Juneau Alaska is the largest US capital city by area, yet it’s also the only US capital not accessible by a road. It’s a metropolitan city surrounded by the rugged wilderness that makes Alaska famous. While Juneau whale watching topped my list, there are plenty of other things to do in Juneau for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and tourists.
Nearly 1 million visitors arrive in Juneau annually, 900,000 of them via cruise ship. We were no exception. After reviewing the options, our family split up. While we all went on the water, two wanted more adventure (without a camera) while I, along with one of our girls, took a Juneau whale watching and Mendenhall glacier photo safari (see images below).
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Top things to do in Juneau
- Juneau whale watching
- View or walk on Mendenhall glacier
- Fishing
- Bear viewing
- Salmon Bake
- Pan for gold
- Dog sledding
- Kayaking
Our recommended tours are below.
**We recommend taking Juneau excursions from the ship
While Juneau is an easy port to get around on your own, it is the one port you don’t want to be left at should you be late getting back to the ship. And while people always think it will never happen to them, our ship left 8 people in Juneau.
Remember, Juneau is not accessible by road (although there is a car ferry). Therefore, getting to the next port to be reconnected with the ship will be very expensive. Passengers who miss the ship generally need to hire a private plane or boat.
We recommend taking a shore excursion in Juneau Alaska that includes a guarantee to return you to the ship. While the ships Juneau tours will do this, so will many independent companies. See our recommendations below. First, let’s review some of the options.
Juneau Alaska Whale Watching
I love whale watching. As the spout of water shot up into the air and my heart skipped a beat. I unconsciously held my breath as I hoped this majestic whale would breach the water, jumping into the air. Instead, she gracefully returned to the sea, her tail breaking the surface as she descends.
We don’t get to pick the day or the weather when we cruise. While it was overcast, foggy, and a bit cold, the magic of the moment was exciting, unlike the colours in the images I was able to capture.
Whale Photography Tip
Basic camera settings for whale watching:
- Fast shutter speed (sports mode on a point-and-shoot). By setting my shutter at 1/800 it was fast enough to stop the action. At the same time, it was not so fast that it froze the water drops as they came off the tail as this gives the appearance of dots on the photo.
- Burst mode for a series of shots when you hold down the button.
- Aperture and ISO set based on the day.
For more travel photo tips, sign up for our newsletter and we will send you a free copy of my e-book: Travel Photo Tips by Rhonda Albom
Juneau Wildlife Spotted
We saw Humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and a bald eagle. Orca whales and brown bears are often seen from the Juneau whale watching tours. We also successfully went whale watching in Hoonah Alaska a few days earlier.
Mendenhall Glacier Watch
Next, we took a drive to a forest about 12 miles out of town. Here we hiked along Nugget Creek Falls trail to the Mendenhall Glacier viewing point. Often referred to as the Juneau glacier, it is 13.6 miles long.
Glacier Photography Tips
Like with most landscape shots, the goal is to have the maximum in focus. Therefore you will want to set your aperture to a higher number. If you are using a point and shoot, use the landscape (mountain) setting. I shoot in Raw and adjust for white balance in Lightroom. However, if you don’t use post-processing software, you can adjust the camera’s white balance before taking the shot. For glaciers, set the white balance to “sun”, which adds a cooling filter that will intensify the blue of the glacier. I know the day we had was overcast but had I set the white balance to “cloudy” the camera would add warmth (less blues) to the photo.
Hiking in Juneau
These shots are from the Nugget Creek Falls trail, however, the falls we spotted were not the path’s namesake.
Juneau Alaska Excursions
Viator, TripAdvisor Company, offers a worry-free shore excursion guarantee. on many of their tours, including the tours listed here. They are a company we trust, with small groups, great guides, and generally, significantly lower prices than the ship can offer.
