The Best of Southeast Alaska
United States Small Ship Cruises
Cruise Misty Fjords, Tongass Forest, Glacier Bay National Park, & Tracy Arm
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length15 days
- Prices from$6565 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Fifteen days and one epic adventure expedition! Combining two popular active cruise itineraries - Alaska Fjords and Glaciers and Glacier Bay National Park - this expedition gets the thumbs-up for dramatic scenery, thrilling adventure, and captivating wildlife sightings.
Designed to get you off the ship and into nature, this cruise is ideal for those that want to confront nature head-on within a small group setting - with plenty of rewards along the way.
Either starting in Juneau or Ketchikan, your route visits wilderness wonders like Tongass, Glacier Bay, and Misty Fjords National Park. Encompassing the best that Southeast Alaska has to offer, not only will you have time to truly unwind, but your time will be well spent exploring this vast outback. You’re in for a treat as you visit lesser-known and hidden spots, that only the crew and captain know about, handpicked for their lack of crowds and X-factor appeal. Take the plunge and experience wild Alaska like never before!Highlights
- Glacier Bay National Park - World Heritage Site
- Margerie, Grand Pacific, Dawes, and the Twin Sawyers Glaciers
- Yosemite of the North: Misty Fjords National Monument
- Incredible birding at South Marble Islands - puffins, oystercatchers, and kittiwakes
- Whale watching in Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage
- Natural history and native Tlingit talks
- Spectacular wildlife - whales, porpoises, sea lions, otters, wolves, bears, and eagles
- Explore by kayak, paddleboard, skiff boat, and on foot
- Navigate winding Wrangell Narrows and Behm Canal
- Small boat, small groups, and small footprint
Alternatively, opt for one of our shorter small boat cruises here.
Itinerary
The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical, or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. The captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety even with no advance notice.
Day 1: Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation
Day 2: Tracy Arm
Day 3: Frederick Sound
Day 4: Icy Strait
Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park
Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park
Day 7: Chatham Strait
Day 8: Juneau
Day 9: Tracy Arm - Fords Terror Wilderness
Day 10: Stephens Passage
Day 11: Wrangell Narrows / Thomas Bay
Day 12: Wrangell
Day 13: Behm Canal
Day 14: Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 15: Juneau, Alaska – DisembarkationDay 1: Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation
Once you check-in at the hospitality area, perhaps you will have time to explore a bit of Juneau. Surrounded by the rich, green Tongass National Forest, and located on beautiful Gastineau Channel, Juneau is an important port and a popular tourist destination. Unique because it is the only state capital in the United States that is inaccessible by road, Juneau sits at sea level below the steep mountains that are home to the Juneau Icefield and the Mendenhall Glacier.Once on board, get ready for two weeks of scenic channels and secluded wilderness.
Day 2: Tracy Arm
Let us set the stage: fjord cliffs reach skyward, floating ice scatters the surface and deep u-shaped valleys cut the landscape. As you navigate the Tracy Arm Fjord, you cruise past harbor seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice. During the summer, you can spot eagles, seals, bears, and whales here, even mountain goats showing off their fancy footwork. The cotton candy blue Twin Sawyer glaciers tower from afar. Tides permitting, your skiff driver knows the ins and outs and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, waterfalls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains.Day 3: Frederick Sound
The glacier-fed waters of Frederick Sound, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Coast Range, are abundant with krill, zooplankton, and herring. Humpback whales migrate here from Hawaii to feed on the nutrient-rich water. Watch for whales feasting in these abundant glacial waters. Hang out and enjoy the show. You will cruise past Five Fingers Lighthouse, Alaska’s oldest light station, and The Brothers Islands, where sea lions nap on rocky nobs.Day 4: Icy Strait
From kelp-lined channels to hemlock and spruce forests, every inch of this far northwest corner is worth exploring. Today’s adventures promise to be as big as the water is deep! Seals and sea lions haul out on rocky outcroppings, resting before they disappear in the water to search for food. If the tides are right, your guides will load up the skiff for a closer peek along the rugged shore, or perhaps, make it all the way to George Island. Remember that your expedition team guides you in whatever you choose to do: wilderness trekking, skiffing, or paddling.Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park
This crown jewel of America’s national parks covers 3.3 million acres (that’s a tad smaller than the state of Connecticut). Most visitors see the same sliver of the park as everyone else. Not you. You’re going the furthest and exploring parts that 99% of visitors never go to. Taylor Bay sea stacks and rocky shores make for a good adventure. You could hike the outwash field of glaciers winding down the Fairweather Mountain Range. The cool breeze off the nearby snow and icefields is energizing. If you motor over to Dundas Bay, keep your eye out for bears, humpbacks, and if you’re lucky, a wolf sighting. There are several options for activities today, for example, kayaking in the bay or trekking into the forest.Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park
