Above & Beyond Alaska: Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure

Take a scenic cruise and kayak through gorgeous surroundings as magnificent whales pierce the surface of the water on this six-hour expedition outside Juneau with Above & Beyond Alaska.

No matter whether you’re an amateur paddler or a pro kayaker, it’s hard to top the thrill of kayaking in Alaska’s gorgeous waters surrounded by whales, wildlife, and snow-capped peaks.

Gear Up with Your Small Group

After getting picked up, you’ll meet your guide and then your small group will get fitted with gear. Then you’ll hop aboard a six-passenger boat for an hour scenic cruise, keeping an eye out for humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, eagles, and an array of birds. The small craft will let you explore places big boats can’t go; plus, you may visit special spots like Benjamin Island or Little Island —both spectacular haulouts for Steller sea lions. There’s even the opportunity of a great photo up of the sea lions with a glacier in the background!

Destination: Channel Islands

Your destination is the Channel Islands, the whales’ annual feeding ground—and your guides will assess where the most whale activity has been happening. You’ll land on an island beach, where you’ll get safety and paddling instruction from your experienced guides, who are all wilderness first-aid certified and go through advanced training each year.

Then, suited up, you’ll climb into tandem kayaks and hit the water! Depending on conditions, you’ll paddle from one to two hours—with your guide sharing info about everything around you…especially the whales! If you get lucky, one of these majestic mammals will appear straight away, or you may paddle for a bit amidst the stunning scenery before spotting the unmistakable tail of this remarkable creature.

Suitably awed, you’ll head to the boat for the return trip, and more chances to look for wildlife as you take in the gorgeous natural setting around you.

About Above & Beyond Alaska

Since 2002, owners Becky and Sean—passionate environmentalists and longtime guides themselves—have run Above & Beyond Alaska. Excursions marry their love of the Tongass National Forest and Inside Passage areas with their excitement for sharing this special place with visitors. All their trips are by kayak, foot, boat, or plane, and all are in intimate, small groups—the best way, they say, to experience Alaska, since that’s how they would want to do it themselves!