You can take Alaska Airlines to Gustavus. Alaska Air has flights once a day which arrive in Gustavus around 6:00 PM.

Another option is to use an air taxi service to Gustavus from Juneau, Haines or Skagway. The price from Juneau to Gustavus is $80.00 (one way), and several companies offer flights throughout each day.

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Alaska

Frequent Questions

Most likely, you'll have several questions about your kayaking expedition in Alaska. Here's a few that we're frequently asked:

• What if we have never kayaked before?
  
  

  Almost all of our trips are designed to accommodate beginners. Our experienced guides give a thorough pre-trip orientation before every trip. This includes kayaking instruction and paddling techniques, a safety overview, site-specific information, and helpful tips. Remember, the goal of our trips is to really get a sense of the spirit of the land and water. To do this we find it is much better to move a bit more slowly and deliberately rather than try and "bag" as many miles as possible.

• Why Spirit Walker Expeditions?
  
  

  Spirit Walker is a guide-owned and operated company that has been leading trips throughout Southeast Alaska for over 20 years. We were the first outfitter to develop many of the trips that we offer — including day and overnight trips to Pt. Adolphus. Our local knowledge and guiding experience there and elsewhere means you will experience the best that those areas have to offer. Our history in those areas has developed in us a deep commitment to preserving them — our approach emphasizes wilderness stewardship and minimum impact techniques.

• How do we sign up for one of your trips?
  
  

  Simply let us know which trip you are interested in, and how many are in your party. Call 1-800-KAYAKER, send us an email us at info@seakayakalaska.com, or contact us through our website. Then we will send you an invoice. A 50% deposit on the cost of the trip will reserve your space! Your deposit can be paid online once you've received the invoice - or you can contact us for other payment options. We can also help arrange your lodging and other activities, or help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Do you have an age limit?
  
  

  Spirit Walker has guided families with children as young as three years old, and parents as old as 96! We welcome the opportunity to introduce children (old and young) to some of the mysteries of Southeast Alaska. We have created family trips, with itineraries especially suited for families with young children.

• What should we bring?
  
  

  Spirit Walker provides nearly everything that you will need for your trip. This includes all kayaking and camping gear, food, raingear, rubber boots, and dry bags. You will need to bring the appropriate clothing, and a few personal items we recommend in our packing list.
  
  

• How do we get to Gustavus?
  
  

  While ferry service is typically very limited into Gustavus, our town is only a 20 minute scenic flight from Juneau. Air Excursions flies between Juneau and Gustavus several times a day in the summer. Alaska Airlines flies in and out once a day throughout the summer. We can help arrange your transportation.

• What type of kayaks do you use?
  
  

  All of our kayaking and camping equipment has been researched and field tested for quality, safety, and performance. We have a fleet of sleek fiberglass tandem kayaks made by Northwest Kayaks. We utilize Nautiraid folding kayaks for our remote fly-in trips. We are also introducing a budding fleet of beautiful mahogany kayaks (including the only triple kayak in Gustavus) by Chesapeake Light Craft, built under the tutelage of master boat-builder and guide Gary Carlson.

• Will we see bears?
  
  

  Depending on the trip and the time of year, there is a very good chance of seeing bears. We practice safe bear camping and have never had an incident with a bear.

• How close will we get to the whales?
  
  

  At Spirit Walker we have a deep respect for the whales in whose waters we kayak. We would much rather observe the whales in their natural state than change their behavior in any way because of our presence. The humpbacks only have the summer months to feed before their long migration south - where they do not eat at all. For these reasons, and several others, we follow the Marine Mammal Code of Conduct and attempt to stay at least 100 yards away from the whales. If they come closer than that to our kayaks, we simply let them pass by!

• When is the best time to visit Southeast Alaska?
  
  

  We are often asked this question. There is no simple answer. But here are a few considerations which might help you decide:

  • April and May - Commonly known for crystal clear, sparkling, sunny days with cool nights. Life is "returning" now. This is our own personal favorite time to be out.
  • May and June - Driest months, statistically speaking. This is the best time for wildflowers, snow-covered hills, and awakening wildlife.
  • July and August - Warmest months. Berries are ripening, and salmon are running. This is the most popular time to come.
  • August and September - Shorter days, so this is the best time to see northern lights and bi-luminescence
  • September and October - Increasingly shorter days and rainfall, but offer more opportunity for wilderness solitude.

Humpbacks are baleen whales, eating mostly small fish and krill. A humpback can take 15,000 gallons of water into its ventral pouch at once. But its throat is only the size of a melon!