Glide through the waters with stunning Mendenhall Glacier views!

Duration

Approximately 3.5 Hours

Approximately 1.75 Hours of Kayaking

About

Travel in the style of Native Alaskans and explore the spectacular coastal waterways and Mendenhall wetlands by kayak.

This glorious excursion along Juneau's coast begins with a short bus ride to Douglas Island, where you will enjoy scenic views of the Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau Icefield on the other side of the Gastineau Channel.

Upon arrival, your experienced, friendly guide will help you with life jackets and rain gear before teaching you kayaking techniques. Then you will board the two-person kayaks with either a traveling companion or new friend for your Alaska nature adventure.

This breathtaking trip is designed to give you a sense of how the famed Aleut Indians traveled the coastal waterways of Alaska, in search of pelts for the Russian fur trading companies. The stable yet nimble kayaks allow you to silently approach wildlife in the area, including porpoise, seals, sea lions, eagles, herons, or even whales. You will explore the Mendenhall Wetlands where you may have the opportunity to view the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier from an ocean explorer’s point of view. The view of the glacier is from six miles away, so you'll be able to see how the massive river of ice winds through the mountain peaks for miles. This spectacular view can only be seen from this vantage point (or from the air) as long as the weather cooperates (low-hanging clouds or thick fog obscures the view). This area is widely considered the best view of the glacier in Juneau. Along the way, your guide will entertain you with stories about Smugglers Cove, the history of the surrounding area, and point out local flora and fauna.

This kayak trip is perfect for all experience levels, and our experienced guides and safety boat captains ensure your experience is both fun and safe. Your guides will group guests with similar abilities so that all participants can travel at a comfortable pace.

Back ashore, you will enjoy a tasty Alaska style snack before the journey back to the pier.

What's Included

Round trip transfer from the dock; use of raingear, boots and life jackets, snack consisting of reindeer sausage, cheese, crackers, salmon spread, and water, and a souvenir button to take home. T-shirts are available for purchase.

Additional Information

• All children must be 40lbs or more.
• Participants should be prepared for inclement weather and dress in warm layers. Raingear is provided; however, guests are encouraged to bring their own to ensure maximum comfort while on tour. We recommend guests bring gloves and an extra pair of socks. No prior experience necessary.
• Max weight is approx. 275 lbs. and is based on waist size to fit into the kayak’s 35” x 17” cockpit (hip to hip 17" & front to back 35").
• Children must weigh at least 40 pounds to fit into required life jackets.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 13-17 must have a signed parental consent form to participate in the absence of a parent or guardian.
• Multiple daily departures late April through mid-October at times to accommodate cruise ship or tour schedules. This tour operates in most weather conditions.