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Excellent experience! Our guides Larry, Gwen, and Morgan were very knowledgeable and shared their experiences and insights. We all learned a great deal about whales, and all of our questions were answered. Larry took us to a spot where we observed three whales. We all got great pictures! Highly recommend this excellent tour.
We didn't have any intention of taking a whale watching tour but the guy in the kiosk on the boardwalk was super friendly and was able to give us a great deal. I love that they are locally owned and operated. Captain Krichelle was able to speed us from one spot to the next, giving us ample time to see whales (and other wildlife). Monica and Genevieve were amazing at spotting whales in the distance. I loved that they had a photo and an information sheet onboard letting the guides know "who" we were looking at. We got to see a pair of juvenile males bubblefeeding, which was spectacular. For the drive to Mendenhall glacier, our bus driver (Ed, I think) was full of fun stories and facts. He even pulled over at one point to let us watch bald eagles fishing. The glacier itself is not close to the visitors' center, but the waterfall is beautiful and dramatic!
When we got off the cruise ship and wandered into town we had yet to make any plans for the day. So the guy in the kiosk shouting "Step right up folks for the adventure of a lifetime!" definitely caught our attention (ok he didn't actually say those words but it was something to that effect!). He proceeded to give his sales pitch for a whale watching tour and even offered to throw in tickets to the Goldbelt Tram at no additional cost. Knowing that the cruise line was charging half again as much for a whale watching tour alone, without tram tickets, we couldn't say no. BTW, Alaska Tales also offers a trip to the Mendenhall glacier but we chose to skip that part. It all starts with a bus ride to the harbor which stops to pick up passengers at the glacier along the way. The driver made this scenic trip even more interesting by giving us lots of information on Juneau and Alaska in general. Once we reached our destination everyone squeezed themselves into the boat. You could say we were packed in like sardines (sorry I couldn't resist a fish joke!) At this point I began to worry that we had chosen the wrong whale watching tour. Fortunately, this was only a temporary situation while traveling to an optimal whale watching spot. I should also mention that they guarantee a whale sighting - and it's not just a little stuffed toy that the tour guide shows you! After about 20 minute the boat stopped and everyone was invited to go out onto the decks to view the wondrous sight of whales swimming in their natural habitat. It didn't take long before they made an appearance. It was awe inspiring to say the least! Our captain even moved a couple times to make sure we continued to get the best views. Our guide Kacie was enthusiastic and full of knowledge. Not only did she educate us on the anatomy of whales, their diets, migration habits, etc, she knew all kinds of facts about the surrounding area, including the wildlife on land. And, she was happy to answer any questions from the passengers. I also have to commend the other crew members, Justin and Ben, since they all worked together to make it a great experience. Indeed this turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime, worth every penny. If you have the opportunity, don't hesitate to go whale watching with Alaska Tales.
Alaska Tales is an AWESOME tour company! They took us to the Mendenhall Glacier by bus and then on to whale watching aboard their boat. Our tour bus driver Ben was very informative and lively all through Juneau, cracking dad jokes and keeping us entertained as he drove us to the Glacier, the Harbour and then back to the tram station. The highlight of our trip was getting to see MANY humpback whales and even a pair of Orcas! Tour guide Taylor's energy, excitement and knowledge was absolutely infectiously, and honestly made our trip even better than expected. He is a gem of a guide and naturist, and I hope he never loses his pure excitement and love for whales. He took time to point out how to tell which whale was which with his dorsal fin guide. Kristen and Captain Mark were great as well, and Captain Mark was excellent at making the boat ride smooth and safe. I cannot recommend this group enough! We got our money's worth in whale watching and knowledge.
Found them online through TripAdvisor. Such a great experience. I would highly recommend. First off the boat is well kept. There is a toilet on board. The windows on both sides slide open. Also you can walk to the upper deck when the boat is stop. I was really afraid of getting seasick but honestly the ride was really smooth and you could see where you were going so I didn't get seasick even though I came prepared. They do a good job of getting you to see whales, while maintaining a respectable distance from the animals. You spend a good amount of time whale watching. Honestly this was the highlight of my trip! I would recommend bringing a good camera with a good zoom and fast shutter speed because these whales come and go just as quickly and it helps you get the perfect shot if you have a good zoom and quick shutter. They also were nice enough to point out bald eagles sitting on the shore or on the pier waiting for an easy meal. I would do this again in a heartbeat.
