Departing from Skagway or Haines.
The trip begins with a 45-minute catamaran ride along the steep-walled fjords connecting Skagway to Haines. Over a dozen unnamed waterfalls drop hundreds of feet from the cliffsides on both sides of the boat. Learn about Tlingit culture, marvel at the scenery and look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds.
From August 1st to October, brown bear come down to the Chilkoot River to feed on spawning salmon. During these months, there are about 20-30 bears feeding on the river, with mama bear and her cubs coming out during the day, and the more skittish male bears feeding mostly at night. This is one of the best and most affordable bear watching opportunities in the state of Alaska!
Safety is our top priority, so you can be assured our local guides, with their ample experience in bear behavior and bear safety, will help you get the best opportunities while maintaining enough distance to not disrupt or disrespect the bears as they catch salmon, wrestle, chase one another and settle down for a nap after a long feed.
4 hours from Haines
6 hours from Skagway
2 person minimum
Call 877 766 3516 (toll free) or contact us via email for departure times and pricing
A Note from Joe
Why visit Haines with Rainbow Glacier Adventures? Haines is different. And Rainbow Glacier Adventures is unique.
Haines is a real Alaskan town with colorful characters, talented artists, pristine scenery, intact wildlife habitat and friendly local people. Haines is visited by one large cruise ship per week....many other towns have four or five big ships per day. Haines was listed by Outside Magazine and National Geographic Adventurer as one of the top towns in the United States to live and play. Haines has the most accessible bear-viewing in Southeast Alaska, and is famous for its huge population of Bald Eagles.
Haines is easily accessible from Skagway via a 45-minute catamaran ride. Many large cruise ships visit Skagway. Visiting Haines with Rainbow Glacier Adventures gives you a chance to break away from the crowds and experience a true Alaskan town with a tour company committed to high-quality, small group, educational travel. There are other small Alaskan towns not frequently visited by cruise ships. The problem is, they require tricky logistics or expensive arrangements to visit when on a cruise. Haines is easy to get to. Just call us and we'll make the arrangements.
Rainbow Glacier Adventures offers tours for discerning travelers. If you want to avoid the crowds and hype and enjoy a truly unique experience, give us a call. If your interest is art, natural history, the eclectic, or the remote, we have a tour for you. If you have a special interest like birding, photography, or adventure, let us know and we will arrange a custom package. You and your party will have the full attention of our professional guides-no crowds, no waiting, no rigid itinerary!
Believe me, I've traveled the world and Haines should not be missed. That's why I moved here twenty years ago and that's why I founded Rainbow Glacier Adventures.