Alaska and water adventures go hand in hand, whether you’re rafting through thrilling rapids near Denali National Park or kayaking among icebergs in front of tidewater glaciers. Alaska boasts some impressive superlatives when it comes to water: we are home to 34,000 miles of coastline – that’s more than the coastline of the rest of the United States combined – along with more than 3,000 rivers and 3 million lakes. That amounts to countless ways to experience Alaska by water, no matter which part of the state you are visiting. Here are the top water activities in Alaska:
Kayaking
Kayaking offers up-close views of scenery and wildlife in Alaska’s coastal regions, lakes, and rivers. Guided kayaking trips are available throughout the state, with popular spots including Seward / Kenai Fjords National Park, Eklutna Lake, Homer, Whittier, Valdez, Juneau, Sitka, and Gustavus / Glacier Bay National Park. Guided trips range from family-friendly half-day trips in protected waters to multi-day kayaking and camping trips. One of the most breathtaking experiences is kayaking among icebergs that have calved off the face of tidewater glaciers. Reaching these glaciers is all part of the fun, with guided tours combining water taxis or helicopter rides to reach your glacier paddling destination. For those with kayaking experience, outfitters also offer kayak rentals for self-guided trips.
Rafting & Packrafting
If you’re looking for a little more adrenaline on the water, join a guided rafting trip. Options are available for every experience and thrill-seeking level, from gentle floats to heart-pounding whitewater. Popular rafting destinations include the Nenana River near Denali National Park, the Six Mile near Hope, the Kenai River, the Matanuska River, the Talkeetna River, the Placer River near Portage, Mendenhall River in Juneau, the Taiya River in Skagway, and Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines. Guided multi-day rafting and packrafting trips are also available throughout the state and are one of the best ways to see some of Alaska’s more remote parks and public lands like Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve, and Gates of the Arctic National Park.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Whether you prefer cruising across a calm lake, protected bay, rushing river, or even an impossibly blue lake on the surface of a glacier, Alaska offers some of the most stunning stand-up paddleboarding in the world. Guided SUP tours are available primarily in the Southcentral region at Kenai Lake & on the Kenai River, Portage Creek, Bear Glacier Lagoon near Seward, and Prince William Sound near Whittier. Other popular self-guided paddleboarding destinations include Eklutna Lake, Kachemak Bay State Park near Homer, Mendenhall Lake in Juneau, and Chena River in Fairbanks. Outfitters near these top destinations offer SUP rentals and can provide intel on their favorite spots. For the ultimate SUP adventure, try Glacier Paddleboarding, where you fly to the surface of a glacier by helicopter and paddle on the blue glacial pools.
Fishing
Alaska is home to some of the best salmon and halibut fishing in the world. Saltwater fishing charters are available throughout coastal Alaska in the Southcentral, Inside Passage, and Southwest regions. These half-day to full-day fishing charters target single or multi-species and provide all the instruction and gear you need – and many will even fillet, freeze, and ship your catch home for you. Guided freshwater fishing trips are also popular throughout the entire state, including fly-out fishing trips to remote lakes or fishing on our world-famous rivers, targeting salmon, rainbow trout, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, and more. Learn more about the best places to go fishing in Alaska.
Day Cruises
Over a dozen species of whales inhabit Alaska’s ocean waters, many of which can be seen on day cruises in the Southcentral and Inside Passage regions. Humpback and orca whales are commonly seen, while other species including fin whales, minke whales, and gray whales are sometimes spotted. Day cruises run from a couple of hours to full-day, cruising by Alaska’s stunning coastal scenery and sometimes visiting tidewater glaciers. Sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and many species of seabirds are also commonly seen on these cruises. Popular day cruise destinations include Seward, Whittier, Valdez, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Hoonah / Icy Strait, Gustavus / Glacier Bay, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Skagway.
Jet Boat Tours
Jet boat tours allow you to quickly access Alaska’s backcountry on a thrilling day trip. These fast, nimble boats take you along Alaska’s rivers for sightseeing and wildlife viewing, sometimes stopping mid-trip for a short hike. You can experience exciting rapids, glacier-carved valleys, wildlife preserves, and non-stop scenery on these boat trips which usually last a few hours. River jet boat tours are available from Talkeetna, the Portage area, Wrangell, Copper Center, and Haines. For a unique whale watching experience, join a whale watching jet boat tour from Juneau.
Multi-Day Cruise or Ferry
If your goal is to maximize your time on Alaska’s waters, consider booking a multi-day Alaska cruise, small ship adventure cruise, or book a trip on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System. These trips cruise through Alaska’s coastal waterways in the Inside Passage, Southcentral, and sometimes Southwest regions, stopping at ports of call along the way. Marine wildlife, stunning scenery, and glaciers can be seen right from the ship, while daily kayaking, rafting, fishing, and small boat wildlife viewing shore excursions bring you closer to the water.
Unique Water Experiences
Alaska offers more than the standard water adventures, as well. Jet ski tours are available from the town of Whittier that take you to the face of tidewater glaciers in Prince William Sound. In Juneau, you can rent a private hot tub boat and enjoy a relaxing soak while taking in the 360 degree views. Snorkel tours in Sitka and Ketchikan bring you face-to-face with Alaska’s underwater world.
Alaska: AKA Your Next Adventure
Where will your Alaska adventure take you? Order our Official State of Alaska Vacation Planner and plot your course.