Stepping onto an Alaska‑bound cruise ship, I felt a giddy flutter reminiscent of my first runway assignment—anticipation, a dash of nerves and an overwhelming desire to soak in every detail.
Alaska is a place that steals your breath in the best way: the air is tinged with spruce and salt, glaciers glow an ethereal blue and bald eagles swoop over fjords like kings surveying their kingdom.
After sailing these waters multiple times, I’ve discovered that the real magic lies in the excursions beyond the gangway. Each tour is a brush stroke in a wild masterpiece—whether you’re hiking across an icy glacier, floating beneath towering granite walls or flying above the world’s tallest peak.
In this post I share my ten favourite excursions in Alaska, written from my own adventures with an eye for the sensory detail that makes Alaska unforgettable.
Before You Go
Cruising Alaska demands layers—physically and metaphorically. Temperatures can shift from balmy to bracing, so pack breathable layers, waterproof gear, sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Many excursions involve small aircraft or boats; make reservations early and arrive on time with government‑issued ID. Most importantly, bring your curiosity: the state’s wildlife and landscapes reward travellers who slow down to look and listen.
Best Excursions On Alaskan Cruise
1. Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau) — Walk, Paddle or Fly
Mendenhall Glacier was my first close‑up encounter with ice on a grand scale, and it remains a must‑do. This 13‑mile river of ancient ice tumbles 4,500 feet from the Juneau Icefield to a milky lake, calving bergs into the water and painting the lake with floating sculptures.
Unlike many glaciers, Mendenhall is accessible by road—an easy shuttle or bus ride from downtown Juneau—which makes it perfect for cruise passengers looking to maximize their time.
The visitor centre has museum‑quality exhibits about glacier dynamics and a wrap‑around viewing deck, but my favourite memories involve getting into the landscape: strolling the short Photo Point trail with wind whispering through cottonwood trees, taking the longer East Glacier loop through dripping rainforest, or paddling a canoe across the lake past icebergs toward the glacier’s face.
On one outing I donned crampons, boarded a helicopter and landed on the glacier itself; stepping onto that luminous blue ice felt like visiting another planet. Tours range from mellow raft trips to strenuous guided ice treks, so choose what thrills you most and book early.
Dress in layers and pack waterproof boots, a hat and gloves—glacial breezes can chill even on sunny days. Many companies combine the glacier with whale watching; this Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Watching combo tour is one of my favourite shore‑excursion pairings.
2. Tracy Arm Fjord — Glacier Cruising at Its Most Dramatic
Sailing into Tracy Arm is like entering a cathedral carved by ice. Sheer granite walls soar thousands of feet above deep jade waters, waterfalls pour down mossy cliffs and the twin Sawyer Glaciers loom at the fjord’s head. These tidewater glaciers are half a mile wide; when great chunks calve, they fall with a crack and roar that reverberates through the fjord.
Wildlife is everywhere: seals lounge on ice floes, mountain goats cling to crags, and if you’re lucky you might spot black bears foraging along the shore or whales cruising past the fjord entrance.
I recommend booking a purpose‑built small‑ship cruise such as Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Glacier Explorer for an 8.5‑hour adventure.
You’ll sip hot coffee, bundle up in provided blankets and photograph icebergs shimmering like Tiffany jewels. Bring binoculars for birdwatching—the fjord hosts pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes and arctic terns—and pack extra memory cards; the landscapes beg to be captured. Layers, waterproof outerwear and non‑slip shoes are essential for deck roaming.
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3. Denali National Park & Preserve — Into the Heart of the Wilderness
A land of extremes and superlatives, Denali National Park spans six million acres—from lowland taiga to alpine tundra and glaciated peaks crowned by North America’s tallest mountain. With only one road, most visitors explore by shuttle or narrated bus tour, watching forest give way to tundra as they climb toward the Alaska Range.
Denali’s wildlife roams unfenced; seeing caribou marching across the tundra, a grizzly bear grazing on soapberries or Dall sheep silhouetted against the sky gives me goosebumps every time. On clear days, the 20,310‑foot Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) dominates the horizon, its snow‑smoothed summit gleaming above miles of ridgelines.
Consider spending two nights near the park to join a tundra wilderness bus tour, hike or bike a section of the road, or try flightseeing for a bird’s‑eye view; road construction often restricts vehicle access to the first 43 miles.
