Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure
Offered by Ocean Raft Alaska In Skagway, Alaska
: $
About us
Ocean Raft Alaska was founded in 2010 by three Alaskan friends who love the ocean and the great outdoors. While living in the neighboring town of Haines, they would often take their 20ft skiff to Skagway: exploring the Fjord and visiting friends. It was quickly realized that this stretch of water was special and they thought it would be a great opportunity to show off this amazing fjord to visitors.
We, at Ocean Raft, love the rugged wilderness of Southeast Alaska. As Alaskans, we appreciate the raw un-spoiled beauty of our backyard and truly enjoy showing this off to our guests. Every day we get to enjoy wildlife viewing in their natural habitat, admire massive waterfalls at an arms-length away and marvel at the glaciers and mountains that surround us. Our Captains and Naturalists love to convey how lucky they are to live in such an awe-inspiring region.
After years of exploring this spectacular landscape, with locals and visitors alike, our mission remains the same: to share with you our genuine love for this remarkable place and leave you with a smile on your face.
We, at Ocean Raft, love the rugged wilderness of Southeast Alaska. As Alaskans, we appreciate the raw un-spoiled beauty of our backyard and truly enjoy showing this off to our guests. Every day we get to enjoy wildlife viewing in their natural habitat, admire massive waterfalls at an arms-length away and marvel at the glaciers and mountains that surround us. Our Captains and Naturalists love to convey how lucky they are to live in such an awe-inspiring region.
After years of exploring this spectacular landscape, with locals and visitors alike, our mission remains the same: to share with you our genuine love for this remarkable place and leave you with a smile on your face.
What we'll do
Join us on our adventure boat ride through the Lynn Canal where we hug the shoreline while exploring hidden coves, waterfalls, rocky beaches, wildlife, and MORE!
On this fun-filled, two-hour adventure your captain will make multiple stops for photo opportunities and wildlife sightings. Occasionally, they will turn the engines off to give you the ability to take in the sights and sounds that make up our home here in the wilderness of Southeast Alaska.
This intimate thrill ride is designed to get you edging between mountain and ocean in our custom-built ribs. Climb aboard a raft styled identically to the boats that the US Coast Guard and Navy Seals use for search and rescue. With its deep hull, surrounded by inflatable tubes, our boats are designed to deliver a comfortable ride in any ocean condition.
You will straddle our custom-made, shock-absorbing seats as we race by the steep granite walls of the only Fjord in North America.
On this fun-filled, two-hour adventure your captain will make multiple stops for photo opportunities and wildlife sightings. Occasionally, they will turn the engines off to give you the ability to take in the sights and sounds that make up our home here in the wilderness of Southeast Alaska.
This intimate thrill ride is designed to get you edging between mountain and ocean in our custom-built ribs. Climb aboard a raft styled identically to the boats that the US Coast Guard and Navy Seals use for search and rescue. With its deep hull, surrounded by inflatable tubes, our boats are designed to deliver a comfortable ride in any ocean condition.
You will straddle our custom-made, shock-absorbing seats as we race by the steep granite walls of the only Fjord in North America.
What to expect / what's provided
*Duration: 2 hours
*Round trip distance: 22 miles
*Minimum age is 10 years old
*Maximum weight is: 350lbs
*We do not allow pregnant women or individuals with back or neck injuries (due to high activity levels)
*What's provided:
- Exposure Suit
- Ninja Mask (Balaclava)
- Goggles
- Gloves
*We recommended you bring:
- Dress in layers
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Bring your camera or phone
- Bring Binoculars
- Sunglasses
*FAQs:
- Is it a Raft or a Boat? I'm Confused...
The term "ocean raft" comes from the raft-like inflatable tubes that surround the vessel; but, with its deep 'V' aluminum hull and triple 250-horsepower outboard engines, this is much more of a speed boat than a raft. The giant inflatable raft collar helps keep the boat stable and buoyant in the most extreme sea conditions making it the safest vessel of its kind.
- Where do we Meet to be Picked Up?
We will meet you on the corner of 2nd & Broadway just outside the National Park Building: 291 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840. Look for our Dock Representative, they will be wearing a black jacket with our logo on it and holding a sign that reads: Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure.
- To meet us at 2nd & Broadway, you will have to walk from the dock/pier your Cruise ship is parked on, this can be anywhere from a 5-15min stroll. Detailed walking instructions from each dock/pier can be found in your Confirmation Email. There are also shuttles available for $2 at all cruise ship docks that can take you to town.
