Our Top Picks For Shore Excursions in Southeast Alaska

Introduction

Planning shore excursions in Alaska can feel overwhelming especially with so many options at each port. This page is meant to make it simpler. We’re Ole and LaDonna longtime Alaska locals from Ketchikan and cruisers ourselves and these are our favorite shore excursions by city chosen from years of living in Southeast Alaska and helping cruise guests plan their days ashore. Use this page as a starting point to narrow things down and pick what fits your schedule interests and travel style.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Discounted Tickets on Popular Cruise Destinations

When planning an Alaska cruise, many guests choose to book shore excursions through trusted third party companies for flexibility and a wider range of options. Below are the booking platforms we use and recommend, each offering reliable operators, strong customer reviews, and excursions that work well with cruise schedules in Alaska ports.

Viator

Viator is known for its huge selection and competitive pricing. Many cruise travelers like being able to compare tours and read thousands of reviews from guests who have recently taken the same excursions. It’s an easy way to see a wide range of options in one place and choose what feels right for your trip.

Shore Excursions Group

Shore Excursions Group is popular with cruisers because they focus specifically on cruise friendly experiences. Their tours are designed to fit ship schedules and they offer full refunds if your ship cannot make it into port.

All tours booked here come with a strong back to ship guarantee. If a tour ever runs late and you miss your ship, Shore Excursions Group will arrange and cover meals, accommodations and travel needed to get you to the next port of call. They also provide financial coverage for the inconvenience and work directly with local Alaska operators to deliver high quality experiences.

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is another easy to use option for exploring shore excursions. Many travelers appreciate the clear photos, videos and detailed descriptions, which make it simple to understand what the experience is really like before booking. Customer reviews are helpful and easy to browse, and flexible cancellation options can be especially useful in Alaska, where weather can change quickly.

Booking through any of these platforms can be a helpful way to compare options, read real guest reviews and find excursions that fit your cruise schedule and travel style. Many guests like having more flexibility and choices when planning their days in port.

For Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Sitka

KETCHIKAN

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour

This small group kayak tour is a peaceful way to experience Ketchikan’s coastline up close. You’ll paddle through calm waters surrounded by lush rainforest scenery while watching for bald eagles, seals, sea lions and other local wildlife. Your guide shares local insight as you explore at a relaxed pace, making this an active yet approachable experience that’s perfect for nature lovers.

Mahoney Lake Off Road UTV Tour

This is a fast paced Alaska backcountry adventure through the Tongass National Forest. You’ll ride comfortable UTVs on rugged trails with big views of George Inlet and the surrounding fjords while your guide shares local insight along the way.

The tour includes scenic stops and a ride out to a quiet lake tucked into the forest. It’s exciting, scenic and one of the most unique ways to experience Ketchikan beyond town.

Saxman Native Village Ketchikan Highlights and Lumberjack Show

This tour combines two Ketchikan favorites into one memorable experience. You start at Saxman Native Village where you’ll see impressive totem poles, enjoy a traditional dance performance and learn the stories behind the carvings from those who carry this culture forward today. It feels meaningful and authentic.

Then it’s off to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show where the energy shifts into full excitement. The athletes are incredible, the crowd gets into it and the time flies by. It’s fun, entertaining and a great choice for families who want culture, history and action all in one tour.

Alaska Wildlife Safari and Sightseeing Tour

This tour gives you a great overview of what makes Ketchikan special. You visit the salmon ladder, look for bears at Herring Cove and watch for whales and marine life along the coast near Rotary Beach. It’s a relaxed mix of wildlife and scenery.

You also stop at Saxman Native Village to see the totem poles and learn about Tlingit and Haida culture, then continue on to historic Creek Street with its iconic boardwalk and local history.

It’s an easygoing, well rounded tour that blends wildlife, culture and sightseeing, making it a great choice for families and first time visitors who want to see a little bit of everything.

Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea

The Neets Bay Bear Observatory is closed to the public without a permit. Our company has the exclusive rights to the permits which means that only a select number of guests will get to experience this. Guests will experience something few people ever will being in safe but close proximity to bears in the wild.

JUNEAU

Helicopter Dog Sledding

Helicopter Ice-field Excursion

Experience an unforgettable helicopter ice field adventure in Juneau. Soar by helicopter over the stunning Juneau Icefield, flying above dramatic icefalls and rugged rock formations before landing directly on a glacier. Step out onto the ice to explore, take photos, and snowshoe while learning about the glacier’s natural history from your guide. With incredible aerial views and time spent on the ice itself, this heli excursion offers a true once in a lifetime Alaska experience with a back to the ship guarantee.

3.5 Hour Whale Tour in Juneau Alaska…skip the crowds with us!

Skip the crowds on a small 20 passenger boat and enjoy up close whale watching in Juneau. This tour focuses on quality sightings of humpback whales, sea lions and bald eagles while cruising past glaciers and rugged shoreline. Heated cabin, wraparound deck, local naturalist narration and easy cruise ship pickup make this one of the most popular whale tours in Juneau.

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. Then, set sail on a thrilling whale-watching cruise along the coast and look out for humpback whales, as well as other wildlife such as bald eagles and blue heron. Magnificent views of the Mendenhall Glacier See humpback whales in their natural environment Hassle-free round-trip transfers from Juneau Choice of departure times throughout the day.  

Juneau’s Premier Whale Watching! – More time on the water!

