This was an excellent tour. We booked the tour online, and the directions from our ship to the meeting place were incorrect, which caused us to be late. A guide from another tour company helped us find the correct meeting place.
The first part of the tour involved taking a bus ride to Tongass National Park to see the Mendenhall glacier. Our bus driver, EJ, was a great tour guide, and he had lots of Alaskan and Juneau wisdom to share with us. The Mendenhall glacier was incredible, with gorgeous views. The visitor’s center had plenty of information and helpful exhibits, and there were signs along the walkways to explain things along the way. Even with that, this part of the tour was a little underwhelming. I think if I had prepared beforehand by learning more about the glacier and park, I would have enjoyed it more.
Next, AJ picked us up and drove us to a small bay, where we boarded the boat with Captain Mike, Olive, and crewman William. This part of the trip was whale watching, and Captain Mike and Olive were excellent at their jobs, with Olive doing the talking and education, and Mike steering the boat and maneuvering it safely to be close to whales and other wildlife.
I learned far more than I expected about the area & its history, the ecosystem, and the wildlife, thanks to Olive. We saw several more glaciers, and the wildlife was amazing! We saw sea lions, an eagle carrying its dinner across the ocean, and many, many whales. Three whales breached, two of them near our boat- spectacular! It was truly a great experience, and the crew were skilled and knowledgeable. Definitely a highlight of our Alaskan trip!