Kayaking - Alaska excursion

[Wookiecookie]

Going on the Wonder in September with Juneau as a port. My friend wants to see Mendenhall glacier and was debating between kayaking or canoe. She also wants to see whales.

Wirh my luck, highly doubt whales will be alongside us but does anyone have recommendations on kayak or canoe? While kayak with us be the two of us and our own energy, I know that the canoe is bigger with random people but can go farther due to a larger group.

 

[shosh1530]

We did a kayak excursion with a local company in Ketchikan to "Orca cove." It was our family of 3, another small family and the guide. We were all in double kayaks so I got paired with the guide, which was good since it was my first time.

It was such a beautiful, amazing two hours out on the very calm waters. Probably my favorite part of our trip. We did not see much wildlife from the kayaks, but we did see a pod of orcas from the boat on our way back from the kayak site.

 

[auntlynne]

If it’s not a combo tour of whale watching in Auk Bay and kayaking (or canoeing) on Lake Mendenhall, expect to see whales OR a glacier and waterfall.

If the canoeing and kayaking are at Mendenhall, you are in an inland lake (there may be a waterway to the Inner Passage, but I have never heard of whales coming up to the lake.

Those large capacity canoes look interesting. And something you don’t see everyday. Unless you are talking about a more standard one.



And you should not be the only one responsible for powering the boat. Slow down your paddling in a kayak? Or slowing down for a bit in a crowd of rowers - where it might not make a big difference.

Do you have excursions planned for the other ports? I’ve seen excursions listed for kayaking in other ports.

Sounds fun. Do you have other ports with whale watching? Visiting Icy Strait Point? Would seeing whales from the ship be enough?

 

[auntlynne]

Today, I updated my iPad screen with a photo I took in Auk Bay, when we did a photography emphasis whale watch + Mendenhall visit. I understand your friend’s desire to see whales.

 

[behappyJules]

June 2023 we did the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour. This was a canoe tour. There were 7 people in the canoe: two guides, myself, DH, DS(15), DD(13) and a friend of one of the guides. It can be booked through Disney, but we booked it through Alaska Shore Excursions for a cheaper price. The company that actually conducts the tours is called Liquid Alaska Tours. It was the absolute best day of our entire cruise (and we loved every minute of the cruise). The company has a fantastic safety record and goes above and beyond with top end equipment and even brought more snacks than we could possibly eat. The best part were the guides, Bryce and Alec. This was their passion and it showed. They were very knowledgeable about glaciers and nature in general, and were hilarious and kept us thoroughly entertained. I would do this tour over and over again if I had the money to cruise to Alaska every year.

Because the glacier is inland, you will not see whales, however.

 

[Wookiecookie]

If it’s not a combo tour of whale watching in Auk Bay and kayaking (or canoeing) on Lake Mendenhall, expect to see whales OR a glacier and waterfall.

If the canoeing and kayaking are at Mendenhall, you are in an inland lake (there may be a waterway to the Inner Passage, but I have never heard of whales coming up to the lake.

Those large capacity canoes look interesting. And something you don’t see everyday. Unless you are talking about a more standard one.

View attachment 879696

And you should not be the only one responsible for powering the boat. Slow down your paddling in a kayak? Or slowing down for a bit in a crowd of rowers - where it might not make a big difference.

Do you have excursions planned for the other ports? I’ve seen excursions listed for kayaking in other ports.

Sounds fun. Do you have other ports with whale watching? Visiting Icy Strait Point? Would seeing whales from the ship be enough?

I know I want to do an excursion but don’t know what and I don’t want to blow my wallet without reason (though it’s what Alaska excursions do). I guess a bit of exercise, part scenic, part whales, part not paying a gold brick.

 

[auntlynne]

I know I want to do an excursion but don’t know what and I don’t want to blow my wallet without reason (though it’s what Alaska excursions do). I guess a bit of exercise, part scenic, part whales, part not paying a gold brick.

One of the reasons I try to get a lower cruise fare - I want the excursions. We did most of the big ticket activities the first visit. On subsequent cruises, it seems we have scaled back.

As for canoe or kayak at Mendenhall - is it the actual kayaking that interests you? Or the venue being below at the base of a glacier? If it’s not the glacier but being in the AK setting, maybe another port?

Would you consider looking at a non-ship excursion? When I typed in kayak Skagway, this was the first website.

A lot of people go through Shore Excursions for activities. When I cruise, I will look at Viator/ TripAdvisor to see options. And have booked through Viator.

@behappyJules says she booked the canoe through Alaska Shore Excursions. People report booking activities with vendors and then being on the excursion with DCL guests (who paid ship experiences).




It is a big bit out of the wallet, but it can be less painful if you avoid planes, trains, and helicopters.

I have been to Mendenhall many times. It’s tradition for us. But I think one of its selling points is that it is accessible by land. You might come out ahead by renting a car and going there. Hike the trails. Pay the $5 access fee. Parking is free. If it’s the glacier that is your intended destination.

 

[auntlynne]

Mendenhall, 2012

See the SUP riders in photo #2? They look like dots between the ice floe and the glacier. I imagine that must be an amazing feeling to have the ice tower over you.





Mendenhall, 2021

The glacier is receding. One day, it may not even come down to the water. One of the reasons we go. It might be a reason others chose not to go.

 

[auntlynne]

My intent is not to pressure you into any specific decision. Just being in AK is a beautiful choice. But if you want suggestions, just ask.

 

[anricat]

We kayaked in Ketchikan with Southeast Sea Kayaks and it was amazing. We got to kayak right under the bow of the Wonder!

 

[jimmymc]

I couldn't find any excursion that does both kayaking or canoeing at Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching. There are plenty of tours that visit the glacier and go whale watching, and I also found one tour that kayaks in popular whale spots. I did the whale watching and rainforest trail, which includes a nice view of the glacier, and really enjoyed it.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

If it makes any difference, canoes tend to be more stable thank kayaks, or at least thats the sensation they give.. especially for larger people