- What Should I Wear?
We advise that you wear whatever clothing you would normally wear to walk around town in. Don't forget to consider the weather presented to you the day you are in port, but there is no need to bring extra layers or rain jackets for the tour. All necessary gear to keep you warm and dry is provided by Ocean Raft.
- What "necessary gear" does Ocean Raft Provide?
Well, first we outfit you in a one-piece exposure suit that is worn over your existing clothing to keep you warm and dry on your tour. This exposure suit is also a USCG-approved floatation device and will act as your life jacket during the tour. We also provide an optional balaclava-style hat, gloves, and goggles. The goggles are designed to go over your prescription eyewear; they are not, however, tinted - so we recommend you bring sunglasses even on a cloudy day to help with the glare on the water.
- What does "USCG" stand for?
United State Coast Guard
- Will I look good in the one-piece Exposure Suit?
Absolutely! Everyone looks fantastic in orange, we promise!
- Do you have a size that fits me?
We have several different sizes to fit all types of individuals. However, we do have restrictions for this tour!
- What are the Restrictions for this Tour?
The minimum age to participate is 10 years old.
The maximum guest weight allowed is 350 pounds.
Guests must be able to walk a minimum of 100 yards without assistance in order to participate. Scooters, wheelchairs or walkers are not allowed on the vessel.
Guests with pre-existing neck or back conditions or pregnant women are restricted from booking this tour.
- This is an active tour! Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding our restrictions. We would be happy to chat with you if this is the best tour for you and assist in any way we can.
-Will I get Seasick?
We have found that seasickness is not typically a problem on our tour. Since we are over 100 miles from the open ocean, we do not encounter the large rolling swells associated with the outer coast. When we do encounter waves they are wind-generated and are, therefore, much closer together and do not rock the boat as the open ocean swells would.
- Also, our tour hugs the shore, and our vessels are open to the elements. This provides constant spectacular views with a shoreline to always stare ahead at and an endless supply of fresh air to breathe. That being said, if you are extremely sensitive to motion, you may want to take a typical motion sickness medicine before coming on tour or have one just in case.
- Will I get wet?
The exposure suits we provide are designed to keep you warm and dry. If the wind is blowing and there are waves in the Fjord you will experience some ocean spray on the boat, but our gear will keep you protected throughout the tour.
What should I Bring on the Raft?
We recommend that you bring a camera and/or a cell phone to take photos during the tour, these devices can be stored in one of the many exposure suits pockets. Also recommended are:
* Sunglasses and/or prescription eyewear,
* Any medication that you may need for the approximately 2 hours while on tour,
* You are welcome to bring your own beanie-style cap but baseball-style caps tend to blow away, so we recommend you leave those behind.
Wait! What about my Extra Gear & Souvenirs?
Fear not! We will provide you with bins and totes to place all your extra gear, goods, and souvenirs from shopping in Skagway; during the tour we keep them locked in our storage locker.
I have a large DSLR, can I Bring It?
Larger cameras are fine to bring, as long as you have a strap to wear it around your neck. This will allow you to tuck the camera underneath the exposure suit while we are going fast, then it becomes more functional during our multiple photo opportunity stops to use.
We recommend you bring one universal lens but if you would like to bring multiple lenses then, we have found that most extra lenses fit in the pockets of the exposure suits we provide. This will give you quick access to change lenses if/when needed.
What Kind of Wildlife will I see on the Ocean Raft Tour?
Southeast Alaska is fun of wildlife, though the abundance and diversity change with the seasons and the minutes. You are likely to see but not guaranteed to see:
* Bald Eagles,
* Harbor Seals
* Mountain Goats
* River Otters
* Sea Lions
* Seabirds of all types
* and MORE!
In the luckiest of moments, we may even see a bear on the beach. In regards to whales, we see Humpback whales on occasion, but Skagway is not known for its whale-watching. So, if you are in absolute need of seeing a whale, we highly recommend booking a whale-watching excursion during your day in Juneau.
What is the Best Time of Day go on Tour?
Anytime! That being said, you should choose your departure time based on what other activities you have planned in and around Skagway. Since we are located so close to your cruise ship dock, we have a very short transfer time and pair nicely with other excursions in town.
Is the Tour Narrated?
Every tour has a Captain and a Naturalist on board at all times to enhance your experience. We will stop the boat approximately every five minutes for photo opportunities and to allow the Naturalist to come forward and talk to you about the wildlife or scenery that we are looking at. The crew is always at your disposal for questions, to take photos, or just to chat.
