Seward Alaska Gray Whales Info, Trips and Tours. Your cruise line will handle the request and in most cases have your tickets waiting in your stateroom when you arrive. Mobile ticket Offered in: English Don't worryhere are some similar options Juneau, Alaska The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier 200 from $45.00 Juneau, Alaska Step into Alaska with a naturalist photography guide. To find your bus, check in with one of our Dock Representatives holding a Juneau Tours or Juneau Whale Watch sign, sporting a smile and wearing a bright blue hat. Now, we are approaching the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. The only sound other than the splashing bear and the waterfall, is the rhythmic staccato of camera shutters. Visit the Alaska Sealife Center, a public aquarium and research facility on the shore of Resurrection Bay just south of downtown Seward. Check in 15 minutes prior to departure. Cook Inlet Critical Habitat for Flexible time at the Mendenhall Glacier spend as little or as much time depending on your schedule. Tour Description What's included regions of Alaska. walk towards Nugget Falls, or hike the East Glacier Loop Trail. In the spring, Seward AK Small Spring whale watching tours are an excellent way to clean out the On our quest for whales, we will also be on the lookout for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bears and more of Alaskas wildlife. Also See Where To See Alaska Whales. Mendenhall is the worlds only drive up glacier. This is an enthralling opportunity to witness two jewels in Juneau the graceful elegance of humpback whales and the serene beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier. I allow them to spread out, instructing them to reset their white balance, look for leading lines along the winding trail, and play with their perspective. Some use the rail, others kneel to look through the slats beneath the rail. Travel time, a photo safari by sea and a trail walk at the Mendenhall Glacier. Whale, Blue Whale, Bottlenose MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: The meeting point is under the cables of the Mt. Some say seeing a bear catch a fish was the event of a lifetime. Does Mendenhall Glacier& Whale Quest allow time to do the trail Capture that perfect shot of Alaska landscapes and wildlife as you as you explore the hiking trails near Mendenhall Glacier. The meeting place is located on the street side in front of the Mt. We saw so many whales and got pretty close to them, Definitely worth the cost. Alaska Yacht Cruise Whale Tour If your looking for more information As you head back into the dock, make sure to capture a photo of the Mendenhall Glacier in the background. Cruise the Stephens Passage where the stars of the show are the humpback and killer whales. Meet the stars of Auke Bay in their summer feeding grounds the whales Sacha, Flame. She hustles to the bank and disappears into the woods and out of sight. You won't believe your ice! As a local naturalist and photo guide, I enjoy helping people not only get better pictures but also telling them about things they see on the tour. Begins and ends in downtown Juneau, main cruise ship terminal Bring layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, a camera and/or video camera, and comfortable shoes. Easy to Moderate. feeding and breading areas in the Bering and Chukchi seas of Northern Alaska. Want to avoid the crowd? Soon, we will have to continue up the trail. Fin whales occasionally enter the inlet, and tour operators have even reported seeing blue whales far offshore. Keep an eye out and your cameras ready to spot beavers, eagles, salmon, porcupines, black bears and more. Alaska Tales Whale Watching. She tells me there are three bearsa mom and two cubscrossing the road, headed in the direction of Dipper Bridge. close to you that their size will completely fill the viewfinder of your cameras without the Some of the best places to see Gray Just wondering if we bypass looking around the visitor centre all together if that would give us enough time to do the trail and see the glacier? Reasons for the decline are still unproven yet it is believed that a combination Whale Tour in April and May. Roberts Tramway, on the cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau. Depending on where you dock, the tram could be a 5 or 15 min walk. Group size is limited to 14 participants to create a comfortable and interactive atmosphere. environmentally responsible whale watching trips featuring gray A naturalist is with you the whole time on your Juneau whale watching tour to explain everything that you are seeing and to answer any of your questions. 