Stikine River from Your Wrangell Alaska Cruise

The Stikine River is North America’s fastest free-flowing navigable river, stretching 400 miles from British Columbia to Alaska near Wrangell. It flows through diverse ecosystems including temperate rainforest, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes, offering exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities for bears, seals, eagles, and migratory birds on jet boat tours.

Quick Facts

Want to know more about exploring Alaska cruise ports and planning your stops? We’ve got comprehensive guides to help you maximize your adventure.

Why the Stikine River Stands Out

Most cruise passengers gravitate toward the bigger Alaska ports, which means Wrangell Alaska’s hidden gem status works to your advantage. The Stikine River delta system creates a wildlife haven that rivals anything you’ll see in more famous locations, but without the tour bus crowds.

The river’s speed is no joke. It moves water at an impressive clip, carving through mountains and carrying glacial silt that gives the water its distinctive milky-turquoise color. This silt creates incredibly fertile feeding grounds where salmon congregate, which in turn attracts the predators that make for spectacular viewing.

What Makes Jet Boat Tours Special

These aren’t your typical sightseeing boats. Jet boats can navigate the shallow, fast-moving channels of the Stikine delta in ways larger vessels can’t, getting you right into the heart of the wilderness. The boats are designed specifically for these conditions with powerful engines and shallow drafts that let you explore braided channels where the wildlife action happens.

• Experienced local captains who know exactly where bears are feeding based on salmon runs
• Smaller group sizes compared to standard cruise excursions
• Ability to travel upriver to see LeConte Glacier ice formations
• Heated cabin areas on most boats for when the wind picks up

Wildlife You’ll Actually See

The Stikine River area isn’t just theoretically good for wildlife – it delivers consistently. The combination of salmon runs, protected waterways, and minimal human development creates ideal conditions for animal activity throughout the cruise season.

Black Bears

During salmon runs you’ll spot black bears fishing along the shoreline and in shallow channels. Unlike brown bears that get all the attention elsewhere in Alaska, black bears are excellent climbers and you’ll sometimes catch them scaling trees. Your guide will position the boat at a respectful distance that’s close enough for great photos but safe for everyone involved.

Bald Eagles

The concentration of bald eagles here rivals anything at the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. You’ll see them perched in cottonwood trees and swooping down to grab fish. Bring a telephoto lens if you have one, though honestly the eagles are so numerous that even phone cameras capture impressive shots.

Harbor Seals

These curious creatures haul out on ice floes that drift down from LeConte Glacier. They’ll pop their heads up to investigate your boat, and during pupping season you might spot adorable seal pups learning to navigate the icy waters.

Additional Wildlife

• Moose browsing in riverside meadows
• River otters playing in quieter channels
• Numerous waterfowl species including mergansers and goldeneyes
• Occasional wolves on the riverbanks (rare but possible)

For more detailed information about what you might encounter, check out our comprehensive Alaska wildlife guide with viewing tips.

Practical Tour Considerations

When exploring things to do in Wrangell, the Stikine River tour should top your list, but you need to plan accordingly.

Timing and Booking

These tours typically last 4-6 hours, which means they consume most of your port day. Check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully. Most operators require bookings in advance since they run smaller boats with limited capacity. Don’t count on booking the morning of your arrival – these fill up fast despite Wrangell being a less-visited port.

Weather Reality

Southeast Alaska weather is unpredictable. Rain happens frequently and the temperature on the water is always cooler than in town. This isn’t a dealbreaker but it requires proper preparation.

What to Wear

• Waterproof jacket (not just water-resistant)
• Layers including fleece or warm mid-layer
• Long pants, not shorts
• Closed-toe shoes with good traction
• Hat that won’t blow off easily
• Gloves if you’re sensitive to cold

What to Bring

• Camera with extra batteries (cold drains them faster)
• Binoculars for distant wildlife
• Seasickness medication if you’re prone to motion sickness
• Snacks and water (some tours provide these, but not all)
• Small dry bag for electronics

The LeConte Glacier Connection

Many Stikine River tours include a side trip to view ice from LeConte Glacier, the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America. You won’t get as close as you would at Glacier Bay, but the ice formations floating in the river channels create an otherworldly landscape. The turquoise and white ice chunks range from car-sized to house-sized, and watching harbor seals lounge on them adds to the experience.

The glacier actively calves ice into LeConte Bay, and the current carries these icebergs into the Stikine delta where they create constantly changing scenery. This means every tour is different depending on recent calving activity and tidal conditions.

Choosing Your Tour Operator

Wrangell has several reputable operators running Stikine River tours. Look for these qualities:

• Captains with extensive local knowledge (ask how long they’ve been running trips)
• Smaller boats that can access more channels
• Naturalist guides who can explain what you’re seeing
• Good safety records and proper licensing
• Flexibility to adjust routes based on wildlife activity

When reviewing the best shore excursions in Wrangell, you’ll find Stikine River tours consistently rank at the top for good reason.

Photography Tips

The lighting in Southeast Alaska creates both opportunities and challenges for photography.

Camera Settings

• Use a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster) to compensate for boat movement
• Shoot in burst mode for wildlife action
• Increase ISO if necessary rather than getting blurry shots
• Bring a lens hood to manage glare off the water

Composition Considerations

The dramatic landscapes and wildlife opportunities make this a photographer’s dream, but the boat is constantly moving. Position yourself where you can brace against something stable. Most captains will slow down or stop when significant wildlife appears, giving you time for better shots.