We booked this tour last minute with a person selling tours at the cruise port for about an hour later We found the tour easily. They had clear signage. We were only doing the whale watching tour so we had the shuttle to ourselves to the glacier to pick up the rest of the party. Jess, the shuttle bus driver gave a nice guided tour of town along the way. We arrived at the boat a bit late but the crew was waiting for us. The boat was nice and had three seats on each side of the interior cabin. Tip: sit up front for the best views and easy access to get outside to the viewing deck. We did see a lot of whales, don't focus too much on taking photos and try to enjoy the experience. The whales aren't super close enough (there are rules on how close a boat can get to them) and they spend 10ish minutes under the water between spottings. They also reappear without knowing where which makes grabbing really good pictures hard. Our crew: Captain Sarah, Taz and Brecken ran a tight ship. Taz was mostly our main guide, spending time educating us on whales and the ship. She had a wonderful personality and was knowledgeable. Whale watching isn't my thing, it's a bit boring for my taste but this tour was well organized, they delivered whales and Taz provided some good knowledge so I did learn a little.
Choose these guys!!!! Between Benjamin - our bus driver - and the crew, we had a great time. Personally we would have preferred a longer trip as I would have loved to look for more whales. Within 15 minutes we were on our first whale. Then went to look at some seals and then back to another whale. The team was knowledgeable and provided a great experience.
Saw whales, sea lions, eagles, porpoise, and birds...as well as glaciers. It was a nice smooth ride in a super comfortable boat! Warm inside too! The crew was so friendly and knowledgeable. James, Greg , & Sophie were awesome!
Loved this tour !!! They did an amazing job of making sure we got to see some whales and were also incredibly informative as well as entertaining !!!
My husband and I were on our honeymoon on an Alaskan cruise and one of our stops was in Juneau. We had a jeep excursion already schedule for that morning. When we came back to the port to drop off the jeep we walked back on to the pier and a gentleman named Greg I believed Called out to use if we wanted to see the Glaciers, I yelled back we already did and he replied wanna see whales? So we walked over there and had a nice chat and gave us a really good deal. We were able to go have lunch walk around for a bit and souvenir shop before we got picked up to go shuttle to go pick up more passengers from the Glaciers. Jack gave a real nice tour and info as he drove through the city. Captain Josh, Will and Monica were great! We saw about 9 different whales on this tour. Will answered every one's questions and seemed very knowledgeable. I recommend this tour to anyone. The weather was great and the boat ride was fun. I did take a few pictures but next time if I'm ever out, I will just enjoy the time there seeing all the whales and take in the moment and enjoy the view just a little bit more. Oh and they also handed out some snacks and water and when we got off the boat got a cool whale sticker. Thanks again for this experience
2 months ago
Our bus driver Fred was super funny and friendly. The crew on the boat was incredible. Justin, Kacie and Taylor. We saw several humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters and porpoises. read more
2 months ago
We loved our all girls crew we seen so many whales , seals and sea lions. It was our favorite tour in Alaska . Krichele was an amazing captain. read more
My daughter and I headed out of Juneau on an Alaska Tales mini bus for a ride out to a marina where we would be getting on a boat and head out to a whale watch. The other people on the bus and our bus driver were all great. We all played a "Name that movie soundtrack" game out to the marina and back which was SUPER fun. Once we got on the boat, the staff were all friendly and great and once everyone was comfortably seated on board we headed out. Now the Alaskan coast line was INCREDIBLE and coming from Maine, I fully understand that you cannot predict whale activity. We were out on the water for about two hours and there were a few tail sightings, which were disappointing to me, but I completely accepted with a shrug. The interesting part though, was that everyone else on the boat was FREAKING OUT with happiness over those few tail sightings. They were running to the side of the boat and stretching over with their binoculars, they were laughing and smiling and basking in the Alaskan sun. Clearly the problem was mine! What's wrong with me? read more
Excellent experience! Our guides Larry, Gwen, and Morgan were very knowledgeable and shared their experiences and insights. We all learned a great deal about whales, and all of our questions were answered. Larry took us to a spot where we observed three whales. We all got great pictures! Highly recommend this excellent tour. read more
