Haines Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting Tour

4.7

6 reviews

Excursion Overview

Float down the scenic Chilkat River through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

Upon arrival in Haines, meet your expert guide and enjoy a riverside drive along the Haines Highway. The drive is incredibly scenic: glacier-clad mountains thrust to the sky, colorful wildflowers line the road, green riverside channels provide habitat for moose, bear, and trumpeter swans. The highway was declared a National Scenic Byway in 2009. Arrive at the river in the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, approximately 40 minutes away.

After boarding your raft, enjoy a scenic float down the Chilkat River through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home of the world's largest concentration of Bald Eagles. You are immersed in the Alaskan wilderness, floating the silent river. As there are no rapids (white water) on the river, it makes for a very relaxing float. Depending on the flow of the river, the float portion lasts about 1 1/2 hours.

Along the way, your professional guide will explain the natural history of the area, Chilkat Indian Heritage, and share some exciting stories from life in the Alaskan wilderness. The number of eagles you will see is dependent on the food available to the eagles (i.e. the fish runs). During the early months of the summer season, you will often see parent eagles sitting on nests, eaglets in nests, and the parent eagles flying to the nest with food for their young. Thousands of bald eagles travel here to feed on salmon in the fall and winter. During very warm days, the eagles are often seen catching the thermals and soaring above the mountain peaks.

Paddling is not required, as your expert guide will push the raft along, explaining the intricate balance of nature that makes this a unique and special place. Don't leave your camera behind for this adventure! After rafting, enjoy a picnic lunch on your way back to Haines.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

A picnic-style lunch: turkey sandwich on fresh baked bread, fruit, freshly baked cookie, and bottled water. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice
Gear: Personal Floatation Device, Ponchos if needed, 7 person 16 ft raft
Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal

Requirements:

Minimum of 2 passengers required to book
Minimum age: 7 years old
Maximum weight: 250lbs

Duration: 4 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)

45 minutes - scenic tour to Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
15 minutes - safety talk and equipment distribution
90 minutes - guided rafting float trip
30 minutes - lunch at the picnic location
60 minutes - scenic tour and return to Haines

Meeting Instructions:

This tour meets on the cruise dock. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

This tour is limited mobility accessible. Guests must be able to climb 4 steps into and out of the bus and they need to be able to walk up and down gangways that vary depending on the tide. Additionally, guests must be able to sit unsupported on the sides of the inflatable raft for 90 minutes during the float portion of this tour. There is limited space for collapsible wheelchairs and walkers. There is no storage available for motorized scooters. Please leave a comment during checkout if accommodations for collapsible equipment will be required on tour.

Refund Policy:

You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. There is a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 14 guests per departure.

Our raft tour has a minimum age of 7.

Yes. The weight limit for the rafting trip is 250 lbs. Our rafts do not have a back rest, so guests must be able to sit for 1.5 hours.

We use a variety of 16ft. rafts, propelled by the guide utilizing an oar frame.

No. We do not have a wheelchair lift in any of our vehicles.

We recommend that you dress in layers. It can be cold enough where you want a wool cap, gloves and a jacket, or it could be so warm you will be in a T-shirt with sunscreen and sunglasses. The weather can change quickly.

Our maximum group size is 14. Our typical tour has around 6-8 guests at one time. We can charter large buses for large groups with advance notice.

Depending on the size of the group and the tour, we utilize everything from an SUV like the Toyota Sequoia or Sienna, to the 14-passenger Ford Econoline Van to the 14- passenger Airporter-style bus.

The tour includes a deli-style lunch. It consists of a turkey sandwich on fresh baked bread, fruit, freshly baked cookie, and bottled water. Vegetarian and gluten free options are available with advance notice.

Definitely, arrangements of tours for groups or large families are possible. Please contact [email protected] with your group requirements.

If your ship is late, please call your tour operator so that your tour time can be adjusted. If an alternate tour time is not compatible with your schedule, your ticket will be fully refunded with no fees or penalty.

All tours that cancel because of weather will be fully refunded with no fees or penalties.

All tours pick-up either at your cruise ship or within a short walking distance of your cruise ship unless otherwise noted. When you purchase your excursion, your ticket will be sent to you via email with detailed meeting instructions and emergency contact information. If you have any questions relating to a specific excursion, please contact the tour operator listed on your ticket.

This will vary from port to port. Most excursions meet you either in front of your cruise ship or within a maximum 5-10 minute walk from your ship unless otherwise noted. All pertinent directions and details will be listed on your ticket.

We guarantee that your tour will return on time. If you were to miss your cruise ship because the tour did not return on time, we will comp your hotel, food, and flight costs associated with meeting your cruise ship the next day. We have never had a passenger miss their ship.

All reservations are saved under the name you purchased your excursions and are kept on file with your tour operator. Having your tickets in-hand is the optimal choice to avoid confusion because the directions and meeting instructions are included. Please contact us if you are unable to print the tickets.

Please advise, car seats are required for children under 4, and boosters for children 4-7. Please indicate if you will need either during checkout.

Guest Reviews

Elizabeth T

On Aug 2023

We loved this excursion - this is a small group tour and the guides are really knowledgeable about the area, its history, and eagles. I learned so much on the tour and saw many amazing eagles! It exceeded expectations.

Jennifer R

On Sep 2019

Great guides, Russ, Steven and Ashley. One of our rafts got stuck on the river bank due to a windstorm that came up. The guides handled that efficiently and it was all a fun adventure. And we saw bald eagles!

Doug F

On Sep 2019

Very good staff. Nice way to see bald eagles as well as enjoy being out in the beautiful Alaska wilderness.

Andrew M

On Sep 2019

Beautiful tour, and Ashley was a great guide and knowledgeable on the area.

Carl H

On Sep 2018

Very interesting, with a very knowledgable and experienced rafter Dave, lots of Bald Eagle and Raven sightings.

$155.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$155.00

Duration: 4 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 4 hours

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Adult: $155.00

Child (7-12): $130.00

Haines Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting Tour

Excursion Overview

Float down the scenic Chilkat River through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve