Well Trained. Well Prepared. And Ready to Show You Alaska.
We take preparation and training seriously. It’s a core part of who we are.
We’re Certified, Recognized, and Trained as Well as Anyone
We start with safety
Our crew is repeatedly trained to keep you safe and respond when needed.
We take care of Alaska
We adhere to Whale SENSE guidelines and are responsible stewards on all of our tours.
Our crews know their stuff
We train all of our team on CPR and other first response training so they’re ready on a moment's notice.
Local lore
The guides are local and they have insight into the land and waters of this area.
Our Training Creates a Better Experience for You
Before our crew even arrives in Juneau, they’ve started training. Our guides receive 80 hours of instruction before they take guests out on the water or trail.
Our training programs set the industry standard. And your experience on our trips will be different because of the depth of our guides’ knowledge.
Beyond their training with us, the Gastineau Guiding crew is full of folks who have spent years on the water, leading hikes, and capturing incredible photography. That’s knowledge you can’t teach. It’s just absorbed through experience. And you benefit from it.
Awards & Recognition
Over the years, we’ve pursued certifications and recognition not for the trophies on the shelf but to demonstrate our commitment to this work. To show that we’re not just in this to make money, but to be good stewards. And to ensure that when we take guests out, we leave the waters and trails just as we found them.
Along the way, we’ve earned a few awards.
Those are nice. But they pale in comparison with the opportunity to show people Alaska for the first time.
Our Training Creates a Better Experience for You
Let our award-winning guides tell you why they love this work so much.
Recognized
Annette Smith - Whale SENSE Alaska Marine Conservation Leader Award
Outstanding captains and naturalist in Alaska were nominated for their leadership in marine conservation and stewardship.
Recognized
Chelsea Anglin - Whale SENSE Alaska Marine Conservation Leader Award
With both the whale watching industry and scope of Whale SENSE growing rapidly in Alaska, there are truly countless individuals that are working to emphasize the need for conservation and preservation of local whale populations.
Passionate
Stan Stephens Stewardship Award Recipients – Bob Janes and Dawn Wolf
In October of 2016, Bob Janes and Dawn Wolf, the owners of Gastineau Guiding, received the Stan Stephen’s Stewardship Award from the Alaska Travel Industry Association.
Dedicated
Whale SENSE Hero – Wendy Brynes
In August, the Whale SENSE program announced the recognition of our Naturalist Guide, Wendy Brynes, as a Whale SENSE Hero for 2017!
It’s Time to Experience Alaska
Our team is ready to guide you to places and sights that only Alaska can deliver.