1 month ago
Captain Larry knows red how to find the whales and Ash and Sophie bring the energy! We saw lots of whales and one breached TWICE! Lots of fun, excitement and knowledge. Topped off by not one, not two but THREE rainbows on the way back. We are now official whale nerds. read more
1 year ago
We didn't have any intention of taking a whale watching tour but the guy in the kiosk on the boardwalk was super friendly and was able to give us a great deal. I love that they are locally owned and operated. Captain Krichelle was able to speed us from one spot to the next, giving us ample time to see whales (and other wildlife). Monica and Genevieve were amazing at spotting whales in the distance. I loved that they had a photo and an information sheet onboard letting the guides know "who" we were looking at. We got to see a pair of juvenile males bubblefeeding, which was spectacular. For the drive to Mendenhall glacier, our bus driver (Ed, I think) was full of fun stories and facts. He even pulled over at one point to let us watch bald eagles fishing. The glacier itself is not close to the visitors' center, but the waterfall is beautiful and dramatic! read more
4 months ago
When we got off the cruise ship and wandered into town we had yet to make any plans for the day. So the guy in the kiosk shouting "Step right up folks for the adventure of a lifetime!" definitely caught our attention (ok he didn't actually say those words but it was something to that effect!). He proceeded to give his sales pitch for a whale watching tour and even offered to throw in tickets to the Goldbelt Tram at no additional cost. Knowing that the cruise line was charging half again as much for a whale watching tour alone, without tram tickets, we couldn't say no. BTW, Alaska Tales also offers a trip to the Mendenhall glacier but we chose to skip that part. It all starts with a bus ride to the harbor which stops to pick up passengers at the glacier along the way. The driver made this scenic trip even more interesting by giving us lots of information on Juneau and Alaska in general. Once we reached our destination everyone squeezed themselves into the boat. You could say we were packed in like sardines (sorry I couldn't resist a fish joke!) At this point I began to worry that we had chosen the wrong whale watching tour. Fortunately, this was only a temporary situation while traveling to an optimal whale watching spot. I should also mention that they guarantee a whale sighting - and it's not just a little stuffed toy that the tour guide shows you! After about 20 minute the boat stopped and everyone was invited to go out onto the decks to view the wondrous sight of whales swimming in their natural habitat. It didn't take long before they made an appearance. It was awe inspiring to say the least! Our captain even moved a couple times to make sure we continued to get the best views. Our guide Kacie was enthusiastic and full of knowledge. Not only did she educate us on the anatomy of whales, their diets, migration habits, etc, she knew all kinds of facts about the surrounding area, including the wildlife on land. And, she was happy to answer any questions from the passengers. I also have to commend the other crew members, Justin and Ben, since they all worked together to make it a great experience. Indeed this turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime, worth every penny. If you have the opportunity, don't hesitate to go whale watching with Alaska Tales. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Alaska Tales is an AWESOME tour company! They took us to the Mendenhall Glacier by bus and then on to whale watching aboard their boat. Our tour bus driver Ben was very informative and lively all through Juneau, cracking dad jokes and keeping us entertained as he drove us to the Glacier, the Harbour and then back to the tram station. The highlight of our trip was getting to see MANY humpback whales and even a pair of Orcas! Tour guide Taylor's energy, excitement and knowledge was absolutely infectiously, and honestly made our trip even better than expected. He is a gem of a guide and naturist, and I hope he never loses his pure excitement and love for whales. He took time to point out how to tell which whale was which with his dorsal fin guide. Kristen and Captain Mark were great as well, and Captain Mark was excellent at making the boat ride smooth and safe. I cannot recommend this group enough! We got our money's worth in whale watching and knowledge. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Found them online through TripAdvisor. Such a great experience. I would highly recommend. First off the boat is well kept. There is a toilet on board. The windows on both sides slide open. Also you can walk to the upper deck when the boat is stop. I was really afraid of getting seasick but honestly the ride was really smooth and you could see where you were going so I didn't get seasick even though I came prepared. They do a good job of getting you to see whales, while maintaining a respectable distance from the animals. You spend a good amount of time whale watching. Honestly this was the highlight of my trip! I would recommend bringing a good camera with a good zoom and fast shutter speed because these whales come and go just as quickly and it helps you get the perfect shot if you have a good zoom and quick shutter. They also were nice enough to point out bald eagles sitting on the shore or on the pier waiting for an easy meal. I would do this again in a heartbeat. read more