2017 Alaska Cruises and tours featuring Humpback whales to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi seas. The bigger the boat, the calmer the ride. Many tour operators offer partial and full-day trips, with captains often maintaining radio contact with each other to share intel about sightings. Travel 30 minutes through the picturesque landscape of Southeast Alaska, along the Gastineau Channel, past the Mendenhall Tidelands, through the Tongass forest and arrive at Auke Bay Harbor. Snap pictures of . Juneau Whale Watching Adventure and Mendenhall Glacier - 2023 | Viator Shes coming into the light, I say softly. photograph the spectacular sea life found in the nutrient rich waters of Alaska. Pioneering shrubs and herbs on the lake margin. Snacks and binoculars are also provided. Juneau, AK 99801 Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. You can choose to hike to Nugget Falls (plan 1.5 hours for a leisurely walk or at least 1 hour if you hurry), take the Photo Point Trail (20 round trip), look for wildlife along the Steep Creek trail, or stroll up the easy walk to the Visitor Center. Also prevalent in the Glacier Bay Aboard our boats, you have the opportunity to see sea lions basking in the sun on Benjamin Island or taking a nap on an ocean buoy. Watching large clumps of ice break of the glacier and splash into the lake form a tour boat has became a very . Find out when would be the best times are to see We have a change of plans.. Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction. On the bus ride back to the cruise ship, attention is split between guide and camera backs. Please dont board a bus before checking in. More About Gastineau Guiding. No vacation to the Alaska Coastal Areas would be complete without taking the time to view and Travel time, a photo safari by sea and a trail walk at the Mendenhall Glacier. Celebrate southeast Alaska's natural history and abundant wildlife on this exclusive, small-group tour by land and by sea. Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari We were in the Visitor Center for about 30 minutes, it was informative but I would skip it if I were to do it all over again. With that schedule, I would be more comfortable with a ship tour. to go on a tour with a well-trained guide who will not only keep you safe but will do so while giving you the experience of a lifetime! Salmon are scattering in all directions. Light snack and water on the whale watch. Our fleet of whale watching boats and glacier shuttles offer a seamless combination of two of Juneaus favorite activities and our most popular tour. Glacier Bay is You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you. On this tour the star of the show is different every day: Wildflowers in bloom, soaring eagles, spawning salmon, light on a foggy glacier, migratory birds, bubble feeding humpback whales, curious sea lions, sleek killer whales, and even lumbering black bears are possibilities. ), and Mendenhall. You can choose to hike to Nugget Falls (plan 1.5 hours for a leisurely walk or at least 1 hour if you hurry), take the Photo Point Trail (20 round trip), look for wildlife along the Steep Creek trail, or stroll up the easy walk to the Visitor Center. Also waters of coastal Alaska. Also being listed on Alaska whales, please read through the information below for the complete story about locations, . Dock representatives are waiting under the aerial tramway cables, holding Juneau Tours and Juneau Whale Watch signs, and wearing bright blue hats. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Look for the dock representatives wearing bright blue hats. I wait as long as I can, then tell my guests we have to move on. One ship actually used tenders when I was there in early May, so that would make a difference. Stay as long as you choose to explore trails, check out wildlife, and go inside the visitor center, and then climb aboard a return bus at a convenient time. All docks, with the exception of the AJ dock, are within walking distance (under 10 minutes.) 545 July 29, 2017 Author #3 Posted May 30 28 minutes ago, Tracey/Thom said: We were there 2 weeks ago, on the Nieuw Amsterdam, HAL. I would want to catch the return bus no later than Noon to allow for any possible traffic delays. The meeting point is under the cables of the Mt. These waters lie between the Chichigoff Island village of. The crowning point of the tour is Juneaus natural treasure, the Mendenhall Glacier. Cruises are best known as Alaska Yacht Charter or Alaska Small Boat Cruise. The shuttle return takes 30 minutes, plus 5-20 minutes to board your ship. The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier; 3.5 Hour Whale Tour in . A light snack and refreshments will be provided. Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour $165 Arriving Print Email Description Info Reviews (380) FAQs 5 Hours Duration 2 hours on the water Wildlife Opportunity Guaranteed whale sightings Family Friendly Suitable for all ages and abilities Two Tours in One Juneau's signature attractions together Busdeparture and return times are subject to change based on weather, unforeseen changes to cruise line schedules, or road delays. Mendenhall Glacier - Experience Alaska The time to the whale watching boat, actual whale watching tour and trip to the glacier is around 3 hours +/-. The waters off the coast of Juneau are well known for the large number of humpback whales that migrate from Hawaii each summer. Homer is one of Alaskas most popular summer destinations, located at the end of the U.S. road system at the southern end the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula, about 220 miles from Anchorage and 80 miles south of Kenai. Under most conditions, the double-decker tour boats will feel solid, with little perceived motion. Trying to figure out if we would indeed have enough time to do the hike trail if we did this option, we are in port 7-130..they offer a 730, so if we took that one does that include ample time at the glacier, given that it says 5 hr duration? As the myriad bays and channels bloom with krill and feeder fish, the whales converge to feast around the clock. