Juneau Whale Watching Tours | Alaska's Premier Guiding Company

Why do our safari vessels offer the best vantage for photographing and viewing wildlife?

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 experience possible. Thats why we have invested in custom built safari vessels, co-designed by Almar and hand built in the USA. Currently we have two safari vessels in operation, along with two brand new boats due spring 2010. That makes our fantastic fleet of 4 the newest and best equipped vessels operating in the Stephens Passage. Step aboard and you'll find yourself emmersed in the wonder of SE Alaska as you ply waters filled with natural abundance and epic wildlife.

THE UNIQUE SAFARI VESSEL VANTAGE

These boats 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 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 manueverable. The tour size is limited, making the group size relatively small and the feel of the trip more personable and intimate. A Gastineau Guiding boat provides a fun outing where everyone has the opportunity to engage their surroundings as a participant, rather than as a casual observer.

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. 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 photography, science 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 excursions:

	Photo Safari by Land & Sea Capture the power of ice at the Mendenhall Glacier and the wonder of wild whales on the Inside Passage on this customized, hands-on photography tour. This awe-inspiring area awaits the enthusiast who "shutters" at the thought of capturing that perfect moment on film. 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.
	Whales & Glaciers: Citizen Science Adventure Want to know what it`s like being a research biologist in the wilds of Alaska? Join Gastineau Guiding along with Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program and the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation on an exclusive science based exploration through Alaska`s famed Stephens Passage and the pristine Tongass National Forest.
	Alaska's Whales & Rainforest Trails Delve 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.

Photo Safari by Land & Sea

Capture the power of ice at the Mendenhall Glacier and the wonder of wild whales on the Inside Passage on this customized, hands-on photography tour. This awe-inspiring area awaits the enthusiast who "shutters" at the thought of capturing that perfect moment on film. 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.

Whales & Glaciers: Citizen Science Adventure

Want to know what it`s like being a research biologist in the wilds of Alaska? Join Gastineau Guiding along with Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program and the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation on an exclusive science based exploration through Alaska`s famed Stephens Passage and the pristine Tongass National Forest.

Alaska's Whales & Rainforest Trails

Delve 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: Every safari vessel tour above guarantees whale sightings or each guest recieves a $100 cash refund at the end of their trip. 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 Alaska's 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.