We booked this tour last minute with a person selling tours at the cruise port for about an hour later We found the tour easily. They had clear signage. We were only doing the whale watching tour so we had the shuttle to ourselves to the glacier to pick up the rest of the party. Jess, the shuttle bus driver gave a nice guided tour of town along the way. We arrived at the boat a bit late but the crew was waiting for us. The boat was nice and had three seats on each side of the interior cabin. Tip: sit up front for the best views and easy access to get outside to the viewing deck. We did see a lot of whales, don't focus too much on taking photos and try to enjoy the experience. The whales aren't super close enough (there are rules on how close a boat can get to them) and they spend 10ish minutes under the water between spottings. They also reappear without knowing where which makes grabbing really good pictures hard. Our crew: Captain Sarah, Taz and Brecken ran a tight ship. Taz was mostly our main guide, spending time educating us on whales and the ship. She had a wonderful personality and was knowledgeable. Whale watching isn't my thing, it's a bit boring for my taste but this tour was well organized, they delivered whales and Taz provided some good knowledge so I did learn a little. read more
Choose these guys!!!! Between Benjamin - our bus driver - and the crew, we had a great time. Personally we would have preferred a longer trip as I would have loved to look for more whales. Within 15 minutes we were on our first whale. Then went to look at some seals and then back to another whale. The team was knowledgeable and provided a great experience. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Saw whales, sea lions, eagles, porpoise, and birds...as well as glaciers. It was a nice smooth ride in a super comfortable boat! Warm inside too! The crew was so friendly and knowledgeable. James, Greg , & Sophie were awesome! read more
4 years ago
Loved this tour !!! They did an amazing job of making sure we got to see some whales and were also incredibly informative as well as entertaining !!! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
My husband and I were on our honeymoon on an Alaskan cruise and one of our stops was in Juneau. We had a jeep excursion already schedule for that morning. When we came back to the port to drop off the jeep we walked back on to the pier and a gentleman named Greg I believed Called out to use if we wanted to see the Glaciers, I yelled back we already did and he replied wanna see whales? So we walked over there and had a nice chat and gave us a really good deal. We were able to go have lunch walk around for a bit and souvenir shop before we got picked up to go shuttle to go pick up more passengers from the Glaciers. Jack gave a real nice tour and info as he drove through the city. Captain Josh, Will and Monica were great! We saw about 9 different whales on this tour. Will answered every one's questions and seemed very knowledgeable. I recommend this tour to anyone. The weather was great and the boat ride was fun. I did take a few pictures but next time if I'm ever out, I will just enjoy the time there seeing all the whales and take in the moment and enjoy the view just a little bit more. Oh and they also handed out some snacks and water and when we got off the boat got a cool whale sticker. Thanks again for this experience read more
3 years ago
Lovely time yesterday with Alaska Tales and James, Kristen and Steph. Saw lots of wildlife and would go again! Thank you for making our Alaska trip unforgettable! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
THIS was an OUTSTANDING tour! Mother Nature delivered us a viewing of some 20 whales during a Bubble-Net Feeding! The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly; they took GOOD care of us! What an AMAZING trip! We would go again and again! Money back, guarantee. Did NOT disappoint! read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
We did this tour today and it was amazing. The tour bus driver, boat captain, and marine life expert were all awesome. We saw numerous humpback whales and were lucky enough to see the Orcas breach. We will do this tour every time we visit!!!!!! read more
3 years ago
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