Glacier Point Wilderness Safari from Skagway: Boat Ride, Canoeing, and Davidson Glacier

I booked it because it sounded like more than a quick glacier stop, and that’s exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want to just stand near a glacier, take a photo, and move on. I wanted a shore excursion that felt more connected to the destination, and this one did.

It felt like the Alaska I had pictured in my head: chilly, quiet, snowcapped, and completely removed from the cruise port for a while. The boat ride, the mountains, the forest walk, and the time near Davidson Glacier all made this tour feel like a real part of our Skagway port day, not just a quick stop.

The name makes it sound like wildlife is the main focus, and our guides kept an eye out throughout the tour. We saw sea lions resting on the rocks near the end, which was a great bonus. But I’d book this for Davidson Glacier.

Our Alaska cruise itinerary gave us a long day in Skagway, which made it possible to plan two excursions without feeling rushed. We rode the White Pass Railway in the morning, still had time to walk around downtown Skagway and grab fry bread, then headed out again for the afternoon Glacier Point tour.

By the end of the day, I was tired, happy, and fully convinced we had made the right call by doing both excursions.

What Is the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari?

The Glacier Point Wilderness Safari is an Alaska shore excursion from Skagway that combines a boat ride, a short inland transfer, a forest walk, and a motor-assisted canoe ride near Davidson Glacier.

Despite the word “safari” in the name, I wouldn’t think of this as only a wildlife tour. The guides do keep an eye out for wildlife throughout the excursion, and we saw eagles and sea lions, but I would say that Davidson Glacier is the main reason to book it.

From Skagway, the full excursion usually takes around 5.5 to 6 hours, depending on your tour time, cruise line, and how the day runs.

The biggest thing to know before booking is that this is not a glacier trek. You do not walk on or right up to Davidson Glacier, and there is still water between you and the glacier at the closest point. But if you want a more active way to see Davidson Glacier than standing at a viewpoint, this tour does that well.

Glacier Point Wilderness Safari from Skagway
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What It Was Like Getting to Davidson Glacier from Skagway

The Boat Ride from Skagway to Glacier Point

After our morning on the White Pass Railway and a little time walking around downtown Skagway, we headed back toward the cruise port area for the afternoon Glacier Point tour.

The tour started with a boat ride from Skagway, which was part transportation, part scenery, and part introduction to the area. The ride took about an hour, and the guides shared history and information along the way while we watched the water for whales, because in Alaska, you never really know when they might show up. The ride may feel long if you’re just waiting to get to the glacier, but for us, it felt like part of the experience rather than wasted time.

Everyone started inside the boat, and once the crew was ready, they opened the top deck for anyone who wanted to go up. Not everyone did, and after feeling that wind, I understood why. The views were beautiful, but if it’s cold out, you’ll feel it fast. I had to hold on the entire time we were up there, and we didn’t last long. You can still enjoy the scenery from inside, so go up for the views if you want, but consider yourself warned.

Lunch Before Heading Inland

It was one thing to see the scenery from inside the boat, but stepping onto the shore near Glacier Point pulled us right into it. The snowcapped mountains were suddenly all around us, the air felt colder, and the whole tour shifted from a scenic ride to an actual adventure. That was when I started getting excited for what was still ahead.

Since we were on the afternoon tour, they gave us lunch shortly after we arrived near Glacier Point. Some tour versions may handle lunch at a different time of day, so I’d check the details when booking. Ours was a turkey sandwich, chips, and a cookie. I didn’t eat mine, but my husband did and said it was fine. I still wouldn’t count on it as your main meal, so I suggest eating something in Skagway beforehand if you have time.

From there, we hopped on an old-school bus and rode farther inland to the tour base, where they handed out gear for the canoe portion of the tour. We were given rubber boots, a life vest, and an oar before heading toward the forest trail.

Walking Through the Forest to the River

After we got our gear, we followed the guides through the forest toward the canoe launch area. There is a bit of walking involved, roughly around a quarter mile before reaching the river area, and parts of the path are on uneven terrain. You’re also wearing rubber boots while carrying your oar, so it’s worth knowing this is not a “step off the bus and sit down” kind of excursion.

That’s how I’d describe this part of the tour, too. It’s active, but still pretty easy. You walk, carry your oar, and make your way over natural ground, but none of it felt intense to us.

Then we reached the water’s edge, where the canoes were waiting, and got our first real glimpse of Davidson Glacier in the distance. That was when the excitement really kicked in. We weren’t just heading to another viewpoint. We were about to get in the canoes and make our way toward the glacier.

