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Activities |
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- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Small Ship Cruising
- Flightseeing
- Hiking/Camping
- Kayaking/Rafting/Diving
- Rock Climbing
- Ice Climbing
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| | | | Wildlife Viewing |
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The most spectacular wildlife viewing in the world is within minutes of Juneau. Bald eagles often perch in trees and on streetlight poles within the city. Whale sightings often occur within minutes of leaving the dock and are guaranteed by several local tour operators. A variety of other wildlife are also found nearby: black bear, brown bear, Dall's porpoise, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and mountain goats.
Whales
From April to November, approxi-mately 600 humpback whales inhabit the waters of the northern Inside Passage. They migrate each summer to Alaska to feed on the abundant plankton and small fish that thrive in this area.
Less common is the orca, or killer whale. Orcas, though much smaller than humpbacks, have been known to pursue much bigger prey. Salmon, seals and even moose and other whales have been hunted down by these amazing predators of the sea.
Bears
Black and brown bear are sometimes sight-ed in the surrounding forests and have been known to visit downtown neighborhoods. Though black bears are not particularly danger-ous, bears like to keep their distance from people and should be treated with respect and caution. Brown bear viewing is best at Admiralty Island National Monument and the Kootznoowoo Wilderness Area (Kootznoowoo is a Tlingit word meaning "Fortress of the Bears"). This national treas-ure is 20 minutes from Juneau by floatplane and home to the largest concentration of brown bear in North America -some 1,600 brown bear, one for every square mile of the island. The sanc-tuary offers designat-ed viewing areas to see brown bear feeding on salmon to fatten up for hiber-nation.
Eagles
Southeast Alaska is home to approximately 20,000 bald eagles. This is a staggering figure when you consider that the human population of this same area is just 70,000. Viewing opportunities for eagles abound in Juneau. Young, or immature, bald eagles are a mottled brown. The familiar coloration - a black body, yellow beak and talons, and a white head and tail feathers - does not appear until the birds are about 5 years old. They can live 20 years or more. When spawning salmon return to the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery each summer, eagles congregate in large numbers in the Gastineau Channel. |
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| Fishing |
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Fishing is a passion that stirs mens (and womens!) souls in Juneau. Residents plan their schedules around the tides and salmon runs to be sure to get the most fish for their freezers or smokers. Fortunately, the waters surrounding Juneau hold an abundance of sea life. Each of the five species of salmon (king, coho, sockeye, pink and chum) inhabit the area. Along with the Pacific halibut, often weighing in excess of 100 pounds, Dolly Varden, cut-throat and steelhead trout are also popular to fish.
Dozens of long-time Alaskans operate charter fishing boats in Juneau. These well-maintained boats are Coast Guard inspected and operated by Coast Guard licensed skippers. Most charter boats carry no more than four fishers at a time, to assure lots of rod time for each passenger. Charters can be for either half or a full day, or multi-day fish-ing trips are available.
There are also local companies who can take you on guided fly-fishing trips, either in a skiff, on shore or by hopping a floatplane to a remote river or lake.
State of Alaska fishing licenses are required, but you can purchase them from your charter boat captain or at major retail outlets.
At the end of your trip, when you’re trying to figure out what to do with your catch, consider dropping off your fish at one of Juneau’s fish pro-cessing companies where they will pre-pare, package and ship it to your home.
Regardless of the tackle you use or whether you fish from shore or a boat, your fishing experience in Juneau will bring you back again and again. |
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| Small Ship Cruising |
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| Small ship cruising showcases Alaska on both a grand and personal level. Small ships are able to get close to the shoreline, glaciers, wildlife and breathtaking scenery of Southeast Alaska. Itineraries often include remote coastal com-munities and villages. You can extend your adventure and your enjoyment by including addition-al pre- or post- cruise overnights in Juneau. |
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| Flightseeing |
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| Nothing beats a birds-eye view of Juneau’s scenery. Flightseeing companies offer float plane and wheel plane tours of the Juneau Icefield and nearby Glacier Bay National Park. Helicopter flightseeing companies offer both aerial tours and the chance to land right on the ice. Once on the ice, you can go on an extended hike or enjoy a dog sled tour (in the middle of summer)! |
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| Hiking/Camping |
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| Juneau is home to Alaska’s finest hiking trail sys-tem. There are over 250 miles of developed trails in the area to explore (many are suitable for mountain biking). Trails range from very easy to very challenging, and several companies offer guided trips. |
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| Kayaking/Rafting/Diving |
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| Beginning and advanced kayakers are amazed and delighted with the experience of being close to the birds and marine life that fre-quent the local waterways. Guided day trips and multi-day trips are readily available. Kayak rentals are available and may include transportation to drop-off points. Tour companies offer both ride-along trips and paddle rafting (in which every participant helps steer the raft) down the Mendenhall River, which flows from the lake in front of the Mendenhall Glacier. Longer rafting trips often use Juneau as a jump-ing off point for ten-day float trips down the world famous Tatshenshini River. If you’re more interested in what’s under the water, there are great diving opportunities to be enjoyed all year long. Juneau offers the only artifi-cial diving reef in Alaska. Divers can access the reef right from the beach (no boat required.) In addi-tion, a number of ship wrecks are available for the experienced diver. |
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| Rock Climbing |
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| Rock climb on sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean with professional guides! You will be outfitted with rock climbing shoes, helmet and harness. Your guides will give you an introduction to climbing and teach you the fundamentals to technique and movement. You will then rope up and start ascending the beautiful sea cliff rock. This is a perfect outing for people of all abilities and no experience is necessary. |
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| Ice Climbing |
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| Introduce yourself to the exhilarating sport of ice climbing! Professional guides lead the trip and provide expert instruction & interpretation while blending safety with fun. Guides instruct you step by step on how to trek in crampons and ice climb on glacial terrain. You begin on moderate ice slopes and later use your skills to explore the glacier or challenge yourself on more vertical walls. No experience necessary. | |
Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by a Juneau vacation specialist.
Contact : Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
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