Top 5 Haines Cruises: Find Your Perfect Sailing Tour

Haines, Alaska, is so much more than just another pretty face; it’s pretty close to a gateway to some seriously amazing adventures. And a day or two on the water is the perfect way to appreciate the gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife, and just generally get the feel of this Southeast Alaska gem. Are you into observing whales, ogling glaciers, or just enjoying a quiet sail along pristine waters? Haines really does offer it all. This guide is all about giving you a rundown of five of the absolute best cruises and sailing tours Haines has to offer, to help you choose the adventure that best floats your boat. Maybe you could call it a boat-load of information!

1. Chilkoot Lake Wildlife Viewing Tour

If you want to watch wildlife up close, you know, without being too close, the Chilkoot Lake Wildlife Viewing Tour is just a splendid option. So it’s almost like, this excursion tends to focus so heavily on getting you to where the animals happen to be, especially bears. I mean, the Chilkoot River, which feeds the lake, you see, happens to boast one of the largest sockeye salmon runs around. This, actually, you see, means bears aplenty, especially in the summertime. Tour operators usually take people out on boats, you see, giving pretty darn good viewpoints for spotting bears fishing along the riverbanks. Also, in that case, keep an eye out, you know, for other wildlife like eagles and various waterfowl. It really is, at the end of the day, a great option for those who happen to be super passionate about nature photography or are seriously keen to observe Alaskan wildlife in their native habitat. Are you looking for a front-row seat to see the cycle of life happen before your eyes? This may be the tour for you.

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2. Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

You know, this excursion to Glacier Point by way of catamaran offers what can only be described as a total sensory experience. So, it’s almost as if, getting to Glacier Point is arguably more than half the fun. I mean, the boat ride takes you so deep into the Alaskan wilderness, providing you with breathtaking views, obviously, of mountains, glaciers, and, as a matter of fact, some chances to peek at wildlife along the way. Anyway, once you reach Glacier Point, actually, you might want to prepare yourself for a fairly short, pretty easily traversed nature hike that, by the way, ends up leading to jaw-dropping views of Davidson Glacier. Literally, picture massive blue ice calving into the water – is that what you were thinking about, too? Anyway, you’re probably going to love this if you are really into beautiful, striking landscapes and maybe also light hiking. The guides really are, you see, quite knowledgable and tend to enrich the experience with insightful commentary regarding the area’s geology and wildlife.

Read our full review: Glacier Point Wilderness Safari Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Glacier Point Safari)

3. Haines by Sea: Small-Group Wildlife & History Tour

So, for a seriously intimate look at Haines’ gorgeous natural world mixed with a healthy scoop of its history, very few tours do a better job than the Haines by Sea: Small-Group Wildlife & History Tour. Basically, the boats on these trips are on the smaller side. You know, the thing that’s so interesting, right, it means a seriously personal experience for guests. Also, I mean, you are very likely going to cruise the shores in search of sea otters, seals, and, obviously, depending on the season, pretty majestic whales. And as a matter of fact, the guides often happen to be local experts, also, which enriches the experience with really good stories and historical facts regarding Haines and its storied background. Is it any wonder that bird watchers and history geeks seriously adore this kind of boat tour? Well, maybe.

Read our full review: Small-Group Wildlife & History Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Small-Group Wildlife Tour)

4. Whale Watching Tour from Haines

If observing humpback whales in their native setting seems like your jam, well, you might want to hop on a whale watching tour. So, whale watching tours leaving from Haines, literally, provide a once in a lifetime chance to actually observe these fascinating creatures while they happen to be feeding and frolicking in the waters around the Chilkat Inlet. I mean, skilled captains usually pilot these tours, which increases the chances of having an awesome viewing experience while teaching all passengers about the whales’ behavior, habitat, and literally everything relating to them. Did you know that this sort of tour really tends to appeal to animal lovers, obviously, or truly anyone who just flat out appreciates some the largest animals that happen to exist on this earth?

Read our full review: Whale Watching Tour from Haines Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Whale Watching Tour)

5. Private Sailing Charter in Haines

So, if what you are hoping for is a really unforgettable adventure that you can really control, then a private sailing charter is really where it is at. By the way, this choice tends to give you what might be termed a special sailing experience around Haines’ magnificent waters. Yet, it’s almost like, it might permit you to really tailor the schedule to match the unique interests of your own private party. Did you know that it really does not matter if that involves having a chance to go for a dip, viewing specific kinds of animals, or, for example, just enjoying the simple delight of sailing? You’re the captain now, as they say! This happens to be best suited to families, yet it’s almost like, maybe also groups of pals, or possibly couples who happen to be seriously looking to mark some momentous occasion. Just something about having the entire boat to yourself. So the experience will probably be more enjoyable this way. Read our full review: Private Sailing Charter in Haines Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Private Sailing Charter)