This full-day Juneau tour will leave you refreshed, relaxed and bubbling over with action-packed tales of frontier adventure.
At Auke Bay, board a state-of-the-art 48-passenger vessel custom-built for whale watching in Juneau waters, complete with a hydrophone system for listening to whales communicate underwater.
More than 65 humpback whales migrate annually to Auke Bay, also home to harbor seals, porpoises and bald eagles. These waters are so rich, whale sightings are guaranteed! In fact, if a whale is not spotted you'll receive a $100 refund ($50 for children).
Stand on the exterior observation deck or stay inside the cabin with extra-large windows. Pick up provided binoculars, and listen to your naturalist guide’s commentary about the humpbacks, local ecosystem and other wildlife sightings. On a clear day, you may even see Mendenhall Glacier.
After whale watching, a motor coach takes you to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, a historic gold rush setting complete with authentic mining artifacts. The aroma of wild Alaska salmon grilling over an open alder wood fire will get your appetite going. This all-you-can-eat buffet includes parmesan chicken, au gratin potatoes, baked beans with reindeer sausage, wild-rice pilaf, and other sides, salads and beverages and blueberry cake for dessert.
A shuttle service departs for the pier every 15 to 20 minutes, so you can return to the pier at your leisure. Meanwhile, there are a number of activities you can try: Roast marshmallows over a crackling campfire, check out the Salmon Creek Trading Post, stroll to the Salmon Creek waterfall and see inside the entrance to the historic Wagner Mine.
