Excursion Recs for Teenagers

[sc_cruisers12]

Hi, everyone-

We will be on an Alaskan cruise in 2025 with two very active teenagers. We are trying to determine which excursions to do in each point. We'll be going to Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan. I think they want to do the crab experience in Ketchikan, and I know we'll want to go on a whale watch tour at some point. But can anyone recommend where you would do that? Also, have you done anything that you know teenagers would get a kick out of that we shouldn't miss?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Northern Aurora]

Icy Strait Point is excellent for whale watching, and also has a zip line which may be of interest to the teenagers.

 

In Sitka consider the Fortress of the Bears.  Check their website.

[SoloAlaska]

57 minutes ago, sc_cruisers12 said:

Hi, everyone-

We will be on an Alaskan cruise in 2025 with two very active teenagers. We are trying to determine which excursions to do in each point. We'll be going to Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan. I think they want to do the crab experience in Ketchikan, and I know we'll want to go on a whale watch tour at some point. But can anyone recommend where you would do that? Also, have you done anything that you know teenagers would get a kick out of that we shouldn't miss?

 

Thanks in advance!

In icy straight there’s a whale watching tour which uses drones for amazing footage, teens would probably be more than happy to get some cool shots for social media.

[Coral]

I highly recommend Glacier Wind for whale watching: https://www.g-wind.com in Hoonah (ISP)

[Skippy]

We did the white water rafting in Juneau. My teens really liked it. 

[sherryf]

Instead of the staged crab experience, you might consider kayaking in Ketchikan.  I've done it twice with my young adult kids and it was amazing both times.  Since you say your teens are very active, they might enjoy a more active excursion.

[Suzanne123]

We have used Above and Beyond Alaska for hiking and kayaking in Juneau. 

https://beyondak.com

[LeeW]

Float trip through Eagle Preserve in Haines is a cruise line tour from Skagway.  Expensive, but we have been on it three times.

[BlueSkiesTX]

On 6/25/2024 at 2:32 PM, Coral said:

I highly recommend Glacier Wind for whale watching: https://www.g-wind.com in Hoonah (ISP)

Thank you for the recommendation! We just booked with them for July 2025. 

[Coral]

1 hour ago, BlueSkiesTX said:

Thank you for the recommendation! We just booked with them for July 2025. 

I think you will be pleased. They truly are a family run company. Teresa (Mom/Wife) picked us up and drove us to the whale watching boat. She pointed out her house along the way and also pointed out sites in Hoonah (a real Alaska village). The son (Casey) was our Captain. The husband/father (Shawn) was on the other boat. Real down to earth individuals and very kind individuals. They live in Hoonah - they are not seasonal employees. 

 

Their boats are not large (my preference). 

 

We lucked out the day I was there and we saw whales bubble feeding. I had a better whale watching experience there than what I did a few days later in Juneau. Others have also commented that this area seems to have more whale activity the past few years. In the past, I had gone many times in Juneau (and Cabo).

 

I hope you have a great trip!

Edited July 2 by Coral

[kajasmin]

Went last week with a 17 and 20 year old. Hoonah travels in icy straight whale watching and chilkhoot train/bus were highlights.