Experienced guides outfit you in life jackets and rain gear (if necessary), then teach basic paddling techniques. Climb into one of the stable, but nimble, two-person kayaks and begin your adventure.

Your guide explains the area's history and helps identify local flora and fauna. Keep watch for eagles, herons, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and perhaps even a whale along the way. Explore Juneau's beautiful coast, including Smuggler's Cove and the Mendenhall Wetlands, where, depending on weather, you may have a view of Mendenhall Glacier. Silently approach wildlife and get a sense of how the Aleut traveled these waterways years ago.

Back at the kayak base, enjoy a tasty snack before transferring to your ship