Active shore excusions
 

Can anyone recommend some independent shore excursions in Juneau, Skegway, and Ketchikan? We would like to whale watch, kayak, see the glaciers by helicopter and possibly dogsled. Anything else anyone had done that is fun please give suggestions. My kids are 19, 18, and 16 and we are pretty active.
Thanks!
Runrosie

Coastal Helicopters will coordinate with Captain Larry at Orca enterprises and you can do both whale watching and a glacier landing with dogsledding if your ship is in Juneau for long enough. Not cheap, but a great adventure. We arranged our own flightseeing in Ketchikan with SE Aviation (had a 2-for-1 coupon from the Toursaver book). In Skagway we did the White Pass train, using Regent's excursion. I'm sure you could do it on your own, but you might not save much. Also, Regent had its own car.

If you are interested in hiking, there are some apparently some great hikes in Skagway that I plan to do this summer.

You can get a map at the Park Service center in town and then head off - free 'excursion'!

I have also booked whale watching in Juneau with Harv and Marv (www.harvandmarvs.com, I think), which is highly recommended over at Cruise Critics. They can drop you off at Mendenhall Glacier for viewing and hiking.

In Ketchikan, I am thinking about kayaking with Southeast Sea Kayaks.

Just some thoughts.

We took the most amazing trip of our lifetimes in Juneau. We took a helicopter tour of the glaciers which actually landed on a glacier and then we took a dog sled excursions with dogs that had run the Iditorad (sp?). It was truly amazing! Pricey, but worth every penny and I would do it again anytime!

As already mentioned, Juneau is humpback whale watching, 100% sightings. :) I highly recommend Orca Enterprises, have been in business for years and run consistantly excellent tours. Co book this with Coastal helicopter or TEMSCO, so to avoid an hour in shuttle time.

Can also do helicopter flights out of Skagway with TEMSCO, book where you have the most time.


Kayak out of Ketchikan with Southeast Kayaks, also a long time vender with excellent run tours.