Top Alaska Kayaking Tours

Experience Mendenhall Glacier by land and water under the supervision of a guide who knows the area well on a combo-adventure tour from Juneau. First, hop into a canoe at Mendenhall Lake and paddle around luminescent blue icebergs and past cliffs and waterfalls toward Mendenhall Glacier. No matter your paddling or hiking experience, a guide prepares you for each step. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

A serene journey awaits on the Lazy River Kayak Float, where nature and adventure intertwine. Glide down the tranquil Knik River, surrounded by the towering Chugach Mountains, and keep an eye out for moose, eagles, and salmon in their natural habitat. This easy-going experience is perfect for beginners and families, with the option for young children to ride for free. As you paddle, enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks to keep your energy up. The glacier-fed waters promise a refreshing adventure that connects you to Alaska’s stunning wilderness.

Go kayaking with humpback whales during this small-group paddling adventure from Juneau. Climb aboard a boat and travel up the Inside Passage to reach rich feeding grounds for humpback whales. Admire views of glaciers, forest, and snow-capped mountains during the journey then set out in kayaks in search of whales and other wildlife.

This 4-hour kayaking tour from McCarthy takes you around icebergs in Kennicott Glacier Lake. Soak in the serenity and some of the finest views that Kennicott Valley has to offer. Listen for glaciers creaking and tumbling into the water. A guide tells you all you would like to know about glacier formation, as well as Kennecott Mines, Stairway Icefall and Mount Blackburn. Step onto a glacier and keep an eye out for wildlife along the shore!

Discover a side of World War II history that most people overlook on this wildlife and war bunkers tour through Sitka, Alaska. Kayak your way through the Alaskan waters to discover this rugged landscape first-hand, following your guide and small group to the concrete bunkers—complete with artillery emplacements and secret passages ready for you to explore.

Hike with an experienced, naturalist guide and small group through the wilderness trails of Denali National Park. The 5-hour experience showcases the tundra, taiga and boreal forest that has made Denali a mecca for wilderness adventurers the world over. Listen to narration to understand the parks botany, geology and history as you focus on the nature all around you — not the logistics or your map.

Discover an unforgettable adventure near Seward, Alaska, with the Moose Pass Kayak & Hike Express to Grant Lake. In just 4 hours, enjoy a 1-mile paddle on Upper Trail Lake, surrounded by the stunning Chugach Mountains, followed by a 1-mile hike to the pristine shores of Grant Lake. Accessible only by foot or floatplane, this remote gem offers breathtaking emerald waters. Pause to relax, enjoy a snack, and refill your bottle with glacial water before retracing your steps. Perfect for those seeking a half-day wilderness experience near Kenai Fjords National Park.

Kick up your adrenaline with this guided ATV adventure in the backcountry of Denali National Park. Hop aboard a Polaris Side by Side ATV, accommodating two passengers, and rev off along the Alaska Range, speeding through stunning mountain scenery up to 25 miles per hour. On Black Diamond Peak, marvel at views of Healy Valley. After the ride, enjoy a full-service backcountry meal. Hotel transport is available for this 3.5-hour outing.

Experience the majestic Mendenhall Glacier and Lake up close on a kayak tour with a guide who has one of the limited US Forest Service permits for the region. Your 5-hour tour includes a kayak tour on Mendenhall Lake and an all-you-can-eat salmon bake that features wild Alaska-caught salmon. Take a walk along the creek, pan for gold at a historical mine, and get great photo ops on this all-inclusive tour from Juneau.

Stray from the beaten path and discover the Denali area on an ATV tour that takes you through the boreal forest of Alaska. Have the option to tackle the rugged terrain in a single-rider ATV or a multi-passenger utility task vehicle (UTV). Ride on trails that cars can't access and stop periodically for photo ops and wildlife sightings on a tour that includes guide, use of equipment, and transport from select locations in Denali.

Experience Alaska’s forests and tundra from the only zipline course in the Denali National Park region. Soar over the trees during a half-day ziplining experience just outside the national park. Guides lead you along a course with six suspension bridges and seven ziplines. Remember to pause and admire the landscape on this memorable tour that promises exhilarating thrills, incredible scenery, and a fun challenge.

This spectacular kayaking tour immerses you in the incredible beauty of wild Alaska! You will have the opportunity to see amazing blue glaciers, breathtaking waterfalls, and extraordinary wildlife and fauna. This is a fantastic paddling excursion for all abilities and no experience is necessary.

Kayak on TWO amazing glacial lakes! This adventure begins with a paddle across Trail Lake in Historic Moose Pass. Our guides bring this small Alaskan town’s history to life. The stories of locals like Alaska Nellie, the ghost of gold miner Al and the famed Iditarod Trail provide plenty to ponder as you paddle along the shores of Trail Lake. After a short paddle south, glide to shore for a hike along a section of the Iditarod National Historic Trail as we head up and over the ridge to the stunning, emerald waters of Grant Lake. While moderately rated in regard to the terrain, there's no denying we're in wild Alaska along this route due to the rapid growth of the vegetation in the spring and summer along the trail. The feelings while staring out across Grant Lake are hard to describe and the views are breathtaking. We'll take some time to have lunch here, then we'll set out on kayaks once again to experience this area from the water before hiking back down the trail toward Moose Pass.

