Juneau is the busiest whale watching port in the world with countless tours heading out every day. Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska Whale Watching has been operating out of the Auke Bay area of Juneau for many years and they offer a unique tour selection, particularly for options available to both cruise guests and independent travelers. If you’re doing the Inside Passage NOT on a cruise ship, this is one of the best options for whale watching either in Juneau or any other port in Southeast Alaska.
We’ve got the full scoop on what makes whale watching with Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska tours so different and a great choice when you’re in Juneau. From transportation to special sights on your trip, read on to see what to expect. If you have any questions about whale watching from Juneau or need more ideas for things to do when you’re in town, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great Alaska trip.
Why Pick Harv and Marv’s Whale Watching in Juneau?
What stands out most to me about whale watching with Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska in Juneau is their tour length, which is typically an hour longer than any other whale watching operator in Juneau. This is important because sometimes the humpback whales or orcas are not just outside the bay and a bit of travel is required to get there. Whether the crew needs to head farther south than normal or if they need to go north past where most other whale watching trips go, Harv and Marv’s actually has the time to do these longer trips. You may not think you’ll want to be on a small boat for three hours, but the time flies by, especially when it’s a really good whale day.
Another thing I like about whale watching with Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska is getting to see additional sights beyond the whales. Whether it’s pulling into a cove to get a beautiful view of Mendenhall Glacier from the water or if your trip takes you to one of the few lighthouses in Alaska, Harv and Marv’s ends up being a bit more than a whale watching tour.
When it comes to the size of the boats Harv and Marv’s whale watching tours use, they have a few different sized boats, from six passengers to 49, but not more than that. You can book your whale watching tour as a small group or you can be a part of one of the larger sailings. Both have their benefits. The small boat tours give you an intimate experience with your captain and naturalist, while the larger two-deck boats are still not crowded, but the bigger boat allows you to get a view from higher up, which can be awesome for whale watching.
Book Harv and Marv’s whale watching here!
Tips for a Great Juneau Whale Watching Trip
Whale watching is different for everybody and some people do amazingly on the water… and then some folks get seasick on calm seas. Depending on how you do on boats, that may influence the whale watching trip you book. The larger boats allow you to feel the seas a bit less, while the smaller boats really move with the swell of the sea. I get so into it that even if I start to feel queasy I usually forget that I don’t feel well once I’m watching whales and sea lions out in nature. I know that’s not the case for everyone though, so plan to use some anti-nausea medication if that’s right for you.
Another way to limit your seasickness is sit at the back center of the boat. This is where you feel the motion the least and usually you can access the outdoor space the easiest, which can help you feel better. Some people also like the motion sickness patches (applied before you’re on the water) or the magnetic bracelets which work with pressure points and such.
When it comes to the timing for booking a whale watching tour with Harv and Marv’s, book it as far in advance as you’re able to ensure you can get the tour time and specifications you want. The time of day you’re on the water doesn’t always have an impact on what you’ll see on your whale watching tour. Whales are feeding and breaching at all times of day. I find that I like a morning whale watching tour more for photography purposes because the sun is lower and makes for better photos sometimes, but even in the midday or afternoon your captain will strategically move your boat to make the whale watching as good as possible for both just watching the whales doing their thing and for photography.
Is Harv and Marves Whale Watching Good with Kids?
Yes, because of the boat size for Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska Whale Watching tours, these are great options if you’re in Juneau with kids. The small group sizes both allow you to feel safe with kids on board and the easy access to the crew for kids to ask questions is fantastic. Small group sizes like any of these tours means that things can be flexible and made to be as kid-fun as possible. Also, in terms of safety, the small and larger boats make it easy to keep an eye on kids as they enjoy the whale watching experience from Juneau.
Being Prepared for Juneau Whale Watching
One of the best things about a small whale watching tour like Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska is how they can tailor a trip to allow their guests to enjoy the photography element and really get into the best positions for seeing the whales. Just like the bigger boats, they are restricted in how close they can get to marine wildlife by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t anticipate the whales’ moves and get into a good drift for the best viewing and photography.
With that, you’ll want to be sure that you’re ready for awesome photo ops. A regular cell phone camera is good for video and simply photography, but if you want to get the best whale photos, you’ll want a bit of a lens. Whale watching is unique in that sometimes your best photos happen with a smaller lens, like a 250mm lens, but then it’s also wonderful to really get into the shot with a bigger lens. I love my 600mm lens for most types of wildlife photography, whales included, but it’s not necessary for everyone. See my photography gear for beginners picks here.
