Cruise Ship Shore Excursions

The journey begins with a scenic cruise aboard a high-speed ferry along North America’s longest and deepest fjord to Haines.  Upon arrival in Haines, join personable naturalists on a tour through the enchanting Chilkoot River Valley.    Nestled between rugged glaciers and snowcapped mountain, this fertile valley is the centuries-old fishing grounds of the Tlingit people and home to generations of brown bears, bald eagles, mountain goat, marine mammals, numerous birds, and spawning salmon.

Experience a quintessential Alaska adventure as you search for brown bears and eagles foraging along a scenic river during an outing in Haines.  This tour is only offered during the peak of the salmon spawning in August and September. Use powerful spotting scopes (photos can be taken through the scopes), as guides search for and identify mountain goats in alpine meadows, bears along the river, seals, bald eagles, shore birds and waterfowl that live along the Chilkoot watershed.

Revive your sense of wonder on this comprehensive bus and walking exploration of the area known for its wildlife and scenic beauty. Cruise approximately 45 minutes down the glacial fjord between Skagway and Haines on a ferry, enjoying a narration and close-to-the-water views of scenic waterfalls and marine wildlife. This unique tour explores six spectacular wildlife habitats including ocean, estuary, river, lake, muskeg, and rain forest. Perfect for the inquisitive traveler and your best opportunity to photograph bald eagles in the wild.

Naturalists take you to the sheltered valley of the Chilkoot River, which was for thousands of years, an ancestral fishing site for the Tlingit people and for brown bears. As the pink salmon run begins, bear families descend on the river, leaving the forest to forage along the grassy banks. From the safety of the tour bus, powerful spotting scopes help provide close-range sightings of the bears and eagles along the estuary, river, and lake.