Auke Bay, with its harbor of whale watching vessels, lies about a half-hour’s ride from Juneau. This whale watching trip saves you the trouble of getting to the harbor and back with a round-trip shuttle directly from your cruise ship dock or a designated meeting point. Includes courtesy shuttle from Juneau to Auke Bay’s boat harbor Departures nearly every half hour make it easy to fit tour into your schedule Views of Mendenhall Glacier from Brotherhood Bridge

Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour

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

ICY STRAIT POINT “Hoonah”

Alaska Whale Watching with bonus Drone viewing of Whales

Voyage along the waters of Icy Strait to see Humpback whales, Steller sea lions, orcas, sea otters, bears, and other Alaskan wildlife. Captain Josh brings passengers along a journey into the wild waters of Alaska on his small, custom boat. Passengers can view whales from the outside deck or inside the protected cabin. This tour offers an exclusive look at whales in the wild with the help of a professional filmography drone.

Catch of the day” Whale-watching, Icy strait point, Hoonah

Don’t leave Alaska without witnessing its most incredible creatures: whales, otters, and more. On this 16-person tour—smaller than most local offerings—you’ll grab a seat in the heated cab or out on the deck, following your captain’s search for wildlife. Beyond the wild Alaskan scenery, you might spot humpback whales, orcas, seals, eagles, porpoises, and more.

Icy Strait Whale & Wildlife Endeavor

Discover the beauty of Alaska’s Icy Strait on this exclusive 6-passenger, small-group boat tour, and maximize your chances of spotting whales. The custom built catamaran has both indoor and outdoor seating, a spacious deck for photography, an enclosed heated cabin, as well as an onboard restroom. In addition to humpback whales, other exciting Alaskan wildlife may be encountered, including orcas, brown bears, sea lions, otters, eagles, and more.

Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise – Near Icy Strait Point

See Alaskan wildlife on this whale-watching tour in Hoonah that takes you out onto the waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, where humpback whales arrive each year to feed before heading south for the winter. The Hoonah whale season is roughly May to September. From the boat, you may also spot orcas, seals, and sea otters.

SKAGWAY

White Pass Summit Rail & Yukon Suspension Bridge Excursion

Experience one of Skagway’s most iconic adventures on this White Pass rail and bus excursion. Ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad into British Columbia, then visit the breathtaking Yukon Suspension Bridge with sweeping views of the canyon below. Explore the outdoor museum with fascinating exhibits including mammoth bones, tusks and a tooth. Return to Skagway by scenic motorcoach with new photo stops along the way, all with a back to the ship guarantee.

Skagway Shore Excursion

Travel from Skagway into Canada on a scenic White Pass tour that climbs to over 3,000 feet with sweeping views stretching toward the Yukon. Along the way you’ll pass waterfalls, glaciers, alpine valleys, mountain lakes and snow capped peaks, with chances to spot wildlife. The highlight is a hands on dog sled experience where you’ll meet the dogs and puppies and learn what life is like for a Yukon musher. You’ll also try your hand at gold panning and hear engaging stories from the Gold Rush era. Transportation, guide, activities and dock pickup and drop off in Skagway are included.

White Pass Summit Rail and Bus Excursion

Ocean Raft Adventure 

Yukon Dog Musher Adventure Tour

Experience one of Skagway’s most memorable adventures on the Yukon Dog Musher Adventure Tour. Travel by scenic motorcoach through British Columbia into the Yukon with a photo stop at Emerald Lake. Visit a real dog mushing camp for an immersive experience where you’ll learn about professional sled dog racing, enjoy a dog cart ride and share a Yukon style lunch. The tour also includes time at Caribou Crossing Trading Post, featuring Ice Age exhibits and local history, all with a back to the ship guarantee.

SITKA

Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in Sitka

Experience Amazing Wildlife with a born and raised Sitkan! This personal tour will guide you through the breathtaking beauty of Southeast Alaska , teaming with migrating humpback whales, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, rafts of sea otters, lumbering brown bears, and perched bald eagles. This tour is perfect for families and photographers. 

Premium Sitka Scenic Tour

Skip the impersonal, large-group bus tour and explore Sitka on a small-group day trip to the city’s top landmarks, with a range of departure times offered to fit your schedule. Your guide, who navigates for you, brings you to four highly-rated attractions, including Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park. All entrance fees are included for your convenience. Visit Sitka’s top attractions on a day-long excursion Visit Silver Bay, Fortress of the Bear, the Raptor Center and more See totem poles at Alaska’s oldest national park Groups are limited to 10 for a personalized experience.

Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour

Get closer to nature during an intimate, small-group adventure around Sitka Sound, home to majestic whales, brown bears, eagles and many other rare species. Create lasting memories of seeing these wonderful animals in their natural habitats while learning more about them from the experts. Whether you’re calling at Sitka during your cruise or staying in town, this activity is an ideal introduction to the area for wildlife enthusiasts.

Hiking the Tongass National Forest

For the nature lovers and hikers, the Tongass National Forest provides trails that lead to stunning viewpoints, allowing you to immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness.

Conclusion

Southeast Alaska’s shore excursions are a kaleidoscope of experiences, each offering a glimpse into the region’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultural tapestry. Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or thrill-seeker, these excursions will leave you with cherished memories.

FAQs

1. Q: Are these excursions suitable for all age groups?
   • A: Yes, most excursions are designed to accommodate various age groups. However, it’s advisable to check individual excursion details for specific restrictions.
2. Q: Can I book these excursions on the cruise ship itself?
   • A: Absolutely! Cruise ships usually offer excursion packages, and you can conveniently book them onboard.
3. Q: What’s the best time to visit Southeast Alaska for a cruise?
   • A: The cruising season typically runs from May to September, with July and August being popular months for milder weather.
4. Q: Are these excursions wheelchair accessible?
   • A: Many excursions provide accommodations for individuals with mobility challenges, but it’s recommended to check in advance.
5. Q: Can I expect to see glaciers on these excursions?
   • A: Definitely! Glacial sightings are a highlight of several excursions, particularly in Juneau and Skagway.

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