Juneau Lighthouse Tour

Step back in time and embark on a historic voyage to the Sentinel Island Lighthouse. *Search for Humpback whales and other marine wildlife *Arrive at Sentinel Island take a short scenic boardwalk *Tour the lighthouse tower, inspect the beacon *Take a look across beautiful Lynn Canal *Stop at Brotherhood Bridge for view of Mendenhall Glacier Step back in time and embark on a historic voyage to the Sentinel Island Lighthouse. Your lighthouse and whale watching adventure begins as you board your transport for a scenic and narrated ride to Auke Bay (Statter Harbor). Upon arrival, you'll meet your captain/crew and board your vessel. Keep your camera close – you never know when the perfect photo-op will arise! Departing from Auke Bay, relax in a heated cabin with a hot cup of coffee and enjoy outside viewing areas while watching for wildlife. Search for Humpback whales, Stellar sea lions, Dall's porpoise, bald eagles, and various marine birds. Cruising through Alaska's Inside Passage, learn about whales and the history of our lighthouses. En route to the lighthouse, be sure to keep an eye out for signs of our abundant Humpback whale population. Once spotted, your captain will maneuver the vessel into position for the best photo opportunity possible. As you approach the Sentinel Island lighthouse, think of the deep maritime history from its construction in 1902. Try to visualize the isolated life of a "wickie", as lighthouse keepers were nicknamed, and consider what it would have been like to live here for a few years. Next, climb up the lighthouse tower, inspect the beacon, and take a look across beautiful Lynn Canal. After getting back to the boat, there's a 15-minute scenic ride to Yankee Cove, where you will meet up with your driver and enjoy a narrated trip. Your final stop at the Brotherhood Bridge viewpoint of the Mendenhall Glacier brings it all together, Alaska's history, wildlife and, epic scenery. Enjoy your short remaining ride to your cruise ship, reminiscing about this unforgettable look at a slice of Southeast Alaska history. Upon arrival at Sentinel Island, you will begin the next leg of your adventure with a short walk on a scenic boardwalk loop with photo ops along the way. Amazing views include Lynn Canal, (one of the longest and deepest fjords in the world) and the surrounding islands and waterways. During your time on the boat, enjoy complimentary locally made Alaskan fudge, granola bars, caribou sausage sticks, coffee/tea and bottled water. Tour may operate in reverse order. *Due to ongoing remodeling, access inside the tower may be limited. **Glacier viewing is weather dependent. Wildlife opportunities (likely, not guaranteed) *Humpback whales: Juneau, Alaska, is home to some of the world’s most fantastic viewing of humpback whales! Our captains and naturalists are the best in the business and have a 100% whale sighting success. The humpback whale is a baleen whale, and one of the largest members of the rorqual family. Adult females average 49 ft (15m) in length and weigh approximately 35 tons, with adult males being slightly smaller. *Killer whales: Adult male killer whales in the North Pacific may grow to a length of approximately 27 feet (8.2 m), whereas females grow to an average length of about 23 feet (7 m). Adult males may weigh almost twice as much as females, up to 13,300 pounds (6,000 kilograms). Killer whales are predominantly black in color with large white patches under the jaw and above and behind each eye. *Coastal wildlife: Auke Bay and Gastineau Channel provide a myriad of wildlife viewing opportunities. The Don Statter Harbor, 12 miles from downtown at the intersection of the Back Loop Road and Glacier Highway, is a good place to look for harbor seals and bald eagles, with sea lions frequenting the area. The harbor is the departure point for many whale watching cruises. Harbor porpoise and other marine mammals and sea birds are frequently seen on trips to and from Auke Bay. Lighthouse history Built in 1901, Sentinel Lighthouse Is Part of Alaska History Before the influx of people produced by the gold rush, Alaska’s waterways were marked only by an occasional buoy. Still, the United States had yet to build a lighthouse along the vast coastline it had acquired in 1867. Strong currents, fog, rain, and a rocky shoreline made navigating the Inside Passage most challenging, and in 1898 alone, over three hundred maritime accidents were reported along the twisting waterway. George James, a Juneau resident, was awarded a $21,267 contract to construct Sentinel Island Lighthouse. The project commenced on July 25, 1901, when men and materials landed on the island. To reach the six-and-a-half-acre island from Juneau, one had to sail along Gastineau Channel to Auke Bay and then follow Favorite Channel to its northern end where it joined Lynn Canal, a total distance of twenty-three miles.