Today features South Marble Island with its significant seabird colony. Rare sea birds, black oystercatchers, and orange-beaked tufted puffins can be sighted as well as the federally endangered species, the Stellar sea lions. As you tuck into the silent Tidal Inlet - the stomping grounds for bears, wolves, mountain goats, eagles - the backdrop is spectacular. At the end of the western-most arm of the bay sits Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers.Day 7: Chatham Strait
As you tuck into Port Frederick or another inlet in the Tongass National Forest, be on the lookout for whales. Once anchored, you can hike, paddle, or skiff this remote corner with bears on the shoreline, seals bobbing on the surface, and welcoming boughs of moss in the trees. It’s all yours to explore.Day 8: Juneau
You have a choice on how to spend your day off the boat. Accompanied by a local expert (and plenty of snacks), the West Glacier Trail excursion takes you through the dense temperate rainforest with massive views overlooking Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding coastal mountain range. Or, opt for a more relaxed pace visiting Juneau highlights on your own. An included tramway ticket provides a ride up the Mt. Roberts Tram, where views unfold as you ascend 1,800 feet through the forest. At the top, explore the trails and Nature Center; back at the bottom, explore Alaska’s heritage at the Alaska State Museum. Both options also include a lunch voucher for a local restaurant. A complimentary laundry service is provided today.Day 9: Tracy Arm - Fords Terror Wilderness
Jutting off Stephens Passage with two deep, glacially carved fjords, this designated wilderness area contains over 600,000 acres. Your explorations today are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Literally. It’s a harbor seal’s delight lazing away the day atop a floating bergie as you cruise past chunks and chunks of floating ice (there’s far more beneath the surface than the eye can see). In classic fjord form, the end of the arm doesn’t disappoint with the blue face of a story high glacier. If conditions are right, skiffs are the ticket to getting in close.Day 10: Stephens Passage
Humpback and orca are frequent visitors of this Southeast passage. A misty spout is a sure sign they’re in the neighborhood. Your captain navigates Stephens Passage to Port Houghton and your adventure begins. The routes are all picked out. You can slip off the kayak launch and take it slow spotting sea stars and shorebirds. The more energetic can take a long wild paddle to the salt chuck at the back of the inlet. Those who prefer to be on foot can hike into the Tongass, the nation's largest national forest.Day 11: Wrangell Narrows / Thomas Bay
Thomas Bay is known for its glaciers and its abundance of wildlife. Moose, bears, and wolves are just a few of the animals you may see while traveling through this bay. Rich with gold, quartz, and lore, Baird Glacier drains into the bay. You can kayak and skiff in water almost as clear as glass. The mirror image of fjord walls plays on the surface. Hike through the outwash of Baird Glacier or keep it green on an interpretive walk through a grassy meadow into the forest. Later, wind into the Wrangell Narrows, nicknamed “Christmas Tree Lane". Abundant bright red and green navigation lights guide the way.Day 12: Wrangell
Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska and the only one ever governed by four nations. The powerful Stikine Tlingit tribes inhabited the region for thousands of years and its culture has deep roots here. You will enjoy a morning presentation that brings their stories and legends to life. Today, Wrangell continues to redefine itself. The lumber mills have been upgraded and refashioned into a sustainable forest products industry, and the town has become a unique outpost for tourism. Visit Chief Shakes Island and Tribal House Monument, Totem Park, the Wrangell Museum, or walk among the petroglyphs at Petroglyph Beach State Park for a glimpse into its history.Day 13: Behm Canal
Behm Canal is located in the Alexander Archipelago. Wildlife abounds along this 108-mile long natural channel such as black bears, mink, eagles. On Cleveland Peninsula, your expedition team leads a low-elevation hike with wide-stretching views. In the water orca, porpoises, seals, and otters are abundant. A guided paddle will explore the small deserted waterways that feed into Behm Canal.Day 14: Misty Fjords National Monument
There are still a few places left on the planet that can strike awe. Misty Fjords National Monument is one of them. Carved out by the last great North American glaciation, narrow winding granite walls guide the ship deeper into the wilderness. Nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska is represented here. Seabirds, brown and black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, all find safe haven here. Kayak in Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay and you find it’s just as easy to paddle and go, as it is to sit and float and take it all in. The area's affectionate nickname, “The Yosemite of the North,” is deserved, and it’s an amazing wrap to your week. Your captain joins you tonight for a Farewell Dinner. Celebrate and reminisce about your Alaskan journey with a “photo journal” by your crew.Day 15: Ketchikan, Alaska – Disembarkation
After breakfast, this morning, bid adieu to your new pals before you disembark and transfer to the Ketchikan airport or begin your extended stay.Day 1: Ketchikan, Alaska – Embarkation
Day 2: Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 3: Behm Canal
Day 4: Wrangell
Day 5: Wrangell Narrows / Thomas Bay
Day 6: Stephens Passage
Day 7: Endicott Arm or Tracy Arm / Fords Terror
Day 8: Juneau
Day 9: Chatham Strait
Day 10: Glacier Bay National Park
Day 11: Glacier Bay National Park
Day 12: Icy Strait
Day 13: Frederick Sound
Day 14: Tracy Arm
Day 15: Juneau, Alaska – Disembarkation* Itinerary details are the same as the Juneau to Ketchikan tour direction.
