Davidson Glacier tour from Skagway: Boat, canoe & glacier hike

Paddle a glacial lake with the Davidson Glacier rising across the water

A six-hour guided tour from Skagway combining a 75-minute boat ride through North America's deepest fjord, a quarter-mile hike through forested moraines, and a canoe paddle on a pristine lake facing the Davidson Glacier. The boat journey passes through rain forest and fjord scenery with chances to spot whales, seals, bald eagles and waterfalls. Your naturalist guide narrates the route. At the glacier, you gear up in rubber boots and a life jacket, walk to the canoe, and paddle out on the lake with an optional hike across the delta for a closer approach to the glacier face. Lunch on the beach and return transport are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wilderness safari to Davidson Glacier

• Boat ride through fjords and rain forests
• Spot whales, seals, and waterfalls
• Arrive at Glacier Point beach
• Drive across forested glacial moraines
• Gear up with boots and life jacket
• Walk ¼ mile to glacier viewpoint
• Board canoe for lake trip
• View glacier and wilderness
• Optional hike on glacier delta
• Picnic lunch on the beach
• Return boat trip to start point

The experience

The tour starts with a 75-minute boat ride aboard a custom-designed vessel built for close viewing. You travel through North America's deepest fjord, passing rain forest and cascading waterfalls while your naturalist guide explains the landscape. Keep watch for whales, seals, bald eagles and mountain goats along the way. The boat delivers you to a remote beach at Glacier Point, where the real work begins.

From the beach, a short drive takes you across glacial moraines to the base camp. You'll put on rubber boots and a life jacket, then walk a quarter mile through forest until it opens onto the Davidson Glacier and the lake below. This is where you board a 31-foot voyager canoe. The paddle itself is the centerpiece: you're on the water facing the glacier, with your guide sharing knowledge of the area as conditions allow. If conditions permit, you can hike an optional half mile to a mile across sand and pebble beach on the delta for a closer look at the glacier face itself. After paddling back, you eat a picnic lunch on the beach before the return boat ride to Skagway.

The whole outing runs six hours door to door. You need to be at least 4 feet 10 inches tall, weigh between 50 and 350 pounds, and be comfortable hiking over natural terrain: the quarter-mile forest walk and optional delta hike are the physical demands. Children from age 7 are welcome. Bring layers: the boat and water exposure mean weather matters, and the guide will call the delta hike based on conditions on the day.

What’s included

• Boat ride through the fjord with a naturalist guide.
• canoe paddle on the glacial lake.
• rubber boots and life jacket.
• quarter-mile forest hike to the canoe.
• optional delta hike toward the glacier face.
• picnic lunch on the beach.
• return transport to Skagway.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 May 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (7 to 12 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by AlaskaX

Is this one for you?The tour involves a quarter-mile walk over natural terrain, a canoe paddle on open water, and optional hiking, so you need at least moderate fitness and comfort with water exposure. If you want to see the Davidson Glacier without a car rental or a full backcountry expedition, this combines boat access, paddling and a close view in a single morning or afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 12 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What wildlife might I see on the boat ride to Davidson Glacier?

The boat passes through fjords and rain forest where whales, seals, bald eagles, mountain goats and cascading waterfalls are common sightings. Your naturalist guide watches for them and explains what you're seeing as you travel.

How much hiking is involved in this tour?

You'll walk a quarter mile through forest from the beach to the base camp, then another quarter mile to reach the canoe on the glacial lake. An optional hike of half a mile to a mile across the delta toward the glacier face is available if conditions allow, but it's not required.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The delta hike, the closest approach to the glacier, is optional and conditions-dependent, so your guide will decide on the day whether it's safe. The boat ride and canoe paddle on the lake are the core of the tour and operate in most weather.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer or have paddling experience for the canoe?

No paddling experience is required. You'll wear a life jacket and paddle a 31-foot voyager canoe on a glacial lake with your guide. The paddle is moderate and the focus is on viewing the glacier, not technical skill.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the boat ride, canoe paddle, all gear (rubber boots and life jacket), the picnic lunch on the beach, and return transport to Skagway. Everything is included in your booking.