Chilkoot Lake Kayaking - Departing From Skagway

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

We offer small group guided guided kayak trips on this pristine mountain lake near Haines, Alaska. Our guides all undergo rigorous in house safety training along with Wilderness First Aid training. In addition our guides have degrees and or in depth knowledge in Zoology, Biology and Natural history and live in the community of Haines. This gives our guides the unique ability to share with you not only the natural beauty of the area but the unique lifestyle we live here in this little fishing town of Haines, at the northern most point of the inside passage.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cildren must be accompanied by an adult

Minimum age 7 years

Maximum weight 250 pounds

Minimum of 4 guests to run tour

Maximum Height 6'8"

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

High Speed Catamaran Transfer Between Skagway and Haines

Port Pick Up

Local Guide

Driver/Guide

Guide Gratuities

What To Expect

Experience kayaking in a true naturalist’s paradise, Haines, Alaska. Begin with a seaside drive to Chilkoot Lake State Park. See important Tlingit cultural sites, a salmon-filled river, and a turquoise lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Watch for wildlife; bald eagles, brown bear, and migratory birds.Sea kayaking is easy to learn and your expert guide will show you the basics of paddling. Outfitted with the proper gear, you’ll soon be gliding silently along the shores of the lake. This pristine lake is uncrowded, and the scenery is spectacular. Huge waterfalls spill off the cliffs surrounding the lake, lush green forests crowd the shoreline, and wildlife abounds. In May, June and July, the wildflowers are at their peak and bald eagles are busy caring for their young on the nest. Beginning in July, sockeye salmon spawn in one of the clear streams. Eagle and bear are often attracted to this spot, and you’ll be able to view all the activity from your kayak. In August and September, the brown bear come down to the river’s edge to feed. Your guide will do their best to give you the bear-viewing opportunity of a lifetime, while keeping you and the bears safe.

Options

Chilkoot Lake Kayaking - Departing From Skagway

Reviews

4.67

9 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A Day We’ll Never Forget on Chilkoot Lake
L1043TCadamc,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My wife and I had an unforgettable kayaking experience on Chilkoot Lake. The weather was perfect—clear skies and calm waters—and we had the entire lake to ourselves, which made it feel truly magical. Our guide, Joe, was fantastic: friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the area. His insights added so much depth to the adventure. If you're looking for outdoor activities in Alaska, we highly recommend booking with SEAK Expeditions.
Beautiful morning on the lake
N2252NMalexf,
Aug 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a FANTASTIC morning with Joe. We got lucky, and it was a sunny day with just my wife and I attending, so Joe was able to give us all of his attention. Answered all our questions, gave us info we didn’t even know we needed, and had everything perfectly prepared for us. He let us set the pace as we paddled around the lake, got to know us a bit, and set a perfect tone the whole time. When we finished, he had a great snack spread for us, and gave us a little bit of a tour on the way back to the ferry. Couldn’t have asked for more.
Absolutely Gorgeous
Erin V,
Jun 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Alaska. The views were gorgeous and our guides, Sophie and Annie were super friendly and knowledgeable. There are bathrooms on site and we were picked up right at the ferry port. We saw tons of bald eagles and we were the only ones on the lake so it was quiet and serene. Could not recommend this tour enough.
Rough waters but had a great time!
450lorir,
May 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Our tour guides Kay, Erin, and Karly were fantastic! Josh and Jake were also helpful getting us out on the lake. It would have been a wonderful kayaking experience if it wasn't my first time. There was rough waters the day we went and being inexperience it was a lot harder for my husband and I to maneuver but Kay was helpful getting us out of the rough water and along the shore when we drifted out further on the lake. The food was fantastic at the end and was right off the shore where our ship was docked.
Great day on the water!
cynthiadP9021TI,
Aug 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a great small group tour. Joe was knowledgeable, balanced our group well despite differing experience levels, and made it a very fun day. The kayaking was peaceful in a stunning spot; it was a completely different experience being so close to the water. Highly recommend!
Joyful and interesting kayaking experience in Haines
139vytautasa,
Aug 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very well organised tour with comprehensive guiding through all adventure. Young lady guide (sorry don’t remember Her name) told us Haines history, showed best spots during bus transfer and kayaking experience was very interesting and fun.
Good but room for improvement! Didn't get picked up at the end :(
Christy G,
Jun 16, 2023
- Review from Viator
3.00
My girlfriend and I booked this excursion, and it was her "must do" while on our cruise to Alaska. She was excited the most to do this. It was good but definitely has some room for improvement! We got picked up on time and then took a short bus ride to get on the boat/ferry which was about 45-minute ride to the lake. Upon arriving at the lake there was a total of 6 of us on the kayak experience and we got a brief safety briefing (which as good) but we were offered no water or snack -didn't have any available which for the price for the excursion we paid I thought was poor!!!! It was the most expensive excursion we signed up even more so than whale watching and not sure why!!!! I mean what did we pay so much for? We put our kayaks in the water and did all the work. The guide didn't stay right with us he was often further ahead talking to the others. So it wasn't like we were getting history "talk/history" lesson. We did get to hike for a couple hours which was nice but again it was a nice sunny day and having the water would have been a nice perk. At the end, we got back on the bus and road back to the ferry drop off and NEVER got picked back up to take us to the cruise port. LUCKILY, we had time to walk it back otherwise then we would have been hustling since we waited around for a bit on our pickup. It was nice to do and experience as the mountains were beautiful but definitely needs some improvement!
Peaceful, beautiful and adventurous
J7927DKkennethb,
Jun 15, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jeff & Joe (our guides and drivers) were very professional and thorough throughout the day. We met up with them after a pleasant and scenic “fast ferry” ride to Haines. Starting with safety through equipment use and navigating the lake, they were super helpful. The lake itself (glacier fed) and surrounding area are spectacular and are within a state park. We were lucky enough to see a moose snacking at the shoreline and grabbed some good pictures. Bring bug spray since it is almost impossible to swat and paddle at times. I highly recommend this tour.
Fantastic experience!
renataskincare,
May 17, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Highly recommend this lovely adventure. Joe our guide and the SEAK owner was professional, kind and knowledgeable. Scenery very picturesque and serene. Activity level was relatively easy for active 60 old people. Thank you Joe!