Book your whale watching excursion in Juneau

During our three previous Alaska cruises, we had booked only one of our Juneau whale watching excursions through the cruise ship. On that excursion, yes, we saw lots of whales.

But we didn’t enjoy being on a boat with so many others (about 40 people). They rushed to the railings and windows and held up their tablets and cameras, blocking the views of those of us trying to see around them.

Humanity. UGH!

For not much more money per person, we’ve had great nearly private excursions by booking our whale watch excursions with a local company.

A whole bunch of strangers in between me and the whale – I was not a fan. (Interesting to note the lack of smart phones from this 2008 trip.)

On the recommendation of fellow Cruise Critic members, we have used Harv and Marv’s Whale Watching on our two return trips.

We reserve the boat that fits six people. Since there have been four of us (me, hubby, niece, nephew), another couple boards our boat. Amongst the six of us, there is plenty of room for viewing and snapping photos.

That’s our captain, Steve – and right through the window overlooking the water is my niece and me – on the six-passenger boat.

On our most recent excursion, we had a fun surprise –  the water was a little too rough for our reserved small boat. So the captain assigned the four of us plus another party of three to a spacious boat that fit 14 people but which the seven of us had all to ourselves. (This 14-passenger boat also included a Naturalist who enriched our experience.)

Regardless of the size of your whale watch boat, you’ll see other excursions’ boats nearby – something that’s not shown in the photos on the companies’ webpages. Obviously, you’re reserving a seat on your boat, not reserving the entire bay to yourselves. But the boats usually space out well enough that they don’t disrupt the quiet. It is still peaceful enough to hear the spouts – one of the best sounds on an Alaskan cruise! (That’s mist from the whale’s spout that you can see to the left of the boat near the trees.)

We’ve always received friendly service from Harv and Marv’s. Plus, we’ve learned a lot from our knowledgeable captain, who is unfailing respectful of the whales and their needs.

This humpback whale swam right near our boat. (I’m no good at judging distance, so my hubby told me that she was about 20 yards away.) Excursions are not permitted to chase the whales or drive too close, but when idling, the whales can naturally approach.

What you’ll see on a Juneau Whale Watch

The mama humpback whale and calf stuck close together. (Note how cloudy and rainy it was that day. Be prepared – Juneau is in the midst of the Tongass National Forest – a rainforest.)

We spied Orcas on our first Juneau whale watch.

How many sea lions can fit on a buoy? There always seems to be one in the water angling for a good seat.

The sea lions “haul out”, and the boat gets close enough to let you hear their grumbles.

Let’s make the most of our vacation days!

Have you been on a whale watch in Juneau?

Or have questions?

Chime in!