Float down a majestic river, enjoying views of towering mountains, verdant forests, and scenic wildlife. By the end of this picturesque Juneau shore excursion, you’ll be one with Mendenhall Glacier and its beautiful surroundings.

Start your Juneau tour with a scenic trip up Mendenhall Valley. Once you reach the shores of Mendenhall Lake, protective rain gear and life jackets are provided. Then, it’s time to board the raft! Each one holds up to twelve guests and is rowed by a professional guide. If you prefer more of a hands-on experience, you may request a paddle raft when placing your tour booking.

Glide along the iceberg-studded Mendenhall Lake, marveling at the famous 1.5 mile Mendenhall Glacier. Setting course downstream, the five mile route will allow you to take in the spectacular views of the glacier and allow you the opportunity to experience short sections of class three rapids for a 1 mile stretch, which may vary depending on the weather. Keep an eye out for the photographer onshore snapping your picture in the rapids, capturing the thrill of your Juneau excursion.

Once the river levels out, soak in the views of the riverbank, lush forests, and 7,000-foot mountains above the valley floor. Your professional guide teaches you about the river’s natural history. If you keep a sharp enough eye, you can see bald eagles, black bears, otters, seals, and salmon during spawning season. At the end of the tour, celebrate with an Alaskan style snack.

Book this Mendenhall Glacier float trip today for an incredible day in an Alaskan paradise. The breathtaking Mendenhall Glacier and its natural Alaskan surroundings await!

Come face to face with a glacier, marvel at a huge humpback whale leaping out of the water, and top this excitement off with a scrumptious meal featuring wild Alaskan salmon grilled over an alder wood fire on this Juneau excursion. You’ll call this combination amazing. 

Enjoy a narrated transfer to the spectacular ice wall of the Mendenhall Glacier and its adjacent Visitors Center in Juneau. Tour the grounds, snap photos, take in the interactive exhibits, and turn to a ranger who can satisfy your curiosity about the natural wonders of the Mendenhall.

From Mendenhall Glacier, you’ll be transported to Auke Bay. There your captain and onboard naturalist will welcome you aboard our state of the art 48-passenger jet boat custom designed for Juneau whale watching with large windows, an outside viewing deck, and an amplified hydrophone system for listening to whales communicate underwater.

Juneau has a healthy humpback whale population, with some 65 whales returning each season to feed in the nutrient-rich waters, and your captain is well-versed in locating them. In fact, whale sightings are guaranteed! During this Juneau, Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier excursion, your captain will let you know when whales are spotted, but it’s more likely you’ll first be alerted by the collective chorus of “Oohhs!” and “Ahhhs!” from your fellow adventurers as they witness a giant humpback suddenly breach.

Binoculars are available for your use onboard throughout the Juneau excursion. Venture out on the deck to enjoy a panoramic view of your surroundings or to take a photo. Or, settle into your warm and comfortable interior to enjoy the scenery and wildlife sightings through the over-sized windows.

Following your cruise, you’re off to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. In a beautiful setting nestled in the rainforest, you’ll be welcomed by the aroma of wild Alaskan salmon grilling over an open alder wood fire. The sumptuous spread has something for everyone, with a variety of Alaskan entrees, sides, and blueberry cake for dessert!

After your meal, roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire, visit the Salmon Creek Trading Post and stroll to the beautiful Salmon Creek waterfall. Take your time! The food, entertainment, activities, and ambiance make Gold Creek Salmon Bake an Alaskan experience that is much more than a meal. With frequent courtesy bus service, you can return at your leisure.

Juneau is one of the most unique state capitals in the United States. Although Juneau isn’t an island, it is landlocked, and you can only get to it by air or sea. This exciting half-day tour will give you an orientation of Juneau, and a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier and Visitors Center.

Your Juneau shore excursion begins in the historical downtown district, where you will see the streets lined with gift shops, jewelry shops, king crab shacks and local fish restaurants. This tour will take you right by the Governor’s Mansion, the State Capitol, and the world-famous Red Dog Saloon.

Departing the downtown area, you will make your way north to the Valley Area and the Mendenhall Glacier. Along the way you will see boat harbors filled with Alaskan fishing boats, as well as boathouses and the Mendenhall Wetland Refuge. On clear days, you can see the majestic Chilkat Mountains in the distance.

Once you arrive at the park, you will have some time to walk around the Visitor Center, which has an elevated view of the glacier. The Visitors Center hosts exhibits as well as a short film about the Juneau Icefields. Admission to the Visitor Center is included in the price of the Juneau tour.

For those guests feeling more adventurous in their Mendenhall Glacier tours, there are several short hiking paths and walking trails around the lake area, including Photo Point Trail, which winds along Mendenhall Lake to an unobstructed view of the glacier face. At the appointed time, meet your guide for the trip back to town.

The Mendenhall Glacier Juneau excursion comes to an end with a stop at famous Douglas Island, an historic mining community, for photo opportunities and panoramic views across the ocean to downtown Juneau. You will then arrive back to the main cruise ship terminal.