Bring rain gear, bug spray, sturdy shoes and patience—wildlife sightings require quiet observation. And if the mountain is “out” (visible), savour the moment; Denali often hides behind its own weather.
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4. Whale Watching — Juneau & Icy Strait Point
Alaska’s nutrient‑rich waters host some of the planet’s most thrilling marine spectacles. In Icy Strait Point, humpback whales and orcas migrate through May–September, feasting on schools of herring and bringing their calves to sheltered inlets.
Guided boat tours equip hydrophones so you can hear whales’ haunting songs; captains follow strict wildlife‑viewing guidelines to minimise disturbance. I’ll never forget standing on deck as a humpback breached in slow motion, waterfall spray sparkling in the sun.
Juneau’s whale‑watching scene is equally rewarding: tours depart from Auke Bay for 2–3 hours of scanning for humpbacks and orcas, with bald eagles soaring overhead and sea lions basking on buoys. Some operators combine whale watching with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier for a full day of marine and ice exploration.
Dress in layers (including waterproof jackets), wear non‑slip shoes and bring a hat and gloves even in summer; the breeze off the water is brisk. Pack your camera and accept the offered binoculars—some tours provide them. For a reliable option, consider Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier.
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5. Dog Sledding on a Glacier (Helicopter Tour)
If you’ve ever dreamed of mushing across snow behind a team of huskies, Alaska turns that dream into reality. I booked a helicopter excursion from Skagway that lifted us high over emerald valleys to the Denver Glacier, where a summer dog camp hums with the excited barks of Alaskan sled dogs.
After landing on the snowfield, we met seasoned mushers and learned about the history of dog sledding before harnessing our energetic dogs for a spin around the glacier. Gliding across pristine snow with 300 dogs yelping in harmony and the helicopter a tiny speck above was surreal.
Between runs I cuddled with fluffy puppies—a highlight for any animal lover. Dress warmly in layers, with sunglasses to cut the snow glare and waterproof boots; tour operators provide glacier boots and windproof jackets but you’ll want a hat, gloves and camera.
Note that weight restrictions apply and prices are steep (around $600 per person plus surcharges), but the once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience is worth the splurge. TEMSCO Helicopters runs reputable tours.
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6. White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (Skagway)
Skagway’s narrow‑gauge railway is more than a scenic ride; it’s a living relic of Gold Rush history. Built by 30,000 workers during the 1898 Klondike frenzy, the 110‑mile White Pass & Yukon Route climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles, hugging cliffs and crossing trestles that once transported stampeders and their supplies.
Today you can board vintage coaches for the 2.5‑ to 3‑hour White Pass Summit excursion, which winds past Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch while a narrator recounts tales of perseverance and tragedy. I leaned out the open‑air platform to feel the wind and imagined the hardship of pioneers trudging up the “Trail of ’98.”
Longer options such as the Bennett Scenic Journey stop at Lake Bennett, the historic ghost town that served as a staging area for prospectors. Wear layers and bring a light jacket even in summer—the mountain air can be chilly.
Pair the railway with a stroll through Skagway’s historic district, or book a combination tour like White Pass Summit & Yukon Discovery (also available on Viator)for a full day of northern adventure.
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7. Glacier Bay National Park Cruise
Glacier Bay is the crown jewel of the Inside Passage: a 3.3‑million‑acre wilderness of soaring peaks, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest and fjords. As our ship entered the bay, park rangers boarded to narrate the geology and indigenous Tlingit history.
We floated past towering glaciers such as Margerie and Johns Hopkins, where harbor seals hauled out on icebergs and brown bears prowled the shoreline. The Grand Pacific Glacier, once filling the entire bay, now appears as a dark, moraine‑covered ribbon—a stark reminder of the bay’s rebirth since the Little Ice Age.
Together with adjacent parks, Glacier Bay forms part of a 24‑million‑acre World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife including mountain goats, moose, whales and over 200 bird species. Cruise ships offer a unique perch for watching glaciers calve, but only one day tour—the eight‑hour narrated catamaran—lets you get close to the tidewater glaciers; bookings are limited so reserve early.
Dress warmly, wear sunscreen (the glare off the ice is intense) and bring a telephoto lens if you have one. This is pure wilderness immersion without leaving your ship.