*Be sure to verify that the tour still offers the guarantee before booking.
| Juneau Tours | HIGHLIGHTS | DURATION |
| Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching and Salmon Bake | See Mendenhall Glacier Juneau whale watching cruise Alaskan salmon bake See totem carving | 6 hrs |
| Bear Viewing, Flight, and Kayak | Visit Pack Creek brown bear viewing area Fly over Tongass National Forest Kayak through Windfall harbor | 7-8 hrs |
| Gold Panning and Salmon Bake | Juneau city tour, pan for gold Alaskan salmon-bake See totem carving, Salmon Creek waterfall | Flexible |
| Juneau Whale Watching Tour | Whale watching on a 48-passenger boat See Mendenhall Glacier on a clear day | 3.5 hrs |
| Mendenhall Glacier Trek | Guided trek along Mendenhall Glacier 8-mile trek through Alaskan wilderness Pass glacial formations Read fitness requirements | 7 hrs |
| Mendenhall Glacier Rafting | Raft through Class II and III rapids See Mendenhall Glacier from the river | 3.5 hrs |
Read Next: Alaska Cruise Tips: Know Before You Sail
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What will you do in Alaska’s capital?
Other areas to explore in the USA:
Barbara Radisavljevic
Great photos, as always. I hope I’ll see a whale someday. Maybe next winter.
Wendy
Great tips Rhonda. We are currently RVING to Alaska. We will be cruising with our RV on the Alaska Marine Hwy for 24 days. We stop for a few days on many of the islands you mention and more. While I have some things booked and some where we have writing assignments, I am still looking to maximize the time with other excursions. I will check out some of your recommendations.
Kreete | AdventurousTrails
Great photography tips! I have actually never been whale watching, but managed to spot some humpbacks when hiking along the coast line in Sydney. Amazing sight! The glacier looks unreal too! Would love to see it up close one day!
voyagestic
Lovely photos
Agness of eTramping
Alaska is a breathtaking and remarkable travel destination, Rhonda! When’s the best time of the year to go there?
Rhonda Albom
For me, the best time of year is summer, as I am not a fan of snow. However, this means I will never see the Northern Lights.
Rob+Ann
In keeping with our tradition of being where the wildlife is not, a successful whale watch is not something we’ve experienced. 😉 However, we will keep trying! Thanks for the photo tips – we are really hoping they’ll come in handy next time! This is definitely close to the top or our with list for Alaska – we have not been to Denali, so that ranks #1 at the moment. Then it’s off to (hopefully) see some whales!
Megan Jerrard
Incredible photos Rhonda! Weve been on so many whale watching trips, and know how hard it is to get a shot – they’re so fast! Definitely need the camera set at a fast shutter speed – I think I took 100 photos on high burst the last time, and only just got a tiny bit of him! We loved Alaska, so much wildlife! Epic photo of the eagle as well – such a majestic creature – you managed to fit a lot into a short trip!
Suruchi
These are some of the fantastic photos and the description you have mentioned with each is really helpful. I too need to try my hands on the camera following these tips. Whale watching is really on my list and will love to click pictures as you have mentioned. Thanks for sharing the info.
Elisa
I have never seen a whale so I imagine it must be a very impressive experience. In my opinion, the most difficult part to master when taking glacier pictures is the contrast of colors white-glacier vs surrounding landscape . .
Elena
Stunning photos! I couldn’t stop browsing through them. Whale tales are so perfectly shaped, the eagle – wow, what a majestic bird, the moss and ferns are so luxuriously green. It is a beautifully presented visual story. Thank you for sharing!
Shruti Prabhu
We have never tried whale watching because it is based on luck. You might see a whale or you might not. It’s so great that you did coz we love the pictures! It is so cool that you have also mentioned your camera settings. Are you a professional photographer? The glacier looks so beautiful as well.
Ryan Biddulph
The whales are fabulous Rhonda but that eagle snap is beyond majestic. We see them around these parts in NJ sometimes. Yes I am being serious LOL. My sister even had one in her yard a few years back in Southern New Jersey. Whales are a different story though. Rarely spotted off of the coast. Alaska is about my #1 place to see in the States as it is like another country from most of the USA.
Sandy N Vyjay
The thrill of watching whales comes alive in your pictures. I know you need lots of patience in these kind of situations and many a time the camera does not do justice to the actual experience. Faced a similar situation when on a lake in East Africa, we were looking out for Hippos, who surfaced from beneath the water for a fraction of a second. Your pictures of the Whales as well as the waterfall and the greenery are great.
Michelle | michwanderlust
Love your photos, Rhonda! I can imagine how difficult it is to photograph whales. I once tried to photograph river dolphins but it was impossible. They weren’t breaching the surface so all you could see was a little hump rising above the water for less than a second. Guess it wouldn’t have made an impressive photo anyway!
