Ocean Raft Alaska

Hold on, Alaska is about to get loud. Ocean Raft Alaska gives you a brisk, close-to-the-water look at Skagway’s rocky coast, waterfalls, coves, and wildlife from a custom-built rigid inflatable boat. It is part scenic cruise, part thrill ride, and part natural history lesson.

I like the way the tour combines speed with quiet nature stops. You may race along the fjord one minute, then sit with the engines off while you listen to water, wind, and birds. I also like the practical gear: an exposure suit, goggles, gloves, and a face-covering mask help take the edge off Southeast Alaska’s cold air.

The main consideration is that this is not a gentle sightseeing boat. You straddle shock-absorbing seats, the boat can bounce over waves, and the crew adds fast turns for fun. That makes it exciting, but it may not suit anyone with a back or neck injury, pregnant visitors, or anyone who dislikes rough movement.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• The boat follows the shoreline of Lynn Canal, giving you close views of granite walls, rocky beaches, waterfalls, and small coves.
• The ride mixes high-speed maneuvers with quiet pauses, so you get both an adrenaline rush and time to hear the wilderness.
• Wildlife sightings can include bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, whales, and other birds, though no sighting is guaranteed.
• Exposure suits and protective gear are included, a major help in Skagway’s cool, wet marine weather.
• The tour lasts about two hours and 15 minutes, with the boat returning to 100 Broadway in Skagway.
• The excursion costs $189.99 per person, which is a fair price if you want an active, close-up alternative to a train or standard sightseeing trip.

Setting Out From 100 Broadway in Skagway

The experience begins at 100 Broadway, Skagway’s meeting point, and finishes there as well. It is near public transportation, which makes the start fairly simple if you are coming from a cruise ship or another part of town.

The group can include up to 25 people. That is large enough to keep the price from becoming extreme, but still small enough for a more personal outing than a big sightseeing vessel. Your captain handles the boat, while a naturalist or first mate points out scenery and wildlife.

The crew has included captains such as Bevin, Jen, Alyssa, Amanda, and Blevin, along with naturalists and guides including Harp, Nicolette, Hannah, Leslie, and Noelle. Names and pairings can change, but the pattern is clear: the experience depends heavily on a friendly captain and an engaging guide.

Before departure, you receive the equipment needed for the ride. The exposure suit functions as both warm outerwear and flotation equipment, according to the tour information. You also receive goggles, gloves, and a face-covering mask sometimes called a ninja mask.

That gear may feel like overkill when you first put it on. Once the boat is moving, spray and cold wind explain the choice. Wear clothes underneath that let you move comfortably, but avoid bulky layers that make the suit hard to put on.

The RIB Ride Along Lynn Canal

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, with a hard central hull surrounded by inflatable tubes. The design is used for demanding work such as search and rescue, and it gives the vessel a solid feel while the inflatable sides soften the ride.

You sit astride custom shock-absorbing seats rather than in ordinary forward-facing chairs. That position helps you brace yourself as the captain accelerates or turns. It also means you should listen closely to the safety instructions and keep your hands and feet where the crew tells you.

The route follows the shoreline of Lynn Canal. Here, the water runs beneath steep mountain walls and past exposed rock, waterfalls, forest, and small beaches. The view changes quickly because the boat does not stay fixed in one broad panorama. You see the coast from several angles, often close enough to notice the texture of the rock and the water dropping from the cliffs.

The speed is a major part of the appeal. Several people describe fast circles, playful turns, and the boat bouncing over waves as their favorite moments. This is not reckless driving. The captain controls the speed and chooses the route, but the ride is intended to feel lively.

If your idea of a boat tour means calm water and a quiet seat, this may be too active. If you enjoy a jet boat, zodiac, or other fast-water excursion, the RIB should feel like a good fit.

Waterfalls, Coves, and Rocky Beaches

The boat makes several stops for photographs and wildlife watching. The exact order depends on conditions and what the crew finds along the route, but the stops break up the fast riding.

Waterfalls are among the most memorable features. Some are large and dramatic, while others appear as narrow ribbons dropping down the rock. From the water, you can see them from a perspective that is impossible from town. The boat’s position also helps with photographs because you are not looking through a bus window or across a crowded deck.

The rocky beaches and coves give the outing a quieter rhythm. The crew may turn off the engines, letting the boat sit while you listen to the water and birds. This pause is important. Without it, the tour could feel like two hours of noise and motion. With it, you get a better sense of Southeast Alaska as a living place rather than simply a backdrop for a speed ride.

A quiet cove can also be a useful place to look for animals near the surface. One outing included underwater wildlife seen while resting in a calm area. That detail is not guaranteed, but it shows why the crew sometimes slows down rather than racing from one landmark to the next.

Wildlife Watching From the Boat

Wildlife is a strong reason to choose this excursion, but you should treat sightings as a bonus rather than a promise. Conditions, season, timing, and animal behavior all matter.

Bald eagles appear often in the tour accounts, including adults with young birds. Some outings have seen several eagles, while another group counted around 15. You may also spot smaller birds, including kestrels and ducks moving across the water.

Harbor seals are another common sight. Sea lions have also appeared, and whales have been seen on some trips. The close-to-shore route gives the crew chances to scan coves, rocks, and sheltered water where animals may gather.