This relaxed Nenana River float weaves three miles of flat water with two short Class II rapids before settling into consistent Class I paddling beneath the Alaska Range. Suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers, the guided trip emphasizes learning river dynamics and paddling skills while searching for wildlife and enjoying mountain views. Guides provide safety instruction and interpretive commentary on local geology and natural history, and all river equipment is supplied.

Swap the big city for the natural beauty of Alaska’s wild backcountry on this full-day combination off-road driving and glacier kayaking adventure. Start with a scenic drive to Palmer, then board a 4WD vehicle to tackle rugged off-road trails along Jim Creek with stunning mountain views. After reaching the glacier area, gear up and paddle for two hours across a remote, iceberg-filled lake.

New in 2023! This full-day tour transverses a glacier feed river as it meanders through a glacier-carved valley. It is not uncommon to see a whole host of wildlife that frequents the river system as we paddle our way through the rivers meandering course. You will find salmon swimming under your paddle craft as they migrate to their spawning grounds. Also, expect to see ducks and eagles fly overhead and maybe even find a moose standing in the water eating a meal. This tour starts by paddling across Jim Lake and then a short overland portage into Jim Creek. Finally, exit on the beach of the Knik River that flows from the Knik Glacier, and while there get some pictures with the glacier in the background. The Knik Glacier is the headwaters of the Knik River and is the largest glacier in Southcentral Alaska. From there we will continue downriver to the mouth of the Knik arm of the Cook Inlet.

Paddle Alaska's Inside Passage on a sea kayaking trip from Skagway that explores a dramatic coast lined with towering peaks. Watch for bald eagles, moose, and whales as you paddle a 2-person kayak, then come to shore for a picnic on an Alaskan beach. For even more time on the water, you'll make the round-trip journey between Skagway to Haines aboard a high-speed catamaran, a 17-mile trip that traverses scenic Lynn Fjord.

New in 2023! The 7 Mile Canoe Trail winds its way through the heart of the Mat Su Valley. Travel on 4 separate lakes with only one portage over land. It is not uncommon to see moose, ducks, and eagles along the route.

Explore remote sections of Alaska by kayak on this tour, perfect for kayaking enthusiasts who want to see a different side of the state. Hop aboard a 2-person kayak and head out on the lake, listening to your guides recount tales of what it was like in Alaska many moons ago as you visit areas that very few people have ever seen.

The turquoise waters of Eklutna Lake, fed by Eklutna Glacier, are surrounded by towering peaks and a rich forest ecosystem. Make the most of your time at Eklutna Lake by choosing two of the following guided outdoor adventures: biking, hiking, or kayaking. We'll take you beyond the basics of the valley's flora and fauna. You'll get a history of the valley, it's use as Anchorage's water source, the Alaska natives that have called the valley home, and their fight to protect and restore their ancestral lands.

Alaska is full of amazing wildlife and scenery. Only a small portion of this amazing state can be seen from a road. Alaska however has some amazing waterways that get a traveler away from the road and out into the wild. This lazy river float is for people who have little to no experience kayaking, and or are concerned about a long-distance paddling adventure. As we go with the river flow. We also get to experience the majestic Pioneer Peak from many different angles as we float across its base. So whether you are looking for wildlife or scenery this trip is a great way to experience both.

New in 2023! Experience Alaska on the original roads and routes aka its rivers and lakes. This tour transverses one of the most sublime landscapes and panoramic views in all of Southcentral Alaska and the Mat Su Valley. You will find salmon swimming under your paddle craft as they migrate to their spawning grounds. Also, expect to see ducks and eagles fly overhead and maybe even find a moose standing in the water eating a meal. This tour starts by paddling across Jim Lake and then a short overland portage into Jim Creek. Finally, exit on the beach of the Knik River that flows from the Knik Glacier, and while there get some pictures with the glacier in the background. The Knik Glacier is the headwaters of the Knik River and is the largest glacier in Southcentral Alaska. After this brief pause to take some photos, and view the scenery, we will continue our paddle down the Kink River to our exit point of the old Knik River Bridge.

Discover Alaska’s natural beauty from the water—and find scenic spots you’d otherwise miss—on this small-group kayak tour. Glide past rugged landscapes, paddle around the Rockwell Lighthouse landmark, and look out for wildlife including sea lions. Along the way, learn about history and culture and hear stories from a local Sitka guide. Snacks and bottled water are included for your convenience.

The vibrant Inside Passage is one of the best places for spotting humpback whales in Alaska, and on this two-part adventure you not only travel up the passage on a small boat but also have the opportunity to kayak alongside the massive creatures. While most whale watching tours only include spotting whales from a distance, this intimate tour allows adventurous travelers to experience the whales up close.