Skagway Shore Excursion: Scenic River Float Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Skagway, USA
- 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Immerse yourself in some Alaska's most dramatic natural scenery—and enjoy a personalized, relaxing way to sightsee—on this small-group, river-float shore excursion. Following pickup from your Skagway port, head to the Dyea Valley, and board your inflatable raft. During this peaceful river float, your guide points out any wildlife, including possible bald eagles and even bears. Learn about Skagway’s history as you snap photos of the one-of-a-kind sights.
- This small-group shore excursion helps keep your travels personal
- Skagway port pickup and drop-off are included for hassle-free logistics
- Choose between a morning and afternoon departure to suit your schedule
- This Alaska river-rafting adventure is good for families with varied ages
What's Included
- River float tour
- Professional guide
- All necessary equipment
- Port pickup and drop off
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Skagway Cruise TerminalSkagway, AK 99840, USA
Pickup details
WE MEET YOU AT YOUR CRUISE SHIP PIER TOUR MEETING AREA. Do not go to a different cruise ship pier than yours. Do not follow the map location. Look for a representative holding a SKAGWAY FLOAT TOURS sign. Please be 10-15 minutes early. Alternatively, you may meet at our office downtown at 3rd and Broadway in the Golden North Hotel Lobby. Look for the Large Golden Dome on the top of the building. Please check in with our office staff minimum 20 minutes before tour departure if you would like office pickup. Your ship pier pickup is default for cruise ship passengers unless you check in at our office for pickup or call ahead to change your pickup.
Itinerary
Meet your guide directly at the cruise terminal in Skagway. Then, with just a small group for company, set off on the roughly 10-mile (16-kilometer) drive along the coast to the Dyea Valley, an old Gold Rush settlement rich with history. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, eagles, and other wildlife, and spot the beginning point of the famous Chilkoot Trail, where thousands traveled in search of gold in 1898.
Then, board your inflatable raft for a tranquil float down the Taiya River. Your guide provides insights into Skagway’s colorful past, and points out potential bald eagles and other native wildlife. Depending on when you visit, you might even see bears. (Note: Wildlife sightings, though possible, are not guaranteed.
Afterwards, return directly to the Skagway cruise ship terminal. If time permits, your driver can make a stop at an overlook that offers 360-degree views of Skagway.
Worry-free shore Eecursion: We will ensure your timely return back to the ship in Skagway for this activity. If your ship is delayed and you are unable attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Then, board your inflatable raft for a tranquil float down the Taiya River. Your guide provides insights into Skagway’s colorful past, and points out potential bald eagles and other native wildlife. Depending on when you visit, you might even see bears. (Note: Wildlife sightings, though possible, are not guaranteed.
Afterwards, return directly to the Skagway cruise ship terminal. If time permits, your driver can make a stop at an overlook that offers 360-degree views of Skagway.
Worry-free shore Eecursion: We will ensure your timely return back to the ship in Skagway for this activity. If your ship is delayed and you are unable attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
1
Skagway Float Tours
2 hours 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Nahku Bay
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Dyea
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Please see ticket for details regarding your departure point.
- The Scenic River Float is suitable for many ages/ skill levels.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Maximum per raft/group is 11
- Minimum age is 2
- Tour can be cancelled if river is in flood stage.
- Weights are asked so we have enough space on the raft for all participants. Please make sure to enter weights when booking (choose Kg or Lbs)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 240 reviews
Nuwan_J, Nov 2025
One of our highlights in Alaska. Very nice guide who took us down the river. Very peaceful experience.
Wendy_T, Sep 2025
it is a slow float and no exertion is required other than sitting and holding on to the side of the raft
Owen the guide was very knowledgeable and gave us info about the area the habitat, the vegetation, the weather, the price of living there and a bit about his background
Kody_R, Sep 2025
It was beautiful scenery, the guide and all the staff were amazing. Also very helpful on things to see in Skagway after our float trip. Would do it again! Thanks Owen, Erin and all the staff that took us on this wonderful trip. Kody and Rick
Anthony_V, Sep 2025
Our Guide Danny was awesome. He was very pleasant and extremely knowledgeable about the entire area. He was also a very safe and professional guide. Highly recommend to all!
Diane_C, Sep 2025
Fun and ascenturous. River was not too scary but it was miving and was a skilled oarsman Stylish boots
Karla_H, Sep 2025
Our guide was kind, knowledgeable amd friendly and the other team members were helpful a.d friendly as well. The float was beautiful and enjoyed by our teenager and mobility challenged adults as well, just as advertised. I absolutely recommend taking this trip.
Fred_K, Sep 2025
Relaxing and easy for anyone that is ambulatory enough to climb into a raft. Nice views of the mountains during the slow moving river float downstream.
melissa_r, Sep 2025
I’m sorry. I had no cash and our guide was
Awesome. But I had her write down her Venmo and I can’t For the life of me read it. If u can help me out she was
Erin Kennedy I nelieve
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi! Thanks for your nice review about your tour with Erin. We would be happy to send you her info if you could email us at skagwayfloat@gmail.com. Thanks!