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
Alaska is just the place for someone with your photography talents, Rhonda! Gorgeous shots as always. How close did your boat get to the whales? #wkendtravelinspiration
eileen g
I hear so many stories of people who go whale watching and don’t get to see whales (or any trip where you are relying on wild animals to turn up for you), I best it was exciting and satisfying to spot a whale. It’s also a tough call between catching a photo and enjoying the moment without worrying about the photo (your photos are great). Glad it was a good experience!
Lyn @ A Hole in my Shoe
Amazing photos Rhonda. Hopefully when I get to Alaska I will be fortunate to see some whales and some of the great wildlife and a get in a good photo or two.
Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats
Looks like you a great cruise, and lucky to see the whales multiple times! Alaska is one of the states I still haven’t been to but family members have had a great time, spending a couple months there exploring and seeing wildlife.
Marcus and Mel
We love the pictures of the eagle and the tail of the whale. So much better to see them here, where they belong instead of the tiny pools of Seaworld.
Rhonda Albom
I avoid places like Seaworld, anywhere that has cetaceans in captivity.
Keri
I’d love to go whale watching one day, I do hear Alaska is the place to go!
Sarah
Amazing photos, I have been lucky to see a whale just off the shores of Victoria in Australia, however not quick enough to get an amazing photo like you did.
Travelling Dany
Alaska has been on my bucket list forever! I would love to go, especially to see the whales. You were so lucky to find them, and your pictures are amazing! Yet I especially appreciated the eagle pic. How far away were you? It seems you were pretty close!
Rhonda Albom
That eagle was on top of a pole, and I had a 200mm zoom lens.
Danijela WorldGlimpses
This seems like one lovely trip. It doesn’t matter that the whale didn’t jump high out of the water etc, the whale was there and it must have been great to see it. Love the photos of the Mendenhall Glacier. 😉
Vanessa
I don’t know what’s better, the sight of the whale or the sight of the glacier! Alaska really seems like a paradise to me and I’m dying to visit!
Dannielle
I’m obsessed with marine life so I’d definitely do this! Seeing a whale jump from the water is one of the highlights of my life – and I’ve seen it happen twice!
Lady Fi
Wow – what an amazing adventure! And such fabulous photos.
Anda
If I have one regret about our trip to Alaska is that I haven’t seen any wildlife, except for a Golden Eagle that was wounded and kept in a cage. I would have loved to photograph a mouse or a black bear, or a whale. You were luckier than we were and you took some amazing photos on this trip.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Spectacular. I recently did whale watching in Australia, but Alaska would be next level!
Rhonda Albom
I would think Australia would be pretty cool too. I have been and loved whale watching in New Zealand.
Pat
Such an amazing glacier to see, Rhonda! It must have also an amazing sight to see the whale so close. We hope to visit Alaska with the next few years so your tips will be very valuable to us–thanks!
Trekking with Becky
Wow! Alaska is incredible. It seems like the perfect escape from city craziness. I want to see a glacier; would you say that Mendenhall’s the best? It’s amazing!
Klara S
Stunning photos. I hope I’ll visit Alaska some day. Greetings from Poland.
Ruth | Tanama Tales
Rhonda, your photos are fantastic! After exploring Iceland, I feel like Alaska is a logical place to visit (it takes less time to reach and it will be more affordable). Glaciers have to be one of the most spectacular natural features I have seen.
shere
I would also pick the whale watching 🙂 we saw whales in South Africa. There you don’t need to go on a boat, they just “pass by”.
Alaska is a place I would love to visit, just a shame the cruise we won had to be in the Mediterranean.
Rhonda Albom
Twice we have seen whales from our New Zealand home, and I used to see them from California home too. However, there is something magical about being out on the water with them.
Jill
I was lucky enough to see a whale breach while I was on a ferry in Alaska – and we kayaked with whales about 100 feet away in Alaska also. That was one of the most incredible things I’ve experienced. Stunning photos, as usual!
Kathy Marris
What a magical experience. I can see why a lot of people go on Alaskan cruises. It is a remarkable territory. Thanks for the photo tips.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
We’ve visited Juneau twice during cruise ship stops and loved the city. I wish we had time to do the whale watching. We have always ended up at Mendenhall Glacier. During our last visit, we were lucky enough to have my friend who lives there now take us around. It’s such a beautiful port. Love the photos and brought up such great memories.
