Skagway Tours
Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting - Skagway Departure
4.5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting - Skagway Departure

By Rainbow Glacier Adventures LLC
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About

Ages 7-80, max of 14 per group
Duration: 6h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket


  • Lunch
  • Driver/guide
  • Local guide
  • Port pickup
  • High Speed Catamaran transfer between Skagway and Haines, Alaska
What's not included
  • Gratuities


Start:
  • Skagway Cruise Terminal, Skagway, AK 99840, USA
    Cruise ship guests: Walk past dock security and look for your guide with the RGA Logo on a sign Guests in hotels: Our guide will meet you outside the hotel. Watch for a vehicle with the RGA Logo
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 37841P3

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Minimum age 7 years
    • Maximum weight 250 lbs.
    • A minimum of 2 people is required to open the tour
    • Cruise Ship Passengers, please provide ship name for meeting location. Hotel guests, please provide name of hotel for pick-up.
    • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
    • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 37841P3

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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Rainbow Glacier Adventures LLC
      1,000
      Haines, Alaska
      Joined in December 2009
    • Terri C
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fun Trip!
      Hi! We took this tour on 8/28, five adults and 2 kids. The ferry from Skagway to Haines was smooth and comfortable. Best part was the naturalist on board who gave commentary about growing up in Haines. It was lovely to hear from someone local as so many of the tour guides are seasonal workers. The scenery was magnificent!! Our tour started with a trip to a creek by the side of the highway, initially i was wary, but the site proved to have salmon in the stream, bear "nap" spaces and cool local birds! The guide, even though a seasonal worker, was full of local information and stories. Very personable and informative. Our next stops were full of eagles and other birds, cool sea plants, lovely wildflowers, and harbor seals. Alas, we did not get to see a bear, but thankfully we didn't unexpectedly run into one! Lunch was provided, yummy sandwiches, water, apple and a cookie. Tasty and filling. Great trip, would definitely recommend.
      Written September 12, 2024
    • Passenger30608917146
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great Tour with a Great Guide
      This tour was fabulous! Christine really made it a great experience! Before we went to the suspension bridge, she assured us that it wouldn't be scary, and she was right. I could have spent the whole time there just looking at the scenery from the bridge. We also went to several other scenic spots, and she made great suggestions as to where to stand to get great photos. I highly recommend this excursion, especially with Christine as a guide.
      Written September 11, 2024
    • Dana B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best photo tour! 🌄🌅
      Christine was the greatest. It was the best photography tour we’ve ever been on! You won’t be disappointed. Spend the money! It’s is worth every dime. A+++
      Written September 11, 2024
    • Pamela L
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome Day at Icy Straight Point!
      We have been on two previous whale watching excursions booked through our ship in Juneau and Cabo. There is no comparison. While we saw whales on the ship excursions, the boat was crowded and we saw them from a distance. The whale watching tour from Rainbow Glacier Adventures was more than we could have ever hoped for. There were only around 12 people on our boat. The boat was spacious with plenty of room to move around. We got to see humpback whales bubble net feeding which was the highlight of our trip. We were able to follow a group of about a dozen or more whales. It was also nice that our boat captain lives in Icy Straight Point and was able tell us about his life in Alaska. I very highly recommend this excursion!
      Written September 10, 2024
    • Graham5bird
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Christie is an angel
      Absolutely incredible experience. Christie is an angel and really made the experience special. The sites were gorgeous and I loved the waterfall at the end.
      Written September 9, 2024
    • 332larsj
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Unforgettable Experience on the Klondike Pass
