Skagway Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting Tour to Haines

4.7

9 reviews

Excursion Overview

Float with Eagles: A Scenic Rafting Adventure Through Alaska’s Wild Heart!

Begin your adventure with a 45-minute ferry ride through the fjords from Skagway to Haines, where you'll be surrounded by towering cliffs and over a dozen stunning waterfalls. Keep an eye out for humpback whales, harbor seals, and bald eagles as you take in the breathtaking scenery. Once in Haines, meet your guide for a scenic drive along the Haines Highway, a National Scenic Byway, with views of glaciers, wildflowers, and wildlife like moose and trumpeter swans. After about 40 minutes, you'll arrive at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

Board your raft for a relaxing float down the Chilkat River, home to the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles. With no rapids to navigate, you'll enjoy the serene river while your guide shares insights about the area's natural history and Chilkat Indian Heritage. Depending on the season, you may see eagles nesting, flying overhead, or even feeding on salmon in the fall and winter months.

After your float, enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Haines and boarding the Fast Ferry back to Skagway, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Alaska's wildlife and pristine wilderness. Don’t forget your camera for this one-of-a-kind experience!

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

Fast Ferry fare to and from Haines on public service Catamaran Ferry
A picnic-style lunch: turkey sandwich on organic whole wheat bread, fruit, freshly baked cookie, and bottled water. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available with advance notice.
Gear: Personal Floatation Device, Ponchos (if needed), and 7 person 16ft raft

Requirements:

Minimum of 2 passengers required to book
Minimum age of 7 years old
Maximum weight of 250lbs

Duration: 6.5 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)

45 minutes - fast ferry to Haines
40 minutes - scenic tour to Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
15 minutes - safety talk and equipment distribution
90 minutes - guided rafting float trip
30 minutes - lunch at the picnic location
60 minutes - scenic tour and transfer to fast ferry
45 minutes - fast ferry to Skagway

Meeting Instructions:

This tour meets on the cruise ship dock. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible.

Refund Policy:

You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

The kayaking and rafting tours have a minimum age of 7. If a child requires a car seat, please provide advance notice.

Yes. The weight limit for the rafting and kayak trip is 250 lbs. The kayaking tour requires that guests can paddle for 1.5 hours and get themselves comfortably in and out of a kayak. Our rafts do not have a backrest, so guests must be able to sit for 1.5 hours.

No. We do not have a wheelchair lift in any of our vehicles.

Guests on the rafting tour need to be able to get in and out of an 8-person raft unassisted and be able to sit on the edge of the raft as it goes down the river. There is no rapid white water and guests will take a float trip down on a calm river. If the raft gets stuck on a sand bar, guests need to be able to get out of the raft onto a sand bar, which will enable our guide to move the raft off the sand bar.

The tour includes a deli-style lunch. It consists of a turkey sandwich on freshly baked bread, fruit, freshly baked cookie, and bottled water. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice.

We recommend that you dress in layers. It can be cold enough that you want a wool cap, gloves, and a jacket, or it could be so warm you will be in a T-shirt with sunscreen and sunglasses. The weather can change quickly.

Tours typically leave in the morning around 8 am but vary due to the Fast Ferry schedule.

We use a variety of 16ft. rafts, propelled by the guide utilizing an oar frame.

Yes. There is a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 14 guests per departure.

The maximum group size is 14. A typical tour has around 6-8 guests at one time. We can charter large buses for large groups with advance notice.

Depending on the size of the group and the tour, we utilize everything from an SUV like the Toyota Sequoia or Sienna to the 14-passenger Ford Econoline Van to the 14- passenger Airporter-style bus.

Please advise, car seats are required for children under 4, and boosters for children 4-7. Please indicate if you will need either during checkout.

Guest Reviews

4.7

9 total

Jean-Francois L

On Sep 2024

Had a great time with Steve a very professional guide. Thanks to Carla as well for the ride and sandwiches!

Margot P

On May 2024

Chad and Steve were extremely personable and the depth of their knowledge about Alaskan ecology, wildlife and history was staggering. Highest recommendation to the guides and the tour.

Ronald B

On Aug 2022

The only reason this not a 5 is because I had expected to see more Eagles, which is beyond the control of our guide. Our guide was great, he was very knowledgeable and went out of his way to ensure the Eagles we did see, we had extra time to sit and watch them.

Paul B

On Aug 2022

We thoroughly enjoyed our rafting tour. Our guide Kyle was great! Very knowledgeable about the area. We felt like it was our own personal tour. Will reccomend to others.

Richard G

On Aug 2022

Kyle was an excellent and professional tour guide. Really enjoyed the excursion.

$273.75

Best Price Guarantee!

$273.75

Duration: 6.5 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 6.5 hours

Select Date & Time *

Number of Passengers *

Minimum of 2 Required to Book

Adult (13+): $273.75

Child (7-12): $240.00

Skagway Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting Tour to Haines

Excursion Overview

Float with Eagles: A Scenic Rafting Adventure Through Alaska’s Wild Heart!