2023 End of Season Extravaganza

Explore beautiful Sitka, the only community in Southeast Alaska that faces the open ocean waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Visit sites that highlight the community’s rich Alaska Native and Russian history. Embark for the winding narrows north of town while searching for bald eagles, sea otters, bears, whales, and other wildlife.

Savor the serenity of raw wilderness on an unscripted morning and afternoon of Southeast Alaska discovery. The countless options are dictated by the day’s unique circumstances. Opportunities may include a coastline kayak paddle, up-close whale encounters, or a hike through an alluring old-growth forest. We may do a beach landing on an unspoiled shoreline to explore a tidal flat or track along with a foraging bear from the safety of our expedition skiff. Regardless of the activity, you’ll experience the magic of the archipelago’s many remote coves, bays, and inlets.

This remarkable national park fjord extends 65-miles, contains eight tidewater glaciers, and provides pristine habitat for a wide-array of wildlife, including both brown and black bears, wolves, mountain goats, Steller sea lions, and humpback whales. The highlight for many is the Margerie Glacier, known for its dramatic calving displays. A Glacier Bay National Park Service Ranger narrates the day’s program, and a Native Huna Tlingit interpretive naturalist joins us to reveal traditional cultural ties to this ancient treasure.

Spend the day visiting highlights of the scenic capital city of Juneau, including the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier. In downtown Juneau, visit the recently renovated Alaska State Museum. There will also be time to explore on your own. You may choose to visit the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, Alaska State Capitol, or take in the spectacular panoramic views of the Mount Roberts Tram. You can also delve deeper into local Alaska Native culture and history by exploring fascinating exhibits, art displays, and a clan house at the Walter Soboleff Center. End the day’s adventure with a relaxing evening at Orca Point Lodge, our own exclusive day-lodge on Colt Island. Enjoy a Tlingit cultural presentation, as well as the beautiful grounds, beach, and marine life touch-tank. Dine on Alaska salmon, Alaska crab, or prime rib from the warmth of the lodge, or nestled next to a beachside bonfire.

Journey through Tracy or Endicott Arm in the Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness, a place the famous naturalist John Muir called “a wild, unfinished Yosemite.” Renowned for its pristine waterfalls, towering icebergs, abundant harbor seals, and granite cliffs that rise from sea level to 4,000 feet, this wilderness is often referred to by locals as one of the most scenic areas in the state. Scout for humpback whales and other marine mammals in Frederick Sound. Humpbacks are famous for behavior that lends itself to incredible viewing and photography, such as tail lobbing, lunge feeding, pectoral slapping, breaching, and picturesque dives that showcase their massive flukes.

This small, charming fishing town is nicknamed Alaska’s “Little Norway.” Explore the beautiful community and experience its Scandinavian culture then board a comfortable, high-speed jet boat and venture to the spectacular LeConte Glacier—North America’s southernmost tidewater glacier. During the adventure you’ll navigate through a maze of glistening ice bergs in the shadows of towering, snow-capped mountains. 

Home to a little over 2,000 permanent residents, Wrangell is the only town in Alaska to have been under the jurisdiction of three flags and ruled by four nations–the Tlingit, Russia, England, and the United States. Enjoy several options to explore this colorful history, including a guided tour and a trip to the Wrangell Museum. Visit the intriguing state historic park, Petroglyph Beach, which contains the highest concentration of petroglyphs in Southeast Alaska. Next, board a high-speed jetboat for transport to the trailhead that leads to the Anan Wildlife Observatory. Once ashore, a U.S. Forest Service representative will provide an introduction and safety orientation, then you’ll begin a 20-minute guided hike (rated moderately difficult) to the observatory. Guests are given several hours at the observatory deck, which overlooks a creek that hosts a large run of pink salmon. Bears and eagles, all in pursuit of the wild salmon, are often viewed and photographed mere meters away. This is an exclusive, small group experience with the necessary permitting handled by Alaskan Dream Cruises prior to the voyage.

In Kasaan, walk an enchanted forest path laden with intricately carved totem poles to the Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House, the only remaining traditional Haida longhouse in the United States. Inside stand four original house posts, or “Gáats,” that were most likely carved at Old Kasaan in about 1880.

Your ship will glide beneath the 3,000-foot glacier-sculpted cliffs of Misty Fjords. Discover the fjord’s natural history, listen to the calls of a myriad of seabirds, feel the mist from glistening waterfalls, and see famous New Eddystone Rock, a stunning volcanic core.

Disembark in Ketchikan, otherwise known as Alaska’s “First City’ and “Salmon Capital of the World.”