Excursion Fjord odyssey by ocean raft tour at Skagway

Discover the unrivalled natural beauty and wildlife of North America’s deepest fjord during this exhilarating sightseeing excursion via motorized ocean raft.

Skagway, ‘Thunderdome’ Ocean-Rafting Staging Area

Depart the pier for the short walk to your awaiting bus, then commence the scenic drive to ‘Thunderdome’, the headquarters and staging area for your exhilarating ocean-rafting adventure. Upon arrival, meet your guides, receive your safety briefing, and don your safety gear, which includes a hat, gloves, goggles, and Coast Guard-approved ‘Mustang’ exposure suit to wear over your own clothing to keep you warm and dry throughout your journey. Afterward, embark your awaiting ocean raft.

Motorized Ocean-Rafting Adventure, Lynn Canal, Fjord, Steep Rock Walls

This is the same time of motorized boat utilised by U.S. Navy Seals and Coast Guard rescue teams. With its deep ‘V’ hull surrounded by inflatable tubes, your low-profile vessel is designed to deliver a smooth ride in any ocean condition. These motorized ocean rafts enable you to get closer to hidden beaches, intimate coves, and idyllic lagoons inaccessible via larger, heavier craft, and their small size enables maximum manoeuvrability to cover greater distances at speeds up to 50 m.p.h. (about 80 k.p.h.). Your thrilling ocean raft-ride takes you through the Lynn Canal, North America’s longest and deepest fjord. Straddle the custom, shock-absorbing seats whilst racing by the steep rock walls of this spectacular fjord.

Shoreline, Coves, Waterfalls, Cliffs, Beaches, Wildlife, Photo Stops

Your vessel gets extra-close to the shore whilst exploring intimate, hidden coves, breath-taking waterfalls, towering cliffs, pristine beaches, and the area’s abundant, endemic wildlife. Along the way, look for whales, eagles, seals, sea lions, mountain goats, seabirds, and more. Your knowledgeable captain makes multiple stops for photo opportunities and wildlife sightings, whilst providing a colourful narrative throughout the tour. On occasion, the captain turns off the engines, allowing you to soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of the rugged wilderness of this majestic fjord. Following your unforgettable ocean raft journey, disembark your vessel, re-board your bus, and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Skagway, Ocean Raft-Ride, Lynn Canal, Hidden Coves, Waterfalls, Cliffs, Beaches, Wildlife-Viewing, Photo Stops, Whales, Eagles, Seals, Sea Lions, Seabirds

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of activity and a minimal amount of walking for approximately 66 yards (about 60 metres), at times over uneven, gravel, and slippery surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to embark/disembark the motorised ocean raft. The ride may be rough at times, and guests will experience bumpy, jerking motions. This tour is recommended for active guests who are in good physical condition and can swim in water too deep to stand. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck and/or back problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with claustrophobia, guests with balance issues, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable, non-cotton clothing in layers with flat, closed-toe walking shoes you won’t mind getting wet, and bring sun protection, a warm, weatherproof jacket, towel, plastic bag (for your cell phone camera, etc.), sunglasses with a strap, hat, gloves, a towel, bottled water, and US Dollars or credit cards for purchases from the ship; an extra layer of clothing and warm socks are recommended. Guests must be at least 10 years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Guests must be at least 48 inches (about 1.2 metres) in height to participate on this tour. Guests weighing more than 350 pounds (about 158 kilograms) cannot participate on this tour. Hats, gloves, goggles, and a U.S. Coast Guard-approved ‘Mustang’ exposure suit to wear over your clothing are provided; there is no shade on the rafts. Snow suits are available if temperatures are colder. Do not bring loose items that may easily be lost or fall in the water, such as keys, loose accessories, jewellery, etc. Make sure your hat and sunglasses fit snugly, so they don’t fly off when the boat is moving. There are no changing facilities on board the boat. Waterproof cameras are highly-recommended. The ocean raft operator may deny participation if a guest appears unfit or unable to sustain such strenuous activity. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, wildlife and marine life sightings are not guaranteed. A safety vest must be worn at all times whilst rafting. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions.