Our Favorite Alaska Shore Excursions
Planning your Alaska shore excursions should be exciting, not overwhelming! We’re Ole and LaDonna, longtime Ketchikan locals, and we’ve spent years exploring Southeast Alaska, cruising ourselves and helping Alaska cruise guests make the most of their time in port.
We’ve narrowed down some of our favorite excursions in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Sitka to help make choosing a little easier. Whether you’re dreaming of seeing whales, walking on a glacier, riding the White Pass Railway, looking for bears, fishing for wild Alaska salmon or experiencing something completely unique to Alaska, you’ll find some of our favorite recommendations below.
Choose your port and Start Exploring
Ketchikan | Juneau | Skagway | Icy Strait Point | Sitka
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KETCHIKAN
Whales and Lunch! Ketchikan’s Premier Marine Mammal Viewing
Tour
I’m a local from Ketchikan and this is one of my favorite ways to experience our incredible marine wildlife. Enjoy a small-group tour aboard a comfortable catamaran with heated indoor seating, large viewing windows and lunch included. Keep watch for humpback whales, orcas, seals and other wildlife while taking in the beautiful coastline around Ketchikan.
Visit whalesandlunch.com and use code LOCAL10 to save 10%. To save 16%, call 907-617-5824 and mention LaDonna when booking!
Out to Sea Expedition
You’re going to love this one! Out to Sea Expedition is a small-group wildlife tour with naturalist Delaney and her husband Eric. They specialize in personal, educational adventures that are especially wonderful for wildlife lovers, birders and photographers. Keep watch for eagles, harbor seals, whales, starfish and incredible birdlife while exploring some of the beautiful waters around Ketchikan.
Visit OuttoSeaExpeditions.com or call 907-247-6441 to book. Use code LOCAL10 for 10% off and be sure to let them know LaDonna sent you!
Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour
This small-group kayak tour is such a peaceful way to experience Ketchikan from the water. Paddle along our beautiful coastline surrounded by rainforest while watching for bald eagles, seals, sea lions and other wildlife. Your local guide shares stories and knowledge along the way, making this a wonderful choice if you want a little adventure while experiencing the quieter side of Ketchikan.
Mahoney Lake Off Road UTV Tour
This is such a fun way to experience Ketchikan’s backcountry! Ride a UTV through the Tongass National Forest along rugged trails with beautiful views of George Inlet and the surrounding mountains. You’ll make scenic stops along the way before reaching peaceful Mahoney Lake. It’s adventurous, scenic and a completely different way to experience Ketchikan beyond downtown.
Misty Fjords Flightseeing
You’re going to love this one! Misty Fjords is one of the most breathtaking places we have here in Ketchikan. You’ll soar by floatplane over towering cliffs, waterfalls, pristine lakes and miles of untouched wilderness. The scenery is absolutely incredible, and seeing Southeast Alaska from the air gives you a completely different perspective. This is truly an unforgettable Alaska experience!
Visit FamilyAirTours.com or call 907-247-1305. Use code KETA10 to save 10% and be sure to let them know LaDonna sent you!
Lumberjack Show and Harbor Haus Crab Feast
Get ready for a fun Ketchikan afternoon! Cheer on the lumberjacks as they compete in axe throwing, log rolling, tree climbing and more. Then head to the beautiful George Inlet Lodge for an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab feast. It’s a wonderful combination of entertainment, Alaska history and delicious local seafood, and a really fun way to experience Ketchikan!
Alaska Wildlife Safari and Sightseeing Tour
If you’re looking for a little bit of everything in Ketchikan, this is a great choice! Visit Herring Cove to look for bears and salmon, watch for eagles and other wildlife, see beautiful totem poles and explore historic Creek Street. It’s a fun, relaxed way to experience Ketchikan’s wildlife, scenery and culture while seeing several of our favorite local sights in one tour.
Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea
The Neets Bay Bear Observatory is one of my favorite ways to experience Alaska’s black bears in their natural habitat! You’ll travel by boat to beautiful Neets Bay, then head to the viewing area where bears gather near the salmon streams. The scenery alone is incredible, and having the opportunity to watch bears in this remote setting makes this such a special Ketchikan adventure.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour
This is such a fun way to experience Alaska’s commercial fishing world! Climb aboard the Aleutian Ballad and hear incredible stories from the fishermen, watch the crew haul fishing gear and get an up-close look at Alaska’s marine life. And the bald eagles are absolutely spectacular! It’s entertaining, educational and one of my favorite Ketchikan experiences.
JUNEAU
Helicopter Dog Sledding
Ole and I did this excursion ourselves, and it was absolutely incredible! You’ll fly by helicopter over the breathtaking Juneau Icefield, land on a glacier and then head out across the snow behind a team of huskies. Between the helicopter flight, glacier scenery and dog sledding, this is truly one of the most unforgettable Alaska experiences we’ve ever had!
Helicopter Ice-field Excursion
Ole and I did this excursion ourselves, and it was absolutely spectacular! You’ll soar by helicopter over the incredible Juneau Icefield before landing right on a glacier. Step out onto the ice, explore and take in scenery you simply can’t experience from town. Between the helicopter flight and actually standing on a glacier, this is an unforgettable Alaska adventure!
3.5 Hour Whale Tour in Juneau Alaska…skip the crowds with us!
If you love the idea of whale watching without a big crowd, this is a wonderful choice! With only 20 passengers, you’ll have plenty of room to watch for humpback whales, sea lions and bald eagles. There’s a heated cabin and wraparound viewing deck, and the smaller group makes this such a fun, personal way to experience Juneau’s incredible wildlife.
Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier
This is a wonderful choice if you want to experience two of Juneau’s biggest highlights in one excursion! Spend time at beautiful Mendenhall Glacier, where you can explore the viewing areas and Visitor Center, then head out on the water to look for humpback whales, bald eagles and other wildlife. It’s a fantastic way to experience both glaciers and whales in one day!
