The 10 Best Alaska Shore Excursions

Trust me, I understand. It is completely overwhelming. You type "Alaska shore excursions" into Google, trying to figure out what it is you need to do on your Alaskan Cruise, and the search results are simply endless. Staring into this rabbit hole, you see a few things that the internet assures you, you have to see: Mendenhall Glacier, humpback whales, the Yukon, etc. With all of the natural wonders of Alaska to explore, the list of "Must-dos" is endless.

That's why I'm here. After heading to Alaska from my own gorgeous home state of Montana, I had the opportunity to try out some of the best Alaska shore excursions. I knew from experience that while beautiful landscapes can be endlessly explored, there was always a list of "musts" that I gave my friends who visited me in my previous home. So, I set out to create the same list for people heading up to the great state of Alaska, and here it is! After an amazing and thrilling summer of research, from Mendenhall Glacier to Misty Fjords, here are the very best Alaska shore excursions!

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Grizzly Falls Ziplining

I’ve been on ziplines before, but those courses pale in comparison to the experience at Grizzly Falls in Skagway, Alaska! First, you have the breathtaking scenery… glacially-fed creeks and awe-inspiring waterfalls are complemented by lush greenery. The suspension bridge over the creek offers frame-worthy photo opportunities, and there was no shortage of beautiful views from start to finish! The guides made this experience one I’ll never forget. They kept us smiling while holding dance competitions on the lines and teaching us fun tricks that added to the thrill of soaring among the trees. I had my GoPro with me, but it was great to see the professional photos they took after the course!

This adventure-lovers tour begins with pickup at the ship docks and takes you on a scenic drive to historic Dyea. From there, you’ll hop in the monster Unimog for a ride up to the zipline course. At the mountaintop, suit up in the provided safety gear and enjoy one of the most scenic and fun zipline courses offered along the Inside Passage. Once you’ve completed the course, head to the base camp café for drinks, snacks, and photo viewing before returning back to town.

• Price: $$
• Port Town: Skagway

Featuring stunning views of the Dyea area and the end of the Lynn Canal, this tour is perfect for the thrill-seekers in your group!

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Taku Glacier Adventure by Air, Water, and Ice

I know, I know, everyone has told you to try the helicopter & dogsled combination. But what if I told you I had a better way for you to experience everything Alaskan glaciers have to offer? Would you at least lend an ear? Well gather round, because I have tried many a helicopter tour, but this is easily one of the best excursions for helicopters and glaciers alike: The Taku Glacier Adventure by Air Water and Ice.

This breathtaking excursion takes you south of Juneau to the Taku Glacier by helicopter. When you first arrive at the glacier, you will hop on an airboat that will take you right up to the face of the glacier. After returning to the helicopter, this flight takes you right to Taku for 20 minutes of exploration by foot. When you return to the air, you get your 3rd aerial view of the glacier before heading back to Juneau! No other Alaska shore excursions will allow you to see more of what these rivers of ice have to offer! Personally, I am still daydreaming about the views out of the helicopter window on this one.

• Price: $$$
• Port Town: Juneau

Experience Taku Glacier from every possible angle! If you are looking for a helicopter tour in Alaska, this is a hidden gem that definitely needs to be on your "must-do" list.

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Zodiac Boat Adventure

Easily one of my favorite and highly recommended excursions for adventure lovers in Ketchikan! These high-powered inflatable Zodiac boats are so much fun to drive! If you’re interested in small group tours, you’ll love this one as it has a max capacity of just 12 guests. The Zodiacs each hold 4-passengers and allow you to explore stunning remote inlets in the sea of Ketchikan Harbor. Follow your guide as you find fascinating marine life and uninhabited islands, making stops along the way to switch drivers if you choose.

Depending on the weather, this tour can be rough and wild! If that doesn’t daunt you, choose this tour for one of the most exciting excursions Ketchikan offers. All that’s required is an adventurous spirit, as you’ll be suited up in all of the necessary gear to stay warm and dry out on the water for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

• Price: $$
• Port Town: Ketchikan

A great way to see wildlife and get up close and personal with the Inside Passage, the Zodiac Boat Adventure is among our best Alaska shore excursions for adventure!

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Private Emerald Lake & Dogsledding Tour

If you've done any preliminary research on the Skagway area, I am sure you have seen at least 50 recommendations for the Yukon. Well, this is easily one of my favorites for seeing everything the Yukon has to offer you! Experience the beauty of the Klondike highway, with the opportunity to stretch your legs and see what locals really cherish about this area.

My first time driving through the area was gorgeous, but I wanted to get out there and explore the hidden gems that the area had to offer. This tour was the best of both worlds. After your drive up the scenic Klondike Highway, all the way to Emerald Lake, your guide will take your group to a local musher's dog sledding camp! Experience this iconic Alaskan sport for yourself and the adorable canine athletes! As this is a private tour, you can customize it to your liking! There are lots of things to explore on this route and your guide will ensure you have the experience you're hoping for.

• Price: Pricing Dependent on Group Size
• Port Town: Skagway

Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge our local guides have and keep your eyes out for wildlife as you are very likely to see some along this scenic route!

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Mendenhall Glacier Hike

I firmly believe that there is no better way to see a place, than on foot. Yes, it takes significantly longer to walk a place than drive, but this way you get to see all the finer details that you miss when the world is flying by you at 60mph. So what better way to see the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier, than by foot?

