Top Skagway On the Water

Leave Skagway’s bustling streets behind as you set sail on the Upper Lynn Canal and discover the region’s rich natural heritage. Come face to face with cascading waterfalls as you drift into America’s deepest fjord, and capture stunning photographs of the flora and fauna while hearing about the area’s history, geology, and legends from your local captain.

Discover the highlights of Skagway and Alaska’s gold rush history on this tour. Wind through the downtown area and visit the Gold Rush Cemetery, where you hear tales about Frank Reed and Soapy Smith. Aboard a comfortable mini-bus with large windows, travel along White Pass Summit and soak up views of mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Marvel at the surreal landscape of Tormented Valley. Stop frequently along the way for photo ops and wildlife viewings. Please note that you will need your passport, don't forget it!

The Chilkat Preserve is one of the best places in the world to find American bald eagles—thousands congregate there to feed on salmon during the fall and winter. This tour takes you on a scenic rafting trip along the Chilkat River—where the eagles put up residence during the summer—and provides the wilderness knowhow to spot the birds and other animals while navigating the river’s channels.

Escape Skagway with a visit to Chilkoot Lake State Park in Haines. Board a high-speed catamaran in Skagway and fly through the water to Haines, admiring steep fjord walls and unnamed waterfalls along the way. Meet your naturalist guide at the park entrance, and discover a lake rimmed by snowy mountains, a river bursting with salmon, Tlingit cultural sites, and wildlife including bald eagles, brown bears, and harbor seals.

Discover the wild landscapes of south Alaska from the water on this full-day canoe safari from Skagway. Set sail along the Lynn Fjord on a catamaran; look out for brown bears, mountain goats, and eagles in the Chilkoot River Valley; then paddle around Chilkoot Lake in a traditional voyageur canoe, before tucking into a delicious picnic lunch by the waterfront.

Golf with stunning views of mountains, glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, and more. Travel from Skagway to Haines by high-speed catamaran. Tour Fort Seward before heading to the golf course to collect your clubs, pull-cart, balls, and shoes. Spend 2.5 hours on this scenic 9-hole course, stopping to admire eagles, moose, mink, and otters. End with a delicious snack of smoked salmon before your return to Skagway.

Haines is home to magnificent wildlife and breathtaking views of the natural world! With an experienced naturalist as your guide, you will see and learn about the plants and animals that make up the ‘wilds’ of Alaska. The Chilkoot River is home to some of the best bear viewing in Alaska! The river’s huge salmon runs bring good numbers of bears every year. Situated among rugged glaciated peaks, it is home to numerous brown bears, mountain goats, salmon, river otters, and innumerable bald eagles. This area is a birdwatchers paradise with abundant local and migratory birds. Powerful spotting scopes or binoculars allow close-range views of mountain goats grazing in high alpine meadows and nesting eagles. **Wildlife sightings not a guarantee**

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. **Wildlife sightings not a guarantee**