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Alaska’s capital city is unique but with only six hours to see the sights, Juneau whale watching was my number one priority. However, the choice isn’t easy for everyone. Juneau, the largest US capital city by area, offers exciting and unique things to do including nature and wildlife viewing (bears, whales, waterfalls), adventure sport (kayaking, rafting, ziplining), dog sledding, glacier walks, panning for gold, and more.

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, went a Juneau whale watching and Mendenhall glacier photo safari (see images below).

Why We Recommend Pre-booking Juneau Excursions

We will pass on one of the best recommendations we were given: Prebook a shore excursion in Juneau Alaska. While it is an easy port to do on your own, it is the last port you 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.

Juneau is the only US capital city that 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. (You generally need to hire a private plane or boat).

We were thrilled to discover that Viator, TripAdvisor Company, offers a worry-free shore excursion guarantee. They are a company we trust, with small groups, great guides, and generally significantly lower prices than the ship can offer.

Juneau Alaska Excursions

All of the options on this table had Viator’s worry-free shore excursion guarantee at the time of publishing this page. It is prominently displayed in the detailed descriptions. Be sure to verify it before purchase.

EXCURSION 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

Our Juneau Alaska Whale Watching Experience

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 appearing as she descends. We don’t get to pick the day or the weather when we cruise.

Juneau Whale watching Alaska
The first whale tail of our day.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/10, ISO: 400
Whale spouting in the distance in Juneau Alaska
Whale spout
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/10, ISO: 400
Seals seen while watching in Juneau Alaska
We also saw seals basking in the day
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/7.1, ISO: 400
Mendenhall glacier view in Juneau Alaska
Our first glacier viewing of the famous Mendenhall Glacier was from the Juneau whale watching boat
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/8, ISO: 400
Whale watching in Juneau Alaska
Another whale coming up.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/7.1, ISO: 400
Whale watching in Juneau Alaska
The same whale tail going back down.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/6.3, ISO: 400
Bald eagle in Juneau Alaska
This eagle was waiting above the dock when we returned
Shutter Speed: 1/250, Aperture: f/5.6, ISO: 200

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 cruises. We also successfully went whale watching in Hoonah Alaska a few days earlier.
Check out this beautiful DVD on Humpback whales, from National Geographic →

Whale Photography Tip

Capturing this moment in a photo involves preparation. You need to be ready, ideally with a camera set at a fast shutter speed (sports mode on a point-and-shoot). Also, set it in a burst mode so the camera will take a series of shots when you hold down the button. 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 stopping the drops leaves the appearance of dots on the photo).

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 Glacier Viewing

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.

Mendenhall Glacier seen from the Nugget Falls trail in Juneau Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier seen from the trail with Nugget Falls barely appearing to the right.
Shutter Speed: 1/30, Aperture: f/16, ISO: 200
Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier
Shutter Speed: 1/100, Aperture: f/18, ISO: 400
Moss covered trees in the forest as we are hiking in Juneau Alaska
Moss covered this part of the forest.
Shutter Speed: 1/30, Aperture: f/16, ISO: 200
Hiking in Juneau Alaska
Small waterfall on our trail.
Shutter Speed: 1/15, Aperture: f/13 ISO: 200 handheld (See more tips for photographing waterfalls)

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.

Other Alaska Cruise Ports We Reviewed

We sailed from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver. Here are our top recommendations for each port:

Read Next: 25 Tips for Cruising Everyone Should Know

Whale watching, glaciers, adventure, or another of the Juneau tours, what will you do with a half day in Alaska’s capital?

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Comments

  2. 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!

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  5. 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! Thanks also for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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    • Bugger. I have only had one whale watch that we didn’t spot anything, but that was because the weather turned and they had to bring the boat back. We love Alaska, and especially Denali.

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  6. 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!

    Reply

    • We loved Alaska too. It is somewhere I would love to spend a lot more time, but only in the summer. I don’t think the Alaska winter would be my thing. As for the photos, thanks. I don’t think I have ever done a burst of more than seven.

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  7. 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.

    Reply

  8. 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 . .

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  9. 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!

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  10. 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.

    Reply

    • I don’t think it’s based solely on luck. I think there is a skill to finding them. They look for the birds first, the rest of the skill I don’t have. However, we go out on small boats, with a team with a good reputation. I am a hobby photographer, although I do sell some of my photos.

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  11. 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.

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  12. 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.

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  13. 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!

    Reply

  15. 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!

    Reply

    • I know what you mean. I get my few early shots, then the rest of the time I just enjoy the time out on the water. Of course, I am always ready should one fly out of the water.

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  20. 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.

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  21. 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!

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  22. 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. 😉

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  23. 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!

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  24. 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!

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  26. 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. #WeekendTravelInspiration

    Reply

  28. 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!

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  31. 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.

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  32. 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.

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    • 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.

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  33. 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!

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  35. 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.

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  36. 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

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  42. 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.

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  43. 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

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  46. 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!

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  47. 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!!

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  49. 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!)

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  50. 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!!

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  52. 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. ☺

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  54. 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

    Reply

  57. 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 🙂

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    • 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.

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  59. 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

    Reply

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