Alaska’s Glacier Wilderness

Hello, Juneau! First settled in the gold rush days, Juneau welcomes with both small town charm and towering glaciers. Toast to the riches of Alaska while sailing west toward Icy Strait.

Begin your morning with on-deck stretches and a strong cup of coffee. Energized and snug in your kayak, glide around in remote bays off Icy Strait through giant bullwhip kelp that can grow to over 100 feet long. Join your fellow guests on a skiff ride to a rocky outcropping to watch sea lions play. Or step into your boots for a forest hike with your top-notch naturalist guides who have plenty to share about everything Alaska—marine biology, plants, and even geology. On board, soak it all in as you soak in the hot tub.

Today, you’ll venture deep into the wilderness of Chichagof Island with a stop at Iyoukeen Cove and/or Basket Bay (weather permitting). Once home to Alaska’s only gypsum deposits, Iyoukeen Cove has long since returned to nature. Now it’s a haven for wildlife, where brown bears roam the shoreline, otters play in the kelp, and humpback whales feed just offshore. Here, you may kayak at the mouth of a river or join a guided hike.

Basket Bay is a quiet and rarely visited spot on Chichagof Island with ties to Tlingit heritage. You may hike nearby at the unnamed “Baby Basket Bay” as our crew refers to it. Part of the creek runs underground through a marble grotto which presents excellent kayaking opportunities. Due to the remoteness of this location, wildlife is abundant, including brown bears, otters, and other species, making it a beautiful place to explore.

Today’s adventures take place on Admiralty Island, known to the Tlingit as “Kootznoowoo,” which translates to “Fortress of the Bear.” Your captain will assess conditions and choose the best destination among Whitewater Bay, or Takatz Bay.

Whitewater Bay is a designated wilderness area located on the West side of Admiralty Island National Monument, which is protected public land set aside to remain largely untouched. You will have the chance to explore this remote and pristine area, where it is likely you will be the only visitors. Whitewater Bay is perfect for hiking and wildlife viewing, with bears commonly seen feeding on salmon during mid to late summer.

Takatz Bay is a deep, scenic bay that offers its own opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting, with trails leading to remarkable viewpoints around the surrounding forest and water.

Warm Springs Bay is a rare and special destination that few visitors to Alaska ever get to experience. It is home to the small village of Baranof, where there is plenty to explore. You may visit the indoor bathhouse featuring hot springs in individual soaking tubs with vast views over the bay. There is also a hiking trail that leads to the natural outdoor hot springs, offering a relaxing soak in a beautiful setting. Beyond the springs lies Baranof Lake, another beautiful spot you may also have the chance to explore.

Another option for the day is Red Bluff Bay, named for the striking red hills that surround this narrow, deep fjord. The area is home to several waterfalls, and you’ll have the chance to bring the boat close so you can take them in. As a designated wilderness area, Red Bluff Bay remains largely untouched, making it an ideal spot for kayaking and skiff tours.

Humpback and orca are frequent visitors of this Southeast passage. A misty spout is a sure sign they’re in the neighborhood. Your captain navigates Windham Bay and Stephens Passage. And you’re in for a boot-sucking, paddle-smacking day of adventure with your guide team. The routes are all picked out. Make your choice and make your move. Slip off the kayak launch and take it slow spotting sea stars and shore birds. Hard chargers take a long wild paddle to the salt chuck at the back of the inlet. Or hike into the Tongass. It’s a landscape of hanging waterfalls and shades of green.

Skiffing up Endicott Arm, harbor seals laze around on icebergs. If the tides are right, slip into Ford’s Terror, the steep walls of this narrow opening streaked with waterfalls. Back in the Arm, gasp at the deep glacier-carved valleys. It’s at the end where you meet the piece de resistance: Dawes Glacier. Blue ice marches down from the Coast Mountains. With a sharp crack, the white thunder of a calving slice makes a mega-splash. Tonight, celebrate with a festive farewell dinner and photo journal from your expedition team.

Enjoy fresh baked pastries over one last breakfast. Your crew and new friends wish heartfelt goodbyes. This morning, transfer to the Juneau airport or begin your hotel stay or land tour.