Haines Wilderness Odyssey By Jet Boat (Skagway Departure)
Offered by Chilkat River Adventures In Haines, Alaska
: $
About us
It is the mission of Chilkat River Adventures, Inc. to serve our guests with the best Alaskan Wilderness Experience that we possibly can. We will train our staff to always think of safety first while being courteous, friendly, helpful, and informative to our guests while showing them the true wilderness that they expect to see, we often see Moose, Bear, Bald Eagles, Swans, and Salmon. We will strive to perform at the travel industry's highest standards and either meet or exceed those standards at all times.
Chilkat River Adventures, Inc. is owned and operated by Don "Duck" and Karen Hess
Duck and Karen started their jet boat tour company in 1991, with one boat and they worked solely with independents. In 1994 they began working with the cruise lines, allowing them to expand their business and build 2 more boats. In 1996 Duck and Karen purchased 3.2 acres in the middle of the Bald Eagle Preserve, giving them the opportunity to build the infrastructure to service the guests. Since 1996, Duck and Karen have continued to invest in the company for the comfort of their guests. This is truly a "Mom and Pop" operation and both Duck and Karen work seven days a week in the summer months to make certain that their company and staff are always up to the standards they have set.
Our Boats:
Our boats are specially designed and built specifically for traversing shallow water. The Chilkat River is glacial fed and has a great deal of silt moving in it in the summer months. This is created from the warm weather causing the glaciers to melt that feed the Chilkat River. Duck Hess designed the boats based on his experience and knowledge of this particular river system. There are 4 boats in the fleet, all flat bottom, with comfortable cushioned, bench seating. The Chilkat River has many different channels, which gives the description of a braided river system. This gives River Adventures the flexibility to explore different channels without seeing the other boats that are on the tour. The aerial photo of the Chilkat River gives you a good idea of why it is called a braided river.
The boats are powered by four-stroke, Yamaha outboard motors. The four-stroke motors are much quieter than the two-stroke’s and more eco-friendly and economical to operate. The term “jet boat” is common in Alaska and it is nothing like other jet boats that people are familiar with. These outboard motors have an impeller, instead of a propeller, all encased in aluminum, and the water is pulled up through the intake, then shoots out the back, which propels the boat. This is the same concept as a jet ski.
The animals and eagles are used to the boats and often will stand and watch as the guests get that great photo opportunity.
Chilkat River Adventures, Inc. is owned and operated by Don "Duck" and Karen Hess
Duck and Karen started their jet boat tour company in 1991, with one boat and they worked solely with independents. In 1994 they began working with the cruise lines, allowing them to expand their business and build 2 more boats. In 1996 Duck and Karen purchased 3.2 acres in the middle of the Bald Eagle Preserve, giving them the opportunity to build the infrastructure to service the guests. Since 1996, Duck and Karen have continued to invest in the company for the comfort of their guests. This is truly a "Mom and Pop" operation and both Duck and Karen work seven days a week in the summer months to make certain that their company and staff are always up to the standards they have set.
Our Boats:
Our boats are specially designed and built specifically for traversing shallow water. The Chilkat River is glacial fed and has a great deal of silt moving in it in the summer months. This is created from the warm weather causing the glaciers to melt that feed the Chilkat River. Duck Hess designed the boats based on his experience and knowledge of this particular river system. There are 4 boats in the fleet, all flat bottom, with comfortable cushioned, bench seating. The Chilkat River has many different channels, which gives the description of a braided river system. This gives River Adventures the flexibility to explore different channels without seeing the other boats that are on the tour. The aerial photo of the Chilkat River gives you a good idea of why it is called a braided river.
The boats are powered by four-stroke, Yamaha outboard motors. The four-stroke motors are much quieter than the two-stroke’s and more eco-friendly and economical to operate. The term “jet boat” is common in Alaska and it is nothing like other jet boats that people are familiar with. These outboard motors have an impeller, instead of a propeller, all encased in aluminum, and the water is pulled up through the intake, then shoots out the back, which propels the boat. This is the same concept as a jet ski.
The animals and eagles are used to the boats and often will stand and watch as the guests get that great photo opportunity.
What we'll do
A truly unique way to explore!
Explore the tributaries of the Chilkat River by Jet Boat. Expert captains are adept at spotting wildlife along the way, and the jet boats provide a great platform for photography!
Your tour begins as you board a high-speed catamaran for a scenic 45-minute cruise along North America’s longest and deepest fjord to Haines. Along the way, you’ll witness spectacular views of waterfalls and ice-sculpted peaks as your guide points out marine wildlife along the fjord. Upon arrival in Haines, board a bus for a 30-minute ride on the Haines Scenic Byway into the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to the river dock. On your narrated drive you will enjoy stories of the history of the valley. Where the road ends, the real Alaska begins and so does your adventure. Board your boat and part company with civilization. During your time on the Chilkat River, traverse many different channels and travel at least 20 miles into the wilderness. Your vessel is specially designed for navigation on this silt-laden river which is the only access to a remote, roadless portion of the preserve. Your open-topped boat allows you to view and photograph the majestic scenery and animals seen in an unhindered fashion. Warm outerwear and blankets will be provided. The staff is friendly and welcoming and will entertain you with tales of their backcountry lifestyle and some “real Alaska” stories. View bald eagles and their massive nests in their natural habitat.
The preserve has the best moose habitat in the valley and although there are no guarantees, the chances of spotting moose and bears are very good. Have your cameras ready in case the wildlife provides a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. After returning to the dock, you’ll enjoy a riverside picnic. Your tour concludes with a return cruise aboard the catamaran back to Skagway. With Haines behind you, you leave with a myriad of unforgettable memories. Note: We can accommodate dietary restrictions with a minimum of 48 hours of advanced notice, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergies, etc.