If you plan on doing something fun or professional with your photos, a big lens is great to have, but also know that sometimes whales come up really close to the boats and you’ll maybe even be too close for good shots. Harv and Marv’s Whale Watching allows you out on both the front and back of the boats, and they have windows that open on the smaller craft, so you have lots of chances for all range of photography.
There are snacks and drinks (non-alcoholic) provided when you go whale watching with Harv and Marv’s from Juneau, but you’re welcome to bring your own snacks as well. If you’re doing one of the charters or you’re on the small boats and you coordinate with Harv and Marv in advance, you can even arrange to enjoy beer or mimosas on board, but you do need to talk to them about this in advance.
What to Wear for Juneau Whale Watching
When it comes to how to dress for a whale watching tour from Juneau, you should always plan for the worst weather you might get, knowing that you can always peel off a layer or two. We love our raingear because we’re realistic and know that we don’t have to wear it. You don’t necessarily need it for the boats where you can be inside all the time, but even then we still wear it or bring it just in case we want to be outside and the weather turns. Juneau gets a ton of rain and the weather in Southeast Alaska is iffy for most of the summer, so just be ready.
There is plenty of indoor space and big windows on each boat, but you’ll want to be outside for the best photos and to get to hear the whales exhaling and splashing!
Parking for Harv and Marv’s Outback Alaska Tours
Harv and Marv’s Whale Watching tours leave from the Auke Bay Statter Harbor marina, NOT from the Alaska Marine Highway ferry dock (the ferry from Juneau to Haines). There is paid parking here and around Auke Bay if you’re arriving early. If you’re staying in Juneau or visiting via cruise ship, when you book your whale watching tour you can coordinate your transportation. Harv and Marv’s will actually pick you up at your cruise port or hotel, so be sure to work with them to get your transportation lined up.
Harv’ and Marv’s Whale Watching Tours Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure.
- Operating Dates/Season: May through September
- Tour office phone number: 907-209-7288
- Company website: Harv and Marv’s
- Tour check-in address: 11497 Auke Bay Harbor Rd, Juneau, AK 99801
- Tour booking links: Book Harv and Marv’s HERE!
More Things to do in Juneau, Alaska
I think Juneau is a fun city and it’s set in one of the most beautiful areas. If I were moving back to Alaska I would move to Juneau. Surrounding by mountains and the Tongass National Forest, there are loads of outdoor things to do in Juneau. Pair the surrounding waters of the Inside Passage and close proximity to Glacier Bay National Park (accessible by water) and you’ve got a hub of beauty and adventure.
What really sets Juneau apart though is the presence of Alaska Native culture. From the people you meet to the shops in the tourist areas, the totem poles on the waterfront to the Tlingit art at the Sealaska Center, the indigenous cultures of Southeast Alaska are alive and well here in Juneau. As you plan the things to do that are most important to you, make sure you include some time to learn about the peoples whose ancestral lands you are visiting.
- Alaska State Museum
- walk the waterfront to see totem poles and the humpback whale fountain
- visit Mendenhall Glacier
- visit Cope Park for the beautiful stream, trails and playground
- go kayaking and bald eagle watching
- check out local indigenous art at the Sealaska Center
Dining in Juneau
I think Juneau is one of the better towns in Alaska for good food. Whether you’re sticking around downtown or you’re heading up to Auke Bay, there are lots of good places to eat in Juneau. We’ve picked some of our favorites for meals and drinks, but there are MANY more options around town for a great meal. One of the coolest places to find food in Juneau is actually the food truck park. You’ll find salmon tacos, burgers, oysters and Alaskan beverages. There is often live music and it’s a good combination of tourist and locals.
- Hangar on the Wharf – mellow, pub fare
- El Sombrero – good Mexican food
- Sacred Grounds Cafe – indigenous owned, LGBTQ+ inclusive for drinks and grab-n-go breakfast or simple lunch
- Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos (in the food truck park)
- SALT – a bit fancier
- Devil’s Club Brewing Co – brewery with pub food
Where to Stay in Juneau
I like staying in downtown Juneau because it’s such a walkable town, but if you’re planning to be here for a few days and really explore the area there are LOTS of cabins and vacation rentals away from the city, including up in beautiful Auke Bay. Be prepared for higher hotel and vacation rental costs due to limited inventory. Alaska isn’t an inexpensive destination, but the experience is worth it.
Since you’re already planning on visiting Juneau, you might as well poke around and see what other beautiful sights and cool things to do there are in Southeast Alaska. This region is such a fun place and the options are endless. For your consideration, here are some more ideas for your visit to Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest:
I hope you’re excited to experience the best whale watching from Juneau. Between the beautiful wildlife and sense of Alaskan adventure, I know you’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting Juneau or Southeast Alaska please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
