The absolute best vantage for Juneau whale watching and photographing wildlife in Alaska
The time you spend in Alaska's wilderness is precious. Often times our guests travel thousands of miles to see this awesome place. Many look forward to their tour with us more than any other part of their vacation, and as such, Gastineau Guiding Company is serious about delivering the best whale watching and educational wilderness experiences possible. Thats why we have invested in custom built safari vessels, designed by Almar and hand built in the USA. Currently we have four newly built safari vessels in operation, with another additional vessel coming this spring (2011). That makes our fantastic fleet of 5 the newest and best equipped vessels operating in the Stephens Passage. Step aboard and you'll find yourself immersed in the wonder of Juneau Alaska as you ply waters filled with natural abundance and epic wildlife.
THE UNIQUE SAFARI VESSEL VANTAGE
These vessels provide comfortable seating inside a dry covered cabin - perfect for the temperate climate of the Tongass. We operate the only area vessels that have large opening panel windows that provide an eye-to-eye vantage for photography, whale watching and wildlife viewing. There are even padded armrests that fold over the window sills, providing an additional level of comfort while allowing you to steady your shot.
THE UNIQUE SAFARI VESSEL SIZE
Our safari vessels are the perfect size, large enough to be stable and steady, yet small enough to be highly maneuverable. The tour size is limited, making the group size relatively small and the feel of the trip more personable and intimate. A Gastineau Guiding vessel provides a fun outing where everyone has the opportunity to engage their surroundings as a participant, rather than as a casual observer. A premier shore excursion for the discerning traveler.
THE UNIQUE SAFARI VESSEL LAYOUT
Perimeter seating allows each guest to freely move about the cabin making it convenient to dialog with your guide and easy to respond to whale and mammal sightings in a marine environment. Each boat is equipped with a restroom and plenty of handrails for added security while moving about the cabin. Our vessels operate at 80% of capacity to insure your comfort and deliver that small group feel. Exterior decks provide an open air view of your surroundings too.
THE UNIQUE SAFARI VESSEL CHOICE
Select an eco-tour tailored to your specific interest, be it wilderness photography, hands-on research or natural interpretation. Gastineau Guiding Company enhances the local whale watching activity by providing a thematic and authentic Alaskan wilderness experience. Step up from the common Juneau whale watching cruise and enrich your wilderness experience by choosing from one of the following special interest shore excursions:
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Photo Safari by Land & SeaCapture the power of ice at the Mendenhall Glacier and the wonder of the wild whales of the Inside Passage on this hands-on photography tour. This awe-inspiring area awaits the enthusiast who gets goose bumps at the thought of capturing that perfect moment through a lens. Your professional photography guide is there to provide a fun atmosphere and open the door to a new locale, while developing your passion for photography. |
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Whales & Glaciers: Citizen Science AdventureWant to know what it`s like being a research biologist in the wilds of Alaska? Join Gastineau Guiding along with our non profit partners on an exclusive science based exploration through Alaska`s famed Stephens Passage and the pristine Tongass National Forest. Identify humpback whales, take plankton samples, record marine mammal observations, and even take time to explore the subtle effects of climate change at the Mendenhall Glacier. |
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Alaska's Whales & Rainforest TrailsDelve into the wonders of the Alaskan wilderness with a Certified Interpretive Guide as your leader. Walk through temperate rain forest and moraine ecology at the Mendenhall Glacier and experience the prolific marine wildlife within the sheltered waterways outside of Juneau. This tour delivers the "must sees" of Juneau in a personable small group setting designed to engage the curious and adventurous traveler. |
NOTES: All 3 safari vessel tours above offer guaranteed whale sightings or each guest will receive a $100 cash refund at the end of their trip from Gastineau Guiding Company. In all our years as a local tour operator we have always delivered on our whale watching guarantee (by in large due to the remarkable annual journey of Juneau's visiting humpback whales). Our captains and crew respectfully adhere to all local, state and federal rules set forth by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA and TBMP. The safety and wellbeing of these mammals directly ties to our company's safety and wellbeing. Lastly, whale activity does vary as does the activity level of all creatures both great and small.
