SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

Be among the select few to travel by canoe for an exceptional experience near the face of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. You’ll paddle across Mendenhall Lake, navigating past icebergs, surrounded by one of the richest samplings of Alaskan wildlife you’ll find anywhere. Birds including arctic terns nest in the towering cliffs and eagles, goats, salmon and bears are all common sights. Then, venture within a safe distance of the massive, awe inspiring face of the living Mendenhall Glacier. Grab a thrill ride by skirting the base of the beautiful and powerful Nugget Falls.

Refuel with an Alaskan-style snack. You’ll make your trip in a traditional easy to paddle, 15 - 20 passenger Tlingit-style canoe, an exceptionally stable 28 foot watercraft, with all modern safety gear supplied. Because of the close approach to the glacier face, the U.S. Forest Service tightly controls the number of participants.

Your kayak adventure along Juneau's coast begins with a short drive by bus to North Douglas Island, where you’ll enjoy scenic views of the Mendenhall Glacier. Here, your guide will hand out life jackets and rain gear before teaching you paddling techniques. Board the two-person kayaks, with your travel companion or assigned partner for your breathtaking trip, which will give you a sense of how Aleut Indians traveled the coastal waterways.

The stable yet nimble kayaks will allow you to silently approach any wildlife in the area, including porpoise, seals, sea lions, eagles, herons, or even whales. Explore the Mendenhall Wetlands and view the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier. Your guide will entertain you with stories about Smugglers Cove and the history of the surrounding area. Back at the kayak base; enjoy a tasty snack before the journey back to port.

Spend hours exploring the wilds and roads less traveled on Chichagof Island in a Jeep Wrangler designed for outdoor adventure. You will travel along old logging roads that were built to harvest valuable timber such as hemlock, spruce and cedar trees. The route will cut through some of the most spectacular, undeveloped countryside in Alaska. The fifth largest island in the United States, Chichagof lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

This Jet Boat Odyssey is truly the journey full of adventure while gaining knowledge and understanding along the way.

Beginning in Skagway, you will meet your representative on the pier to start the journey. First by a Catamaran ferry, setting sail to the port of Haines while taking in the breathtaking scenery along the way. The waterway that you will be on is the longest and deepest Fjord in North America, with mountains that rise straight up from the ocean, to heights of 6,000 feet.

Reaching the port of Haines, you will meet your driver, who will take you on the second leg of the journey, venturing north for your 45 minute narrated drive along the Chilkat River on the Haines Scenic Byway. You will arrive at the Jet Boat Facility, where all the amenities are available, such as modern and sparkling clean bathroom facilities. This is where your river Captains await, anxious to prepare you for the Jet Boat Odyssey, where they love to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about this valley that you are going to explore. This adventure will take you into the roadless portion of the Bald Eagle Preserve, in search of wildlife in the true Alaska Wilderness. Along the river journey, keep a watchful eye for moose, bears, eagles, swans and many other species of animals that call this area of the valley, their home. After exploring the many channels of the glacial fed river, you will return to the jet boat landing where all facilities are available. Before boarding the bus for your return trip, you will receive a box lunch to enjoy along the way, retracing your steps back to Skagway, by motor coach and ferry. You will return with a new appreciation for the Alaska Wilderness and those who call it home.

Stand up Paddle Boarding or SUP, is a fun sport and very easy to learn. With just a few helpful hints from our staff, you'll be able to paddle Bertram’s Cove offering views of the beaches and glimpses of marine life.

OVERVIEW

Sail through the shimmering bay that rims Cadiz on the Pura Vida, a sleek catamaran with plenty of deck space for uninterrupted views of the city and the gorgeous coast. The exact route will depend on the weather and tidal conditions but regardless of the direction the scenery will be beautiful and the historical sights abundant. If the catamaran heads north, you can expect to pass remnants of Cadiz’s original defensive walls and several fortresses. The 16th-century Santa Catalina Castle overlooks Playa de la Caleta, one of the city’s most popular beaches. Nearby San Sebastian Castle is so photogenic that it was chosen as a film location for the James Bond movie “Die Another Day.” One of the highlights on the southern route is the Constitution of 1812 Bridge, one the world’s lengthiest cable-stayed bridges. When seen from the unique perspective that the catamaran affords, Cadiz is visually stunning in every direction.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sail a sleek, elegant catamaran off Cadiz and see the city from a unique water perspective.
• Pass bayside fortresses that reflect the turbulent history of Cadiz through the centuries.
• See modern landmarks in Cadiz that may include the lengthy Constitution of 1812 bridge.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Your journey begins with an entertaining historic tour through downtown Skagway, and along nine miles of stunning coastline to our Adventure Camp in Dyea. Kick off your visit with a “Musher Talk.” In the Musher Talk, we will share fascinating information about this extreme Alaskan state sport and welcome any additional questions you may have. Of course, we make sure you have plenty of time to meet some of the actual athletes who do these amazing things, our sled dogs! Not to worry—we have litters of puppies too that are ready for cuddles and kisses. Human socialization is actually essential to their development and racing success. After that, take a chance to pan for gold in our riverside sluice! Once your guide shows you the art of gold panning, you can test your luck to see what you can find while learning about the history of the gold rush that took off from this area. Then you will have time to take a short self-guided nature hike next to a beautiful waterfall and dense Alaskan forest or browse the gift shop and relax in our saloon with a deck overlooking the picturesque stream. All of this in a spectacular Alaskan setting! This is a tour full of Alaskan adventure, history, and awe-inspiring wilderness.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit a musher’s camp to learn how the dogs are trained to pull sleds through the snow.
• Interact with the dogs, which are superb athletes with remarkable strength and stamina.
• Pan for gold with a sluice much like the ones prospectors used during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Visit Raiatea's sister island Taha'a on this tour that highlights the beauty and culture of French Polynesia and includes stops at a pearl farm, vanilla plantation and a snorkel site.

