Photo Opportunities in Juneau Alaska
Jun 28, 2015 10:13:48 #
Heading for an inland passage tour in Alaska and have about 6 free hours in Juneau. We're scheduled to Whale watch and see eagles on the tour so I'm looking for complementary things to see and photo in Juneau. I've read that the Mendenhall Glacier is worth seeing. Any other suggestions and how best to get there would be greatly appreciated.
Jun 28, 2015 10:20:53 #
CHASEPLACEMAIL wrote:
Heading for an inland passage tour in Alaska and have about 6 free hours in Juneau. We're scheduled to Whale watch and see eagles on the tour so I'm looking for complementary things to see and photo in Juneau. I've read that the Mendenhall Glacier is worth seeing. Any other suggestions and how best to get there would be greatly appreciated.
Whale watch and glacier will use up the six hours. Our operator dropped us off at the glacier after the whale watch and we took the bus back to town.
Go with a local operator, not the cruise line contractor. We went on a small "six pack" boat which is 1000 times better than the crowded larger boats the cruise lines contract.
Jun 28, 2015 10:34:11 #
MtnMan wrote:
Whale watch and glacier will use up the six hours. Our operator dropped us off at the glacier after the whale watch and we took the bus back to town.
Go with a local operator, not the cruise line contractor. We went on a small "six pack" boat which is 1000 times better than the crowded larger boats the cruise lines contract.
Go with a local operator, not the cruise line contractor. We went on a small "six pack" boat which is 1000 times better than the crowded larger boats the cruise lines contract.
We did the same. Much better experience than those who went on big boat whale tour. Then they took us to the glacier. Made all arrangements ahead of time. Our ship was late arriving so this worked out great for us.
Jun 28, 2015 10:43:48 #
CHASEPLACEMAIL wrote:
Heading for an inland passage tour in Alaska and have about 6 free hours in Juneau. We're scheduled to Whale watch and see eagles on the tour so I'm looking for complementary things to see and photo in Juneau. I've read that the Mendenhall Glacier is worth seeing. Any other suggestions and how best to get there would be greatly appreciated.
I agree, when you get off the ship, and a short walk to the restaurants in the circle out front are all the whale boat operators, begging for business, I negoitated a great whale watch tour and price on a small boat, let them know you have to be back at xx time.. Whale watching in the bay there is fabulous, took a lot of great photos. It will take most of your time.at least 4 hours.. Because of travel time from there to a small dock where they take off from.. Hopefully you will have so much fun , you will just a hr or so left to get back to the ship..
Jun 28, 2015 10:44:13 #
Greetings. We just returned from Alaska and one of the best side trips that we took was the hoover craft trip from Juneau to the face of the Taku Glacier. The craft is able to move over both water and mud flats so it takes you to the very front of the enormous glacier. Take a look at the photos below. We previously had taken a helicopter to the top of a glacier which was also amazing but this topped it. The craft is covered but they get alot of rain so be prepared to protect your camera. Forget the tripod on the trip as the ground is irregular and soft like quicksand! The outfit is Allen Marine Tours and here is the link.
http://www.alaskapublic.org/2015/05/08/hovercraft-to-courier-cruise-visitors-to-taku-glacier/
Enjoy and be safe!
http://www.alaskapublic.org/2015/05/08/hovercraft-to-courier-cruise-visitors-to-taku-glacier/
Enjoy and be safe!
Taku Glacier
Hoover craft at Taku Glacier
Jun 28, 2015 10:50:50 #
Take the Mt. Roberts cable tram up to the top of the mountain that overlooks the city. The tram is right next to the dock where the cruise ships tie up. Nice photo ops from topside.
The glacier is very scenic. You can usually catch a local bus right at dockside for $5 each way. But you end up at a parking lot with a gorgeous wide angle view of the glacier. If you want to get close, it's a bit of a hike, but worth it.
We've done the cruise line's whale watch twice, and even though the boats can be somewhat crowded, you can get your shot. All the boats cooperate with each other, and when one spots a pod of whales, tells everyone else. You are essentially guaranteed that you will get close to the whales. It's a wonderful experience and well worth it.
The glacier is very scenic. You can usually catch a local bus right at dockside for $5 each way. But you end up at a parking lot with a gorgeous wide angle view of the glacier. If you want to get close, it's a bit of a hike, but worth it.
We've done the cruise line's whale watch twice, and even though the boats can be somewhat crowded, you can get your shot. All the boats cooperate with each other, and when one spots a pod of whales, tells everyone else. You are essentially guaranteed that you will get close to the whales. It's a wonderful experience and well worth it.
Jun 28, 2015 11:03:09 #
If your going to Skagway the train up the white pass was my favorite ( depending on the weather)
Jun 28, 2015 11:24:24 #
MtnMan wrote:
Whale watch and glacier will use up the six hours. Our operator dropped us off at the glacier after the whale watch and we took the bus back to town.
Go with a local operator, not the cruise line contractor. We went on a small "six pack" boat which is 1000 times better than the crowded larger boats the cruise lines contract.
Go with a local operator, not the cruise line contractor. We went on a small "six pack" boat which is 1000 times better than the crowded larger boats the cruise lines contract.
BTW these are the ones:
http://www.harvandmarvs.com/alaskawhalewatching.html
Jun 28, 2015 12:28:57 #
MtnMan wrote:
Thanks. I'll check them out.
Jun 28, 2015 12:31:16 #
Photosmoke wrote:
If your going to Skagway the train up the white pass was my favorite ( depending on the weather)
Turns out our tour hits Skagway and the White Pass. I'll be on my "photo alert". I assume my 24-120mm will work best there or are there longer telephoto opportunities?
Jun 28, 2015 12:32:58 #
Nisolow wrote:
Greetings. We just returned from Alaska and one o... (show quote)
I've heard the color blue is terrific there. i can see it on your photo. Can't wait, thanks for the info.
Jun 28, 2015 12:35:02 #
Newsbob wrote:
Take the Mt. Roberts cable tram up to the top of t... (show quote)
Thanks for the info. I'm not sure we'll have enough time to do all you did, but i definitely want to hit the glacier.
Jun 28, 2015 12:36:12 #
MtnMan wrote:
Whale watch and glacier will use up the six hours. Our operator dropped us off at the glacier after the whale watch and we took the bus back to town.
Go with a local operator, not the cruise line contractor. We went on a small "six pack" boat which is 1000 times better than the crowded larger boats the cruise lines contract.
Go with a local operator, not the cruise line contractor. We went on a small "six pack" boat which is 1000 times better than the crowded larger boats the cruise lines contract.
For the whale watching, which lens did you find most useful?
Jun 28, 2015 13:26:43 #
CHASEPLACEMAIL wrote:
For the whale watching, which lens did you find most useful?
You'll get fairly close to the whales, although you generally only see their blow-hole as they surface, and then their tails as they submerge. I had my 28-300mm and didn't need to go full telephoto most of the time.
Jun 28, 2015 13:28:40 #
CHASEPLACEMAIL wrote:
Turns out our tour hits Skagway and the White Pass. I'll be on my "photo alert". I assume my 24-120mm will work best there or are there longer telephoto opportunities?
Actually, the scenery is so magnificent that you'll use your wide angle more than your telephoto. Wider is better on the train.
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