You can also take a look at the 8-day Alaska's Glacier Wilderness tour. This itinerary follows Day 1-8 of the 15-day tour above.
Or, the 8-day Alaksa - Tongass Forest, Glaciers and Wildlife tour. This itinerary follows Day 8-15 of the 15-day your above.If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike tours in Europe or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.
Map
Boats
- Wilderness Explorer
Comfort Class Boat
Navigating the waterways and fjords of Alaska, Wilderness Explorer offers a small-boat experience for adventure seekers. Carrying just 76 guests, her nimble size allows access to secluded areas where crowds are absent. A favorite spot to look for breaching whales, calving glaciers, and impressive wildlife is from the large viewing deck or nautical-themed lounge at the bow. Read More
- Wilderness Discoverer
Comfort Class Boat
The maiden vessel in the ‘Wilderness’ boat fleet, the Wilderness Discoverer was built in 1992 and renovated in 2012. Designed to get you into remote places, off-limits to bigger boats, this small boat is all about getting out and about. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 14 nights in selected cabin
- Onboard meals
- Onboard spirits, wine, beer, & non-alcoholic beverages
- Transfers & baggage handling between airport/vessel
- Entry fees to parks/preserves
- All from-the-vessel activities & equipment
- Expedition/heritage guides & guest experts
- Wellness amenities: hot tub, fitness equipment, & yoga mats
What’s Not Included
- Travel to/from the start/finish
- Excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
- Port taxes/fees
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Sunday departures
Juneau to Ketchikan
May 30, June 20, July 11, and August 1, 2021Ketchikan to Juneau
August 15, 2021Sunday departures
Juneau to Ketchikan
May 15, June 19, July 10, and July 31, 2022Ketchikan to Juneau
August 17, 2022Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Sunday departures
Season 1: May 30, 2021
Season 2: June 20, July 11, August 1, and August 15, 2021Season 1 Season 2 Navigator cabin $ 11296 £ 6315 $ 10,928 € 7291 NZ$ 12230 kr 73693 $ 8,565 $ 12681 £ 7090 $ 12,267 € 8185 NZ$ 13729 kr 82728 $ 9,615 Trailblazer cabin $ 13076 £ 7311 $ 12,650 € 8440 NZ$ 14157 kr 85309 $ 9,915 $ 14461 £ 8085 $ 13,990 € 9334 NZ$ 15657 kr 94343 $ 10,965 Pathfinder cabin $ 14329 £ 8011 $ 13,862 € 9249 NZ$ 15514 kr 93483 $ 10,865 $ 15582 £ 8712 $ 15,074 € 10058 NZ$ 16870 kr 101656 $ 11,815 Explorer cabin $ 16835 £ 9412 $ 16,286 € 10867 NZ$ 18227 kr 109830 $ 12,765 $ 18682 £ 10444 $ 18,073 € 12058 NZ$ 20226 kr 121876 $ 14,165 Single Navigator cabin $ 18622 £ 10411 $ 18,015 € 12020 NZ$ 20162 kr 121489 $ 14,120 $ 20910 £ 11691 $ 20,229 € 13497 NZ$ 22639 kr 136417 $ 15,855
Port fees/taxes (add to above price) $ 989 £ 553 $ 957 € 638 NZ$ 1071 kr 6453 $ 750 $ 989 £ 553 $ 957 € 638 NZ$ 1071 kr 6453 $ 750 Specials
Valid until May 15, 2021. For new bookings.
