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Beyond Skagway

Eagle Preserve Float from Skagway

Recommended by 91% of travelers
Skagway, USA
  • 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

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**
  • Your guide will help you board the comfortable ferry for a 45-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines
  • Enjoy the simplicity and beauty of small-town Haines on your way to your rafting adventure. Along the way, your guides will regale you with local natural history, geology, and Gold Rush tales as they point out snow-capped peaks, thick timber forests, and the abundant wildlife.
  • Check out Fort Seward (Alaska's first Army post) on your way through Haines to begin your rafting adventure. Check out the historic structures that were formerly Army barracks stacked next to the picturesque Port Chilkoot overlooking the Lynn Canal.
  • You will board a motor coach for a beautiful 40-minute drive up the Haines Highway, which is a National Scenic Byway. Watch for moose and swans in the marshlands as you head up the Chilkat River Valley, and always keep an eye out for bears!
  • At the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, you'll experience the largest gathering of bald eagles in the world! Your specially-trained guides await to begin your rafting adventure (a gentle float, no whitewater!). You’ll float peacefully down the river aboard an 18-foot inflatable raft - the best way to observe the eagles drawn to feed on the plentiful salmon. Bears and wolves are also occasional 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. After your hour and a half float, you will enjoy a riverside picnic lunch on the banks of the river.
  • You’ll float peacefully down the river aboard an 18-foot inflatable raft on one of three rivers - the Chilkat, the Klehini, and the Tsirku. Rafting is the best way to observe the eagles drawn to feed on the plentiful salmon. Bears and wolves are also occasional 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.
  • Klukwan is one of the largest communities of Tlingits (Alaska native people groups) still in existence, located twenty-two miles north of Haines. Klukwan sits on the banks of the Chilkat River.

What's Included

  • Professional guide
  • Rubber boots
  • PFD (personal floation device)
  • Rain poncho if needed
  • Cruise ship pickup and drop-off
  • River float
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

1

Skagway

45 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Haines (Pass By)

Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark (Pass By)

Haines Highway (Pass By)

2

Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Chilkat River (Pass By)

Klukwan Indian Reservation (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Minimum age is 7 years
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • 100% Refund will be provided if cancelled 14 days prior to departure date
  • 50% Refund will be provided if cancelled 14 days to 4 days prior to departure date
  • No Refunds if cancelled within 96 hours of tour departure time.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

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)

Reviews

4.7
based on 23 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Michiganders

Susan_S, Aug 2025
You do not get on a motor coach, just an old school bus. Our guide on the bus was very entertaining though (Jon from New Mexico). Some what disappointed we did not get to view the National forest like some of the pictures showed and we were 1st told we would. However, it was my daughter's 30th birthday and she wanted to see the Eagles. She saw "MANY" and got to even row the raft. Thank you Ben.

1/2 hour float ride, rip off

Sharon_M, Jul 2024
The guide, Cole, was friendly and attentive. The trip description is misleading, the float time is about 1/2 hour on water. Pick up time and travel to drop off site take most time out of trip, van is loud, no ac and it was warm out, ride to and from float area is not at all interesting or scenic. Definitely not worth the time or cost.

2.5 Hour Taiya River Scenic Float from Skagway

Warren_E, Jul 2019
Don't waste your money. It's not a 2.5 hour trip on the water. We were only on the water less than an hour for a total of 3 miles. It takes no time at all to go three miles in a raft. Very disappointed and all four of us really thought it was not worth the money. Very deceiving. We took another raft trip and went 11 miles and we were on the water for 3+ hours. Again, don't waste your money.

Response from Host, Oct 2019

I am sorry you hear that you didn't enjoy your tour. As per the description the tour is 2 1/2 hours, the time on floating on the Taiya river is around 30-35 minutes.
Likely to Sell Out

From $287.32

per person

-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 10 days in advance.

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