      Despite the freezing temperatures (43 degrees with a windchill around 26!), Pat ensured we stayed warm and comfortable while traveling in the van. His expertise and enthusiasm truly shone through. He drove us to some of his favorite photographic spots and shared valuable tips on using an iPhone to capture stunning shots. I learned new techniques and gained insights into storytelling through photography, which added a whole new dimension to my adventure. This tour was another highlight of my Alaska trip. If you're looking for an excellent guide who knows how to make the most of the cold and capture the beauty of Alaska, Pat and Rainbow Glacier Adventures are the way to go! Take your passport with you as you travel into Canada on this tour!
      Written September 9, 2024
    • 98gretchena
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful Suspension Bridge
      Christine was a wonderful guide-very knowledgeable and super nice. Highly recommend her. Her iohine photo tiips were much appreciated
      Written September 8, 2024
    • barbarasB5982QN
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      End of season Alaska
      Seemless transition from ship to boat to tour and back again. Anna was a wonderful guide, knew the hot spots and a few secret spots. Saw so many eagles and eglettess, found mountain goats, river otters, and salmon. Anna shared her lifein Alaska, a beautiful way to see the state.
      Written September 7, 2024
    • georwell
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Scenic nature and wildlife outing
      Anna was wonderful chasing wildlife in the area. Although we did not see bears, we saw many bald eagles, mountain goats, salmon running up river. The scenery was spectacular!
      Written September 7, 2024
    • jerrycrystaln
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Gorgeous excursion!
      We absolutely loved the Yukon Suspension bridge excursion. The drive was beautiful and just breathtaking! He stopped along the way to allow us to take pics at scenic views. Only thing I wish is we had more time at the Yukon bridge but we were on a cruise and had limited time in Skagway. The view at the bridge was amazing! We had hot chocolate while we were there at the little cafe. So good!
      Written September 7, 2024
    • gage1963
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      GREAT
      Very interesting tour . the guide well prepared , ready to give us info and suggestions . A lot of stops in various areas. We saw a lot of birds and a bear Suggested
      Written September 6, 2024
    • edlT5938SR
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome experience - Garrett was very knowledgeable and helpful
      We had done the Chilcoot Wilderness and Wildlife Viewing with Rainbow Glacier in the morning and was able to catch 4 bear (a mother and 3 cubs) in the morning so we decided to focus on scenery and learning how to take pictures with my camera in the afternoon. My wife and I spent the afternoon with Garrett doing the private photo tour. He did an awesome job teaching me how to use my DSLR as well as providing tips to my wife on how to get the best photos with her i-Phone. He took us to places where we had amazing views and helped us capture them with our cameras. I’m already a much better photographer because of the time we spent with him.
      Written September 5, 2024
    • michellecB3369MW
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      See the beauty of Alaska and Canada
      What a great excursion to see the beautiful landscape of Alaska and go to Canada all at the same time. Nikki, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable of the area and was able to answer all our questions....and cannot forget to mention Nikki is a fantastic photographer 😀
      Written September 5, 2024
    • Rgw W
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Brilliant day
      Thoroughly enjoyed my tour. Madeline was very friendly and knowledgable and had lots of interesting stories to tell. Although there was no guarantee of seeing a bear, when one was spotted at a distance amongst trees she made lots of effort to ensure everyone on the bus saw it. Really appreciated her efforts. Nice lunch also sitting by the lake.
      Written September 4, 2024
    • JLVJourneys
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Bus beats train!
      Very nice 3.5 hour excursion. Small group max 10 people meant we could hop in andout of bus easily at the many viewpoints along the way. Guide Nikki told us a lot about life in Alaska today. The suspension bridge was easy and fun, not scary to walk on it at all. MUCH better than the train ride because we stopped several times for photo opps and to get close to waterfalls.
      Written September 1, 2024
    See all 1,000 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles20 reviews
    Excellent
    14
    Very good
    2
    Average
    1
    Poor
    3
    Terrible
    0

