Top 5 Chinle Cruises & Sailing Tours (Reviewed)

So, you’re hanging out in Chinle, which is, you know, the main place to get into the incredible Canyon de Chelly. You are probably looking at all the amazing red rock and thinking about history. Yet, you might be looking for something a little different to do, too. While Chinle itself is pretty much landlocked, there are actually some completely wonderful water trips you can take that are just a car ride away. Honestly, getting out on the water gives you a totally fresh look at the whole desert area. We’ve gone and put together a list of some of the very best boat trips and watery fun you can have, sort of as a day trip from Chinle. They’re all more or less based around Lake Powell and the Colorado River, which are, you know, absolutely worth the drive.

1. Antelope Point Marina Canyon Adventure Tour

Alright, so first up is a trip that is, in a way, one of the most popular for a good reason. The Canyon Adventure Tour that leaves from Antelope Point Marina is, like, a really special time. You’ll have to drive over to Page, Arizona, but it is just a scenic trip from Chinle. What’s so neat about this one is that you typically get on a smaller kind of boat. This is actually a big deal because it means your captain can steer right into some of the tight, winding parts of Antelope Canyon and Navajo Canyon that the bigger tour boats just can’t get to. It’s almost like a private showing of the canyon’s hidden corners, right from the water.

Honestly, the way the light hits the water and then bounces up onto the stone walls is something you just have to see for yourself. It’s pretty much a photographer’s dream. You’re so close to the rock faces you can practically reach out and feel the texture of millions of years of history. The guides are usually locals, and as a matter of fact, they often share stories about the area and point out cool things you would definitely miss on your own. For instance, they might show you where certain movies were filmed or explain the meaning behind the canyon’s name. This trip is seriously a great pick if you want an up-close and personal look at the canyons. It is, you know, a very moving experience.

2. Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas – Navajo Canyon Tour

Now, if you’re sort of looking for a more relaxed and maybe a bit of a grander experience, then this tour could be the one for you. The Navajo Canyon Tour from Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is kind of a classic. This one uses a much bigger, double-decker tour boat, which has some real perks. For example, you get an open-air upper deck for completely clear views and, like, taking amazing pictures, but there’s also an enclosed, climate-controlled lower deck. This is frankly great for those super hot summer days or if the weather gets a little bit windy. It’s really a comfortable way to see a huge part of the lake.

Basically, this trip takes you deep into Navajo Canyon, which is just one of the biggest side canyons on the entire lake. The stone walls here are absolutely towering, and the history is just so rich. As you sail along, an audio narration typically points out all the important spots and shares stories and geological facts. You get to see the famous 50/50 Wall, which is an optical illusion where the rock wall and its reflection in the water look almost exactly the same. You’ll also glide past the Glen Canyon Dam, which is, you know, a pretty impressive piece of engineering. It’s a slightly longer trip, so it feels like a real journey, and it’s perfect for families or anyone who just wants to sit back, relax, and soak in all the amazing sights without any hassle.

3. Wilderness River Adventures – Half-Day Rafting Trip

Okay, so maybe you want a little more of an adventure. You are looking for something that gets your heart pumping just a little. In that case, you should definitely check out the half-day rafting trip down the Colorado River with Wilderness River Adventures. This is a very different vibe from a lake cruise. Instead of a big boat, you’re on a large, motorized raft, and you are right down on the powerful river itself. The trip begins at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, which is just an incredible sight from below. You get a real sense of its massive scale that you just don’t get from above.

As you float down this really smooth stretch of the river, the scenery is just amazing. The guides are often full of life and have tons of stories about the river’s history, the native wildlife, and the people who lived here. The high point for a lot of folks is, of course, floating around the famous Horseshoe Bend. Seeing it from the water looking up is a completely different feeling than seeing it from the viewpoint a thousand feet above. The stone walls seem to wrap around you. It’s a very calm float trip, so you don’t need to worry about any wild rapids, making it good for almost all ages. It’s just a wonderfully peaceful way to spend a few hours and feel connected to the powerful river that carved this whole area out.

4. Private Charter with Lake Powell Charters

To be honest, sometimes you just want to do your own thing, right? If you’re with a small group or celebrating a special occasion, you could consider getting a private charter with a company like Lake Powell Charters. This is arguably the most flexible option on the list. When you book a private trip, the day is pretty much yours to design. You get a boat and a captain, and you can tell them what you’re interested in. You can say, for instance, “We just want to find a quiet cove and go swimming,” or “Can you take us to the best spots for photography?” It’s your boat for the day, more or less.

This kind of trip is obviously a bit of a bigger investment, but what you get in return is a very personal and unique experience. You don’t have to stick to a strict schedule or share the view with a crowd of strangers. Want to stay a little longer at a place that you find particularly pretty? You can. Want to try some tubing or wakeboarding? Just ask. The captains are incredibly knowledgeable and can act as your personal guide to the lake’s best-kept secrets. It’s an amazing way to create some really lasting memories, and at the end of the day, having that kind of freedom is what a vacation is all about.

5. Kayak Horseshoe Bend with Kayak the Colorado

Finally, for all the active people out there, or for anyone who wants a really hands-on kind of day, there’s kayaking. A company called Kayak the Colorado offers services where they will, you know, ferry you and a kayak upriver from Lees Ferry to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam. From there, you get to paddle your way back downriver at your very own pace. This is seriously such a cool way to see everything. Being in a tiny kayak on that huge river is an experience that is hard to put into words. You feel very connected to your surroundings.

The water is typically calm and clear, making for some pretty easy paddling. You can just glide along, stopping whenever and wherever you want. You could pull over onto a sandy beach for lunch, or just float in the middle of the river and stare up at the giant canyon walls around you. Paddling through Horseshoe Bend on your own steam is just an awesome feeling of accomplishment. It’s so quiet and peaceful; the only sounds you’ll hear are your paddle dipping in the water and maybe the call of a canyon wren. This option gives you total freedom and a bit of a workout, and honestly, it’s an adventure you won’t soon forget.

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