Northern Passages with Glacier Bay & Sitka

After time in Juneau, return to the ship and complete boarding procedures. Once all guests are on board, the ship departs. Time may be spent on deck watching for wildlife, including whales. The route passes along the coast of Southeast Alaska.

Spend the day in the backcountry of the Tongass National Forest. The exact destination depends on the captain and expedition leader, based on seasonal conditions and wildlife activity. Activities may include hiking through forested areas, walking in open meadows, or paddling in sheltered coves. Wildlife sightings may include bald eagles, harbor seals, humpback whales, or orcas.

Spanning 3.3 million acres, just shy of the size of Connecticut, Glacier Bay National Park is vast, wild, and mostly unexplored. But you are not most visitors. Today, you venture deep into the park where you can kayak, skiff, hike glacial ridges, moraine walks, or even all-day paddle. Watch for mountain goats, sea lions, puffins, and, if you are lucky, a surprise whale sighting. You have two full days here, plenty of time to absorb its grandeur.

Ease into the day with sunrise stretches on deck and a strong cup of coffee as your expedition team scouts the best opportunities for exploration. Today is all about flexibility and immersion, with options to kayak at your own pace, join an all-day paddle, set out on a shore walk, or venture deeper on a bushwhack hike that reveals the raw textures of Alaska’s wild landscapes. Skiff rides open access to otherwise unreachable stretches of coastline, while open paddles and yak-and-walk combinations let you shape the day moment by moment alongside your naturalist guides, who bring the region’s ecology, geology, and sense of place to life.

Today, you explore the wild coastline of Chichagof Island in search of the elusive coastal brown bear. This remote area is rich with life and offers some of the best bear-viewing opportunities in Southeast Alaska. Your captain and expedition leader take you deep into bear territory using their expert local knowledge. Activities include shoreline walks, kayaking, skiff rides, and up-close (but safe) bear spotting from the water. This is a day of awe-inspiring encounters with nature at its most raw. 

Baranof is your playground today as you move toward the wild reaches of Baranof Island and the remote South Baranof Wilderness, where the coastline grows increasingly rugged and beautiful. Glacial fjords carve deep into the land, muskegs open to sweeping views, and your route carries you into Peril Strait, a passage rich with Indigenous and Russian history and known for swirling currents that draw marine mammals during seasonal migrations. Shape the day your way with all-day yak-and-walk adventures, open paddles, skiff tours, bushwhacks through misty forests, meadow walks, and explorations along salmon streams—every option offering a deeper connection to this dynamic, story-filled landscape.

The western fringe of Baranof Island is scattered with remote, uninhabited isles, an adventurer’s dream. Secluded coves, rugged shorelines, and rocky cliffs provide ideal habitat for seabirds and marine life. Drop anchor and choose your own adventure, from snorkeling and kayaking to skiff tours or guided hikes. Intertidal zones here are natural touch tanks. Search for sea stars, urchins, and edible kelps. It is a day of immersive exploration, capped with a Captain’s Dinner and a heartwarming photo journey from your expedition team.

Welcome to Sitka by the Sea. Endearing, remote, and rich in history, Sitka is a perfect finale to your adventure. Enjoy one last breakfast on board before saying farewell to your crew and fellow travelers. You disembark and transfer to the airport or continue on with an UnCruise hotel stay or land tour. If time allows, explore the Alaska Raptor Center or take a peaceful stroll through Sitka National Historical Park.