Daily Activities and Excursions

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GLACIERS AND FJORD

During your stay at Pybus, you will have the opportunity to take a scenic boat ride up to the majestic Tracy Arm Fjord to see the Twin Sawyers Glaciers. While boating up the fjord, you’ll be able to see bright blue icebergs and have a chance to spot black bears, brown bears, and mountain goats. Once you arrive at the glaciers, have your cameras ready! Huge chunks of ice often fall off the glaciers in a process called “calving.” These ice chunks create massive waves that you won't want to miss. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for seals lounging on the floating ice chunks either.

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Tours of the glaciers only take a few hours and can be done the same day as some of our other boating excursions, such as whale watching, visiting the sea lion rookery, or the Five Finger Lighthouse. If you don’t want to spend the whole day on excursions, don’t worry! After visiting the glaciers, you can easily squeeze in a few hours of fishing. Just let your captain know what you’d like to do, and he’ll be happy to help!

BARANOF WARM SPRINGS

Want to relax? Why not soak in the natural Baranof Warm Springs? Baranof Island is home to nine natural hot springs right off the shore of the Baranof River. Whenever the weather is nice, one of our guides will boat you over to the island upon request. After a short hike through wild bear territory, you’ll be able to enjoy the hot springs during a day out fishing or as an adventure of its own. While you’re out, we recommend asking your guide to visit the nearly 600 foot tall Red Bluff Falls, which is located nearby.

BARANOF HOT SPRING FLIGHT-SEEING

For our more adventurous guests, we offer the chance to see the Baranof Warm Springs and Red Bluff Falls from above in our seaplane! As long as the skies are clear, our pilot will fly you over waterfalls and hot springs, giving you the chance to see Baranof Island from above. Don’t worry! You won’t miss out on the chance to take a dip in the springs. Our pilot will land the seaplane on a nearby glacial lake. After landing, you’ll enjoy a short scenic walk through wild bear country down to the springs. 

You can expect your tour to take approximately three hours. Flightseeing tours can be included as a part of your all-inclusive Alaskan experience and will only be offered when the weather allows for a safe flight. This excursion will replace a day out fishing but can be combined with any of our other half-day excursions that do not require a guided boat. 

RAINFOREST HIKE

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While you’re at the lodge you’ll also be able to go on two different guided hikes through the expansive Tongass National Forest. If you follow the half-mile Steele Trail you’ll  hike through the rainforest to a nearby river which will lead you through the forest back to the shore of the Pybus Bay.

If you hike the Alder Creek trail, we’ll boat you to a nearby island where you’ll get to hike through an old growth forest to a scenic river where local salmon sometimes run. While on either hike you’ll get the opportunity to see some of the incredible plant life and get the opportunity to see the habitat of the island’s many brown bears. If you're lucky, you might even spot a Sitka Black-tailed Deer while you’re out!  

Both hikes will be available for half-day excursions in either the morning or evening. Both hikes are on flat ground but can be difficult due to muddy trails or possibly due to fallen debris covering the paths. 

HIDDEN FALLS HIKE

Available to you as either a half-day morning or afternoon excursion is our hike to Hidden Falls. Hidden Falls is located in the nearby Donkey Bay. A short, guided hike through wild bear territory will lead you through the forest to a beautiful, hidden waterfall that showers over a crystal-clear pool. The hike may be flat, but beware that it can be tricky, as the trail crisscrosses through a shallow creek. Just let our Activity Director know you’d like to see the falls, and we’ll be happy to take you. 

TIDE POOL ADVENTURE

When the tide is low, you’ll have a half-day excursion of tidepooling available to you in both the mornings and the evenings. Local tide pools can be accessed by boat or kayak depending on the weather and what you’re feeling up to. Southeast Alaska’s tidepools are home to some of the ocean’s most interesting species of invertebrates and crustaceans. Get out your waterproof cameras! While you’re out, feel free to ask our Activities Director any questions you might have about what you see, as she is very knowledgeable about our local flora and fauna. 

