A
Good fun, we were lucky...
Good fun, we were lucky with the weather. Would have liked to have kayaked a bit closer to the glacier and falls. Hot cider was a nice touch. Great guide, think her name was Ara.
Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour
+3 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3h 30min
- Price from
- $279 / person
- Location
- Juneau, United States
- Rating
- 4.2 / 5 · 55 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 12
- Cancellation
- See policy below
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Alaska Travel Adventures Inc.
- Meeting point
- JUNEAU MEETING PLACEOn the sidewalk, under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tram -15 minutes prior to tour departure. Once at the meeting area, look for the Alaska Travel Adventures tour representative. They will be wearing a red jacket/shirt, with the Caribou logo.
Description
Be one of the lucky few to experience the majestic Mendenhall Glacier up close, as you travel by kayak, under a very limited U.S. Forest Service permit. Journey across Mendenhall Lake in your stable two-person kayak, navigating the iceberg studded pristine water that is truly one of the jewels of the Tongass National Forest. Your knowledgeable guide will explain the breathtaking nature surrounding you, pointing out native wildlife and fascinating you with the history and ecology of the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier. Venture within a safe distance of the massive, awe-inspiring face of the glacier and skirt the base of the beautiful and powerful Nugget Falls. After paddling back across the lake and taking in the last views of this extraordinary glacier, refuel with a snack of Alaskan-style fare and reminisce about the experience that is sure to be a highlight of your Alaska vacation.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Be one of the lucky few to experience the majestic Mendenhall Glacier up close, as you travel by kayak, under a very limited U.S. Forest Service permit. Upon arrival at Mendenhall Lake, your experienced, friendly guide will help outfit you with life jackets and rain gear before instructing you on proper kayaking techniques. Then, you will board the two-person kayaks with a traveling companion or a new friend and set off on your Alaskan adventure. Journey across Mendenhall Lake in your stable two-person kayak, navigating the iceberg studded pristine water that is truly one of the jewels of the Tongass National Forest. Your knowledgeable guide will explain the breathtaking nature surrounding you, pointing out native wildlife and fascinating you with the history and ecology of the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier. Venture within a safe distance of the massive, awe-inspiring face of the glacier and skirt the base of the beautiful and powerful Nugget Falls. After paddling back across the lake and taking in the last views of this extraordinary glacier, refuel with a snack of Alaskan-style fare and reminisce about the experience that is sure to be a highlight of your Alaska vacation. Never paddled before? Don’t worry; your experienced guide will group you into similar abilities so you can travel at a comfortable pace while ensuring that your adventure is safe and enjoyable. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the Mendenhall Glacier as only a select few lucky adventurers can.
What's included
Included
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Full rain gear included (pants/jacket/boots)
Snacks
Permits
Transportation
Not included
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
4.2
55 reviews
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Gloves and an extra pair of socks are recommended
- Minimum weight: 40lbs
- Maximum weight: Subject to waist size required to fit in the kayak cockpit. Cockpits are 16.5" X 10"
- Guests taller than 6' 3" will not be able to steer with foot pedals and will have to steer with the oar instead. Guests can still participate, it is just a guideline to take note of.
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children 13 to 17 must have a signed parental consent form to participate without a parent or guardian.
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
0+ days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour take?
Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour lasts about 3h 30min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour cost?
Prices start at $279 per person for this Juneau experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour for free?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is JUNEAU MEETING PLACE: On the sidewalk, under the cables of the Mt. Roberts Tram -15 minutes prior to tour departure. Once at the meeting area, look for the Alaska Travel Adventures tour representative. They will be wearing a red jacket/shirt, with the Caribou logo. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children 13 to 17 must have a signed parental consent form to participate without a parent or guardian.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Reviews(55)
B
Kayak mendenhall bay
It was great. Ari was an excellent guide.
M
Kayak Glacier lake
Had an amazing time from start to finish. Our driver (already forgot her name but she's from Waco Texas and on her way to being a lawyer) was knowledgeable, funny, and helpful. Our kayak guide Gwen was also helpful, informative and kind. I highly recommend this company and tour!
M
MUST DO!
We were picked up from the cruise ship terminal and brought about half an hour away into the Tongass National Forest to kayak on a quieter body of water backing up against the glacier. The scenery was incredible, including the glacier, a waterfall, and the beautiful peaks surrounding the lake. Our guide Gwen was lovely and kept us entertained with a mixture of conversation and information about the area. Thank you Gwen!!!! <3 This was a highlight of our Alaskan cruise and I wholeheartedly recommend!
A
Great time with Edwin
First of all, this is a physically demanding experience. If you have never kayaked or canoed before, it might not be a fun time. That being said, ATA made our time on the lake fantastic. Rain gear and all equipment was provided. Kayaks were in great shape. Our guide, Edwin, did an awesome job telling us stories of the area and about his life in general (very funny 10/10). He also took some awesome pictures for us while out on the water. We do wish the experience were a little longer so we could relax and enjoy the amazing scenery more. Overall though, a fantastic trip!
1 people found this helpful
A
Awesome experience
The best tour we did on our cruise. What an amazing experience. How many people can say they've been to the Mendenhall Glacier. You can only get there by kayak/canoe or plane. That's it. But let me make one point, this is about a 5 mile tour in a tandem kayak. It was tiring heading back as you were with the wind. We had an absolute beautiful day, a little cool because you are in glacier water, but the sun was shining that day at about 55 - 60 degrees. Awesome experience, but be prepared to work.
M
Lovely tour
Lovely kayaking tour. We especially enjoyed the company and knowledge of our experienced guide, Joseph. -1 point for not providing a wireless audio system for the guide to use.
R
Fantastic kayak trip
Mitch took us on an awesome tour of Lake Mendenhall. We saw many harbor seals and eagles along with other wildlife. It was peaceful and idyllic.
J
Awesome glacier adventure
Awesome kayak tour. Jessie was great, loved her witty commentary and extensive knowledge of the area during our shuttle ride to and from the lake. She even pointed out all the bald eagles that we passed! Joseph was an amazing guide. He had great anecdotes and insights about the history of the glacier, lake, and Nugget Falls. He made sure to get us lots of photos to commemorate this unforgettable adventure.
R
Rainy Fun
Joe did a great job keeping spirits high and bright during our kayak in the rain. Great equipment and colorful colors. The local info and suggestions were great
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from$279
4.2(55) Free cancellation