Alaska’s capital city is unique, but with only six hours to see the sights, Juneau whale watching was my number one priority. Like so many visitors to this city, we arrived via cruise ship. With plenty of options, our family split up. Two explored in kayaks, without a camera. Sarah and I went on a Juneau whale watching adventure followed by a glacier viewing hike.
Juneau Whale Watching
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 always get to pick the day or the weather.
The first whale tail of our day.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/10, ISO: 400
Whale spout.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/10, ISO: 400
We also saw seals basking on this overcast and cloudy day.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/7.1, ISO: 400
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
Another whale tail coming up.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/7.1, ISO: 400
The same whale tail going back down.
Shutter Speed: 1/800, Aperture: f/6.3, ISO: 400
This eagle was waiting above the dock when we returned.
Shutter Speed: 1/250, Aperture: f/5.6, ISO: 200
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.
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 tips download your 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 trail with Nugget Falls barely appearing to the right.
Shutter Speed: 1/30, Aperture: f/16, ISO: 200
Mendenhall Glacier.
Shutter Speed: 1/100, Aperture: f/18, ISO: 400
Moss covered this part of the forest.
Shutter Speed: 1/30, Aperture: f/16, ISO: 200
Small waterfall on our trail.
Shutter Speed: 1/15, Aperture: f/13 ISO: 200 (hand held). Click here for tips on 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.
For more tips download your free copy of my e-book: Travel Photo Tips by Rhonda Albom
Practical Infomation
- Juneau is the largest US capital city by area. It is also the only US capital city that is not accessible by road (although there is a car ferry). This was our main motivation to take a ship’s excursion in Juneau. If we are late on return, the ship will wait for those on ship excursions. If we were on our own and something goes wrong, it would have been costly to get to the next port.
- Had we realized many of the Viator Juneau Alaska tours offer a worry free shore excursion guarantee, we probably would have chosen one of their tours. They are a company we trust, with small groups, great guides, and generally better prices than the ships.
- Nearly 1 million visitors arrive in Juneau annually, 900,000 of them via cruise ship.
- Juneau was one of four stunning Alaskan ports we visited while cruising on the NCL Sun. After taking the train to Denali, and then to Anchorage, we sailed from Whittier to Icy Strait Point, Juneau. Next is Skagway, before heading to Ketchikan, and then disembaring in Vancouver Canada.
- If you are heading to Alaska (or anywhere else) on a ship, be sure to check out these tips for cruising.
- We found the Lonely Planet Alaska Travel Guide to be a great planning tool.
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Whale watching, glaciers, or a city tour, what would you do with a half day in Juneau Alaska?
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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
Thanks Hilary. It is something new I am trying and am glad to know it is useful.
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.
They are so majestic and playful. I hope you see one this year. The whale and dolphin safari in Auckland is outstanding.
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 🙂
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.
Very nice photos, Rhonda!
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/08/oooh-baby.html
Thanks.
Wow wow wow!!
You should see them live, you would really be impressed.
That is so awesome going whale watching, I’m very envious of you.
It is one of the best things I have done.
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
The warm, hot tropical sun is the only thing you would be giving up on an Alaskan cruise. Personally, I loved it.
So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Patrick. Do you see whales in SF?
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. ☺
You will see beautiful whales and dolphins in Hawaii, and the warm tropical sunshine will be wonderful too.
Love it! Great photos of nature! Thank you!
Thanks Teresa. I enjoyed taking them.
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!!
Thanks April. That eagle was pretty amazing. They are such serious looking birds, focused yet almost looking right through you.
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!)
LOL – burst wouldn’t have helped if you were aimed at the sky.
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!!
Snorkeling with the whale sharks would be such an amazing experience.
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!
Thanks Patricia. I also love Denali. Our time there was really special.
If I had a whale tale I would flip it up in the air all day long! So much fun for you.
https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2017/08/nyc-at-10-pm-its-true-that-new-york.html
LOL – what fun that would be, and what a sight for everyone else too.
Wow! These pics are awesome. Mendenhall Glacier pic is my favorite. 🙂
Thanks. It was a so huge, and the bluest of the glaciers I have seen to date.
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
Seeing eagles flying and it trees was one of the many highlights of Alaska.
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.
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.
It would be great to see those in person! If only I can get a chance soon…
I hope you get a chance some day. There is nothing quite like it.
How fascinating to watch! Seeing a whale and an eagle aren’t species you see every day.
Agreed. Where I live is called Whangaparaoa, which means “Bay of Whales” in Maori, however, we have only seen whales twice in the 16 years we have lived here.
tremendous
wow. i wish i could go.
amazing! your should start selling your photos:) really great photography!
LOL – I do sell some of my photos on Zazzle and on Amazon.
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
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.
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.
My favourite thing to do at any port is to visit friends. It’s even better than seeing whales.
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.
I loved everything about our time in Alaska. I wish I was there longer – but only in summer for me.
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!
Wow, you sure had good timing. How cool to see a whale breach and kayak so close.
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.
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.
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.
I know what you mean, after visiting Alaska, I have been wanting to visit Iceland.
Stunning photos. I hope I’ll visit Alaska some day. Greetings from Poland.
Thanks Klara, I hope you get to Alaska someday too.
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!
I haven’t seen enough glaciers to say which is the best, but Mendenhall is pretty special. So is Glacier Bay (Alaska) and Fox and Franz Joseph Glacier in New Zealand.
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!
Agreed, both the glacier and whales were amazing to see live.
Spectacular. I recently did whale watching in Australia, but Alaska would be next level!
I would think Australia would be pretty cool too. I have been and loved whale watching in New Zealand.
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
We went out of our way to find the animals, but even with that, there was an element of luck. and, thanks.
Wow – what an amazing adventure! And such fabulous photos.
Thanks Fi.
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!
Twice, how cool.
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!
I didn’t know what was better when I was out there.
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. 😉
You are so right, seeing the whale tail was totally amazing.
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!
That eagle was on top of a pole, and I had a 200mm zoom lens.
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.
It’s more about the memory than the photo.
I’d love to go whale watching one day, I do hear Alaska is the place to go! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Alaska a is a place to go, but there are whales in all the oceans of the world.
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.
I avoid places like Seaworld, anywhere that has cetaceans in captivity.
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.
I could easily spend a couple of months there as long as they were in the summer!
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.
The secret to seeing whales is to go out on a boat with someone who knows how to spot them.
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!
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.
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
Thanks Jim. I am not sure how close, but we were at the legal limit. The secret is the zoom lens.
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!
So difficult, especially when the water and the animal are the same colour.
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.
Wow, thanks Sandy. How cool to see hippos in the wild.
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.
I had no idea there were eagles in New Jersey. They are such magnificent creatures.
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.
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.
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!
Thanks Elena. Glad you enjoyed them.
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 . .
Whales are so interesting and so big, but I do agree, taking a photo that blends into the background is a bit challenging.
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.
Yes, grab your camera and get out and start shooting.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Alaska is a breathtaking and remarkable travel destination, Rhonda! When’s the best time of the year to go there?
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.
Lovely photos
Thanks.
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!
How exciting to just look out and see a whale.
Great photos, as always. I hope I’ll see a whale someday. Maybe next winter.
Thanks Barbara. Where are you looking for whales.