Alaska May + June 2021 tours (excl. Master, Navigator, and Mariner cabins): $ 396 £ 221 $ 383 € 255 NZ$ 428 kr 2581 $ 300 Adventure Saving (2021/2022 tours) (excl. Master, Navigator, and Mariner cabins): $ 198 £ 111 $ 191 € 128 NZ$ 214 kr 1291 $ 150 * Non-combinable
Sunday departures
Season 1: May 15, 2022
Season 2: June 19, July 10, and July 31, 2022Season 1 Season 2 Navigator cabin $ 11296 £ 6315 $ 10,928 € 7291 NZ$ 12230 kr 73693 $ 8,565 $ 12681 £ 7090 $ 12,267 € 8185 NZ$ 13729 kr 82728 $ 9,615 Trailblazer cabin $ 13076 £ 7311 $ 12,650 € 8440 NZ$ 14157 kr 85309 $ 9,915 $ 14461 £ 8085 $ 13,990 € 9334 NZ$ 15657 kr 94343 $ 10,965 Pathfinder cabin $ 14329 £ 8011 $ 13,862 € 9249 NZ$ 15514 kr 93483 $ 10,865 $ 15582 £ 8712 $ 15,074 € 10058 NZ$ 16870 kr 101656 $ 11,815 Explorer cabin $ 16835 £ 9412 $ 16,286 € 10867 NZ$ 18227 kr 109830 $ 12,765 $ 18682 £ 10444 $ 18,073 € 12058 NZ$ 20226 kr 121876 $ 14,165 Single Navigator cabin $ 18622 £ 10411 $ 18,015 € 12020 NZ$ 20162 kr 121489 $ 14,120 $ 20910 £ 11691 $ 20,229 € 13497 NZ$ 22639 kr 136417 $ 15,855
Port fees/taxes (add to above price) $ 989 £ 553 $ 957 € 638 NZ$ 1071 kr 6453 $ 750 $ 989 £ 553 $ 957 € 638 NZ$ 1071 kr 6453 $ 750 Sunday departures
April 17, 2022Navigator cabin $ 8658 £ 4841 $ 8,376 € 5589 NZ$ 9374 kr 56485 $ 6,565 Trailblazer cabin $ 10439 £ 5836 $ 10,098 € 6738 NZ$ 11302 kr 68101 $ 7,915 Pathfinder cabin $ 11428 £ 6389 $ 11,055 € 7376 NZ$ 12373 kr 74554 $ 8,665 Explorer cabin $ 15450 £ 8638 $ 14,947 € 9973 NZ$ 16728 kr 100796 $ 11,715 Single Navigator cabin $ 12978 £ 7255 $ 12,555 € 8377 NZ$ 14050 kr 84663 $ 9,840 Port fees/taxes (add to above price) $ 989 £ 553 $ 957 € 638 NZ$ 1071 kr 6453 $ 750 Specials
Valid until May 15, 2021. For new bookings.
Adventure Saving (2021/2022 tours) (excl. Master, Navigator, and Mariner cabins): $ 198 £ 111 $ 191 € 128 NZ$ 214 kr 1291 $ 150
Extra Options
Extra nights
Juneau Double Single April 1 - May 26; Sep 8 to 30, 2020 $ 257 £ 144 $ 249 € 166 NZ$ 278 kr 1678 $ 195 $ 382 £ 214 $ 370 € 247 NZ$ 414 kr 2495 $ 290 May 27 - September 7, 2020 $ 330 £ 184 $ 319 € 213 NZ$ 357 kr 2151 $ 250 $ 521 £ 291 $ 504 € 336 NZ$ 564 kr 3399 $ 395 Ketchikan April - October 2020 $ 284 £ 159 $ 274 € 183 NZ$ 307 kr 1850 $ 215 $ 488 £ 273 $ 472 € 315 NZ$ 528 kr 3183 $ 370 Juneau: Includes a mountain or water-view room (king or two double beds), meet and greet, airport transfers, baggage handling, and taxes.
Ketchikan: Includes water- or mountain-view room, meet and greet, airport transfers, baggage handling, and taxes.
