Eagle Preserve Float Tour

Your tour begins as you board a high-speed catamaran for a scenic 45-minute cruise along North America's longest and deepest fjord to Haines. Along the way, you'll witness spectacular views of waterfalls and ice-sculpted peaks as your guide points out marine wildlife along the fjord.

Upon arrival in Haines, you'll board a motorcoach for a relaxing 40-minute drive up the Haines Highway, a National Scenic Byway, to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. You'll see historic Haines and Fort William H. Seward on this narrated drive from expert naturalists. Watch for moose and swans in the marshlands as you head up the Chilkat River Valley on this excursion.

At the preserve, experienced raft guides await to begin your rafting adventure (not whitewater). You'll float silently down the river aboard 18' inflatable rafts - the best way to observe eagles drawn to feed on the plentiful salmon. Bears and wolves are also frequent guests at the feast. Not only rich in wildlife, the preserve is also a place of incredible beauty, with towering mountains, hanging glaciers and lush forests. Your tour will float past the Native village of Klukwan where the Tlingit people have lived for centuries on the bounty of this beautiful wilderness.

After your float, you'll enjoy a riverside picnic. Your tour concludes with a return cruise aboard the catamaran back to Skagway. With Haines behind you, you leave with a myriad of unforgettable memories.

Note: We are able accommodate dietary restrictions with a minimum of 48 hours advanced notice, including gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, allergies, etc.

(~30 minutes) - Sign waivers, learn about tour and walk down to small boat harbor to catch fast ferry.
(~45 minutes) – Your friendly tour dock representative will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. We will provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion and get you ready to board the ferry to Haines. We’ll help you board the comfortable ferry for the 45-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines.
(~45 minutes) - Upon arrival in Haines, restrooms will be available and you’ll meet your guide and driver for a breathtaking drive up the Haines Scenic Byway to one of our rafting put-in’s.
(~40 minutes) - When you arrive at the put-in you’ll meet up the remainder of your guide team and swap out your shoes for rubber river boots. Your guides will provide you with a thorough safety briefing and you’ll don a PFD before boarding our stable 18’ rubber rafts for the float down the river.
(~90 minutes) - You’ll spend the next 90 minutes quietly exploring the scenic Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve by raft.
(~30 minutes) - Upon arrival at our river take-out you’ll be treated to a picnic style lunch with lemonade, hot cocoa and tea.
(~30 minutes) - A short drive back down the Haines Scenic Byway will bring you to the ferry for your comfortable and scenic ride back to Skagway.
(~10 minutes) - Arrive boat dock in Haines to board boat to Skagway.
(~45 minutes) - Scenic boat ride back to Skagway at the end of the excursion.
(~20 minutes) - Depart from the ferry and head to your boat.

Where will I meet my guide?
Your guide will meet you 15 minutes prior to the tour start time to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. If you are arriving by cruise ship, your guide will meet you at the end of the pier that your ship docks at. Otherwise the meeting location is the Small Boat Harbor sign. CLICK HERE to see a map detailing these locations in Skagway. Your guide will be holding a sign with the name of your tour.
Who are my tour guides?
Your tour guides are experts in the industry. They are fun, well-trained and passionate about guiding and sharing their expert knowledge about the history and natural wonder of Haines and Skagway, Alaska with you! Our staff all go through extensive training and hold current first-aid (mostly WFR and WEMT) certification. Many of our guides also lead courses and guided expedition trips for us both in Alaska and throughout the world.
Is there a bathroom?
Restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour, on the ferry during your travel to Haines and non-flushing restrooms at the start/finish of your float.
Do you cancel due to weather?
Our tours embrace Southeast Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Our tours run rain or shine. If in a rare instance weather does cause us to cancel the tour you will be refunded in full and provided with assistance with finding an alternative excursion for the day.
What wildlife will I see?
Though wildlife can never be guaranteed on tour, Bald Eagles, moose, all five types of Pacific salmon, brown and black bears frequent the area. Wildlife sightings depend on the time of the year and area within Haines where the excursion takes place. Your guides will choose the best locations to help you maximize your wildlife viewing opportunity on the excursion.
Will there be any whitewater on the tour float?
No – there will be no whitewater or rapids on the float.
How much will I paddle?
None, you will enjoy your float aboard an 18’ oar rig raft. Your tour guides do all of the rowing which enables you to sit back and enjoy the float. The raft makes a very stable platform for photography and enjoying the views with your family.
Is there a charge for infants (0-18 months)?
No, infants are not allowed. The minimum age to participate in the tour is 7 years old.