Bonus Tips

• The right side of the boat often gets better views on the way upriver, left side on the return – but this varies by route
• Download offline maps before you leave the ship since cell service is spotty
• Bring cash for tipping your guide (15-20% is standard for good service)
• The bathroom situation on jet boats is minimal or nonexistent – plan accordingly
• Sunrise and sunset tours offer different lighting but fewer wildlife sightings than midday trips
• Pack a small towel to wipe spray off your camera lens
• Motion sickness is less common on rivers than open ocean, but the boat does bounce through rapids
• Ask your guide about the Tlingit history of the area – the cultural context adds depth to the experience
• Some operators offer combo tours that include additional stops at Chief Shakes Island or Anan Bear Observatory

The Honest Challenges

Let’s address the downsides so you can make an informed decision. The Stikine River tour isn’t for everyone.

The boat ride can get bumpy when traveling at speed through choppy sections. If you have back problems or difficulty with jarring movement, mention this when booking. Some operators have boats with better suspension seating.

Wildlife sightings, while highly probable, aren’t guaranteed. Nature doesn’t run on a cruise ship schedule. Most days deliver spectacular viewing but occasionally the bears are elsewhere or the weather reduces visibility.

The tour commitment is substantial. You’re dedicating most of your limited port time to this one activity, which means you won’t have much time for exploring Wrangell itself. For some travelers this trade-off is absolutely worth it. For others who prefer variety, it’s worth considering.

The price point is higher than many shore excursions because of the specialized boats, fuel costs, and small group sizes. Budget accordingly.

Alternative Options

If the full Stikine River tour doesn’t fit your schedule or budget, consider these alternatives:

• Shorter delta tours that focus on the mouth of the river (2-3 hours)
• Kayaking portions of the calmer channels with a guide
• Viewing the river from shore at designated viewpoints (free but limited wildlife opportunities)
• Combination tours that pair a brief river segment with other Wrangell activities

Why This Beats More Famous Alaska Experiences

Here’s something cruise veterans know: the most crowded destinations aren’t always the best. While everyone packs into Juneau and Ketchikan, Wrangell offers a more authentic Alaska experience. The Stikine River exemplifies this perfectly.

You’ll see similar or better wildlife than expensive Glacier Bay tours, experience more pristine wilderness than heavily trafficked Tracy Arm, and enjoy personal attention from guides who aren’t rushing through a script for the hundredth time that week.

The lack of crowds means the wildlife behaves more naturally. Bears aren’t habituated to constant boat traffic, eagles haven’t learned to ignore human presence, and the whole experience feels like discovery rather than a staged show.

Common Questions and FAQ

Can I see the Stikine River without taking a boat tour?

You can view the river mouth from certain points in Wrangell, but you won’t see the wildlife concentrations or glacier ice without going upriver by boat. The delta is too vast and the best viewing areas are only accessible by water.

How rough is the boat ride?

The river itself is calmer than open ocean, but jet boats travel at high speeds and bounce through rapids. Most passengers tolerate it well but it’s more active than typical cruise excursion boats. Ask about boat size and style when booking if this concerns you.

What if I’m traveling with young children or elderly family members?

Many families successfully do these tours with kids as young as five or six. The wildlife keeps children engaged. For elderly passengers, the main considerations are getting in and out of the boat and the bumpy ride. Operators can usually accommodate special needs if you communicate in advance.

Is the tour worth it if it’s raining?

Absolutely. Wildlife is often more active in light rain, and Southeast Alaska’s rain is typically gentle rather than driving. The boats have covered areas and proper rain gear makes this a non-issue. Tours rarely cancel for rain alone.

How close do you actually get to bears?

Operators maintain safe distances required by wildlife regulations, typically at least 50 yards. This might sound far but it’s close enough for excellent viewing and photography. Telephoto lenses or binoculars enhance the experience but aren’t necessary.

Can I book directly with operators instead of through the cruise line?

Yes, and you’ll usually save money. Independent booking gives you more operator choices and often smaller group sizes. Just ensure you’re back to the ship with plenty of buffer time. The cruise line won’t wait if you’re late on an independent excursion.

What’s the best month for Stikine River tours?

July and August see peak salmon runs which means more bear activity. May and June offer excellent bird migrations and seal pupping. September brings fall colors and less crowded conditions. There’s no bad month during cruise season, just different highlights.

Personal Experience

When I finally made it out to the Stikine River during my Wrangell stop, I understood why locals kept insisting it was the real reason to visit. The jet boat tour took us through this massive delta where the river splits into countless channels, and everywhere you look there’s something wild happening. Our guide pointed out a black bear fishing along the shoreline, bald eagles perched in nearly every tall tree, and harbor seals popping their heads up to check us out. The landscape keeps changing too – one minute you’re gliding past dense rainforest, the next you’re surrounded by these otherworldly ice formations from the nearby LeConte Glacier.

What made it special was how untouched everything feels. We weren’t fighting crowds or jockeying for position with a dozen other boats. Just us, the wildlife, and this incredibly powerful river that flows all the way from Canada. The tour operators in Wrangell really know their stuff and can read the river conditions perfectly, which matters since things change daily out there. Bring layers because it gets chilly on the water, and definitely have your camera ready. The whole experience reminded me why Alaska cruises beat tropical ones any day – you just can’t manufacture wilderness like this.