Bring your camera, but keep it protected from spray. The boat stops for photographs, yet the ride itself can be wet and fast. A phone with a secure waterproof case is more useful than a camera you need to handle delicately.

The naturalist adds real value here. A good guide does more than point at an eagle. Guides such as Harp, Nicolette, Hannah, and Noelle have been praised for making the information entertaining, explaining the animals, and sharing details about the area without turning the trip into a lecture.

When the Engines Go Quiet

The quiet stops are one of my favorite ideas in the itinerary. Fast boats can make you focus only on the next turn. When the engines stop, the experience opens up.

You hear the small sounds that disappear under the motor: water against the hull, wind moving through the trees, and birds along the shore. You also get a chance to look around without bracing for acceleration.

These pauses make the trip feel more connected to the place. They are especially useful for anyone in your group who wants scenery and wildlife rather than constant speed. At the same time, the boat is still built around an active ride, so the quiet moments do not turn it into a slow nature cruise.

What the Safety Gear Really Means

The included exposure suit is not just a costume for an Alaska photograph. It provides warmth and protection from wind and spray, and it works with the boat’s safety system. Goggles protect your eyes during the faster sections, while gloves help keep your hands warm.

The suit can feel warm once you are moving, especially if the day is mild. That is a good thing, but you may want to avoid dressing too heavily underneath it. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness because you need to climb aboard, sit astride the seats, and brace during turns.

The age minimum is 10 years. You must weigh under 350 pounds. The excursion is not suitable if you are pregnant or have a prior back or neck injury.

Those limits are important, not minor fine print. The boat can bounce, and the seating position places your body in an active posture. If anyone in your party has mobility or medical concerns, contact the operator before booking rather than hoping the ride will be gentle.

Is $189.99 a Fair Price?

At $189.99 per person, Ocean Raft Alaska is not a bargain activity. Still, the price includes about two hours and 15 minutes on the water, the boat ride, exposure gear, wildlife searching, photo stops, and a guide.

I think the value is strongest if you want something active and different from the usual Skagway choices. The ride gives you scenery, wildlife, and a real sense of motion in one outing. Several people have paired it with the train and preferred having a second excursion that offered a completely different view of the area.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a low-cost wildlife cruise or a long, slow scenic outing. The duration is fairly short for the price, and the experience depends on weather and sea conditions. You are paying for the boat, the specialized gear, the small-group format, and the thrill, not simply for transportation.

The tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with average bookings made about 90 days before departure. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Skagway date is fixed.

Weather, Timing, and Cruise-Day Planning

The excursion requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy gives you some protection, but it also means the tour may not operate exactly as planned in rough weather.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

If you are visiting Skagway from a cruise ship, leave enough time between the boat tour and your ship’s departure. The activity returns to its meeting point, which helps, but weather can affect timing. A little extra space in your schedule is sensible for any water excursion.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and the activity is offered in English. The group limit of 25 keeps the trip from feeling like a mass outing, though the boat may still feel lively when it is full.

Who Will Enjoy Ocean Raft Alaska Most?

I would choose this for families with children aged 10 and older, couples who want a shared adventure, solo visitors who enjoy meeting a crew, and anyone who has already done a standard Skagway sightseeing trip.

Teenagers are likely to appreciate the combination of wildlife and speed. Adults who want an active outing will find enough scenery to keep it from becoming a simple amusement ride. It also suits people who prefer seeing Alaska from the water rather than from a train window.

The tour may not suit you if you want a quiet cruise, have difficulty balancing on a moving boat, dislike protective gear, or are sensitive to fast turns. The crew is safety-minded, but this remains a thrill ride.

The personalities of the crew add another layer. Captain Bevin and naturalist Harp have been especially praised as a strong team, with Harp bringing stories and local detail while the captain handles the boat. Captain Jen and first mate Harp have also been singled out for combining safety, humor, and energetic driving. You cannot request a particular pairing from the information available, but the staff clearly matters to the experience.

Should You Book Ocean Raft Alaska?

Book it if you want a fast, close-up view of Lynn Canal and you are comfortable with a little bouncing, spray, and active seating. The combination of waterfalls, eagles, seals, quiet coves, and playful boat handling gives you much more than a simple ride around the harbor.

I would especially recommend it if you have already taken the White Pass train or want an alternative to a typical cruise excursion. The water-level views feel immediate, and the quiet engine-off stops keep the trip tied to nature.

Skip it if you need a calm boat, have a back or neck condition, are pregnant, or want the lowest-cost way to see the coast. For everyone else, $189.99 buys a well-equipped, two-hour-plus adventure with a strong mix of scenery, wildlife, and speed.

FAQ

Where does Ocean Raft Alaska meet in Skagway?

The tour begins and ends at 100 Broadway, Skagway, Alaska 99840. The meeting point is near public transportation.

How long does the Ocean Raft Alaska tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 15 minutes, including the boat ride, wildlife stops, photo opportunities, and quiet pauses.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes an exposure suit, goggles, gloves, and a ninja mask. The exposure suit also functions as flotation equipment.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include bald eagles, young eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, whales, kestrels, ducks, and other wildlife. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is there an age or weight requirement?

You must be at least 10 years old and weigh under 350 pounds.

Can I take the tour if I am pregnant or have a back injury?

No. The activity is not suitable for anyone who is pregnant or has a prior back or neck injury. A moderate level of physical fitness is also recommended.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.