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NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTATION

If you want to learn more about Southeast Alaska and its spectacular wildlife, we suggest sitting in on our Nature Presentation given by our Activity Director. During the presentation, you’ll learn a little about the history of the area, from the way of life of the indigenous Tlingit people to whaling and canning. The island has gone through many unique and interesting chapters of its life. You’ll also get to learn a little more about the local brown bears, bald eagles, humpback whales, and more. Our presentation will be held after dinner during one evening of your trip.

GOLD PANNING

Also available during one evening of your trip is our gold panning presentation. While gold panning, you’ll learn about the history of gold mining in Alaska and gold mining techniques, and, of course, you’ll get to sift for gold yourself! By the end, you’ll have your very own vile of genuine gold to take home. The presentation is held right on our deck, making it the perfect chance for the whole family to go prospecting without even having to muddy your boots. 

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GUIDED KAYAK TRIP

If you’re in the mood for a little exercise, we suggest going on a guided kayak excursion. No matter your skill level, we’ll customize the perfect kayak adventure just for you. Whether it be a leisurely paddle in the scenic Cannery Cove or a more strenuous adventure through Donkey Bay, you’ll have an experience you’ll remember for years to come. Kayaks are also much quieter than boats, which means that they’re much less likely to scare away wildlife. In other words, kayaking can be a great chance to see animals such as brown bears, seals, and otters in their natural habitat. Whenever the water conditions are safe, kayaking is available as either a half or full-day excursion.

WATER SKIING IN THE PYBUS BAY

For the adrenaline junkies, we offer the chance to water ski or wakeboard in the beautiful Pybus Bay. Whenever the water is calm, water skiing will be available to you as a half-day excursion both morning and evening. We ask that you only sign up for water skiing if you already have experience with the sport.

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SEA LION ROOKERY

If you’re in the mood to see some of the local wildlife, we suggest a trip to the sea lion rookery. The rookery is a nearby spot where sea lions gather to lounge and eat. This is a great opportunity for you to snap some pictures of wild sea lions playing, fighting, and diving in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky, a lion might even swim up to your boat! A trip to the rookery can easily be done while you’re out fishing or while on another boat excursion.

FRESHWATER FISHING

If you’re a freshwater fisherman, we offer the chance to fish at a local river with either a fly or spinner rod. This is a great opportunity to get off the boat and see the landscape. While fishing, you’ll have the opportunity to catch pink salmon. River fishing will only be offered when the salmon are running upriver and will be available as a half-day excursion. 

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GLACIER FLIGHT-SEEING

If you’d like to see a glacier from an eagle-eye view, ask our Activities Director about our Glacier Flightseeing Tour. Flightseeing is yet another unique way for you to experience the beauty of Alaska, since you’ll be able to see miles of glacier from the air that aren’t visible from the boats. You might be surprised to notice how the color of the water changes the further up the fjord you go. This is because you’re seeing the shift from saltwater to freshwater that has melted directly off the glacier itself. While out, you’ll also get to fly over Alaska’s first ever lighthouse. Situated between Stephen’s Passage and the Frederick Sound, the lighthouse opened back in 1902 to guide sailors through the treacherous water. While flightseeing, you’ll have an excellent chance to snap some truly unique photos of both the glaciers and lighthouse.

You can expect your tour to last approximately two hours. Flightseeing tours can be included as a part of your all-inclusive Alaskan experience and will only be offered when the weather allows for a safe flight. This excursion will replace a day out fishing but can be combined with any of our other half-day excursions that do not require a guided boat. 

Summary

As you can see, no matter what type of adventurer you are, we have an excursion for you! Whether you’re looking for a thrill, for that perfect photo opportunity, or to relax in some of the most spectacular wildlife Alaska has to offer, Pybus Point Lodge is the place for you. After arriving at the lodge, be sure to meet with our Activities Director so we can make every stay you have at Pybus a unique experience! Contact us today to learn more or book now to reserve your spot for an upcoming trip!

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