Juneau’s Premier Whale Watch
Harv & Marv’s Outback Alaska is Juneau, Alaska’s premier whale watching company. Every summer, hundreds of humpback whales return to the protected waters just beyond our harbor — one of the richest, most reliable feeding grounds on Earth — and no one understands them better. With an extra hour on the water, the most modern fleet in the harbor, and the best crew in Southeast Alaska, a tour with Harv & Marv’s is the best tour — and the best value — you’ll find whale watching on your Alaskan vacation. Spend more of your day where it matters: with the whales!
Founded on a Simple Principle
Founded in 2005 by long-time friends Captains Jay Beedle and Pete Nelson — “Harv” and “Marv” to each other since junior high — Harv & Marv’s Outback Alaska started on one simple principle: that a whale watch could, and should, feel personal. Small groups, attention to detail, and genuine guest engagement connected the company with travelers seeking something special, and word-of-mouth from consistently unforgettable trips fueled steady growth. That idea outlived the boats it started on, and in the two decades since, thousands of families have trusted Harv & Marv’s for the most personal and memorable whale watch experience on the water.
A New Generation at the Helm
Since 2009, Harv & Marv’s has been owned and operated by Louis Juergens and Jamie Letterman alongside our sister companies, Juneau Lighthouse Tours and Alaska Galore Tours. Louis and Jamie bring over 60 years of combined experience in the tourism and hospitality industries and a shared conviction that growth should never come at the expense of the experience that built our name.
As more travelers sought out Harv & Marv’s, Louis and Jamie faced the question every beloved operation eventually does: turn guests away, or grow. They chose to grow the Alaskan way — deliberately. We’ve expanded our fleet of intimate small vessels, and we’ve built something new alongside them: catamarans designed from the keel up for whale watching, sized to welcome more guests without ever feeling like a crowd. Sustainable, environmentally conscious growth large enough to share the experience but never so large we’d lose it.
Our Tours
Joining USCG licensed captains on any one of our customizable tours is an adventure beyond the crowds and into the outback of Alaska. These local guides/captains have logged more hours on the water than most people do in their cars. From Whale watching, salmon fishing, viewing wildlife like, humpback whales, killer whales, sea lions to bald eagles we pride ourselves in offering a personal trip, which remains flexible to ensure that our tours meet and exceed the expectations of our guests.
We offer a range of whale watching experiences to fit every type of traveler — from our classic Outback Whale Adventure public tours and more intimate small group whale watching tours, to our fully customized private whale watching tours in Juneau, Alaska.
Meet the Team
Colleen Marshall
Reservationist
Kelsey Edwards
Reservationist
Jenna Hurley
Reservationist
Trinitey Letterman
Reservationist
Environmental Awareness Pledge
We believe that making smart energy decisions is important to protecting our environment and preserving our natural resources for the future. The actions we take could potentially change the world, and we are committed to doing what we can to promote change for the better. Therefore we pledge to continuously research new methods while utilizing current technologies and managing our daily operations in an effort to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Award-Winning Experiences
Providing the best whale watching in Juneau has never been about the recognition, but it is still nice to get noticed.
2026 Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor. Recognizing the the top 10% of experiences worldwide.
2025 North America TourReview Award from Arival. Recognizing the 150 top-rated tour operators in North America, we were #4 in the medium operator “Adventure Tours & Activities” category.
2022 Chuck West Award from the Alaska Tourism Industry Association. Recognizes pioneers in the industry who exhibit entrepreneurial creativity, innovation and courage in the introduction of a successful new product for the benefit and enjoyment of Alaska’s visitors.
Shiny awards are nice, but what we are most proud of are the reviews we receive from you – our guests – that makes it personal. Thank you for trusting us with your family’s Alaskan memories.
Catamarans Built for This — and Only This
Our two-level, 49-passenger catamarans exist for one purpose: giving you the best seat on the water. Twin hulls ride the calm, protected channels of the Inside Passage smooth and steady — a whale watch here is a far gentler ride than most first-timers expect, and grandparents and toddlers alike settle in comfortably. Every guest gets a captain’s chair — with a cupholder, because your coffee matters on a Juneau morning. Our custom design features two heated cabin levels and viewing decks that optimize comfort, accessibility, and space. Enjoy unobstructed sightlines whether you’re warm and dry inside by the big windows or out in the sea air with your camera. USB chargers at your seat keep that camera alive for the moment a whale decides to breach. Instant hot water means warm drinks the whole trip. And with two restrooms on board — most boats our size only carry one — nobody spends whale time waiting in line.
Take a virtual tour of our catamarans here.
The Same Promise, Every Trip
Our experienced captains and naturalists have spent many years living and working in Juneau, and most live here year round. These waters are their backyard and they know the whales as individuals, by fluke and by habit. Every tour runs on their knowledge, their enthusiasm, and their respect for the wildlife we share the water with. No one is more dedicated to providing the best views and experiences during your entire tour. Our quieter, lower-emission vessels practice responsible viewing and follow best practices and regulations set out by NOAA’s WhaleSense and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
And, most importantly, we keep the same promise made on the very first trip in 2005: aboard Harv & Marv’s, you’re a guest, never a headcount. Thank you, again.
Come see the Outback with us. Book your whale watch today!
For more information, please visit our FAQ page.
Our Boats
M/V OB 1
28-foot Custom Bolton Whale Watching Boat, Twin 150 hp Mercury 4 stroke outboards, up to 6 passengers.
M/V Chilkat
34-foot Custom WorkSkiff Whale Watching Boat, Twin 300 hp Mercury Verado 4 stroke outboards, up to 18 passengers.
M/V Kaytos
30-foot Custom Aluminum Chambered Whale Watching & Fishing, Twin 250 hp Mercury Verado 4 stroke outboards, up to 12 passengers.
M/V Beacon
M/V Polaris
Our newest vessel, Polaris is the third custom-built catamaran we’ve added to our fleet to provide the best amenities and features for our guests while on tour.