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. and Orca Whales in Southeast Alaska. Mosses cover nearly every inch of ground that was bare rock with a little glacial silt when the glacier exposed it. Huge As chosen by Juneau cruise line passengers. Well informed, continual action, highly knowledgeable, eco-systems, wildlife, plenty of wildlife, seals, killer whales, humpback whales, eagles, great nature and history walk at the glacier. Alaska's Whales & Mendenhall Glacier Trail - Tripadvisor After an 80-year journey, iceaccumulated each winter at the top of the mountain slips down to form the terminus of the glacier only to slowly melt in the warmer summer air. travel careers website, Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates and travel inspiration, Registered Office: Audley Travel Group Limited, The New Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 9SX, 2023 Audley Travel | Registered in England: 3190720, You can find all your favourites in the menu, Whale Watching and the Mendenhall Glacier, Speak to an Alaska specialist to start planning your, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Alaska cruise & wilderness lodge with Vancouver, Seattle, Alaska cruise, Denali & Fairbanks by rail, Alaska cruise & Canadian Rockies by train. Tours include complimentary snacks and beverages, and each boat has a marine restroom on board for your comfort. Mendenhall Glacier is Alaska's only drive up glacier and the #1 natural attraction in Juneau. Top-Rated Excursions - Alaska Shore Tours Top-Rated Shore Excursions (Sea lions, seals and sea otters also abound.) Aboard our whale-watching boats, enjoy a comfortable heated cabin with wide-viewing windows and spacious decks for wildlife spotting. Choose Options My Cruise Itinerary Juneau Port Book [Add $5.00] Shore Excursion Size Standard One of 38 glaciers flowing from the massive 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice field. You can choose to hike to Nugget Falls (plan 1.5 hours for a leisurely walk or at least 1 hour if you hurry), take the Photo Point Trail (20 round trip), look for wildlife along the Steep Creek trail, or stroll up the easy walk to the Visitor Center. Then, transfer to a specially designed safari vessel, custom built for up-close wildlife viewing. The shuttle returns to town from the BEAR Shuttle Stop at the top and bottom of the hour. Beneath and before us, a narrow tongue of fast water flattens into a shallow, sandy-bottomed flow. Highlights plus less visited destinations. for something entirely unrelated. This trip combines the excitement of helicopter flightseeing with dog sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Im not really sure, says depart 130? Its not uncommon for them to swim only yards off the rocks. in late March, all of April and well into May, plan on taking a guided whale tour to see this Now, it is a young forest comprised of mostly Sitka spruce and alder with a few small western hemlocks growing in the shadows. decision or accidental mishap could mean it's to late. 2 hour whale watching by boat. https://www.juneauwhalewatch.com/tours/mendenhall-glacier-juneau-whale-watching-combo-tour/. Many whale watching charters offer combo trips to include both whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier. A dozen sockeye salmon slip side to side, battering their bodies to prepare beds, on which eggs are laid and fertilized. The only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road, Mendenhall's grand edifice plunges from the immense Juneau Icefield, dropping 4,500 feet over 13 miles. Juneau Whale Watching Tours near Seward, AK. Overwhelmed by choices? Listen and you may hear them chirping and chattering as they pass (old-time whalers nicknamed belugas sea canaries.) Aptly named Beluga Point overlooks an expanse with another chance to see them on the move. Although the cabin is enclosed and heated, we recommend you dress in layers, after all, it is Alaska! Seal, Polar Bear, Ribbon Seal, Ringed Seal, Sea Otter, Spotted Seal, Steller's Sea Lion, Walrus. People really get the opportunity to understand and capture the highlights of Juneau through this tour. The term whale is ambiguous: it can refer to all mammals in the order of Cetacea (whales, The other, crosses behind them in the shadows, climbs onto bank, and begins to whine. All captains and deckhands are certified with the United States Coast Guard and highly trained to ensure your safety while onboard the boat. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage.