Mendenhall Glacier View Sea Kayaking

Travel in the style of Native Alaskans and explore the spectacular coastal waterways and Mendenhall wetlands by kayak.

This glorious excursion along Juneau's coast begins with a short bus ride to Douglas Island, where you will enjoy scenic views of the Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau Icefield on the other side of the Gastineau Channel.

Upon arrival, your experienced, friendly guide will help you with life jackets and rain gear before teaching you kayaking techniques. Then you will board the two-person kayaks with either a traveling companion or new friend for your Alaska nature adventure.

This breathtaking trip is designed to give you a sense of how the famed Aleut Indians traveled the coastal waterways of Alaska, in search of pelts for the Russian fur trading companies. The stable yet nimble kayaks allow you to silently approach wildlife in the area, including porpoise, seals, sea lions, eagles, herons, or even whales. You will explore the Mendenhall Wetlands where you may have the opportunity to view the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier from an ocean explorer’s point of view. The view of the glacier is from six miles away, so you'll be able to see how the massive river of ice winds through the mountain peaks for miles. This spectacular view can only be seen from this vantage point (or from the air) as long as the weather cooperates (low-hanging clouds or thick fog obscures the view). This area is widely considered the best view of the glacier in Juneau. Along the way, your guide will entertain you with stories about Smugglers Cove, the history of the surrounding area, and point out local flora and fauna.

This kayak trip is perfect for all experience levels, and our experienced guides and safety boat captains ensure your experience is both fun and safe. Your guides will group guests with similar abilities so that all participants can travel at a comfortable pace.

Back ashore, you will enjoy a tasty Alaska style snack before the journey back to the pier.