Rhonda Albom
My favourite thing to do at any port is to visit friends. It’s even better than seeing whales.
Lolo
I visited Alaska as a kid and remember it being so amazing! I’d love to go back and explore more and be able to see some whales! I’ve also heard that Juneau is very beautiful! #Wkendtravelsinpiration
Rhonda Albom
We didn’t have enough time to see very much of Juneau, just the waterways and the park we hiked on the way to the glacier.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
amazing! your should start selling your photos:) really great photography!
zongrik
wow. i wish i could go.
zongrik
tremendous
Alissa Apel
How fascinating to watch! Seeing a whale and an eagle aren’t species you see every day.
janet
It would be great to see those in person! If only I can get a chance soon…
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
The biggest disappointment I had in Alaska was not seeing any whales. We saw some way in the distance but it didn’t really count. I have made up for it ten fold since with whale watching in Australia but if I ever go back to Alaska my first priority will be whales.
Rhonda Albom
I am sorry to hear that. We were lucky and saw them three times. Twice out on whale watching expeditions, and once from the ship.
Judee
Extraordinary photos of your day in Juneau – I went whale watching in Cape Cod and it was quite a thrill ! My favorite photo is your Eagle- I’ve never seen one in the wild
Rhonda Albom
Seeing eagles flying and it trees was one of the many highlights of Alaska.
Mayuri
Wow! These pics are awesome. Mendenhall Glacier pic is my favorite. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Thanks. It was a so huge, and the bluest of the glaciers I have seen to date.
Deb Nance
If I had a whale tale I would flip it up in the air all day long! So much fun for you.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – what fun that would be, and what a sight for everyone else too.
Patricia
Beautiful photos! I like how sharp and detailed the pics are! 🙂 You have a good eye for things! I have been to Alaska, but not to all the parts you went to. I did go to Denali though. It was gorgeous!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Patricia. I also love Denali. Our time there was really special.
Zehra Victoria
This looks so amazing! Whale watching has always been on my to-do list. I recently went snorkelling with whalsharks in Australia which was already breathtaking. But this is something else!!
Rhonda Albom
Snorkeling with the whale sharks would be such an amazing experience.
Lydia C. Lee
Great tips on burst. I took a million photos whale watching but alas for the 2 full body breaches I just got blue sky (I was so excited I just waved my camera around in the air…opps!)
April
I enjoyed this so much!! Your pictures are breath-taking, my fave was the eagle. Pinned and following. I found you on Wonderful Wednesday.Love your blog!!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks April. That eagle was pretty amazing. They are such serious looking birds, focused yet almost looking right through you.
Teresa Kindred
Love it! Great photos of nature! Thank you!
Sandee
Really great shots. We are going to Kauai in January of 2019 for two weeks. We hope to do some whale watching while we are there. It would be awesome to see them.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Rhonda Albom
You will see beautiful whales and dolphins in Hawaii, and the warm tropical sunshine will be wonderful too.
Patrick weseman
So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Stunning photos Rhonda. People keep saying that an Alaskan cruise is a great one but I’m not sure. Yes, it’s beautiful but it’s still cold and I want the heat if I’m taking a cruise. Maybe it’s just me. Probably, I’m a little weird.
See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
The warm, hot tropical sun is the only thing you would be giving up on an Alaskan cruise. Personally, I loved it.
Bill
That is so awesome going whale watching, I’m very envious of you.
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
Wow wow wow!!
stevebethere
Fab photos Rhonda I have only seen a dolphin at the zoo I have never seen a whale in the flesh as such lol, beautiful scenery always enjoy your photos as I never get out of London heheh!
Have a glaciertastic day 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Sorry to say it, but I hate seeing dolphins in zoos. They are such intelligent creatures, they don’t belong in cages. Personally, I avoid anywhere that has captive dolphins.
Amy
I’ve never seen a whale or a dolphin for that matter, but hopefully come summer we will be going on a dolphin sightseeing tour.
Rhonda Albom
They are so majestic and playful. I hope you see one this year. The whale and dolphin safari in Auckland is outstanding.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – those are stunning photos – incredibly helpful to have all the details under each one … and great to have the book available for future reference- must be so useful for budding photographers … one day I’ll get to the Alaskan waters … cheers Hilary