Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour

Juneau, USA

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Hit the Alaskan waters on this 3.5-hour Mendenhall Lake kayak tour in Tongass National Forest. Journey across the lake in a kayak with group members in your same expertise level. Maneuver around glaciers as you take in stunning sights of the lake’s natural beauty, and catch sight of wildlife as you go. Paddle by Nugget Falls and the 3,000-year-old Mendenhall Glacier.

See native wildlife in their natural environment
Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Small-group tour
Family friendly
Free snacks included

What's Included

Snacks
Transportation
Full rain gear included (pants/jacket/boots)
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Permits

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Mount Roberts Tramway
490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
JUNEAU MEETING PLACE: On the sidewalk, under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tram. When you arrive at the meeting area, look for the Alaska Travel Adventures tour representative. They will be wearing a red jacket/shirt and a red hat. Look for our distinctive Caribou logo.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Mendenhall Lake

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Gloves and an extra pair of socks are recommended
Minimum weight: 40lbs

Maximum weight: Subject to waist size required to fit in the kayak cockpit. Cockpits are 16.5" X 10"
Guests taller than 6' 3" will not be able to steer with foot pedals and will have to steer with the oar instead. Guests can still participate, it is just a guideline to take note of.
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children 13 to 17 must have a signed parental consent form to participate without a parent or guardian.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Anthony_W

First of all, this is a physically demanding experience. If you have never kayaked or canoed before, it might not be a fun time. That being said, ATA made our time on the lake fantastic. Rain gear and all equipment was provided. Kayaks were in great shape. Our guide, Edwin, did an awesome job telling us stories of the area and about his life in general (very funny 10/10). He also took some awesome pictures for us while out on the water. We do wish the experience were a little longer so we could relax and enjoy the amazing scenery more. Overall though, a fantastic trip!

Reviews

4.2

based on 51 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great time with Edwin

Anthony_W, Oct 2025

Awesome experience

angie_w, Sep 2025

The best tour we did on our cruise. What an amazing experience. How many people can say they've been to the Mendenhall Glacier. You can only get there by kayak/canoe or plane. That's it. But let me make one point, this is about a 5 mile tour in a tandem kayak. It was tiring heading back as you were with the wind. We had an absolute beautiful day, a little cool because you are in glacier water, but the sun was shining that day at about 55 - 60 degrees. Awesome experience, but be prepared to work.

Beautiful views

Mark_M, Jun 2024

Overall we had a good experience. All the team was super helpful. The scenery was beautiful. Wish that our guide, who was super sweet, would have given some background or commentary on the tour so we had some history of things. Maybe had a microphone so we could hear her. I would not recommend this trip for anyone over 6’4. My son was able to kayak but my husband who is 6’7 was not able too. Also another suggestion is to provide gloves for rowers :-).

Extremely disappointed. Not as advertised.

Becky_F, May 2024

We just did the kayak tour. Th A was to be the highlight of our (my husband and I) Alaskan cruise. We have waited many years to do this. A few years ago I was blessed to get to visit Alaska with my late Father. We kayaked out among the glacier calves large and small. The views were spectacular. I wanted to share the experience with my husband for our 40th anniversary. According to your advertisement, it sounded like we would get about that same experience. We were EXTREMELY disappointed. The crew was great! But we were not allowed to get anywhere near the glacier nor either of the smaller calves pieces. We barely made it around the peninsula before being told that was as far as we could go and to turn around. I can’t express how disappointing this was. Now we will leave the trip of a lifetime without having experienced the one highlight we had so looked forward to. This was the one and only excursion we scheduled anticipating it to be similar to my previous experience. Would love to be refunded so we could pay for something on another day of our cruise. False advertising…..

Great!

Douglas_L, Aug 2023

Mikaly and crew did a wonderful job! Seeing the glacier and learning about its history was facinating. Thanks to all!

Enjoyable time at glacier lake and Mendenhall glacier

Tyisha_W, Jul 2023

I went on this trip with my 15-year-old son. We had an enjoyable time. Courtney and Makaylee were so helpful, pleasant, and kind. It was a rainy day in Juneau, and they got us all set up with the gear and a quick demonstration. We did see one bald eagle. We got close as we were permited to see the glacier and the waterfall. It was a great experience that I would recommend. We did not see any animals except the 1 bald eagle and plenty of sea gulls.

Took my money, canceled my trip, ruined my holiday and no refund!

Leigh_M, Jun 2023

Kayaking to the glacier had been the motivation behind traveling to Alaska. The day of the trip was beautiful and sunny, with no wind or clouds. The trip was due to start at 1:30. At 1:45 we were told that due to the warm water, there were down winds from the glacier which presented a tipping risk, and the trip was canceled. Only 3 people (inc. us 2) turned up for the tour - thus only 3 were registered. We were advised so late all the other tours were sold out so we did not get the experience of a life time we had dreamed of and paid for. Later that day I discovered other trips who had kayaked to the glacier and there were not down drafts or tipping hazards, in fact, they said the conditions could not have been more perfect. Viator canceled this because they didn't have enough people to bother. We were told we would be refunded immediately, and it was not a cheap trip - Now, nearly a week has passed and no refund has been issued.

Very disappointing. Faulty equipment and inferior management!

Patricia_R, Jul 2019

What we thought would be a great adventure turned sour as the rear seat and one peddle in the kayak were broken and my husband, not having any support, could not properly sit up to row. I was in front having difficulty without his help thus ruining our experience The guide instructed her assistant to remove the kayak from inventory once we returned but didn't offer an apology nor compensation.

Cancelled

Robin_C, Jun 2019

The trip was cancelled due to weather (wind) at the last minute although I heard from people later that other companies did run kayaks but stayed away from the glacier. Since it was my one chance to see the glacier it was disappointing that they did not offer some alternative

Divorce kayak

Barbara_G, Aug 2018

Exciting and challenging trip. Make sure the more experienced kayaker sits in the rear and controls the rudder. My husband and I usually take separate kayaks, but this time we weren't able to do so and met with some challenges going in a double. Thank you too Scott and Sequoia for making this a very pleasant trip. The face of the glacier is quite a distance from embarcation and the waterfall is even further. Be prepared to paddle at least 6 to 8 Miles if not more. Be prepared for very frigid water. Wear the boots and the overalls they give you and remember to bring biking or exercise gloves to help with the paddling. Bring an extra pair of socks for use after the trip. The entire trip was very organized and fun.

I went to this tour on my own while...

Kimberly G, Sep 2016

I went to this tour on my own while the rest of my family went on another excursion. I felt very comfortable right away with the group and all the people who worked with our group. Our guide was very good and knowledgeable about the area and the history. Sights were beautiful.

Beautiful surroundings. The glacier...

Stuart_F, Sep 2016

Beautiful surroundings. The glacier and icebergs were magnificent. No animals or birds seen. Guide offered little or no explanation. I had been told before booking we could walk by the waterfall this was not permitted. Less than 2 hours on the water, guide in a hurry to get everyone back. Very expensive for what it was. Snack-- some dip and a few crackers. Simply not worth the 179 per person.

Fantastic experience led by a...

Harold H, Jul 2016

Fantastic experience led by a fantastic guide - Rachel - I would do it again in a heartbeat. Up close view of the glacier and the waterfall, in the glacial lake it's an experience that we will never forget. My wife and I were in a tandem kayak which made several mile paddle trip all that much easier.