or drinking...