10 Shore Excursions in the USA That Still Read Well a Year On

1.Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,338 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $159Our pick

This six-hour Hilo shore excursion visits Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea viewpoints, steam vents, Thurston Lava Tube, Richardson Black Sand Beach, and a macadamia nut stop. Guides such as Robert, Jess, Donna, Geo, and Hannibal are praised for lively local stories. Expect a small van or mini bus, walking, changing weather, and a flexible route.

“Robert was an excellent tour guide providing an immense wealth of knowledge and would highly recommend him! Especially after taking the Honolulu tour the next day, we appreciate him even more”

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2.Skagway Shore Excursion: Full-Day Tour of the Yukon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 799 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $173Top rated

Travel from your Skagway cruise pier into Canada aboard a small minibus with a professional guide. Stop at Tutshi and Tagish lakes, Carcross Desert, Emerald Lake, and Lake Bennett. At Wild Adventure Yukon, enjoy lunch, wildlife exhibits, and huskies. Guides such as Connor, Mike, Andrew, and Garrit are known for lively local stories.

“It was a wonderful day tour of the Yukon, with great commentary. A professional company with loads of buses, and they pick you up straight from the cruise ship which is always a plus . Our guide Garrit was fabulous.”

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3.Skagway Shore Excursion: Half-Day Tour to the Yukon Border and Suspension Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 543 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $138

Travel from Skagway into British Columbia and the Yukon by small minibus with guides such as Connor, Andrew, Mike, or Garrett. Stop at waterfalls, White Pass, Tutshi Lake, the Yukon border, and the Yukon Suspension Bridge. Bring your original passport, and expect a scenic, history-filled four-hour outing.

“The tour guide was phenomenal and the views were amazing. However you had better like people because the ones we were with had no sense of courtesy and only thought of themselves. The bus was filled and these people kept talking while the guide was speaking. When the guide said ten minutes for photos, they took 15 etc. I’d rent a car next time and do it myself. The kicker was the student at the local school who gave the tour bus the middle finger as we passed by. I understand not liking tourists but if the cruise ships stop coming, that town would be in shambles. That’s just the…”

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4.Juneau Shore Excursion: Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 536 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $440

Take a narrated helicopter flight from Juneau to Herbert Glacier, land on the ice, and walk with your pilot-guide among snow, rock, and glacial water. Coastal Helicopters provides transport, boots, and rain gear if needed. Bring layers, accurate passenger weights, and a camera. Weather controls the schedule.

“Awesome, very smooth ride. Enjoyed it to the limit. All the staff members are so friendly. The two ladies that drove vans were above and beyond expectations”

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5.Skagway Shore Excursion Chilkoot Trail Hike and Float Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 513 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $145

Travel from Skagway’s cruise pier along Dyea Road, hike 2 miles through temperate rainforest, then float the Taiya River in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Guides such as Dominic, Danny, Owen, Rachel, and Shaggy add local stories and sharp eyes for mushrooms, berries, eagles, and other wildlife. The tour lasts about four hours and caps groups at 11.

“Nice short hike. Guide was funny and informative (Dominic). Float was short but a nice experience with beautiful views. I would recommend this tour”

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6.Skagway Shore Excursion: White Pass Summit and Skagway City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 417 reviews · from $72Best value

Travel from Skagway’s cruise docks to White Pass Summit in a narrated mini-bus with up to 24 people. You’ll see Pitchfork and Bridal Veil Falls, the Gold Rush Cemetery, Captain William Moore Bridge, Summit Lake, Tormented Valley, and the Welcome to Alaska sign. Guides such as Beverly and Garrett add local stories and practical help.

“Garrett, our tour guide, was a great source of information! He picked us up on time and offered to drop us so we wouldn’t miss the fast ferry back to Haines.”

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7.Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $187

Spend 5.5 hours with Mauka Makai Adventures exploring Kilauea, steam vents, Halema'uma'u Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, lava fields, Rainbow Falls, Lili'uokalani Gardens, and Big Island Candies. Guides such as Jill and Josh add local stories and volcano insight. Pickup is available at Hilo Port, select hotels, and Hilo Airport.

“Visiting an active volcano (spewed lava 3 days prior) was amazing. Enjoyed walking through a lava tube, seeing lava fields, and the beautiful flora and fauna of the rain forest. Our guide, Jill, was extremely knowledgeable and provided wonderful stories of her life growing up with volcanoes eruptions, sunamies, earthquakes, and hurricanes.”

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8.Ketchikan Shore Excursion: Rainforest Canopy Ropes and Zipline Adventure Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 390 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $150

You’ll ride seven ziplines, tackle eight canopy ropes, cross suspended bridges, and climb a 50-foot tower at Southeast Exposure. Guides such as Frank, Eli, Shea, Mallory, and Cade have led groups with calm safety coaching and local nature tips. Port pickup, gear, and return transport are included.

“Blindly book n go. You will not be disappointed. We as a family all of us enjoyed this every bit n highly would recommend”

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9.Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 363 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $154

Ride from Hilo port or your hotel in a small vehicle with a local guide such as Ellen, Troy, Dave, or Lori. Walk into Kaumana Caves, see lava-tree molds, visit recent eruption zones, and reach black-sand shorelines shaped by Kilauea. Expect uneven ground, steep cave steps, changing stops, and a local food break.

“Dave was incredible. Very informative along the drives and along the way. We actually diverted to Volcanoes National Park due to entrance fees waived for the day. Dave was very informative on the volcanoes and lava. Highly recommended”

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10.Ketchikan Shore Excursion: Eagle Island Sea Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 359 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

You’ll ride from Ketchikan port to Clover Pass, learn tandem kayaking with guides such as Eli, Sarah, Katie, or Mallory, then paddle toward Eagle Island in Tongass National Forest. Expect about 90 minutes on the water, calm protected conditions, and chances to see eagles, seals, sea lions, starfish, salmon, and perhaps whales. Rain gear is wise.

“It was great to be on the water, enjoy a little exercise, and see lots of wildlife in one experience! We saw 5 eagles (3 adults & 2 juveniles) and lots of starfish. The owner (mom) was awesome in taking us back to Ketchikan and very engaged in conversation with us. The two young ladies who drove us to the location, were too quiet despite us trying to engage them. Otherwise, great excursion with this company!”

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