Overview
The ultimate way to explore the wildlife-rich glacial wilderness of Southeast Alaska is aboard a historic 86-foot vessel, a classic wooden motor yacht that hosts just eight guests and offers you comfort, style, and the ability to get into hidden Alaskan realms where big ships just can’t go.
Four separate week-long journeys are offered, each one bringing you to an incredible array of coves, bays, intertidal zones, and remote villages between Sitka, Petersburg, and Juneau. Depending on the itinerary, you might find yourself watching brown bears feasting on the returning salmon, getting an inside look at the research being done by whale biologists in Baranof Springs, or navigating through ice floes to view a calving saltwater glacier.
No matter which journey you choose, you’ll spend your days kayaking in protected coves, hiking in spectacular glacial landscapes, and encountering an amazing variety of wildlife, all in the company of an on-board naturalist. Every day will bring up-close encounters with amazing wildlife as varied as the Alaskan landscape itself, from humpback whales and Steller sea lions to bald eagles on the wing. The vessel carries two motorized skiffs and five kayaks, and all kayaking is in protected waters (so no previous experience is necessary). She also carries a hydrophone, so if you find yourself in a pod of whales, you can drop it down and listen in on their underwater conversation.
After each day’s adventure, you’ll come back to your cozy vessel for time to sit on the shaded back deck with a glass of wine and watch amazing wildlife in the long Alaskan twilight. Meals are served in the lovely wood-paneled salon, and you can expect wonderful sea-to-table cuisine created with the freshest ingredients. There are four delightful en suite cabins to keep guests comfy. Welcome aboard for the Alaska adventure of a lifetime!
The food by was absolutely outstanding—it was like dining every day in a three star restaurant. Captain Bill is an wonderful guy with great stories. He was able to navigate the many icebergs and got our small vessel right to the head of the Dawson Glacier!
— Loren P., Princeton, NJ
Note: This cruise is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the ship operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the cruise line.
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-2
Sitka / Peril Strait (Sitka to Petersburg itinerary)
From charming Sitka, former capital of Russian Alaska, navigate to remote Krestof Sound, cross Peril Strait between mountainous Baranof and Chichagof islands, and kayak or glide by skiff along serene waterways for a look at a bear habitat.
Days 3-4
Chatham Strait / Tenakee Springs
At Chatham Strait, look for humpback whales and possibly see their signature “bubble netting.” Visit Tenakee Springs and explore brown bear habitat. Back on board, Chef Tracie’s menus may include seared sockeye salmon, lamb burger, or braised chicken enchiladas.
Days 5-6
Baranof / Frederick Sound / Scenery Cove
Visit a salmon hatchery, walk to Baranof Hot Springs, and anchor off Admiralty Island to explore by kayak. Encounter Steller sea lions in Frederick Sound, and in Farragut Bay, meet the farm family who supplies the ship with fresh organic produce. From Scenery Cove, skiff across the Baird Glacier’s outflow river to explore a remarkable landscape, at once lunar and lush.
Days 7-8
Le Conte Glacier / Petersburg
Make your way through sculpted ice floes to view the Le Conte Glacier, the southernmost calving tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, 21 miles long and a mile wide. Arrive in Petersburg, a quintessential Alaskan fishing town, on Day 8 and depart.
Alaska: Journey to Sitka
