This tour starts in Skagway, AK, where you will board the Haines-Skagway Fast Ferry. It is a scenic and narrated 45-minute ferry ride over to Haines, AK. Upon arrival to Haines you will be greeted by your professional kayak guide for the ocean kayak excursion of a lifetime.
Your 2 person kayaks will be set up on the beach & will be short 5-minute walk from the ferry pier. We’ll choose from a variety of beautiful ocean paddles depending on sea conditions and weather on the day of the tour.
Your tour guides will outfit you with a PFD (personal flotation device), spray skirt & ponchos, if needed. After a safety briefing and equipment introduction/fitting, you are off and paddling.
You will be on the water for about 2 hours. We have seen eagles, sea lions, seals, dall porpoise, humpback whales or other marine wildlife along our way. Your tour guide is an expert naturalist and will share their extensive knowledge about the fjord, marine wildlife and local geography. We will likely stop off at a remote beach midway through the excursion to stretch your legs and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Southeast Alaska. Once off the water, stay on the beach to enjoy a waterside picnic-style lunch. (Allergies & meal preferences can be accommodated).
In an instance where ocean conditions aren’t suitable we’ll head to our backup tour location on Chilkoot Lake which is a 30-minute van ride along the Chilkoot River. This backup location is surrounded by mountains with alpine waterfalls and salmon spawning beds and offers an exceptional alternate excursion.
(~ 75 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 50-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines.
(~ 20 minutes)
Upon arrival in Haines, restrooms will be available before a short walk to the adjacent beach where your 2-person kayaks will be waiting (1/3 km)
(~ 20 minutes)
Your guides will help you get fit with a PFD (life jacket), spray skirt and paddle at the onset of the tour. You’ll then receive a thorough safety briefing and become familiar with your kayak and equipment before boarding your stable 2-person kayak.
(~ 120-180 minutes)
We will spend the next 2-3 hours paddling on the ocean depending on the conditions and group preferences.
(~ 30 minutes)
Back at our private ocean side picnic area, you’ll enjoy a picnic-style lunch provides great views of the Lynn Fjord in a private setting.
(~55 minutes)
Once we wrap up with lunch we’ll head over to the ferry dock where you’ll have the opportunity to use the restrooms and take additional photos of Haines before enjoying the scenic ride back up the fjord to Skagway.
(~15 minutes)
After completion of the excursion, and upon returning to Skagway, a short walk will bring you back to our original meeting point, just a few minutes’ walk or shuttle to downtown Skagway and all three cruise ship docks
Where will I meet my tour guide?
Your tour 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 you tour.
Who are my 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?
Yes – restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour, on the ferry during your travel to Haines and on the dock once you arrive in Haines.
Do you cancel due to weather?
Our tours embrace Southeast Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Our excursions 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 activity for the day.
What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions?
Just let us know when you are making your reservation. We have alternative lunch options to accommodate most dietary restrictions with advanced notice at no additional charge on all of our tours.
Is there a charge for infants (0-18 months)?
No, infants are not allowed. The minimum age to participate in tour is 8 years old.
