Western Coves

Welcome aboard! Meet your crew, get settled in, and keep watch for eagles as your ship cruises through the Tongass Narrows out of Ketchikan.

Aha! The wilderness of Southeast Alaska. Wake in a remote cove surrounded by breathtaking Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the US. Joined by your expedition team, it’s a water ops morning. Spend it paddling a kayak, paddle boarding, or exploring by skiff. Then settle in as you cruise the northern tip of Prince of Wales Island, nestled right in the heart of the Tongass. It’s a grand first day of exploration!

Take a walk on the wild side winding through high forest on an old logging trail, and find your way to El Capitan Cave, the largest known cave in Alaska and one of the largest mapped caves in the Americas. Learn from Forest Service Rangers about karst and the geologic forces that created this intricate cave system. Locals — bears, harbor seals and humpbacks, deer, eagles, humans too — enjoy the calm and serenity of the island.

It's Captain's Choice today as you explore the intricate passages and shores along Chatham Strait's Kuiu Island. Join your expedition team on (or in!) the water. Conditions permitting, take to the water by kayak, skiff, or snorkel. Snorkeling is optional, but hidden beneath the surface lies a magical array of sea life only seen from below. Take a deep breath and go for it! Today's discoveries are within some of the most untouched wilderness of the Tongass National Forest.

Lush forest, spectacular views, play time, and wildlife—they are all in abundance in Frederick Sound. Keep watch along the coastline for birds, wolves, and black bears. With many secluded coves to choose from, you may discover the intertidal zones of Saginaw Bay or the Keku Islands, or perhaps another hidden gem to explore by skiff or kayak. On the northern tip of Kupreanof Island, learn about rich heritage of Tlingit culture on a private tour of Kake village. Uncover the legends in their totems and get a front seat view of carving and dance demonstrations. This evening, toast another day of amazing adventure with a cold microbrew or cocktail.

There is plenty of wildlife viewing today. The Brothers, a pair of tiny, rocky islands at the confluence of Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound, are home to some of Alaska’s most abundant wildlife, including a haulout for Stellar sea lions. The area is also the summer feeding ground for the largest concentration of humpback whales in the northern hemisphere. Keep watch for orca, humpbacks, and porpoise.

At the end of Tracy Arm, a winding fjord with sheer granite walls, hundreds of cascading waterfalls, and some of the largest icebergs in all of Alaska, sits the twin Sawyer Glaciers—Sawyer and South Sawyer. The fjord is home to brown and black bears, deer, mountain goats, harbor seals, and birds such as Arctic terns and pigeon guillemots.

Bid adieu to new-found friends over breakfast before disembarking. Transfer directly to the Juneau airport or begin your add-on overnight stay or extended land tour.