    SharonWS1982
    Atlanta, GA230 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2022
    Such an amazing experience. Too many eagles to count...flying overhead, landing in trees, on rocks next to us. Salmon jumping out of the river so close I felt like I could catch one with my bare hands. 360 degrees of magnificent views the whole time. Picnic lunch on shore at the end. Favorite excursion from our ship. Experience of a lifetime! The guide was fantastic! So much history and culture shared.
    Written October 26, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks for this great review. It sounds like we exceeded your expectations.
    Written February 10, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Rickjax
    Jacksonville, FL64 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful 2 hour raft trip down beautiful river. We saw 7 eagles along the way. I’m told in fall there are hundreds of eagles. Very safe. Great way to see real forests and wetlands.
    Written July 5, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed our float. The Chilkat truly is a beautiful river and the scenery is spectacular. Yes in the fall the eagle numbers increases to a crescendo of hundreds of bald eagles feeding on salmon along the river in November. Perhaps you would like to return to Haines some day for our Bald Eagle Festival the second week of November!
    Written July 17, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Ron B
    Worcester, MA8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sep 2023 • Friends
    Amazing float down the river, our guide was amazing. He explained things and we seen a lot of bald eagles. Also seen plenty of there nest. We stopped on a sand bar and the guides located bear tracks, eagle tracks and an otter track. Unbelievably beautiful tour. We would definitely do it again.
    Written September 12, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks for this great review. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is a truly magical place. I first started guiding here in 1987, and I continue to be amazed by the beauty and wildlife that abounds here. One aspect of the rafting trip that some may not realize is that this truly takes you away from the road and into the Alaskan wilderness. It is quiet and peaceful.
    Written September 24, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Rita S
    2 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Disappointed. We just returned to Princess. We saw about 5 eagles in trees and one juvenile on river. The raft tour was enjoyable and long, but we went to see eagles. The river is full of silt and we saw very very minimum of eagles and not a single one was close. The young people transporting the rafts were personable and hard working. But, if you want to actually see eagles, you may be very disappointed.
    Written August 6, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    It is important to have reasonable expectations when signing up for a tour. That comes from doing some research and reading reviews from other travelers. While this tour is in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, that does not mean you will see dozens and dozens of eagles. There are many factors including weather, time of day, time of season, food availability, river section traveled (to name a few) that affect the number of eagles seen on any one tour. Travelers should come on this trip expecting to spend time on a wild river in Alaska learning about the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, enjoying incredible scenery and breathing in the fresh air. Travelers should not come expecting to see huge numbers of eagles during the summer months. If you want to see hundreds and hundreds of eagles, I encourage you to come visit us the second week of November. That is when Haines hosts the Annual Bald Eagle Festival. No rafting is required, and you can see hundreds of bald eagle right from the roadside!
    Written August 21, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    dianedinky
    Dunfermline, UK1,346 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2019 • Solo
    I selected this for the opportunity to see eagles close up but we only saw 2 all trip and they were barely visible in the trees. I had much better sightings just on the bus Anchorage to Portage and then at Kenai. There was a centre with injured birds but we didn't visit it so there was no real educational element.
    This is not white water so you wouldn't select if a rafting fan. And not great for wildlife enthusiasts like me so not sure who it's aimed at. If you like being cold and getting a wet bum then this is for you. Otherwise avoid.
    Written June 21, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    I'm sorry to hear that our trip did not meet your expectations. This is a rafting trip in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The birds are wild and so the quality and number of eagle sightings vary with each trip. We do not advertise that we go to the Center for Injured birds on this tour. If you had desired to see injured birds in captivity, there are opportunities in Haines, Sitka and Juneau. It is true that this is not a white water trip, nor do we advertise the trip as such. The emphasis is getting out in pristine nature and experiencing uniquely wild and beautiful place- The Chlkat Bald Eagle Preserve. There are five species of wild salmon that run up the Chilkat River and many active bald eagle's nest along our route. We often have great eagle sighting on our tour. I am also sorry to hear you say that there was no real educational element. Rainbow Glacier Adventures prides itself on offering a high quality educational experience in a small group setting. I am the author of the book Where Eagles Gather, the Story of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, Haines, Alaska and i have 30 years guiding experience in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. I personally train all our river guides, and the vast majority of those who go with us are impressed with the quality of our guides.
