Private Whale Watch for Up to 18 Guests

1. Meet us at your ship. Our Dock Rep waits at the top of your cruise ship dock ramp. Arrive 15 minutes before your listed tour time; that’s when the shuttle leaves.
2. Ride to Auke Bay. A narrated courtesy shuttle takes about 25 minutes to Statter Harbor. Driving yourself? Meet us at the top of the boat ramp 10 minutes before departure.
3. Board and head out. Use the restroom on land if you like, meet your captain and naturalist, and step aboard your private catamaran.
4. About 3 hours on the water. We search the calm channels of the Inside Passage for humpback whales and whatever else is out today: orcas, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, bald eagles and sea otters.
5. Mendenhall Glacier from the water. A dedicated stop to take in the glacier, weather permitting.
6. Back to the harbor and your ship. The shuttle returns you to the docks with time to spare before all-aboard. Total tour time is about 4 hours.

Every summer, hundreds of humpback whales travel about 3,000 miles from Hawaii to feed in the waters around Juneau. Look for the misty spout first, then the tail fluke as a humpback dives. Every tour includes a dedicated stop to view the Mendenhall Glacier from the water, weather permitting.

• Humpback whales, seen on 100% of our trips since 2004
• Orcas, on about 10% of trips
• Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise and sea otters
• Bald eagles and Arctic terns
• The Mendenhall Glacier, snow-capped peaks and rainforest shoreline

What’s included

• A private 18-passenger catamaran for your group
• Shared round-trip courtesy shuttle from your cruise ship dock
• 3 hours on the water, including boarding, with a captain and naturalist
• Mendenhall Glacier viewing stop from the water, weather permitting
• Heated, enclosed cabin, onboard restroom and two outdoor decks
• Binoculars and a hydrophone for listening to whales
• Water, Coke or Diet Coke, a granola bar and a Rice Krispie treat or cookie

Not included

• Tips for your captain and crew (always appreciated, never expected)
• Hotel pickup or drop-off
• Private transportation (available on request for an added fee)
• Celebration add-ons: cupcakes, Alaskan Brewing beer, wine, salmon dip, cheese tray

Can we choose our own start time?
Private charters run at our scheduled departure times, which are set each day around cruise ship schedules. Pick the time that fits your day when you book; if none works, call (877) 794-2537 and we’ll see what we can do.

Can we add guests later?
The boat is reserved for your confirmed group size. Adding guests may mean moving to a larger boat, subject to availability.

Do you take deposits?
No. Every charter is paid in full at booking.

What should I wear?
Layers. A base layer, a warm fleece or sweater and a waterproof shell will handle almost any summer day, and it runs about 10 degrees cooler on the water than in town. Comfortable shoes with good grip are best. Every boat has a heated, enclosed cabin if you’d like to warm up.

Will I see whales?
Hundreds of humpback whales feed near Juneau every summer, and we’ve seen humpbacks on 100% of our trips since 2004. Wildlife is wild, so sightings are never promised, but from May 15 to September 15 every tour has a whale guarantee: if we don’t see a whale, you can reschedule on us or receive a 50% refund.

What happens if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine. Juneau is a temperate rainforest, and every boat has a heated, enclosed cabin. Safety is our only consideration in weather decisions; wind and the waves it creates are what we watch. On a windy day we may combine departures onto one of our 49-passenger catamarans so you can still go out on tour. If we cancel, we’ll try to reschedule you, and if we can’t, you receive a full refund.

Will I get seasick?
It’s rare. Fewer than one guest a year gets seasick with us. The many islands between Juneau and the open ocean keep our waters calm, and our boats are built for these waters.

What if my cruise ship is late?
Call our dispatch line at (907) 209-8686 or email [email protected] as soon as you can. With multiple departures and boats of several sizes, we have the flexibility to find a solution. Guests we can’t reschedule receive a full refund. We also guarantee you’ll be back before your ship departs.

Where do we meet?
Our Dock Rep meets you at the top of the ramp at your cruise ship dock: AJ Dock, Alaska Steamship Dock, the Cruise Terminal Dock or Franklin Dock. Arrive 15 minutes before your tour time; the shuttle to Auke Bay takes about 25 minutes. Driving? Meet us at the top of the boat ramp at Statter Harbor, 11497 Auke Bay Harbor Rd, 10 minutes before departure. We don’t offer hotel pickup.

Is there a minimum age?
No. Every tour welcomes all ages, from toddlers to grandparents.

How close do we get to the whales?
We give whales at least 100 yards, as federal rules and Juneau’s best practices require. Whales sometimes choose to come closer, and a quiet boat is a good place to be when they do.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Not wheelchair accessible. Boarding takes three big steps, and you’ll walk about 300 yards each way between the van and the boat. Folding wheelchairs and collapsible scooters under 50 lbs welcome with notice.

What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel 30 or more days before departure for a 90% refund, or 15 to 29 days before for a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days and no-shows receive no refund. Reschedule instead and you keep the full value of your booking. Add Trip Protection when you book (10% of the tour fare, non-refundable) to cancel for a full refund of your tour fare up to one minute before departure.

Are tips included?
No. Tips for your captain and crew are always appreciated and never expected.