What's the best seat in the Raft?
The raft is an open vessel that seats anywhere from 17 guests to 25 guests...so ALL seats are fantastic!
However, the front of the boat is like the first row on a roller coaster; when the waves are up, it can be very bouncy and you can really feel all the oceanic action. The seats towards the back are much smoother and are recommended for guests looking for a calmer yet still a fun ride. The middle is the middle, it’s the best of both worlds.
If you are looking to be up close to the shoreline throughout the excursion sit on the Starboard side of the boat. If you’d like a more expansive view of the Fjord and the mountains sit on the Port side of the vessel.
No matter where you sit, halfway through the ride we play a game of musical chairs and give everyone the opportunity to switch seats, so everyone gets to experience it all!
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Recreational Drugs Policy
Please abstain from using alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs while on our trips.
Thanks for your understanding.
*Round trip distance: 22 miles
*Minimum age is 10 years old
*Maximum weight is: 350lbs
*We do not allow pregnant women or individuals with back or neck injuries (due to high activity levels)
*What's provided:
- Exposure Suit
- Ninja Mask (Balaclava)
- Goggles
- Gloves
*We recommended you bring:
- Dress in layers
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Bring your camera or phone
- Bring Binoculars
- Sunglasses
*FAQs:
- Is it a Raft or a Boat? I'm Confused...
The term "ocean raft" comes from the raft-like inflatable tubes that surround the vessel; but, with its deep 'V' aluminum hull and triple 250-horsepower outboard engines, this is much more of a speed boat than a raft. The giant inflatable raft collar helps keep the boat stable and buoyant in the most extreme sea conditions making it the safest vessel of its kind.
- Where do we Meet to be Picked Up?
We will meet you on the corner of 2nd & Broadway just outside the National Park Building: 291 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840. Look for our Dock Representative, they will be wearing a black jacket with our logo on it and holding a sign that reads: Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure.
- To meet us at 2nd & Broadway, you will have to walk from the dock/pier your Cruise ship is parked on, this can be anywhere from a 5-15min stroll. Detailed walking instructions from each dock/pier can be found in your Confirmation Email. There are also shuttles available for $2 at all cruise ship docks that can take you to town.
- What Should I Wear?
We advise that you wear whatever clothing you would normally wear to walk around town in. Don't forget to consider the weather presented to you the day you are in port, but there is no need to bring extra layers or rain jackets for the tour. All necessary gear to keep you warm and dry is provided by Ocean Raft.
- What "necessary gear" does Ocean Raft Provide?
Well, first we outfit you in a one-piece exposure suit that is worn over your existing clothing to keep you warm and dry on your tour. This exposure suit is also a USCG-approved floatation device and will act as your life jacket during the tour. We also provide an optional balaclava-style hat, gloves, and goggles. The goggles are designed to go over your prescription eyewear; they are not, however, tinted - so we recommend you bring sunglasses even on a cloudy day to help with the glare on the water.
- What does "USCG" stand for?
United State Coast Guard
- Will I look good in the one-piece Exposure Suit?
Absolutely! Everyone looks fantastic in orange, we promise!
- Do you have a size that fits me?
We have several different sizes to fit all types of individuals. However, we do have restrictions for this tour!
- What are the Restrictions for this Tour?
The minimum age to participate is 10 years old.
The maximum guest weight allowed is 350 pounds.
Guests must be able to walk a minimum of 100 yards without assistance in order to participate. Scooters, wheelchairs or walkers are not allowed on the vessel.
Guests with pre-existing neck or back conditions or pregnant women are restricted from booking this tour.
- This is an active tour! Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding our restrictions. We would be happy to chat with you if this is the best tour for you and assist in any way we can.
-Will I get Seasick?
We have found that seasickness is not typically a problem on our tour. Since we are over 100 miles from the open ocean, we do not encounter the large rolling swells associated with the outer coast. When we do encounter waves they are wind-generated and are, therefore, much closer together and do not rock the boat as the open ocean swells would.
- Also, our tour hugs the shore, and our vessels are open to the elements. This provides constant spectacular views with a shoreline to always stare ahead at and an endless supply of fresh air to breathe. That being said, if you are extremely sensitive to motion, you may want to take a typical motion sickness medicine before coming on tour or have one just in case.
- Will I get wet?