Canoeing Toward Davidson Glacier

Once we reached the river, we climbed into the large canoes and started making our way toward Davidson Glacier. This is the part of the tour that made it feel like we were doing more than just being taken somewhere to look around.

You can paddle if you want to, and most people seemed to join in, but the canoes are motor-assisted, so you are not doing the hard work of getting across the water. The paddling felt more like part of the fun than something you had to worry about. If you need to take a break or don’t want to paddle the whole time, you can.

The view from the river was incredible. We had Davidson Glacier ahead of us, snowcapped mountains around us, and the other canoes paddling across the water like something out of a movie scene. It felt like the tour was slowly revealing Davidson Glacier instead of just dropping us in front of it. You could see it in the distance, then little by little, the canoe ride brought us closer.

Time at Davidson Glacier

Once we reached the shoreline near Davidson Glacier, we got out of the canoes and continued on foot. There was still a short walk along a rocky shoreline, and with each step, Davidson Glacier just got a little closer. Then we reached the closest we could get to it, with Davidson Glacier ahead of us in full view.

You can’t walk right up to the glacier on this tour because there is water between you and the ice. When I had seen photos of Davidson Glacier before the excursion, I remember thinking it looked kind of small. In person, it did not feel that way at all.

Photos don’t do this place justice. Not mine, not the ones you see online, not even the videos. Standing there with Davidson Glacier ahead of us, the water in between, and the mountains all around, I stopped trying to capture every angle and just stood there taking it in.

I remember feeling completely happy, admiring it, and feeling blessed to be there. We spent about 30 minutes in that area before heading back to the canoes, and we definitely did not feel rushed.

Returning to Skagway

After our time near Davidson Glacier, we made our way back to the canoes and retraced our route. We paddled back across the river, walked through the forest again, and returned our gear at the tour base.

From there, we got back on the old school bus for a short tour around the area. The guides looked for wildlife while telling us more about Glacier Point and what it’s like working out there during the season. They’re based there day after day for these tours, taking turns going back into town, which made the area feel even more remote.

Then we headed back toward the shoreline to board the boat again. On the ride back to Skagway, the crew kept looking for whales and pointing out wildlife along the way. We spotted eagles, stopped near a large group of sea lions resting on the rocks, and passed Rainbow Falls before returning to port.

By that point, we had done the White Pass Railway, walked around downtown Skagway, eaten fry bread, and spent the afternoon getting to Davidson Glacier. It was a full day, and exactly the kind of port day we hoped for in Alaska.

What to Know Before Booking Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

🛥️ The boat ride from Skagway takes about an hour each way. It may feel long if you’re just waiting to get to the glacier, but for us, it felt like part of the experience.

👥 The group feels larger on the boat, then smaller later. The boat ride to and from Glacier Point may have a larger group, but once you reach the canoe portion, groups are split up. The large voyageur-style canoes typically hold about 10 to 12 guests plus a guide.

🥾 This is an active but pretty easy excursion. You’ll walk through the forest, wear rubber boots, carry an oar, and climb in and out of the canoe.

🌲 There is some uneven terrain. The forest walk is not strenuous, but it’s not a paved path either.

🛶 The canoes are motor-assisted. You can paddle if you want, but you are not responsible for powering the canoe the whole way.

🧊 You do not walk on or right up to Davidson Glacier. There is still water between you and the glacier at the closest point.

🐋 Wildlife is a bonus, not the main focus. Our guides kept an eye out throughout the tour, and we saw eagles and sea lions, but I’d book this for Davidson Glacier.

🚻 The bathrooms are literal outhouses. At Glacier Point, there was no plumbing, just outhouse-style bathrooms. Use the restroom before leaving Skagway, and brace yourself if you need to use it at Glacier Point.

🧥 Dress in layers. We did this tour in mid-May, and it was chilly, especially on the boat and near the water. Midsummer may feel different, but Alaska weather can still change fast.

🎒 Bring a few weather-dependent extras. The tour provides rubber boots and life vests, but I’d still bring a water-resistant backpack, gloves if your hands get cold easily, a hat, and warm socks. I wore waterproof sneakers, but you will still have to change them out. The canoe area can get damp, and Alaska weather can change quickly.

💵 This is a pricey excursion. I wouldn’t book it just because you need something to do in Skagway. Book it because you want the boat ride, canoeing, and time near Davidson Glacier. Compare the cruise line price with independent options before deciding.

🚢 Consider booking the afternoon tour through your cruise line. It may cost more, but if the tour runs late, booking through the ship gives you extra peace of mind. For the morning tour, booking this excursion independently may save money if the timing works with your port day.

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