Independent Tour operators for Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait, Juneau and Ketchikan

[cruiseout2sea]

Hello all,

Looking for private, non ship tour options in the above locations.  We'll be on Royal Princess in July.  If you have anyone you would recommend, would greatly appreciate the info!  Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

Take a look around the board...there are some mentioned very frequently for a couple of your ports.

 

You may also find there isn't much of a price difference between private and ship's tours, as the demand is so high, and the supply is fairly tight.

[Northern Aurora]

1 hour ago, cruiseout2sea said:

Hello all,

Looking for private, non ship tour options in the above locations.  We'll be on Royal Princess in July.  If you have anyone you would recommend, would greatly appreciate the info!  Thanks!

 

@cruiseout2sea:  You may receive more responses if you indicate what type of tours you are interested in doing.  So many times during the years posters have responded with suggestions regarding flight seeing options or whale watching option only to be told that someone won't fly in small planes or ride in small boats.

[rphbunny]

I would be interested in tours for Mendehall Glacier that give enough time to hike to Nugget Falls as well

[karatemom2]

In Icy Strait Point there aren't really many independent operators. It is a very small port and the cruise lines control most of the tour options. However, we did discover a great local option, run by members of the local native population - Hoonah Travel Adventures. Here is the link:

https://hoonahtraveladventures.com/

 

Another excellent local private option in Hoonah is Glacier Wind Charters:

https://www.g-wind.com/

 

In Skagway, a private tour operator that we have used and gets very good reviews here is Chilkoot Charters: 

https://chilkootcharters.com/

 

Skagway is also an easy place to rent a car and explore on your own. The National Park service also has some good programs.

 

We have also rented a car in Juneau through Juneau Car Rentals. You can also take the bus or taxi to Mendenhall Glacier and go on the Mount Roberts Tramway on your own, buying tickets at the office right at the port.

 

Ketchikan also offers car rentals, or for a good private tour check out Ketchikan Taxi Cab Tours.

https://ketchikantaxicabtours.com/

 

Edited February 13 by karatemom2

[Italy52]

Port recommendations:

 

Juneau:  Our favorite independent whale watching tour operator -- https://jayleensalaska.com/

 

Icy Strait:  Our favorite independent whale watching tour operator -- https://www.g-wind.com/

 

Hubbard: Hubbard Glacier & Wilderness Exploration is a ship-sponsored tour that is offered by Allen Marine and is the only excursion that I am aware of.  This tour is a couple of hours long and cost varies by cruise line.  Not all ships will offer it and it is only available during certain months --- if interested, check your cruise line excursions for your itinerary to see if it is offered during your sailing. We have gotten lucky and have seen some amazing calving.

[Casey12]

We went with Glacier Wind last summer and had an amazing time. https://www.g-wind.com/

 

There are wildlife tours in Icy Strait Point that would be worth looking into. Bears should be out mid to late July.

[lisabdh1]

Another vote for Glacier Wind, we used them in 2016 and are using them again this July.

 

Juneau - we are going with Juneau Tours for whale watching and glacier combo tour.

 

Ketchikan just doing Totem Bight ourselves.