Harv and Marv's Outback Alaska

08/20/2024

How much do you know about bald eagles?? Here are SIX fun facts!

1. Southeast Alaska has the DENSEST population of bald eagles in the world!

2. Bald Eagles can reach altitudes of over 10,000 feet!

3. Their eyesight is EIGHT TIMES stronger than ours!

4. Their grip strength is a CRUSHING 400 PSI!

5. Bald Eagles mate for life.

6. They make the biggest Bird Nests.

08/11/2024

Tonight we had another employee party, this time on Pharos! We started off with dinner on the boat as we cruised to Sentinel Island. On the Island, we played team building games and enjoyed the sun. Finally, we loaded back onboard for a whale watch as we headed back to the harbor with music and lots of fun! We are so blessed to have such an amazing team!

08/08/2024

Hello all! I guess it is my turn to be a part of the employee posts! My name is Alexis Juergens, and I am the new social media manager. When I’m not making posts, I am also a naturalist and I help train new dock representatives down at the cruise ships.

This is my second summer working for the company, but I’ve been a part of it in smaller ways for many years, as my dad is one of the co-owners along side Jamie Letterman.

I was born and raised in Juneau, AK, with my two younger brothers (some of you might’ve had my brother, Daniel, as your naturalist!) and my two little kitties. However, this Sunday I am taking on a new adventure in Mankato, Minnesota, where I will be attending my first year of college. I will most definitely miss the mountains, the ocean, and of course my favorite whales. Juneau is truly a spectacular place to grow up in. Luckily, I will be back next summer to help guide more tours!

One fun fact about me is I love public speaking and writing, so I will be majoring in Communications and Political Science!

08/06/2024

Did you know that the humpback whale has the LONGEST appendage in the animal kingdom?? The pectoral fin of the humpback whale is around 13 feet long- or a third of their body length! This allows them to maneuver around an area not many other whales are even able to enter- the rugged channels in Southeast Alaska, an area with countless underwater mountains and valleys.

07/23/2024

We don’t take feet pics around here- only FLEET pics! See below- Kaytos, Pharos, and Beacon.

07/18/2024

This week’s employee post is for another one of our reservationist! Meet Colleen!

“I have been with Harv and Marv’s for 9 years in reservations. I was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. Moved to northwest Washington 11 years ago.

“I pursued working for Harv and Marv’s because the opportunity to work for a company that cares and helps make core memories for guests and employees. In my off time you can find me being my daughter’s number one cheerleader at the soccer field.”

Thank you Colleen for all of your hard work! If you want to get out on the water for another tour, give her a call!

07/16/2024

Check out the pinned post on the page! The competition for $500 will be coming to a close in just a matter of months, so make sure you submit your best shots as soon as possible! Here are some of our favorite submissions:

07/11/2024

This week’s employee introduction is part of our reservation team! Meet Missy!

Missy has been working with the company for three consecutive years as a reservationist. Many years prior, she spent a summer in Juneau working as a Naturalist/Guide. Missy is from Spokane, WA, and has a background as an occupational therapist. Before returning to the company, for two and a half years she helped individuals with spinal cord injuries.

“I had the pleasure of being a naturalist 1 summer and knew that this company had a piece of my heart forever,” Missy stated. “I love having the opportunity to share these experiences with you (guests) and making dreams come true. I truly enjoy being the first person that you interact with from Juneau lighthouse and Alaska galore tours and hope that I can make your reservation experience a positive one.”

07/09/2024

Thank you all for your support! We would not have been able to make this accomplishment without you.

07/04/2024

Another week down, and our first employee post of July. Meet Elijah Goins!

“This year I am working as a guide/naturalist with harv and marv's whale watching. This is my second year working with the company.

“Last year I worked most of the year as a guest representative down by the cruise ships before starting to guide later in the season, apon returning for a second season I have been primarily guiding/naturalizing out on our whale watching boats.

“I have lived in Juneau for 9 years, before then I was born and raised in Oregon for 8 years. I chose to pursue this job because it allows me to enjoy one of my favorite parts of Juneau, the water and sea life.

“A cool fact about myself is that I have been pursuing flight training and opportunities in the aviation field through a program called civil air patrol which I have participated in for 5 years.”

We are happy to have you as part of our team this year! Keep up the good work, Elijah!

07/02/2024

Blue skies and amazing times- check out our sister company, Juneau Lighthouse Tours!

06/27/2024

Employee post of the week! Meet Rich Morris, one of our captains of 3 years!

Rich has been running charters in Juneau since 2009 and has worked here for the past 3 years as part-time captain! Rich works full time for the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game.

Originally from Massachusetts, Rich has now lived in Juneau for 30 years! He loves the area, and has a passion to be on the water and show the gorgeous views to as many people as he can.

We are blessed to have him as part of our team! Thank you, Rich!