This long, but well worth it tour takes you on a 3.5-mile journey out to a panoramic overlook of the Mendenhall Glacier. Enjoy a hearty snack and a well-deserved break as you take in the majestic views. I can say for myself that there is no way to quite understand the sheer size of the glacier, until you are standing above it, staring out at its towering mass. Pack your hiking boots and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! 

• Price: $$
• Port Town: Juneau

Take your buddies and go for an adventure on Mendenhall Glacier! With stunning beauty all around you and plenty of opportunities for photo ops, I guarantee you will manage to snap a new profile picture on this tour.

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Misty Fjords Flightseeing

The list of Ketchikan "must-dos" on the Google search results tends to be a bit shorter, but the Misty Fjords certainly makes the list of need-to-see sites in Alaska. As you may have noticed from my previous recommendations, I am a big fan of seeing the gorgeous Alaskan wilderness "from all angles," and this is yet another great example of that!

Start your journey with a thrilling flight through the Misty Fjords (maybe even dipping next to one of the powerful waterfalls streaming over 200-foot cliffs). From here, you may have the opportunity for a remote water landing (conditions permitting), where you get to enjoy the breathtaking views from a whole new angle! Pro-tip: this tour books up quickly, so get your seats early.

• Price: $$$
• Port Town: Ketchikan

Don't miss your opportunity to see one of our nation's most remote national monuments. With stunning granite faces and cascading waterfalls, add the Misty Fjords to your "must-do" list.

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Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

If you missed this chance to get up close and personal with the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari will be your redemption! I may be biased, (I was able to take this tour on one of the rare days when the Southeast Alaska skies open up and the sun shines through) but this tour has some of the best views you'll find on your Alaskan cruise.

The one-hour boat ride out the Glacier Point allows for 360-degree views of the Lynn Canal, and more photo opportunities than your camera can handle. Upon reaching Glacier Point, I guarantee you will be fascinated by the guides who choose to live off the grid in the Alaskan Wilderness for 5 months of the year - it definitely takes a certain kind of person. From there commences the bus/hike/canoe journey out to Davidson Glacier, and let me tell you, nothing quite compares to standing directly underneath the towering beauty of one of these behemoths. With jaw-dropping views and some of the most interesting guides around, this tour is a must-do shore excursion. Pro-tip: keep an eye out for Mountain Goats on the cliff faces next to the glacier and for sea lions along the sides of the Lynn Canal!

• Price: $$
• Port Town: Skagway

Have your camera and questions ready! The Glacier Point Wilderness Safari is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see Davidson Glacier and the incredible people who call it home for the summer.

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Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure

An extremely intimate, small group eco-adventure through Juneau's pristine wilderness! A 6-passenger motorboat takes you to prime whale and wildlife viewing areas for an incredible serene kayaking experience. Though we cannot make any guarantees with wildlife, this tour is an excellent opportunity to see Juneau's marine mammals, including humpback whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises, and otters!

What I really love about this tour, is that it gives you the opportunity to experience several of the "must-dos" in Juneau, without feeling like you didn't get enough time to immerse yourself in the true Alaskan wilderness! Without a doubt, this is one of the best Juneau excursions I have found and it will remain on my list of favorites!

• Price: $$
• Port Town: Juneau

Paddle along Juneau's beautiful, untouched coastline in prime whale territory with some of the best guides in Southeast Alaska to keep the tour safe and exciting!

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Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour

In case you haven't picked up on it, water is the heart of Ketchikan (you can't even get to Ketchikan without some form of water transportation). As the Salmon Capital of the World, fishing, more specifically, is the industry that has powered Ketchikan through all its years. Coming to Alaska from a landlocked state, I didn't really know what this meant until I took this tour!

On this excursion, you will spend a beautiful 3 hours floating along the waters of the inside passage, on a boat that was once featured on Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch." Along the way, you'll be entertained by the tall tales that only a true fisherman can spin, and an up-close look at the sea life that makes Alaskan waters so rich. This is one of the shore tours you won't want to miss if you're looking to see what Alaskan life is really about!

• Price: $$
• Port Town: Ketchikan

Get up close and personal with Alaskan sea life. From octopus to prawns, to Dungeness crab, get a personal look at the sea creatures that fuel Alaska's fishing industry.

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Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

With this popular tour, I loved the chance to see all the major highlights of Juneau in one great excursion! Budget-friendly, and easy to book, this tour is especially great if you're a last-minute planner like me (I know, I'm on the phone all the time telling people they need to book now. Sometimes, I admit, I am a hypocrite).

When I describe Juneau in a quick synopsis to friends, I always mention glaciers and whales. Whales because, with the inside passage being so narrow, we can literally guarantee whale sightings on this tour! Glaciers, because who has ever spent more than 5 minutes googling Juneau, and not seen mention of the famed Mendenhall Glacier. But don't discount the city of Juneau itself! As the Capital of Alaska, this city has a lot to offer, and this tour offered the perfect opportunity to let my inner history buff shine during the drive to Auke Bay and Mendenhall Glacier. So get it all, as I already mentioned over and again in this post, with this combination tour that hits on Juneau's biggest attractions.

• Price: $
• Port Town: Juneau

Whale, how cool was that! With a guarantee of Whales and knowledgeable guides to tell you all about everything else Juneau has to offer, this is one of the best Alaska shore excursions for seeing "every angle."

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Next up:

• Explore High-Demand Tours to Book Early
• Check out how to get the perfect Alaska cruise photos