Juneau, Alaska’s remote and breathtaking capital city, is located between soaring mountains and surrounded by water.
It is a highlight of any Inside Passage cruise, offering fantastic shore excursions for cruisers of all types.
Juneau offers something for everyone—you can choose from an adventurous helicopter tour over the Juneau Icefield, a thrilling glacier walk, and a whale-watching wildlife adventure, among others.
In this article, we recommend the best shore excursions to help you make the most of your time in Juneau during your Alaskan cruise.
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Whale-watching cruise at Auk Bay Harbor
Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in Juneau.
If you want to get on a boat and watch some wildlife during your Alaska cruise, you can choose between two options: the whale-watching cruise or the cruise+Mendenhall glacier tour.
Whichever whale-watching tour you select it will come with a guarantee of whale sightings.
Usually, these tours start at 8.30 am and last three to four hours.
If you want a premium experience, we suggest a luxury whale-watching cruise with just 20 members.
If you want an early morning start, Juneau’s premier whale-watching trip is the best option.
The pickup point for most of these tours is the Goldbelt Tram, which is in the big red building on the cruise ship dock.
Mendenhall glacier tour
Exploring the Mendenhall glacier is a must-do when you’re in Juneau during your Alaska cruise.
For a thrilling adventure, consider the Mendenhall glacier ice caves tour. On this tour, you’ll explore the mesmerizing ice caves inside the glacier—an experience you won’t forget.
The Mendenhall glacier lake canoe tour offers a peaceful paddle across the lake if you prefer water activities. It lets you glide among icebergs and get close to the glacier.
For more excitement, try the Mendenhall glacier rafting tour, where you’ll ride through rapids while enjoying stunning glacier views.
And if hiking is your passion, the Mendenhall glacier trek and climb provides the opportunity to hike and climb on the glacier, offering a truly rewarding adventure. Bring hiking boots and a backpack for a hassle-free experience.
Requirements for the glacier tours
- Minimum age: 12 years
- Weight requirements: 90 lbs – 41 kgs (minimum) to 240 lbs – 109 kgs (maximum)
- Not recommended for individuals with back, hip, or heart problems or serious medical conditions
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- Tour guides may deny participation if physical conditions are deemed unsafe for the group
Juneau city tour
With the Juneau city tour ticket, you’ll experience three incredible stops in just 90 minutes, showcasing the beauty and history of this stunning Alaskan city.
During this city tour, you’ll first visit Overstreet Park, where you can marvel at a life-sized statue and the fountain of a breaching humpback whale.
Next, at Homestead Park, you’ll take in breathtaking views of the ocean and the city of Juneau, situated at the foot of towering mountains.
Finally, you’ll stop at Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei, also known as Brotherhood Bridge Park, where you can admire a distant view of the Mendenhall glacier (weather permitting).
You’ll have 15 minutes at each stop to explore and take in the sights.
As this tour takes less time, you can combine it with other shore excursions, too.
This tour is a perfect way to explore Juneau; all admission fees are included with the ticket.
Juneau Icefield helicopter tour
If you love flying over landscapes, opt for the Juneau Icefield helicopter tour.
With this ticket, you get to enjoy a convenient pickup from the Juneau port cruise terminal or a central meeting point.
After a brief safety session, you’ll board a helicopter and soar over the breathtaking Alaskan landscapes, including icefalls and rugged rock formations.
If weather permits, you’ll touch Herbert glacier for a guided walk on its snow-covered surface, an experience few enjoy.
After taking in the stunning views and fresh glacier air, you’ll hop back aboard the helicopter for a scenic return flight over the Juneau Icefield.
The tour ends with transport back to the cruise terminal, ensuring a worry-free shore excursion.
Sled dog discovery
If you are looking for a family-friendly shore excursion, you can opt for the sled dog discovery tour in Juneau.
You’ll be picked up from the Mount Roberts trail, so get there from your cruise port and plan your timing accordingly.
You will start with a scenic drive through the Tongass national rainforest and then head to meet a team of 16 huskies.
They will take you on a 1 mile (1.6-kilometer) ride down a dog-sled trail.
If you are scared of huskies, don’t worry; you will be under staff supervision during this activity.
Also, a seasoned musher will teach you about the thrilling world of dog sledding in Alaska.
The entire activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, with the first entry starting at 10 am.
Private bear viewing by seaplane
This exclusive tour offers a chance to see Alaska’s famous Brown Bears in their natural habitat.
Your adventure starts with a scenic flight from Juneau airport, soaring over the Admiralty Islands and the stunning Tongass National Forest.
You’ll spend two to four hours watching the bears up close, guided by a local expert with deep area knowledge.
Afterward, enjoy a beautiful return flight to Juneau. For the ultimate experience, you can even arrange an extra flight over the breathtaking Juneau Icefield.
This tour is an unforgettable, environmentally responsible, and culturally rich wildlife encounter.
Salmon bake adventure
The Gold Creek Salmon Bake is a famous event held in Juneau. It is said to be an all-you-can-eat adventure.
If you love salmon, here are three activities you can choose during your shore excursion.
For an immersive experience, the Mendenhall Glacier and Lake Kayak Tour with Salmon Bake offers a five-hour adventure.
With this ticket, you can paddle close to the glacier before enjoying a delicious all-you-can-eat salmon feast.
If you prefer a mix of activities, the Mendenhall glacier, whale watching, and salmon bake tour combines glacier views, whale watching, and a traditional salmon bake in a six-hour package.
Both these tours start at the same time, i.e., 8 am. Early birds can opt for these adventures.
For those who want to try catching salmon, the Juneau shore fishing experience offers a half-day of shore fishing, where you can learn new skills and have your catch processed and shipped home.
Mining and panning gold
If you are interested in history, culture, or culinary delights, the gold-panning experience at Juneau is the best for you.
The Gold Mining and Panning adventure is perfect for history buffs who want to explore the city and pan for gold at historic sites like Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin.
On this tour, your guide will be dressed in traditional 19th-century attire to capture the essence.
For a more comprehensive experience, the gold panning and salmon bake shore excursions let you try your luck at panning for gold and indulge in a delicious Alaskan salmon bake.
You’ll even get to see a Tlingit master carver at work.
Both tours include access to exclusive Gold Creek areas requiring special permits, making your adventure truly unique.
Each tour guarantees a worry-free return to your ship so that you can enjoy your time without stress.
Tips for Juneau shore excursions
Weather conditions in Juneau are unpredictable. So try to wear layers, starting with a base layer, adding a warmer one, and topping it off with a waterproof jacket. Do carry a hat and have your hands covered by gloves while stepping out.
The city offers many natural adventures, such as hiking. If you plan to hit the trails, wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and ensure your boots have good traction.
A few necessary things, like water, snacks, sunscreen, and a camera, should be carried for the adventures.
As there are different activities to explore, make sure you drink lots of water and don’t skip your meals.
If you’re lucky enough to spot wildlife, keep a safe distance. Respect their space and follow any guidelines provided by your guides.
Ensure you’re back on your ship with plenty of time to spare. Juneau’s excursions are fantastic, but you don’t want to miss your departure!
Your guides are a great source of local knowledge. Ask them about the area and its history or any tips they might have for making the most of your visit.
Most importantly, relax and enjoy the beautiful sights and unique experiences Juneau has to offer. It’s a fantastic destination with so much to explore!
