Ocean Raft Alaska

The best part of Ocean Raft Alaska is the unusual viewpoint. You are not looking at the Lynn Canal from a ship deck or a roadside overlook. You are straddling a shock-absorbing seat in a fast RIB, close to rocky beaches, waterfalls, and the steep walls of one of North America’s deepest fjords. The boat can move quickly, then shut down so you can hear the water and wildlife around you.

I like the warm exposure suits, which let you enjoy an open-boat ride without simply hoping the Southeast Alaska weather behaves. I also like the mix of speed and quiet, with Captain Bevin, Captain Jen, and naturalists such as Harp, Nicolette, and Hannah bringing both careful boat handling and useful local detail.

The main consideration is that this is an active ride, not a gentle sightseeing cruise. You need moderate physical fitness, must be at least 10 years old, and cannot participate if pregnant or dealing with prior back or neck injuries. Weather can also change the plan.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast RIB ride: Expect sharp turns, quick runs, and some bouncing over waves, balanced by comfortable shock-absorbing seats.
• Wildlife from the water: Eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, whales, and other wildlife have all been seen, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• Warm gear included: An exposure suit, goggles, gloves, and a ninja mask are provided.
• Quiet nature stops: The crew may turn off the engines in coves so you can listen and watch without boat noise.
• Small-group feel: The boat carries no more than 25 people, keeping the outing more personal than a large vessel tour.
• Cruise-day friendly: It begins and ends at 100 Broadway in Skagway, near public transportation, and lasts about 2 hours 15 minutes.

A different way to see Skagway’s Lynn Canal

Skagway is famous for its Gold Rush streets and the White Pass railway. Those are worthwhile, but Ocean Raft Alaska gives you a very different hour or two. It sends you out along the coast, where the town quickly gives way to granite walls, forest, waterfalls, rocky beaches, and open water.

The ride uses a custom-built rigid inflatable boat, or RIB. The design is similar to boats used for search and rescue, with a solid hull surrounded by inflatable tubes. You sit astride individual shock-absorbing seats rather than on a standard bench, which helps make the ride more comfortable when the captain picks up speed.

The boat is built for ocean conditions, but do not mistake comfort for stillness. This is an adventure ride. You may race along the shoreline, make broad turns, and bounce over waves before slowing for a photo stop. The combination is the appeal: part wildlife outing, part fjord sightseeing, and part controlled thrill ride.

What happens from 100 Broadway to the open water

The meeting point is at 100 Broadway in Skagway, and the activity returns to the same place. That simple out-and-back setup matters on a cruise day because you do not need to arrange a separate return point.

At the start, the crew fits you with the supplied exposure suit and other equipment. The suit serves as protection from the cold and helps you stay comfortable during an open-boat ride. Goggles, gloves, and a face covering are included as well.

The gear may sound like a nuisance when you first read the description. In practice, it is one of the reasons this experience can work in Southeast Alaska. You are better prepared for spray, wind, and changing weather than you would be in ordinary outdoor clothes.

Once everyone is ready, you board the RIB and settle into the seats. The boat then follows the shoreline through the Lynn Canal. The exact route and wildlife stops depend on conditions, but the general pattern is a series of fast runs, slower sightseeing sections, and pauses for photos.

Waterfalls, coves, and steep fjord walls

The shoreline is the main attraction. You pass rocky beaches, narrow coves, hidden inlets, waterfalls, and sheer mountain walls that look especially dramatic from low on the water.

From a large ship, the coast can feel distant. The RIB brings you much closer to the details. You can look into a quiet cove, watch water spilling down the rock, and see the texture of the shoreline at a more personal scale.

Several stops are designed for photographs. The captain may position the boat near a waterfall or along a particularly scenic section of coast, then allow time to take pictures. You should keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and do not let photography distract you from the ride itself.

The fjord scenery also gives the tour its sense of space. The boat is lively and quick, but the surrounding setting is immense. That contrast is what makes the ride more than a simple speedboat trip.

Wildlife sightings depend on the day

The most frequently noted sightings include bald eagles, juvenile eagles, harbor seals, and sea lions. Whales have also been seen, along with kestrels and other birds. One outing produced roughly 15 bald eagles, while another included a mother eagle with a juvenile.

You should keep expectations sensible. Ocean wildlife moves on its own schedule, and no operator can promise a whale, a certain number of eagles, or seals at every stop. The crew’s local experience helps them look in promising areas, but nature remains unpredictable.

The boat’s low position on the water is useful for wildlife watching. You are not peering down from a high deck. You may see an eagle working along the shore, seals resting or surfacing, or a whale appearing farther out. The crew may also pause in a quiet cove to look for activity in and around the water.

The quiet stops are important. When the engines go silent, the trip changes character. You get a few moments to hear water, wind, and birds instead of only the motor. These pauses keep the experience from becoming one long burst of noise and speed.

Speed, turns, and the ride itself

If you want a calm boat trip with no sudden motion, this is not the right choice. Ocean Raft Alaska openly leans into the fun side of the RIB. The captain may make fast turns, broad circles, and playful maneuvers sometimes described as donuts.

The ride is exciting without being presented as reckless. Safety comes up repeatedly in the experience, and the captains are described as careful while still giving the boat plenty of room to perform. The deep hull, inflatable tubes, and shock-absorbing seats help make the ride more secure and comfortable.