8. Kayaking in Ketchikan — Rainforest Shorelines & Wildlife
Imagine paddling a tandem kayak along a still cove, rainforest canopy reflected in water so clear you can see starfish clinging to rocks. The Ketchikan Kayak Eco Tour explores the sheltered islands around Knudson Cove/Clover Pass, far from cruise crowds and noisy roads.
On my excursion we glided past granite outcrops draped in moss, watching bald eagles snatch fish from the surface while curious harbor seals popped up nearby. Our guides shared stories about Tlingit culture and pointed out jellyfish pulsing beneath our hull.
Tours provide all gear—stable tandem kayaks, rain jackets, pants and dry bags—and include a smoked salmon snack served on a rocky beach. Dress in layers of fleece, wool or technical fabrics and avoid cotton; even on sunny days, the breeze off the water can be cool.
Hats, gloves and sunglasses may be necessary, and bring a camera in a waterproof case. Height restrictions apply, but there is no weight limit as long as you can fit into the spray skirt. It’s a peaceful, muscle‑powered way to immerse yourself in Alaska’s rainforest. For a convenient booking, try Ketchikan Kayak Eco Tour.
9. Bear Viewing Excursions — Katmai & Lake Clark
Watching brown bears fish for salmon at Brooks Falls is a life‑affirming experience. Katmai National Park’s Brooks Falls is famous for its bears bulking up for winter by catching sockeye salmon leaping up the falls.
You can visit on a day trip from Anchorage or Homer, flying by plane and floatplane to Brooks Camp; once there, you’ll be escorted to boardwalks and viewing platforms to safely watch bears scramble over rocks, spar for prime fishing spots and devour salmon mid‑air.
Some operators, like Alaska Air Service and Brooks Lodge, provide professional guides and orientation sessions. July is the prime viewing month, though bears are present from mid‑spring to mid‑fall and as many as 50 bears may fish at the falls at once.
Be prepared for variable weather, bring waterproof layers, binoculars and insect repellent, and follow all ranger instructions—this is true wilderness and your safety depends on respecting bear etiquette.
Tours are expensive (often over $1,000 per person) and sell out months in advance; I recommend booking early with a reputable operator like Brooks Falls Bear Viewing or Trail Ridge Air.
For a closer port excursion, some cruise lines offer bear‑viewing trips to nearby locations such as Neets Bay near Ketchikan, where a flightseeing floatplane takes you to a salmon creek to observe black bears from a viewing platform; check your itinerary for options and always prioritize wildlife welfare.
10. Ziplining Through Alaska’s Rainforests — Ketchikan & Icy Strait Point
Alaska’s rainforests aren’t just for strolling; they’re for soaring. In Ketchikan the Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Adventure whisks you to a chalet high in the Tongass National Forest and sends you gliding across eight zip lines, navigating suspension bridges and rappelling down to the forest floor while keeping an eye out for wildlife.
At the end of the course, you can explore a totem park, historic sawmill and blacksmith shop. Safety gear, transportation and instruction are included, but participants must weigh between 70 and 250 pounds, be at least 57 inches tall and wear closed‑toe shoes; long pants and layered clothing are recommended. This tour sells out quickly, so reserve early via Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Adventure.
For an even bigger adrenaline rush, head to Icy Strait Point’s World’s Largest ZipRider, which begins with a scenic gondola ride overlooking the bay and Glacier Bay National Park. After a safety briefing, you’re harnessed in and launch down a 5,495‑foot cable—higher than the Empire State Building—with speeds reaching 60 mph.
Six side‑by‑side cables allow you and your friends to race down a 25 % grade, watching the rainforest blur below before the ride’s gentle braking system stops you at sea level. Weight restrictions (75–275 pounds) and height restrictions apply, and this tour isn’t suitable for expectant mothers or guests with neck or back injuries.
Reserve your slot through your cruise line or the Icy Strait Point website and prepare for one of the most exhilarating minutes of your trip.
An Alaskan cruise is the ultimate study in contrasts: icy glaciers juxtaposed with steamy rainforests, quiet kayaking followed by adrenaline‑pumping zip lines, and the humbling presence of wildlife at every turn.
In selecting my favourite excursions, I sought out experiences that immerse you in Alaska’s landscapes and culture.
Whether you’re tracing Gold Rush history on the White Pass Railway or flying over Denali’s snowy flanks, each adventure offers a story you’ll tell for years. Just remember: Alaska rewards those who venture beyond the ship’s buffet line—pack your layers, embrace the unexpected and let this wild land work its spell.