06/25/2024

Scientists say that traveling increases your feelings of life satisfaction, helps you meet new people to combat monotony, decreases hopelessness, improves your general outlook on life, boosts creativity and productivity, and creates better mental health! What better place to travel than to Alaska? Alaska is a gorgeous and unique location, one that is matched by no other. Expand your horizons and book today!

06/18/2024

Coming to Alaska is a trip of a lifetime! With beautiful views, gorgeous marine wildlife, and so much more, sharing your experiences can help encourage and inspire others to come and explore new terrain! Comment below what your favorite part about Alaska was. If you haven’t been before, comment what you’re looking forward to the most!

06/16/2024

What did the papa orca say to the baby orca?

“It’s aspout time I’m appreciated!”

Happy Father’s Day! While your dad jokes might be on the rough side, we whaley want to thank all the hard working dads, fathers, papas, and grandpas.

(Photo Credit: Captain Graham)

06/13/2024

This week’s employee post is one of co-owner Jamie Letterman’s daughters! We are excited for you to meet her, as she does a lot of the behind the scenes work that makes all of this possible. You might not see her on the water or the docks, but she is an incredibly important part of our team! Thank you, Kelsey!

My name is Kelsey and I am Alaska Galore’s reservationist and Logistics Manager!
I am born and raised in Juneau Alaska. Since my family is a part of this company, I have been a part of it for as long as I can remember! I love sharing my passion for Juneau and the tourists are always such a breath of fresh air after a long winter. How cool is it that we get to live somewhere that people DREAM of visiting!?!

My hobby/passion is my mini farm, loving and caring for my 2 goats, my 2 chickens, my 4 cats, and my 2 ferrets. I also enjoy spending time with my family and being outside by a fire or four wheeling through the woods!

06/11/2024

Orca’s bites!! These creatures are so powerful!

06/06/2024

At our company, we strive to provide distinct and personalized experiences for our guests.
Our diverse team of employees helps make this possible. Furthermore, having a unified and encouraging workforce that celebrates each other's successes and offers support during challenging times allows our employees to work together effectively.

This Thursday we are introducing a new highschool graduate and one of our newest employees! Meet Caleb Santora.

Caleb was born in Spokane, WA and grew up in Corvallis, OR. He is coming to Alaska to gain work experience, learn new skills that he would not learn in any other location, and save money to go to lineman school in the fall. Right now he works mostly as a dock representative, but he helps out with just about anything else that our equipment might require for maintenance.

Caleb’s interesting fact is that he runs cross country, even though most people would assume that he plays football because of his height. Welcome to the team, Caleb!

06/04/2024

06/01/2024

We have a new addition to our fleet! All inspections cleared, Pharos is ready for tours!

05/31/2024

Team event night! Last night the team got together for fun, food, and friendly competition. Taking the time to let loose and have some fun is a great way to boost camaraderie. Looking forward to the next one!! 🎉🎉🎳🎳

05/30/2024

Thursday = meet our employees! Katie Botz has been an employee for our company for three years now! She works primarily as a driver and land tour guide, but occasionally she fills in a dock representative.

Katie was born in South Korea, raised in Kodiak, AK, and she moved to Juneau in 2002. She says that she was attracted to the company because of the close-knit relationships between employees and effective management and leadership within the company.

When she’s not showing off her beautiful town, she enjoys exploring new places and playing video games! Looking forward to another summer with Katie!!

05/29/2024

Humpback whales are a favorite for whale watchers, as they frequently perform aerial displays, such as breaching or slapping the surface with their pectoral fins, tails, or heads. Read more here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/humpback-whale

05/23/2024

Meet Megan, one of our hard-working employees! Megan works a plethora of different roles within our company, filling in as a dock representative, driver, AND naturalist/guide.

While she calls Juneau her home now, she has also lived in Washington State and Arizona.

Megan enjoys living and loving life as God intended, sharing and exploring all the beautiful things she sees with those that she encounters, whether it be on a boat in gorgeous Juneau, AK, or anywhere she finds herself in this world.

Her favorite quote is “Those who don’t believe in Magic will never find it. Believe in your heart that you’re meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic, and Miracles.” (Roy T. Bennett).

We are pleased to have such an inspiring and talented individual on our team!

05/21/2024

Compete to win $500 cash! Harv and Marv's, Alaska Galore Tours, and Juneau Lighthouse Tours are having a photo competition this summer! If you've been on a tour with one of our companies or are coming out this summer (whale watching, lighthouse, or capital city highlights!), submit the best photos and videos you captured during the experience here: https://forms.gle/3J7cBEkUiHeuh7DE7. Comment below if you have any issues submitting. Good luck!!

05/16/2024

A pod of Killer Whales came through Juneau this afternoon! These creatures are magnificently powerful and swift, traveling up to 99 miles in one day! Due to how quickly they travel, it isn't very often that we get to enjoy the presence of these spectacular animals.