4.7 / 5Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting from Skagway
- Experience a thrilling rafting tour at the world-famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home to the largest concentration of bald eagles globally
- Enjoy a scenic drive along the Haines Highway, surrounded by glacier-clad mountains, colorful wildflowers, and diverse wildlife
- Take in stunning views of steep-walled fjords, unnamed waterfalls, and search for humpback whales, harbor seals, and seabirds
- Immerse yourself in Alaskan wilderness and learn about the area's natural history, Chilkat Indian Heritage, and Alaskan stories from expert guides
- Capture unforgettable moments of wildlife sightings including brown bears, black bears, wolves, otters, swans, and moose
Small
Moderate
If you are arriving by cruise ship, this tour departs from the cruise ship pier. If you are staying in a hotel in Haines, custom pick-up is provided from hotels (within a 3-mile radius of downtown Haines). Please enter your desired pick-up location above. Raft Skagway on the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Tour
Indulge in a small-group adventure with a combination of rafting and scenic driving through the renowned Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Kick off your journey with a 45-minute ferry ride, navigating the steep-walled fjords that link Skagway to Haines. As you cruise, be captivated by over a dozen unnamed waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet from the towering cliffs lining the sea. Take in the breathtaking scenery, and keep an eye out for harbor seals sunning themselves on the shore's rocks and bald eagles majestically perched in the pine trees.
Upon reaching Haines, meet your expert guide and embark on a scenic thirty-minute riverside drive along the Haines Highway. Marvel at the glacier-clad mountains reaching for the sky, the vibrant wildflowers adorning the roadside, and the lush green riverside channels that serve as a habitat for moose, bears, and trumpeter swans.
Following a comprehensive safety briefing, embark on your raft and set out downstream through the renowned Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. This is a float trip rather than a whitewater rafting adventure, with swift and cold waters. You can keep your hands free for binoculars or your camera, as no paddling is required. Your guide skillfully navigates the raft using oars through the ever-changing channels. This journey allows you to absorb the beauty of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve while gaining insights into its crucial role in ensuring the survival of bald eagles. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular, creating an immersive experience where the sights and sounds of modern civilization fade away. It's worth noting that there is no cell phone reception in this remote and pristine environment.
With the assistance of your guide, you'll have the opportunity to spot bald eagles in various activities-whether they're perched in the trees, soaring in the sky, or feeding along the shore. In the early summer, resident eagles may be observed flying to their nests to nourish their chicks. As mid-summer arrives, the river teems with salmon, attracting more eagles to the banks and trees. In late summer, the young eagles start stretching their wings in preparation for their inaugural flight. Your guide enhances the experience by providing insights into the behaviors and life cycle of these majestic birds.
As the journey concludes, reboard the comfortable vehicle for the return trip to Haines, and enjoy lunch along the way. Your return to Skagway will be facilitated via the Fast Ferry.