Juneau Alaska advice

Posted by billandsuz1 on 03/23/25 04:13 PM

We're a couple of seasoned and active senior travelers; have been to Alaska by cruise line some time ago; want to avoid cruising; and are redesiging our trip. We are interested in whale watching and wildlife sightings, glaciers, photography, fishing. We are on a budget. We considered the ferry system but decided, instead of traveling a lot within Alaska, we'd limit our travel to Juneau, where we can find bears and whales and fishing (oh my!) Bear viewing is a bucket list item for us. We'll be there in early August, 2025. Recommendations for bear viewing operators? For whale-watching operators? Suggestions for "must see" ?

BTW, we redesigned our itinerary thanks to the advice from this forum. We appreciate you! A big thank you!

Posted by Larry42

Bend, Oregon

03/24/25 03:13 AM

299 posts

We have boated in SE Alaska for many years. In season, bears and whales can be seen in many places. The presence of either is generally erratic except at certain places and times. We go to Anan near Wrangell for brown & black bears. There are bears seasonally at Pack Creek and others nearer to Juneau - check with tour operators. Humpback whales and sometimes Orcas are, IMO, most common and active in the length of Icy Strait as well as in Port Frederick (Hoonah area). Most whale watching boats leave from Auke Bay, to the north of Juneau. Buses from downtown near the library head that way (including the airport and ferry terminal). Mendenhall Glacier has receded a lot and the visitor center may not be open. City buses do not go close, but taxis and tour buses do. Juneau has a State museum, City museum, Legislature bldg, and so on. There are boat day trips to Tracy or Endicott (into to Ford's Terror is beautiful) Arms. There are fishing trips out of Auke Bay. Honestly, except for stopping in a marina for supplies, Juneau is not our favorite SE city. Most places of interest to us were away from the Juneau area. But we are spoiled and may be under-rating Juneau as a destination.

Posted by Judy

Long Beach, Ca, usa

03/24/25 04:21 AM

1750 posts

billandsuzi1,
When we went to Juneau, we hiked through the temperate rain forest. Took a city bus from the library area to the stop by the Mendenhall glacier. It was very lush (part of the Tongas Natl. Forest). Very cool!

Posted by Lyndash

Arlington TX

03/24/25 07:32 PM

665 posts

Check out Admiralty Island for brown bear viewing. My daughter was a wilderness ranger there for several years 20 years ago. You must boat or floatplane in, but lots of bears!

Posted by Mother Duck

Portland, OR

03/25/25 02:22 AM

395 posts

Juneau is pretty small and when the cruise ships are there, overwhelmed.

We much preferred Ketchikan, Sitka and Seward.

There is a local cruise ship company, Alaska Dream Cruises. Alaskan owned, small ship. We have done two sailings with them and they are excellent. Worked through COVID, rescheduled at their cost. They will find the whales, bears, glaciers, etc. Might not be in your budget, but they will do the best they can to make it an excellent experience!