Juneau’s Premier Whale Watching! – More time on the water!
If you want more time on the water looking for whales, this is a great choice! You’ll head out from Auke Bay to search for humpback whales and other marine wildlife while enjoying the beautiful scenery around Juneau. Transportation to the harbor is included, and you’ll even get a view of Mendenhall Glacier along the way. A fun, easy way to experience Juneau’s whales!
Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour
This is such a fun way to experience Mendenhall Glacier! Paddle across beautiful Mendenhall Lake with incredible views of the glacier, Nugget Falls and the surrounding mountains. Your guide will lead you across the lake while you watch for wildlife and take in the scenery from an entirely different perspective. It’s a wonderful small-group adventure for anyone wanting to experience the glacier from the water!
ICY STRAIT POINT “Hoonah”
Alaska Whale Watching with bonus
Drone viewing of Whales
This is such a unique way to go whale watching in Icy Strait! Head out on a small boat with Captain Josh to look for humpback whales, sea lions, orcas, sea otters and other wildlife. What makes this one extra special is the professional drone, giving you an incredible view of the whales from above while you experience them from the water!
Catch of the day” Whale-watching, Icy strait point, Hoonah
If you’re looking for a smaller whale watching experience, this is a great choice! With only 16 passengers, you’ll have plenty of room to watch for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, seals, eagles and porpoises. Enjoy the heated cabin or head outside on deck while your captain searches the beautiful waters around Icy Strait for Alaska’s incredible wildlife.
Icy Strait Whale & Wildlife
Endeavor
If you love small-group whale watching, this one is hard to beat! With only six passengers, you’ll have a personal experience and plenty of room for photos while searching Icy Strait for humpback whales and other wildlife. The custom catamaran has a spacious outdoor deck and heated cabin, making this a comfortable and exciting way to experience Alaska’s incredible wildlife!
Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise – 
Near Icy Strait Point
Whale watching in Icy Strait is such an incredible Alaska experience! Head out from Hoonah into waters known for humpback whales feeding throughout the summer. Along the way, keep watch for orcas, sea otters, seals and other marine wildlife. With beautiful scenery in every direction, this is a wonderful way to spend your time at Icy Strait Point!
SKAGWAY
White Pass Summit Rail & Yukon Suspension Bridge Excursion
This is such a fun way to experience the famous White Pass Railway! Ride the historic train through incredible mountain scenery, then visit the Yukon Suspension Bridge before returning to Skagway by scenic motorcoach with photo stops along the way. You get the train, beautiful Yukon scenery and time to explore, making this a wonderful way to experience several Skagway highlights in one excursion!
Full-Day Tour of the Yukon
Spend the day exploring beyond Skagway on a beautiful journey toward the Yukon! Travel over the White Pass with incredible views of waterfalls, glaciers, mountain lakes and snowcapped peaks. Along the way, enjoy a fun dog sled experience, meet the huskies and puppies, try gold panning and learn about the Gold Rush. It’s a full day packed with scenery and Alaska adventure!
White Pass Summit Rail and Bus Excursion
This is a wonderful way to experience the famous White Pass from two different perspectives! Ride the historic railway to White Pass Summit with incredible mountain and waterfall views, then return by scenic bus along the Klondike Highway with stops for photos along the way. You get the iconic train ride plus more opportunities to see and photograph Skagway’s beautiful scenery.
Ocean Raft Adventure
This one is an absolute blast! Ole and I had so much fun exploring beautiful Lynn Canal by ocean raft. You’ll zip along dramatic coastline past waterfalls and remote coves while watching for seals, sea lions, bald eagles and other wildlife. It’s fast, exciting and takes you into places you’d never see from town. The scenery is incredible and the ride is so much fun!
Yukon Dog Musher Adventure Tour
This is such a fun way to spend a full day exploring beyond Skagway! Travel through British Columbia and into the Yukon, with gorgeous scenery along the way and a stop at beautiful Emerald Lake. At the dog mushing camp, you’ll meet the sled dogs, enjoy a dog cart ride and learn about life as a Yukon musher. Add in a Yukon-style lunch and time at Caribou Crossing, and you’ve got a wonderful full-day Yukon adventure!
SITKA
Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in Sitka
Sitka is one of my favorite places in Southeast Alaska for wildlife, and this small, personal tour is a wonderful way to experience it! Head out with a born-and-raised Sitkan to search for humpback whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and other wildlife along the way. With beautiful scenery and plenty of opportunities for photos, this is a great choice for anyone who really wants to experience Sitka’s wild side.
Premium Sitka Scenic Tour
This is a wonderful way to see some of Sitka’s highlights without being part of a big bus tour! With a small group of just 10 guests, you’ll visit favorites like Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka National Historical Park and beautiful Silver Bay. You’ll see bears, bald eagles, historic totem poles and some gorgeous Sitka scenery along the way. It’s a great choice if you want to experience a little bit of everything Sitka has to offer!
Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour
Sitka is an incredible place for wildlife, and this small-group tour gets you out on the water to experience it! Cruise through beautiful Sitka Sound while your captain searches for humpback whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, bald eagles and other Alaska wildlife. With a smaller group, you’ll have a more personal experience and plenty of opportunities for photos. If wildlife is high on your Alaska wish list, this is a wonderful way to experience Sitka!
We Hope You Have an Amazing Alaska Adventure!
We hope our favorite shore excursion recommendations help make planning your Alaska cruise a little easier. There are so many incredible ways to experience Southeast Alaska, and these are some of the adventures we think are truly worth considering. Have a wonderful time exploring Alaska, and we hope you come home with memories you’ll treasure for years!
