Cruise the full length of the West Coast of North America's Inside Passage without the open ocean, but with shores ever-so-tight to the sides of your yacht for most of the 900 nautical miles between Seattle and Juneau. Embrace exhilarating closeness to snow-capped mountains, wildlife and birds far too numerous to keep count, waterfalls, tree-lined narrow passageways and surprises at just about every "gunkholing" turn.
Spring is an excellent time for cruising along British Columbia's coast and Alaska's Inside Passage. At these times of the year the foliage is vivid, there are fewer boats and people, and bears and other animals are likely foraging along the shoreline. Then make a second choice of the yacht that best fits you among the Safari Explorer. The value is extraordinary and the daily encounters with nature are astounding!
Journey Highlights:
* Kayaking and small-boat exploration
* 2-days of in-depth exploration of Glacier Bay National Park with a Park Ranger
* Beachcombing and guided hikes
* Cruising the Inside Passage of British Columbia and Alaska
* Daily insights from your onboard Expedition Leaders/Naturalists
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
You'll be met at the airport and transferred to the Safari Quest where your crew greets you with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Shortly after boarding, begin your northward cruise from Seattle's historic Fishermen's Terminal passing through the Hiram-Chittenden Locks entering Puget Sound. Later cruise through Deception Pass, a dramatic narrow cut between two islands before dropping anchor in a quiet cove in the San Juan Islands this evening.
Day 2: San Juan Islands & Friday Harbor
The misty San Juan Islands will greet you this morning. Settle into the rhythm of the sea as you leave your busy lives behind. Beautiful forested islands dot the seascape and wind through the untouched islands in the San Juan's. Today visit the port of Friday Harbor. Here you'll enjoy time at leisure to stroll through the town's many intriguing boutiques and shops, or perhaps the Whale Museum. Depart for Canadian waters this afternoon; all eyes open for orca whales!
Day 3-6: Exploring the Canadian Inside Passage
Search for orca whales, seals, sea lions and bears as you leave civilization behind. Your Expedition Leader will lead nature hikes and kayaking excursions, and enjoy a First Nations dance performance in a cedar-planked big house. Further north, step ashore with Naturalists from Raincoast Conservation Society who will tell us about local wildlife and fisheries studies, including little known details on rainforest wolves and the mysterious Spirit bear.
Day 7: Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert is British Columbia’s northernmost port along your route. Here, a historic sightseeing and museum tour introduces you to this scenic community. Stay dockside tonight, so enjoy a walk in town after dinner this evening.
Day 8: Ketchikan, Alaska
Discover the rich, cultural heritage of Alaska's Tlingit Indians on a guided tour or Saxman Totem Village with local village resident Joe Williams. Before departure, take time to browse shops or stroll along Creek Street where there's often a good dose of local color to be found.
Day 9: Alaskan Waterways
Open space and solitude greet us as we cruise north. Stop in at Meyer's Chuck, a hide-away village of fewer than 50 people. Later anchor in Canoe Pass where explore via kayaks for a more thorough look at the area.
Day 10: Petersburg - Little Norway
Join your local guide for a private tour of this charming fishing port. Petersburg's Norwegian history is quite prominent throughout the community, and have some first-hand experiences of the local culture before departure. This afternoon, enter some of the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska, and be watching for the familiar blows of humpback whales all day!
Day 11-12: Fjords & Hot Springs
Spend these two days in the wildest, most pristine corners of Alaska. Paddle your kayaks in remote fjords, hike to natural hotsprings, wander through the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska, and explore some of the most scenic, hidden gems one can find in the inside passage.
Day 13-14: Glacier Bay National Park
One of America's crown-jewel national parks will be yours to explore and marvel at for the next two days. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before us in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. Enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling your kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. And what will you find? Quite possibly you'll see puffins, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than any place on earth. To top off your trip, celebrate and reminisce together during your festive Farewell dinner.
Day 15: Disembark in Juneau, Alaska
After breakfast arrive in Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or local hotel is included. Safe travels to all!
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.