The exposure suits we provide are designed to keep you warm and dry. If the wind is blowing and there are waves in the Fjord you will experience some ocean spray on the boat, but our gear will keep you protected throughout the tour.
What should I Bring on the Raft?
We recommend that you bring a camera and/or a cell phone to take photos during the tour, these devices can be stored in one of the many exposure suits pockets. Also recommended are:
* Sunglasses and/or prescription eyewear,
* Any medication that you may need for the approximately 2 hours while on tour,
* You are welcome to bring your own beanie-style cap but baseball-style caps tend to blow away, so we recommend you leave those behind.
Wait! What about my Extra Gear & Souvenirs?
Fear not! We will provide you with bins and totes to place all your extra gear, goods, and souvenirs from shopping in Skagway; during the tour we keep them locked in our storage locker.
I have a large DSLR, can I Bring It?
Larger cameras are fine to bring, as long as you have a strap to wear it around your neck. This will allow you to tuck the camera underneath the exposure suit while we are going fast, then it becomes more functional during our multiple photo opportunity stops to use.
We recommend you bring one universal lens but if you would like to bring multiple lenses then, we have found that most extra lenses fit in the pockets of the exposure suits we provide. This will give you quick access to change lenses if/when needed.
What Kind of Wildlife will I see on the Ocean Raft Tour?
Southeast Alaska is fun of wildlife, though the abundance and diversity change with the seasons and the minutes. You are likely to see but not guaranteed to see:
* Bald Eagles,
* Harbor Seals
* Mountain Goats
* River Otters
* Sea Lions
* Seabirds of all types
* and MORE!
In the luckiest of moments, we may even see a bear on the beach. In regards to whales, we see Humpback whales on occasion, but Skagway is not known for its whale-watching. So, if you are in absolute need of seeing a whale, we highly recommend booking a whale-watching excursion during your day in Juneau.
What is the Best Time of Day go on Tour?
Anytime! That being said, you should choose your departure time based on what other activities you have planned in and around Skagway. Since we are located so close to your cruise ship dock, we have a very short transfer time and pair nicely with other excursions in town.
Is the Tour Narrated?
Every tour has a Captain and a Naturalist on board at all times to enhance your experience. We will stop the boat approximately every five minutes for photo opportunities and to allow the Naturalist to come forward and talk to you about the wildlife or scenery that we are looking at. The crew is always at your disposal for questions, to take photos, or just to chat.
What's the best seat in the Raft?
The raft is an open vessel that seats anywhere from 17 guests to 25 guests...so ALL seats are fantastic!
However, the front of the boat is like the first row on a roller coaster; when the waves are up, it can be very bouncy and you can really feel all the oceanic action. The seats towards the back are much smoother and are recommended for guests looking for a calmer yet still a fun ride. The middle is the middle, it’s the best of both worlds.
If you are looking to be up close to the shoreline throughout the excursion sit on the Starboard side of the boat. If you’d like a more expansive view of the Fjord and the mountains sit on the Port side of the vessel.
No matter where you sit, halfway through the ride we play a game of musical chairs and give everyone the opportunity to switch seats, so everyone gets to experience it all!
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Recreational Drugs Policy
Please abstain from using alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs while on our trips.
Thanks for your understanding.
Cancellation Policy
No refunds will be given to "no show" guests.
Cancellation Policy:
• Cancellations within 48 hours of travel will receive no refund.
• If, for any reason, Ocean Raft Alaska has to cancel your tour, all deposits and payments will be refunded in full, or, are fully transferable to another tour time.
• Ocean Raft Alaska will not be responsible for any cost associated with cancellations including, but not limited to: flight cancellation fees, flight change fees, and/or associated lodging and meal fees.
• If, for any reason, your cruise ship does not arrive in Skagway in time for your scheduled tour, all deposits and trip payments will be refunded in full, or, are fully transferable to another tour time.
Cancellation Policy:
• Cancellations within 48 hours of travel will receive no refund.
• If, for any reason, Ocean Raft Alaska has to cancel your tour, all deposits and payments will be refunded in full, or, are fully transferable to another tour time.
• Ocean Raft Alaska will not be responsible for any cost associated with cancellations including, but not limited to: flight cancellation fees, flight change fees, and/or associated lodging and meal fees.
• If, for any reason, your cruise ship does not arrive in Skagway in time for your scheduled tour, all deposits and trip payments will be refunded in full, or, are fully transferable to another tour time.
Map