Extra nights
Juneau Double Single April 1 - May 26; Sep 8 to 30, 2020 TBC TBC May 27 - September 7, 2020 TBC TBC Ketchikan April - October 2020 TBC TBC Juneau: Includes a mountain or water-view room (king or two double beds), meet and greet, airport transfers, baggage handling, and taxes.
Ketchikan: Includes water- or mountain-view room, meet and greet, airport transfers, baggage handling, and taxes.
Triple rates are available in designated cabins (refer to deck plan). On request.
When booking extra nights, 50% of the cost will be non-refundable.Extra Info
Airport Info
Fly in/out of Juneau International Airport (JNU) or Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) depending on your tour direction.
Juneau to Ketchikan
On embarkation day (Day 1) your flight into Juneau should arrive no later than 2:30 pm.
On disembarkation day (Day 15) your flight from Ketchikan should leave no earlier than 11:30 amKetchikan to Juneau
On embarkation day (Day 1) your flight into Ketchikan should arrive no later than 2:30 pm.
On disembarkation day (Day 15) your flight from Juneau should leave no earlier than 11:30 am.Local Travel
Transfers to/from Juneau/Ketchikan Airports are included in the tour price.
Climate
Southeast Alaska enjoys a comfortable maritime climate. You can expect mild temperatures in summer, with it getting cooler over the spring or autumn months. Being largely rainforest, be prepared for light mist and rain at any time. From early April into May, Southeast Alaska awakens from a long winter. Bears, baby animals, migrating grey whales and birds, budding forests, snow-covered peaks, gushing waterfalls, and Aurora Borealis sightings can be part of your experience. Plus, it’s crowd-free. Long days of Alaskan summers mean extra playtime. Temperatures are warmer, so there’s better access to higher elevation hikes. And humpbacks are back en masse. Come summer’s end and into early fall, wildlife gets busy - mating, migrating, and feeding up for winter.
Day of Rest
Any day can be a day of rest on board! You can decide how your day plays out.
Recommended
Rubber or hiking boots:
The wilderness areas we explore on foot can get pretty muddy, plus most skiff landings are wet landings where there’s no dock at all. Having proper footwear and ankle support is absolutely essential. Both hiking and rubber boots are good, but if you only have space to bring one, we would recommend rubber boots (aka the “Alaska tennis shoe,” also known as Xtratufs, Wellingtons, gumboots). Many of our guests add insoles for support and hike all week in their rubber “mud” boots. For the best fit and availability, bring your own rubber boots, although you may find a very limited supply for shared use on board (but these can’t be guaranteed). Youth-size boots are not available aboard any of our vessels so you need to bring your own children’s boots.Remarks
A variety of activities are included in this tour.
Hiking:
A range of hikes - of varying difficulty and terrain - are available throughout your tour. Ranging from easy beachcombers to harder mountain scrambles. A good pair of hiking or gumboots are recommended. Hiking poles are available.
Kayaking and paddleboarding:
Our small ships are stocked with paddleboards and tandem sea kayaks. Open paddling is offered but most outings are short guided trips lasting one to four hours. It is a great way to get up close to wildlife and explore the area.
Skiff rides:
These are small boat rides that take you further and faster. Your skiff captains are pros and rides will be full of adventure and exploration. Minimal effort is required. Good gumboots or waterproof hiking boots are recommended for wet landings.
Learning about Alaska Native cultures:
Your itinerary may also offer you the opportunity to delve into Alaska Native cultures. Visit Take, A Tlingit town Kupreanof Island featuring a 132-foot totem pole, or the Kiksetti Totem Park in Wrangell and nearby Chief Shakes Tribal House, carved entirely using traditional Tlingit methods. Presentations by local islanders bring Tlingit culture and history to life.
Polar plunge:
For those a little more daring, take a giant leap off the fantail into the frigid 40-50 degree Fahrenheit Alaskan waters. At those temperatures, you only stay in for a minute before scrambling on deck, wrapping yourself in a warm towel, and heading off to the hot tub.
Northern Lights:
Also called Aurora Borealis, this exquisite natural phenomenon is best seen in April and September. One needs clear skies and just the right conditions to witness nature put on this show. Your crew will gently awaken you in the wee hours when the time is right.Important to know
Travel Documents
For US citizens, documents for travel to/from Alaska are the same for any other U.S. state. If you are flying to Alaska within the United States, you only need a valid government photo ID. A list of accepted forms of ID can be found on the TSA website.
For Non-U.S. citizens a passport is required. Please research documentation and visas needed to enter the United States of America.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by UnCruise Adventures.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
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