Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Advice Please

Question

We will be doing a cruisetour next August. Our ship, the Coral Princess is due to be in Juneau from 6:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. There will be 4 of us traveling together.

I would like to do a whale watching excursion and also visit Mendenhall Glacier with enough time to walk to Nugget Falls. I have done quite a bit of "homework" to find the best way of achieving this. I have ruled out the local bus to Mendenhall because of the distance from the stop to the visitor center. I am also concerned about taking a taxi or Uber because I read that cellular service is spotty.

Is it practical to think that I can accomplish both excursions? Any thoughts on the "best" way to do it?

Bonus points for a recommendation on whale watching tour companies.

Answer

With your time frame in Juneau (6:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.) and a group of four, it is possible to do both a whale watching excursion and visit Mendenhall Glacier, but careful planning is essential to make it practical and enjoyable. The key is minimizing travel time and coordinating tours efficiently.

Practicality of doing both activities:

Whale watching tours typically last about 3–4 hours, including transportation to the departure point if needed.
Mendenhall Glacier is roughly a 20–30 minute drive from downtown Juneau. Walking to Nugget Falls adds about 1–1.5 hours round trip depending on pace.
Combining both is feasible if you book a morning whale watching tour and allocate early afternoon for Mendenhall, or vice versa. Keep in mind that weather can impact whale sightings or glacier access.

Transportation options:

Shuttle services: Many whale watching operators and tour companies offer shuttles from downtown Juneau to departure docks or Mendenhall Glacier. Booking a tour that includes transportation avoids reliance on taxis or Uber, which can be unreliable due to spotty cellular service.
Private charter or taxi: If you want flexibility, a private charter or taxi service can take you to both locations, but confirm availability in advance and arrange a return pickup time.
Rental vehicle: Some visitors rent a car for the day, but parking at the glacier visitor center is limited, and whale watching departures often require a nearby dock, so this may be less convenient.

Suggested itinerary:

Option 1: Morning whale watching (approx. 7:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.), then lunch in downtown Juneau, followed by Mendenhall Glacier visit (approx. 12:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.) and a walk to Nugget Falls.
Option 2: Early visit to Mendenhall Glacier (6:45 A.M. arrival), short hike to Nugget Falls, then whale watching tour departing late morning/early afternoon.

Recommended whale watching companies in Juneau:

Harbor Whale Cruises – Known for knowledgeable naturalist guides and comfortable boats.
Lynn Canal Cruises – Offers smaller group experiences, which can be more personal and less crowded.
Alaska Whale Foundation Tours – Focuses on eco-friendly tours and educational commentary.

Additional tips:

Book tours in advance, especially for August, which is high season.
Dress in layers and bring waterproof gear for whale watching, as conditions on the water can be cool and wet.
Factor in a buffer for travel time between downtown Juneau, the whale watching departure point, and Mendenhall Glacier.
Bring snacks or plan for a quick lunch downtown to maximize your time at both locations.

With this planning, you can enjoy both whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier in a single day without feeling rushed.