From the pier in Raiatea, you will board a boat and begin your excursion with a scenic cruise across the tranquil lagoon towards Taha’a. An ancient legend says that Raiatea and Taha’a were originally one island until a giant eel swallowed a young girl. Possessed by her spirit, the enraged creature broke through the surface of the earth, causing the sea to surge. The impact of the water causing the island to be cut in two, creating the separate islands of Raiatea and Taha'a.

Upon arrival in Taha'a, you'll transfer to 4WD vehicles and navigate your way into the island's valleys and mountains. Along the way, your guide will point out the various sights you are passing. At a beautiful viewpoint, you'll stop for photos and discover the traditional use of local plants and trees. You will also have the opportunity to sample local fruits and learn the Tamure, a typical Tahitian dance.

The island of Taha’a is often called the Vanilla Island and a visit to a small, local vanilla plantation allows you to learn all about this fragrant spice that has a multitude of uses. You’ll also stop at a small black pearl farm and discover how these treasures of the sea are raised and harvested. These small cottage industries are part of the island’s economic structure and will give you a broader perspective of life here in French Polynesia.

Rejoining your boat, you will cruise across the turquoise waters to a motu (islet) where you can enjoy some time for snorkeling or swimming before returning to the pier in Raiatea.

Celebrate southeast Alaska’s rich logging history on this rip-roaring good time with quality entertainment for all ages! Alaska’s frontier lumberjacks battle British Columbia’s premier woodsmen in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of “Bull of the Woods.” Watch these world-champion athletes compete in springboard chopping, buck sawing, axe throwing, log rolling, and the thrilling 50-foot tree climb while your host delights with lumberjack lore. The show is held in a covered, heated and cushioned grandstand. Videotaping is not permitted but guests can participate in our annual photo contest. Meet the jacks after the show for pictures, then the fun continues as you compete in a thrilling Axe Throwing Competition. You’ll learn the art of throwing a 7-lb razor-sharp axe, and then, after a little practice, you will go head-to-head in a thrilling competition against other participants.

Join professional mountaineering guides for a two-hour trek through a glacial icescape. A scenic helicopter flight will take you to your trekking site. No experience is necessary, as guides will teach you the proper use of the mountaineering gear so that the remote areas of the glacier can be accessed. All you need to bring is a camera, a willing attitude and an appetite for adventure.

Cruise to Blue Lagoon Island on a sleek double-decker ferry for an up-close encounter with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins at an American Humane-certified facility. Upon arriving at the island, which is also known as Salt Cay, you will first learn about the characteristics and behavior of dolphins, such as how they communicate and use echolocation to hunt prey. Once in the water, you will stand on a waist-deep submerged platform that allows easy access to these highly intelligent marine mammals. A trainer will be on hand to recommend the best ways to interact with and touch the dolphins. You can expect an unforgettable experience as dolphins are naturally curious and social. During the two hours or so of beach time that follows, you might settle into a lounge chair and bask in the sun, take a refreshing swim, and snorkel in the turquoise sea. There are also shops in the Bahamian village nearby.

The Island Zipline Adventure course is a combination of the Osprey Zipline plus the Seahawk Zip to give you six high-flying zips plus a series of V-net bridges, chimney climbs and cargo nets, designed to challenge but not overwhelm your physical and mental strength. Tour starts with an elevator ride to the top of the Flighthouse.

With platforms at 120-feet above ground and top speed of over 50 mph, your senses will be dazed with adrenaline as you zip out over the beach and reef of Great Stirrup Cay. The V nets allow you to transverse from one zipline to another while providing you with bird’s-eye view of your fellow guests, the many islands to the South or the turquoise waters and their inhabitants below.

For those feeling extra strong and confident we’ve added an almost vertical cargo net climb or by-pass the cargo net and continue the course via the chimney climb and V net bridges.

Either way this zipline course is great for individuals, families or just a bunch of friends who want to get together to experience some adventurous fun. Tour space is limited, secure your adventure today.