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How to experience the best of every port of call.
When it’s time to choose your shore excursions on your Alaskan cruise, you’re got some excellent options. Should you land on a glacier in a helicopter for the ultimate two-hour hike or paddle a kayak while spying on humpback whales? Thanks to the multiple ports of call you’ll visit on a standard cruise itinerary, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for the state’s wild-at-heart approach to sightseeing. From bear-spotting and snorkeling to mountain biking and rock climbing, these 10 shore excursions are among the best—especially for nature lovers and adventure addicts.
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Off-roading
WHERE: Ketchikan
Keep your foot on the gas pedal and your eyes on the trail as you navigate an “adventure kart” over 10 miles of backcountry rainforest near the Alaskan port of Ketchikan. There’s a chance to spot local wildlife—from eagles to deer and bears—as you race for an hour and a half over rugged off-road terrain in a specially designed, two-person vehicle. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of navigating steep curves, then swap the steering wheel for the passenger seat and enjoy the views of Tongass National Forest (the largest in the United States), Behm Canal, and the Inside Passage.
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Helicopter Glacier Treks
WHERE: Juneau
Home to massive glaciers with awesome, ice-blue crevices, the Juneau Icefield is the landing pad for helicopter excursions from Juneau that take you on a scenic sightseeing flight and trekking experience lasting one, two, or three hours. No trekking experience is required, but with the exception of the one-hour “walk-about”, you’ll need to be in decent physical condition as you strap on mountaineering spikes and other glacier gear and explore two miles of steep, uneven, and visually surreal terrain. On certain extended treks, you can even learn the basics of ice-wall climbing.
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Rock Climbing and Rappelling
WHERE: Skagway
Looking for a physical challenge to brag about on Instagram all the way from the remote Alaskan wilderness? Rock-climbing and rappelling in Skagway certainly qualify. After a short hike to the base of granite cliffs in the region’s renowned White Pass, you’ll learn the proper techniques of rock climbing and rappelling from experienced guides. There are multiple climbing routes to choose from—from easy to very difficult—so you can harness up no matter what your experience level is. And the payoff is two-fold: you get views of the Skagway River and surrounding wilderness, as well as the exhilaration of rappelling back down to the base.
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Salmon and Halibut Fishing
WHERE: Sitka
If you love to fish, Sitka is the place to cast your line since it’s located on the open ocean, where anglers can catch any of five species of Pacific salmon, including the prized King salmon, as well as halibut. Opt for a half-day excursion focused on trolling or mooching for salmon (King from May to July, Silver, Chum, or Pink from July to September) or book a full day to also anchor and jig for halibut. And photos don’t have to be the only memories of your prize catch from Sitka’s pristine waters: the fish can be processed, frozen, and shipped home for you to enjoy hot off your own grill.
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Snorkeling
WHERE: Ketchikan
Your friends might think you’re crazy when you tell them you snorkeled in Ketchikan, Alaska, but with a wet suit and guide, you can spend an hour or more spying on the cool marine species (including sunflower and blood starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers) that inhabit the calm tide pools and submerged rock walls around Mountain Point. Rockfish, ling cod, and red rock crabs are also common. Visit in mid-summer and the water temperature even reaches a sort of snorkel-friendly 65 degrees. The Caribbean it isn’t, but you can always warm up with hot showers and cocoa afterward.
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Whale-Watching
WHERE: The Icy Strait
Humpbacks or orcas—do you have a favorite? It doesn’t really matter, because during a whale-watching cruise in the Icy Strait, you’re likely to see both. How many and how close depend on the month, the weather, and the whales’ general whereabouts. But spending three or four hours watching these magnificent creatures surface, splash, spout, bubble-feed, and even breach straight out of the water from any distance is pretty amazing. Sea lions, dolphins, and even bears are bonus species you might see, so bring your binoculars and have your camera ready.
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Misty Fjords Flightseeing Tour
WHERE: Ketchikan
Lots of things are synonymous with Alaska, and flightseeing aboard a floatplane has to be near the top of the list, along with spotting grizzly bears and glacier trekking. During a Misty Fjords flightseeing tour from Ketchikan, you’ll soar above the huge granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and unspoiled wilderness of this 2-million-acre National Monument area located on postcard-perfect Rudyerd Bay. Depending on the tour you book, you might even land on a secluded lake where you can soak in the serenity by stepping onto the pontoon.
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Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier
WHERE: Juneau
If you’ve always wanted to get behind a sled of ready-to-run Alaskan huskies and yell “mush,” book an authentic dog-sled adventure—even in the middle of summer—by helicoptering from Juneau to a dog sled camp on the icy-blue Mendenhall Glacier. There, you’ll meet dozens of resident canines who love to run (as well as their irresistibly cute puppies); you can even take the reins yourself to guide your dog team on an exhilarating sled adventure across the snow pack.
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White Pass Train Ride and Mountain Biking
WHERE: Skagway
Don’t let the sedate train ride from Skagway on the vintage White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad fool you. Once you’ve enjoyed the stunning scenery of the Skagway Valley and arrive at White Pass Summit, it will be time to put on your helmet, straddle your mountain bike, and ride back down, descending almost 3,000 thrilling feet over 15 miles along the Klondike Highway. The scenery is too amazing to simply whiz by, so you’ll also stop for photo-ops at spectacular waterfalls. Just remember your passport, since the train ride ends in British Columbia, Canada, and you’ll need it to return to the U.S. and re-board your ship.
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Bear Watching and Flightseeing
WHERE: Ketchikan
Soar high above the wild landscape around Ketchikan in a float plane before landing on a lake at one of several locales where Alaskan black bears (and occasionally brown bears) congregate. Options include Neets Bay (home to the highest black bear population per square mile in North America), Prince of Wales Island (the third-largest island in the U.S. and a known bear habitat), or Misty Fjords (a scenic wonderland with an area where bears gather to dig for clams and fish for salmon).