Even so, the movement can be tiring for some people. You are sitting astride a seat, holding your body steady, and dealing with wind and motion. The moderate fitness requirement is worth taking seriously, especially if you have back or neck concerns.

Families with older children and teenagers may find the pace especially appealing. The minimum age is 10, so this is not a small-child activity. It also suits adults who want more action than a standard scenic cruise but still want time for wildlife and scenery.

The crew adds more than boat handling

The naturalist role matters here. You are not only paying for a fast boat. You are also getting someone who can point out wildlife, explain what you are seeing, and add context to the coastline.

Harp has been praised for storytelling and for making the outing fun while explaining the area. Nicolette has been described as energetic and entertaining, while Hannah has guided visitors through the scenery and wildlife. Leslie and other naturalists have also been part of the crew.

Captains such as Bevin and Jen bring a different skill set. They handle the boat, judge the water, choose places to stop, and manage the balance between speed and sightseeing. A good pairing matters because the best trip needs both a confident captain and a naturalist who keeps the ride connected to its setting.

The crew style seems friendly and informal. You can expect chances to ask questions rather than simply sit silently while the boat follows a fixed route. If you are curious about birds, waterfalls, or the shape of the fjord, speak up.

Is the $189.99 price good value?

At $189.99 per person, this is not a bargain activity in the narrow sense. It is also more than a simple transfer or short harbor ride. The price covers about 2 hours 15 minutes on the water, specialized equipment, a small-capacity RIB, a captain, and a naturalist-led experience.

I see the value in the combination. You get close coastal scenery, a chance to see wildlife, quiet nature stops, and a genuine thrill ride in one outing. If you would otherwise book separate sightseeing and adventure activities, this can make financial sense.

The included exposure suit also matters. You do not need to rent special cold-weather gear or gamble on ordinary clothing. The suit, gloves, goggles, and face covering make the price easier to justify, particularly on a cool or wet day.

The value is weaker if you dislike fast boats or mainly want a guaranteed wildlife sighting. You may see eagles, seals, sea lions, whales, or other animals, but the exact sightings vary. If your priority is a relaxed, predictable view from a stable deck, spend your money elsewhere.

How the weather affects your day

This activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but it also tells you that the water experience depends on conditions.

Weather can shift quickly in Southeast Alaska. A day may begin under low cloud and improve later, as happened on one outing that changed from nearly canceled to smooth water and clear views. You should arrive prepared for a day that may feel different from the forecast.

The exposure suit helps, but it does not turn the boat into an indoor activity. You will still feel the air, spray, and motion. Wear practical clothing beneath the suit and plan to keep electronics protected.

Clear weather can reveal more of the mountain walls and waterfalls. Cloud and mist can also create a moody fjord setting, but reduced visibility may limit long views and photographs. The crew makes the final call on safe operating conditions.

Who should book Ocean Raft Alaska?

I would choose this for an active adult, a couple, a family with older children, or a group that wants something different from the usual Skagway schedule. It is especially useful if you have already taken the White Pass train and want a second excursion that shows Alaska from another angle.

It also works well for people who like variety. You get wildlife, scenery, local interpretation, and speed rather than one narrow focus. Teenagers may enjoy the turns and acceleration, while adults can appreciate the waterfalls, birds, and quiet coves.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have a prior back or neck injury, weigh 350 pounds or more, or do not meet the minimum age of 10. The activity also calls for moderate physical fitness, so it is not ideal for anyone who finds climbing into a boat or bracing against motion difficult.

Group size can reach 25 people. That is smaller than a large sightseeing vessel, though it is not a private boat. If you want a completely private outing, this format may not meet your expectations.

Booking tips for a cruise day

The trip starts and ends at 100 Broadway, near public transportation. Allow enough time to reach the meeting point, get fitted with equipment, and return to your ship after the activity. The experience itself lasts about 2 hours 15 minutes, but you should not plan another tight appointment immediately afterward.

The activity is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is accepted. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 90 days.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since weather can affect operations, check the final conditions and keep your schedule flexible if possible.

My call: book it if you want Alaska with some energy

I would book Ocean Raft Alaska if I wanted close coastal scenery without giving up excitement. The strongest reasons are the combination of fast open-water riding, warm supplied gear, quiet stops, and real chances to see eagles, seals, sea lions, waterfalls, and perhaps whales.

I would skip it if I wanted a guaranteed animal encounter, a completely smooth ride, or an easy outing for someone with physical limitations. The boat moves, the weather matters, and the wildlife is never scripted.

For the right person, the $189.99 cost buys more than a scenic loop. It gives you a low, close view of the Lynn Canal and a lively few hours with a crew that pairs boat skills with local storytelling. If that sounds better than another hour on a large ship deck, this is a strong Skagway choice.

FAQ

Where does Ocean Raft Alaska begin and end?

The activity begins at 100 Broadway in Skagway, Alaska, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the Ocean Raft Alaska tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $189.99 per person.

What equipment is included?

An exposure suit, goggles, gloves, and a ninja mask are included.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. You must be at least 10 years old to participate.

Are there health or weight restrictions?

You cannot participate if you are pregnant or have prior back or neck injuries. The maximum listed weight is under 350 pounds, and participants should have a moderate physical fitness level.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.