Half-Day Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Float Tour
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
The world-famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve boasts the largest gathering of bald eagles anywhere in the world! Your adventure begins with a spectacular drive along the National Scenic Byway through the awe-inspiring Chilkat Valley to the heart of the preserve. After a riverside picnic you will board 18-foot inflatable rafts and enjoy a peaceful float (no whitewater) down this ever-changing river.
Watch for eagles, bears, moose, and wolves who frequent the preserve to feed on the plentiful spawning salmon. With 7,000-foot-tall peaks towering above as you drift through picturesque landscapes, floating down the river is the best way to take in the grandeur of Alaska.
After your river trip, enjoy homemade cookies and hot and cold drinks by riverbank before boarding your bus back to Haines.
This is an unforgettable adventure into the wilderness of Alaska!
**Wildlife sightings not a guarantee**
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
100% Refund will be provided if cancelled before 14 days of tour departure date
50% Refund will be provided if cancelled 14 days to 4 days prior to departure time
No Refunds will be provided if cancelled within 96 hours of tour departure time
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Rubber boots
Professional guide
Driver/guide
Lunch
Beverages
Rain ponchos if necessary
PFD (personal flotation device)
Gratuities
What To Expect
Haines
Enjoy the simplicity and beauty of small-town Haines on your way to your rafting adventure. Along the way, your guides will regale you with local natural history, geology, and Gold Rush tales as they point out snow-capped peaks, thick timber forests, and the abundant wildlife.
Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark
Check out Fort Seward (Alaska's first Army post) on your way through Haines to begin your rafting adventure. Check out the historic structures that were formerly Army barracks stacked next to the picturesque Port Chilkoot overlooking the Lynn Canal.
Options
Departure Times
Varies: This tour's departure time will depend on date availability. Please reach out to us to receive departure time. Thank you!
Reviews
33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience!
Nicholas S,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Absolutely incredible experience we won’t forget, great and skilled guides, lost count of how many eagles we saw! I would absolutely love to do this again. My only criticism and the reason for not giving 5 stars is because the meeting point was moved and nobody told us. We were waiting at the listed meeting point and if we hadn’t tried our luck and asked around because no one had shown, we may have missed the trip altogether.
Excellent tour with the best guides (Wylie Betz and Lily)
Mobile33848909059,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were ferried to the preserve location, then bussed to the Chilkat River edge, then easily alighted our small (6-8 person) raft. All the rowing was expertly and delightfully done by Lily, as she narrated with her absolute love of this place. She was as excited as we were to spot literally dozens of bald eagles, some quite close. A small lunch welcomed us back to shore before we bussed back to our ferry. Wylie shared his passion for this place and the necessity of its preservation ecologically.
Wylie the River Legend is a Treat& so are the Eagles!
Christy O,
Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Today hubby & I floated the Haines Eagle Preserve on the Chilkat River with our most excellent guide & a river legend to us, Wylie Betz! Not only did Wylie serve up a splendid sunny afternoon for our float but he made the miles down stretches of beautiful scenery very memorable with his knowledge of the area, his quick wit & his obvious passion for his job though I do see him one day becoming mayor of town to contribute even more to his community as a good deed doer & devoted steward of the waters he maneuvers magically in his happy place. Don’t miss a chance to ride with Wylie, spy the eagles & be in awe at the size of their nest & the beauty of their home! Thank you Wylie & Kevin (our bus driver) for a super sensational day down by the river!
Outstanding Day on the River with Lilly and Wiley - Sooo Many Eagles!
D7255TEjohnn,
Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We got to spend an amazing few hours on the river with Lilly, Wiley, and Daniel…plus we saw 20+ Bald Eagles! These guides are not only expert rafters, but it’s obvious they love what they do. And so knowledgeable about the birds, the surrounding landscape, and especially the river. We learned so much and had a wonderful time - 6 stars for the guides, the river, and of course, all the eagles!
You cancelled this on us ...
Barbara H,
Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00You cancelled this on us so we never went don’t understand why you are sending this to us. You said our ship wouldn’t be there on time.
A+ Rafting Adventure
Parrothead1970,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome time. Repeat customers. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Jack Meadows was our rafting guide and Sven was our group leader and they were awesome. Great team of people around them too. We loved it. Thank you all!
Beautiful views in the middle of mountains.
A7745IXolivias,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend! Not much more of a breath taking view than this! We saw a ton of eagles! Our guide Noah worked his butt off and gave us a great experience. Our bus driver Alex was great as well as Wiley!
Great experience. Peaceful, beautiful trip.
janicebQ6114CS,
Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the highlights of our trip to Alaska. The setting was so peaceful and beautiful. I was prepared to get wet, but didn't need to worry about that. We did have to step out of the raft a couple of times to get it unstuck from the silt on the bottom of the river, but that was easily done. They give you boots to wear, plus a life jacket. Wear a hat or sunglasses, and sunscreen, and dress in layers. Once we were back on land I needed to take off my sweatshirt and a long sleeved tee was perfect. We saw many eagles, and just really enjoyed the whole excursion. After the rafting they provide a modest lunch. The guides were fun and informative, and we could tell they love what they do.
Excellent rafting adventure
A1489NUkimm,
Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing raft trip. The guides Wiley and Jacob were so informative and fun. Our bus driver Alex was excellent. Would definitely recommend this tour
Great rafting trip - eagles and scenery
T2939HMkellyh,
Jun 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The raft tour was fun and beautiful. Saw a few bald eagles but it was pretty early in the season to see too much wildlife. Noah was my raft guide and he was awesome (and cute!). He was friendly, knowledgeable and easy to chat with. And strong! These guides work hard to give you a great trip. When we had a bald eagle close to us he kept the raft as long as he could around the bird so we could all get a good look. I highly recommend these guys! Dylan was great (and cute) too! 😊
From $169.79
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Operated by Alaska Mountain Guides Adventures, inc. Chilkat Guides Ltd