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Should You Experience Alaska by Boat, Foot, Plane, or Kayak?

Alaska is as large as it is beautiful. Vast expanses of undisturbed wilderness sometimes seem immense in comparison to the state’s comparably small communities, such as tucked-away Juneau.

Exploration Options

This natural splendor can be deeply appreciated when fishing, hiking, flying, kayaking, or boating in the amazing outdoors, particularly because the national and state parks in this region are some of the biggest in the country. The Last Frontier’s wildlands are the major things that draw tourists and nature lovers from across the globe. Alaska will astonish you no matter where your tour takes you. In this post, we’ll look at four lenses from which you can get the most out of Alaska.

Boat Rides

Snow-capped peaks, picturesque river valleys, and breathtaking fjords. Forests surround lakes and blue-green glaciers. The Malaspina Glacier is larger than Rhode Island by itself. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve spans more than 13 million acres, making it larger than Switzerland, Yosemite and Yellowstone combined! With all of these rivers, lakes, and fjords, is it any wonder boating is a popular pastime in Alaska?

Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined, and a boat cruise allows you to enjoy it to the fullest. Admire spectacular landscapes from a special vantage point, stop at interior wonders like the Northern Lights, and get up close to marine wildlife and Alaska’s rich cultural heritage. Boats also offer the opportunity to truly relax as you let a skilled captain handle the navigation while you just enjoy the scenery.

Hiking

There is nothing like a typical day in the outdoors in Alaska. The ever-changing vegetation is one of the reasons why hiking in Alaska is so incredibly unique. Because the flora can only bloom for a short period in Alaska (May-September), the plants must physically take turns being pollinated and blossoming. Furthermore, in Alaska, bees have a limited time to pollinate flowers. As a result, the plants must mature quickly. As a result, you can find a set of flora one week and a completely different set the next. As long as you have the correct equipment and a skilled guide, you’ll discover that navigating Alaska’s trails is a breeze.

In addition to checking out the native flora and fauna, you can also hike out onto some of Alaska’s most iconic glaciers. There’s not many places on Earth where you can walk on ice that’s thousands of years old, so why pass up that chance?

Plane Tours

It’s particularly humbling when you’re drifting on the wind miles from the nearest human habitation, soaring above nature’s shifting patterns in a plane no bigger than a car. This may be a regular experience in Alaska, where one out of every forty individuals have a pilot’s license, but even “ordinary” encounters can provide enormous insights.

Air taxis in Alaska are like what yellow cabs and water taxis are to New York and Venice, respectively. Because so much of Alaska is inaccessible by car, taking a tour in the air, also known as flightseeing, allows you to see parts of the state that are impossible to see from the ground. In the air, beauty takes on a whole new meaning as you fly not only to get from one point to another but also to observe everything that lives in between.

Kayaking

Climbing into a sea kayak brings water adventure to a completely new level—that is, eye level. Unlike rafting adventures, where you’re more likely to see land animals, sea kayaking experiences provide glimpses of marine life, including sea lions, otters, seals, and maybe whales, as well as fish just beneath the surface. Safety and fundamental methods will be taught to you by experienced guides. While some strength and flexibility are required, most operators opt for stable, two-seater kayaks.

Above & Beyond Alaska

We specialize in high-quality, small-group active adventure excursions for people looking to experience Alaska’s authentic spirit at Above & Beyond Alaska Wilderness Adventures in Juneau, Alaska. We have something for everyone, no matter what they’re looking for. As a locally run business operating since 2002, we’ve scoured the Juneau Alaska area for the best glaciers, bears, and whales to share with you! We endeavor to exceed expectations in terms of quality, service, and safety. WeCanoe - Sea emphasize safety above every other thing as expert outfitters. You’ll be ready for your once-in-a-lifetime trip thanks to our high level of training and top-of-the-line equipment. We take delight in what we do and aim to share this wonderful world of adventure with others.

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