Expect adventure on this 15-day Ultimate Coves and Passages cruise on the Wilderness Discoverer. Begin in Ketchikan and sail for the remote shores of Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park, greeting orcas, seals, and birds as you sail.
Highlights
Be guided by a Park Ranger during your visit to Glacier Bay National Park
View birds and sea lions at South Marble Island and The Brothers Islands
Hike on Chichagof Island and in El Capitan Cave
Enjoy a cultural visit and private tour at Kake Tlingit village
Kayak, paddle board, and skiff Chatham Strait
Investigate the intertidal zones of Krestof and Nakwasina Sounds
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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 or Baranof Islands. 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 slip into the waters of Deep Cove, Patterson, or Saginaw Bay, or perhaps another hidden gem to explore by skiff or paddle a 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.
Spend the day off the boat in Alaska's capital city. Enjoy lunch in town (included) and explore all that historic Juneau has to offer. A complimentary laundry service is provided today. Embark your vessel this afternoon, and keep watch for eagles as you cruise through the Tongass National Forest.
Plying the remote waterways of Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait, your captain sets the course for adventure! Wake up at anchor and kick off your morn with on-deck yoga stretches. Then slip into a kayak or step onto a paddle board and glide along rocky outcroppings with your guides. While you keep watch for playful harbor seals in these protected waters, bald eagles likely monitor your improving paddling skills from the treetops.
One of America’s crown jewel national parks is yours to explore — Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. A National Park Ranger joins you to uncover coves and corners of the bay that most visitors miss. Linger near South Marble Island to spot the many species of rare sea birds that call this area home. Keep your eyes on the water and the island for brightly colored puffins and black oystercatchers. With much to see all around you, find sea lions, mountain goats, bears, eagles, and spectacular scenic backdrops. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before you in the waters of Glacier Bay. Your day is complete with a stop in Bartlett Cove for a visit to the Park Service's Headquarters.
Set your course for some of the most remote waters in Southeast Alaska. Join the captain on the bridge or the expedition team out on deck in search of whales and marine mammals. Camera in hand, begin your land and sea exploration of these wilderness reaches. Ride the skiffs for a closer inspection of the wild coastline with eyes set on the shore for possible bear sightings.
Meander along the coast of Chichagof Island. In the UnCruise expedition spirit, marvel at the unbelievable scenery as your crew expertly guides you through glacier-carved fjords. Anchor in remote coves for an opportunity to lower the kayaks and skiffs. Explore the shoreline on an intertidal walk or forest hike with your guides. Wend along Peril Strait—a twisting channel known for dramatic currents, Peril Strait runs 50 miles from Chatham Strait to Salisbury Sound.
Opening at Hoonah Sound, the aptly named Sergius Narrows—squeezing to only 300 feet wide in one spot and a shallow 24 feet deep—is a great place to watch the shoreline for bears, the waters for otters and whales, and skyward for eagles. The rugged rock fingers of the narrows winds into scenic Neva Strait. This evening, toast another day of amazing adventure with a frosty microbrew or hot toddy.
There aren’t many straight lines along Baranof Island, but along its western side lay hundreds of remote, uninhabited islands, and endless opportunities for dropping anchor and adventure. With many secluded coves and islands to choose from, discover the region’s intertidal zones, or from your skiff or kayak, watch for whales and sea lions. Gear up for a guided hike with your expedition team for a new perspective of the vast Tongass National Forest. After an active day, toast your voyage with a festive Farewell Dinner and a “photo journal” of your trip presented by your expedition team.
Day 15: Disembark in Sitka, Alaska | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Gather for breakfast this morning as you cruise into Russian-influenced Sitka for disembarkation. Transfer to the airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,195
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Navigator
Main Deck, cabins 201, 204-208 and 210. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
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Trailblazer
Observation Deck, cabins 310-325. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
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Pathfinder
Observation Deck, cabins 300-309. Outside entry, queen bed, sitting area, private bath with shower and view window.
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Admiral
Sun Deck, cabins 400-403. Separate sitting area, queen or twin beds, private bath with shower, large picture window with sofa bed/triple.
Notes
- All rates are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy.
- Rates do not include port taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary.
- Children 8-13 are welcome on all sailings and will received a $500 per child savings
Due to the nature of your explorations, itineraries are guidelines and may change in order to maximize wildlife and natural encounters. Variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
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Tim Elliott
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Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
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Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.