Itinerary:
30 min: Sign waivers, learn about tours, and walk down to a small boat harbor to catch the fast ferry.
45 min: Your friendly tour dock representative will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. We will provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion and get you ready to board the ferry to Haines. We’ll help you board the comfortable ferry for the 45-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines.
45min: Upon arrival in Haines, restrooms will be available and you’ll meet your guide and driver for a breathtaking drive up the Haines Scenic Byway to the jet boat launch.
40 min: When you arrive at the boat launch you’ll meet up with the boat captain and swap out your shoes for rubber river boots. Your captain will provide you with a thorough safety briefing and you’ll don a PFD before boarding one of four boats docked at the launch.
*90 min: You’ll spend the next 90 minutes exploring different channels along the Chilkat River via jet boat.
30 min: Upon arrival back at the boat launch you’ll enjoy a sack lunch and refreshments.
30 min: A short drive back down the Haines Scenic Byway will bring you to the ferry for your comfortable and scenic ride back to Skagway.
10 min: Arrive boat dock in Haines to board the boat to Skagway.
45 min: Scenic boat ride back to Skagway at the end of the excursion.
20 min: Depart from the ferry and head to your boat.
Explore the tributaries of the Chilkat River by Jet Boat. Expert captains are adept at spotting wildlife along the way, and the jet boats provide a great platform for photography!
Your tour begins as you board a high-speed catamaran for a scenic 45-minute cruise along North America’s longest and deepest fjord to Haines. Along the way, you’ll witness spectacular views of waterfalls and ice-sculpted peaks as your guide points out marine wildlife along the fjord. Upon arrival in Haines, board a bus for a 30-minute ride on the Haines Scenic Byway into the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to the river dock. On your narrated drive you will enjoy stories of the history of the valley. Where the road ends, the real Alaska begins and so does your adventure. Board your boat and part company with civilization. During your time on the Chilkat River, traverse many different channels and travel at least 20 miles into the wilderness. Your vessel is specially designed for navigation on this silt-laden river which is the only access to a remote, roadless portion of the preserve. Your open-topped boat allows you to view and photograph the majestic scenery and animals seen in an unhindered fashion. Warm outerwear and blankets will be provided. The staff is friendly and welcoming and will entertain you with tales of their backcountry lifestyle and some “real Alaska” stories. View bald eagles and their massive nests in their natural habitat.
The preserve has the best moose habitat in the valley and although there are no guarantees, the chances of spotting moose and bears are very good. Have your cameras ready in case the wildlife provides a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. After returning to the dock, you’ll enjoy a riverside picnic. Your tour concludes with a return cruise aboard the catamaran back to Skagway. With Haines behind you, you leave with a myriad of unforgettable memories. Note: We can accommodate dietary restrictions with a minimum of 48 hours of advanced notice, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergies, etc.
Itinerary:
30 min: Sign waivers, learn about tours, and walk down to a small boat harbor to catch the fast ferry.
45 min: Your friendly tour dock representative will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. We will provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion and get you ready to board the ferry to Haines. We’ll help you board the comfortable ferry for the 45-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines.
45min: Upon arrival in Haines, restrooms will be available and you’ll meet your guide and driver for a breathtaking drive up the Haines Scenic Byway to the jet boat launch.
40 min: When you arrive at the boat launch you’ll meet up with the boat captain and swap out your shoes for rubber river boots. Your captain will provide you with a thorough safety briefing and you’ll don a PFD before boarding one of four boats docked at the launch.
*90 min: You’ll spend the next 90 minutes exploring different channels along the Chilkat River via jet boat.
30 min: Upon arrival back at the boat launch you’ll enjoy a sack lunch and refreshments.
30 min: A short drive back down the Haines Scenic Byway will bring you to the ferry for your comfortable and scenic ride back to Skagway.
10 min: Arrive boat dock in Haines to board the boat to Skagway.
45 min: Scenic boat ride back to Skagway at the end of the excursion.
20 min: Depart from the ferry and head to your boat.
What to expect / what's provided
*Duration: 6.5 Hours
*More Info:
- Activity level: Easy (Guests must be able to walk over loose gravel and dry river delta to board the jet boat)
- Ages 7+
- Max. Weight: 350 lbs.
- Picnic-style lunch provided
- Provided equipment: Life jackets, rubber boots, and outerwear in case of inclement weather
- Recommended clothing: Layers for warmth, rain gear, and an extra pair of socks
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Medical restrictions: This is a physical activity and it is the guest’s responsibility to determine if they are physically and mentally able to participate in the activity - pertinent medical conditions must be disclosed to the guide. No expectant mothers past 20 weeks.
- Restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour, on the ferry during your travel to Haines, and restrooms at the start/finish of your jet boat tour
- There will be no whitewater or rapids during the tour
- Liability Waiver Required
*More Info:
- Activity level: Easy (Guests must be able to walk over loose gravel and dry river delta to board the jet boat)
- Ages 7+
- Max. Weight: 350 lbs.
- Picnic-style lunch provided
- Provided equipment: Life jackets, rubber boots, and outerwear in case of inclement weather
- Recommended clothing: Layers for warmth, rain gear, and an extra pair of socks
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Medical restrictions: This is a physical activity and it is the guest’s responsibility to determine if they are physically and mentally able to participate in the activity - pertinent medical conditions must be disclosed to the guide. No expectant mothers past 20 weeks.
- Restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour, on the ferry during your travel to Haines, and restrooms at the start/finish of your jet boat tour
- There will be no whitewater or rapids during the tour
- Liability Waiver Required
Cancellation Policy
48 hour notice: full refund
24-47 hour notice: 50% refund
0-23 hour notice: NO Refund
24-47 hour notice: 50% refund
0-23 hour notice: NO Refund
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