Audry_B, Aug 2025
We traveled with our guide Owen today and the trip was amazing. So quiet and beautiful. We saw a couple of eagles and a seal. He was very personable and gave a great tour with the history of the area. This was the perfect scenic getaway from the crowds and we were able to experience Alaska and it’s natural beauty
Christine_S, Aug 2025
Terrific experience! Our guide Erin was friendly and so knowledgeable about the entire area, both as we drove to the beginning point and as we floated the river. Spectatilar scenery and wild spotting by our guide. Highly recommend this company and our guide Erin !!!
Kasey_G, Aug 2025
This was hands down one of the best experiences we had in Alaska. Honestly, this was my favorite excursion, I could have floated all day.
The tour guide was extremely accommodating of kids - they provided car seats upon our request - and they were kind enough to have five kids and four adults on the tour.
We had some communication prior to the tour and there was always a prompt response.
Coby_L, Aug 2025
From the moment we got picked up to when our trip ended it was a great experience. Owen was so knowledgeable and a great conversationalist. We had an amazing time on the river float. We wish we could have been on it longer and gotten to learn more.
Janet_M, Aug 2025
Very relaxed and easy float trip
Saw plenty of eagles, no other wildlife
Our guide Rachel was very pleasant and informative
Sean_S, Jul 2025
Our tour guide, Owen, was sensational! He was full of information and so friendly!!! Everyone in our group agreed he was the best tour guide any of us ever had.
The river float was packed with beautiful scenery and was so relaxing! It was definitely a highlight of our Alaskan cruise and we would recommend to anyone.
JESSICA_P, Jul 2025
My husband and I had a great day floating down the river with Owen as our guide. The entire crew took great care of us. I highly recommend doing this adventure, you will not be disappointed.
Cary_S, Jul 2025
Really awesome, Rachel and her team were so nice and knowledgeable. Wodesy for lunch was delicious also. I would do the raft AND the hike next time.
April_W, Jul 2025
A relaxing and scenic float trip with a friendly, experienced guide. I was able to take photographs as well as enjoy the serenity of floating on the river. I did this excursion solo along with a group that was all together, so don't worry if you are a party of one. The drive to and from the river was beautiful as well. Afterwards, our guide Danny (?) sorry I forget, was also able to recommend a couple of places in Skagway to try. I think the trip was 100% worth it!
Robert_N, Jul 2025
Great river float. Our float guide, Owen was exceptional. Beautiful day on the river. All 11 family members had a blast.
Justin_S, Jul 2025
Absolutely loved this experience! We booked privately instead of going through the cruise ship excursions, and it was such a great decision. It was awesome to avoid the big crowds and enjoy a more personal, relaxed outing. Pickup and drop-off were super easy and smooth. Our guide Danny was amazing—super helpful and friendly, and the fact that he grew up locally in Skagway made it even better. He had so many cool insights and stories to share. All the guides were great, but Danny really made it special. Highly recommend!
Joshua_P, Jun 2025
This was a great way to see the town from the water. Erin was super safe, knowledgeable, and fun. She was clearly very well experienced. What a beautiful tour.
Andrea_A, Jun 2025
Erin was a phenomenal guide for our float boat excursion. She shared lots of information about Skagway with us and answered any questions that we had. On the float boat, she pointed out numerous spots and shared information about what was happening in those spots. It couldn't have been a better afternoon! The weather was perfect, the views majestic, and even tried some spruce tips too.
Julia_S, May 2025
A super relaxed float down a lovely stretch of river in the beautiful Tongass forest! Many thanks to Owen for expert guiding - doing all the work on our raft, giving us super friendly advice about the local area, and most of all graciously and patiently sharing his knowledge about the ecology and history of our beautiful local surroundings! We were a group of 5 adults - including 2 older with more limited mobility - who took the same raft with another family of 4, including 2 little ones. Owen was awesome throughout, as were his colleagues who helped by meeting us with the kit and with dis/embarkation.
Kimberley_G, May 2025
Owen and Dom were great guides! They made the trip so informative and relaxing. They took the time to show us some gorgeous scenic overlooks on the way to and from the river. They also gave some great recommendations on where to eat.
StevenSzijarto, Jan 2025
Tour was great! Scenery was beautiful. We had a very knowledgeable and fun tour guide. Great for a morning excursion.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thanks for joining us and we are glad you enjoyed the outing with us! Best in your travels!
Martha_N, Sep 2024
The whole experience was excellent from the beauty of nature to our wonderful, friendly guide. We’d book it again.
Susie_M, Sep 2024
You learn to respect the river, the skills of your guide, the quiet of nature and the easy camaraderie with your fellow rafters. So much fun in the "boonies" of Skagway!
Thomas_C, Sep 2024
Enjoyed booking via viator vs cruise line. Saved money on an adventure Norwegian said was fully booked
Christian_G, Sep 2024
Despite of very cold and rainy weather, we had the opportunity to see Skagway and surroundings with a very nice guide. We did the floating boat tour and enjoyed it all the time. Is the best opportunity to be in contact with Alaskan nature.
Kessley_C, Sep 2024
So much fun! Just wish we could have been on the raft longer! Such beautiful scenery! We had a great tour guide who recommended lots of good places for us to visit in town.
Garrett_R, Aug 2024
Fantastic, a peak into true Alaska, most of the port towns are filled with little gift shops that try to sell you everything. The float trip is locally ran and give you a first hand experience on the beauty and history of Alaska and Skagway.
From $102.32
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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