Whale watching like a local
Go Whale Watching with Dolphin Doug
29 Years of Experience
Smaller Boat Sizes
Quick Pick-up & Return
Most Popular
3-Hour Whale Watching Tour
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3.5 Hours
From $154
Whale Glacier Combo
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4.75 Hours
From $189
Nugget Falls Adventure and Whale Watching Tour
5.75 Hours
The extended glacier combo includes an additional 45 minutes at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, including enough time to make it to the picturesque Nugget Falls and enjoy the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center.
Of course, this combo tour also offers two hours on the water in our mammal friendly boats, where you are guaranteed to see a whale!
From $199
Average Rating of 5.0
Based on 1450+ Reviews
Average Rating of 4.5
Based on 72 Reviews
Reviews
What Our Customers Say
Top Notch
Dolphin Jet Boat Tours was excellent! They provided great service, small group setting, and very knowledgeable staff who clearly enjoyed their job. We were referred by a former employee of the company and we would only book through Dolphin WHEN we make it to Juneau again.
Awesome Excursion
Awesome excursion to watch whales. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Short ride to find the whales. Once we arrived in the bay, we were able to observe whales surfacing!! Staff was able to tell us the different types for whales.
Very fun tour!
Dolphin jet boat tour was very enjoyable. The tour guide was friendly and full of fun facts. We enjoyed seeing several whales and one that kept breeching over and over again. Plan on rain, because it rains a lot, but it doesn’t spoil the adventure!
Our Tours
What You Can Expect
Wildlife
Our tours provide an exhilarating view of Alaskan wildlife which can include Humpbacks, Killer whales, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, bald eagles, black bears and towering mountains.
Small Boat Sizes
Quick Departures & Returns
Knowledgable & Friendly Staff
Dolphin Jet Boat Tours
About Us
We provide the ideal boats for whale watching because they are comfortable and you can get closer to the whales.
This way you can better enjoy them without the obstruction of a great crowd or distance. Instead of being farther removed, as in other boats, you are right at the whale’s level from the deck and bow.
When the whales breach, they breach above you: an awesome sight to behold! While on the water, our experienced naturalist will guide you through the tour and answer any questions you may have about the flora and fauna of Alaska.
Breathtaking Wildlife
Whale Watching Tours in Juneau
Humpback whales migrate to Alaska every spring, spending the winter in their feeding grounds near Japan, Hawaii, and Mexico. The whales migrate through the interior waters of Southeast Alaska in the spring, following their migration route from their winter breeding grounds to the Chukchi Sea. In the summer, they may be sighted throughout the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska. Their migration patterns are highly unpredictable, so it is important to plan ahead.
The whale population in Juneau is quite large. While you can see them from the tour boat, you’ll be out on the open water, so it’s a good idea to pack plenty of layers if you want to be comfortable on the tour. Some boats even feature an amplified hydrophone system, which lets you hear whale song from a distance. Other wildlife that you may come across while whale watching in Juneau include bears and blacktail deer running along the shore.
A tour that includes a hike to the Mendenhall Glacier is a great way to make a memorable day in Juneau. This excursion includes a visit to the Visitor Center and a 90-minute hike to Nugget Falls.
Alaska Whale Watch Tours provide you with 3-4 hours of viewing time, which is more than most other whale watching tours offer. Several whale watching companies boast of having smaller boats with six to eight guests. However, the price of these tours is often much higher than other whale watching tours. And since you’ll be on the water for over three hours, it’s well worth the extra time.
The regulations of whale watching operations are specific to the species and the geographic area, but these regulations must be adhered to in order to protect these animals. The International Whaling Commission has formulated guidelines for whale-watching, including distances between whales and vessels. Moreover, regulations should specify the types of vessels used, how often whales are viewed, and how many tours are offered each day. Alaska Whale Watch closely follows these regulations and obtains permits annually.
Many tours combine wildlife with delicious food. Our King Crab Meal and Whale Watching Tour combine the best of both worlds. You can have a whale-watching cruise and then enjoy delicious king crab while at the best restaurant in town. The King Crab Meal is a delicious way to spend an evening with family and friends. And while you’re at it, make sure to grab a plate of crab to enjoy the view and the tasty treats.
Daily Boat Tours
Best Time to Go Whale Watching in Juneau
There are several different types of whales in the area, and you can expect to see either a humpback whale or an orca. If you are lucky, you might see orcas, although this is not guaranteed. In most cases, you’ll see a humpback whale, orcas’ back, fins, and tail. But even if you don’t spot orcas, you can still enjoy the scenery and the wildlife in Juneau.
In Juneau, you’ll find the most whales. Humpback whales are abundant in Juneau, and you’ll almost always get a glimpse of them during this time of year. You may also spot orcas, bald eagles, and seals. You’ll also see humpbacks and other whale species while you’re on the cruise ship. A whale watching tour in Juneau by Alaska Whale Watch will make your trip to our coastal city the vacation of a lifetime.
Over 29 Years of Experience – Family Owned
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to our most commonly asked questions
What’s the best time of day to go?
Whatever time best works for your schedule! Whales, like all cetaceans, have unique brains in that they can sleep with one side of their brain while swimming, surfacing for air, and feeding with the other side. This means they’re active 24 hours a day!
What will I see out there?
Whales!!! We offer a money-back guarantee if we’re unable to find you humpback whales. Orca sightings are possible – not guaranteed though! – and bald eagles, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and Dall’s porpoises are common.
Will I get back to my ship on time?
Yep! We keep a close eye on ship schedules to ensure you don’t miss your all-aboard call.
What about your boats? What’s the deal with them?
Our boats are enclosed and climate-controlled for comfort, with large outside decks, a restroom, and comfortable forward-facing seats. The boats have water-propelled jets, so they’re fast! This isn’t a pleasure cruise – we get you out to where the whales are!
Which boat will I be on? How many people will be on it?
We make the “which boats go” decision on the day of the tour based on what the water/weather is doing and which captains have a day off! All of our boats have the same indoor/outdoor setup, facilities, refreshments, and naturalist.
Why are smaller boats better? Do they get closer to the whales?
Smaller boats are better because, honestly, who wants to be on a 150-person boat? Our size and speed let us get out to the whales, enjoy them, and have a great experience, and then get you back to enjoy all the rest that Juneau has to offer!
As far as proximity to the whales goes, we abide very strictly by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the safety and well-being of the whales is our top priority. Because of this, we don’t approach the whales beyond a certain distance, we regulate our speed when near the whales, and we stay with a whale/group of whales for a specific period of time. This is all to ensure that we don’t threaten or harass our best water friends, so they’ll continue to love us and our boats and will keep returning to these waters!
What should I wear?
Whatever you want! Our tours don’t include a lot of standing around outside in the rain, so most people are fine with something on the bottom, something on the top, and something waterproof over it.