This was my first stop on my cruise to Alaska from Vancouver, and one I can’t wait to revisit sometime in the future. Juneau is an amazing place and wish I had more time to explore.
View of Juneau from the ship
Unfortunately during my stop it was raining on and off but I already had an excursion booked so had to push through the weather and get on my way.
I was a bit hesitant at first to be the only solo guest on the Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour, but the other people I was with were super friendly and made the whole experience way more enjoyable.
Mendenhall Lake
Canoe at Mendenhall Lake
The canoe tour starts about a 30-minute drive from the cruise port. You’ll be rowing for a while, so it’s a bit of a workout. But trust me, it’s worth it! The tour includes some yummy snacks and a bottle of water. It’s about a 2-hour row to the Mendenhall Glacier, but there are a few stops along the way, so it’s not just 2 hours straight rowing.
This tour takes you right up to the waterfall at Nugget Creek - you’ll get wet, but the included wet weather gear will keep you dry.
Nugget Creek Waterfall
After this, you keep rowing onto the Mendenhall Glacier, and oh boy, is it stunning! The photos I took don’t quite capture the magic, but seeing it in person is an experience you’ll never forget! Approaching the glacier, one is amazed by the sound of the ice, even though it’s far away.
Selfie at Mendenhall Glacier
The tour was an exceptional experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an adventure.
Watch a short video from the tour below for a close-up view of the Mendenhall Glacier.