    Written June 23, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Family N
    14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2018
    I havre been traveling to Skagway for decades to visit family. This past summer we decided to take a tour to see the Eagle Preserve. What an amazing, fun, educational tour! We enjoyed every moment.
    Written January 16, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    LSseetheworld
    Venetia, PA250 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2019 • Couples
    Had a great time with our guide Liz. We saw over 20 Bald Eagles on a very relaxing river float. Highly recommend!
    Written September 1, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    adflanagan13
    Oamaru, New Zealand51 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    In general we had nice weather but we saw only a dozen or so eagles. the scenery was beautiful. The raft guide, Liz, was an enthusiastic and competent naturalist who made the raft trip itself enjoyable. It is necessary to walk in water and Rainbow tours provided Rubber boots, but mine leaked and my feet were therefore cold for the entire trip. The excursion involved a 20 minute van ride which was cramped and the van wasnt very clean. Rainbow provided a van transfer in Skagway from our cruise dock to the ferry dock, and told us they would meet us at the end. They did not, and we were forced to walk 30 minutes back from the ferry to the cruise ship.
    Written August 21, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks for your review. I'm glad you mentioned that the scenery was beautiful and that Liz is a qualified naturalist. We are very fortunate to have her on our team. As far as the number of eagles, a dozen is actually a pretty good number. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve boats thousands of bald eagles in November. But in the summer, eagles are on the nest and are territorial, so you don't find large concentrations of bald eagles until they are off the nest beginning in September. The great thing about the trip is to see the eagles on and near their nests; the area where we float has a high concentration of nesting bald eagles because it is a rich and pristine environment. Another great aspect of our rafting trip is that it gets you completely away from the road and out in the wilderness where it is quiet and the air smells fresh and clean. I am sorry to hear that your boots leaked. Hopefully, you told our guide Liz about them. Our protocol is to replace or repair any and all leaky boots right away. Fortunately, most tours do not involve walking in the water- the boots are mainly to keep your feet dry in case there is some splashing water that gets into the raft. The nature of glacial rivers are that they are shallow, and occasionally a raft gets stuck on the gravel. If the guide can't get the raft floating again, participants may need to get out in the shallow water while the guide moves the raft from shallow to deeper water. This rarely happens but does happen now and again. As far as the transfer in Skagway, I am sorry if you misunderstood what we provide. At the beginning of the tour, we meet you in Skagway at the cruise ship dock just past security. We provide a meet and greet service and transfer to the Fast Ferry dock. At that time, our Skagway rep tells all guests about the return protocol. When you return to Skagway, there is a bus service that provides regular transport from the Fast Ferry back to the ship. My Skagway guides explain to all guests that this service is paid for by Rainbow Glacier Adventures- all you have to do is inform the bus driver that you are with our company and they do not charge you-they bill us. So our guests are never forced to walk back one half hour from the Fast Ferry back to their ship.I apologize if that was not make clear to you.
    Written August 27, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Kilraen
    San Antonio, TX13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2019 • Couples
    My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the eagle preserve on the Chillikat river. Our guide, Dave, really made our time on the raft enjoyable! He was was humorous and educational at the same time. We both highly recommend this adventure; well worth the cost and time, especially with Dave as your guide!! Tell Dave to say hello to “Evinrude” for us!
    Written May 27, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    I love that you said that Dave was both educational and humerous. We understand that folks like you are on vacation, not taking a college course, but that you want some good solid information about the Eagle Preserve. But its also important to present the infomration in a way that easy to digest. Dave's easy-going style and Southern accent belie the fact that he is an expert river guide, always wathcing out for your safety. Dave loves rafting and the Preserve and his enthusiasm is contagious. We're glad to have Dave back with us for another season. Joe
    Written May 28, 2019
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Dan
    Miami Beach, FL8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very peaceful rafting trip, and watching eagles. Our guide Ashley made things very easy going and enjoyable...very nice/authentic guy who didnt have that patronizing tone that some tour guides have. We saw a ton of eagles...definitely something to do if you are in town and looking for a morning or afternoon trip...do the morning though cuz it might be quieter and more possibilities to see bears or moose.
    Written September 3, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Rafting - Skagway Departure provided by Rainbow Glacier Adventures LLC

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