Where Glaciers & Ocean Connect
The Awe-Inspiring Gateway to the North
Alaska is full of breathtaking scenery, rich history, and epic wildlife. The southeast area of Alaska, also known as ‘the Panhandle,’ showcases 500 miles of coastline dotted with Sitka spruce and cedar topped off with snowy white mountain peaks, and fjords carved out by prehistoric glaciers.
- Icefields & Glaciers. Fed by enough snow to flow out of the mountains to reach the ocean, tidewater glaciers are an incredible feat of nature to witness up close.
- Intimate Bear Viewing. Alaska boasts the highest concentration of brown (grizzly) bears in North America. Bear viewing in these areas have daily visitor limits.
- Humpback Whales. Fascinating whale behaviours are frequent from the humpback whales who call Southeast Alaska home, including the cooperative feeding technique of bubble-net feeding.
- Expansive Nature. With nothing but ocean and mountain peaks punctuating the horizon viewline, Southeast Alaska boasts a boundless wilderness like no other.
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Meet your Bluewater Adventures crew & vessel late morning at Cow Bay in Prince Rupert. Heading north, we pass through the topography of Chatham Sound and its myriad of islands. The entrance to Portland Canal marks the border between Alaska and British Columbia. Sailing past Misty Fjords National Monument, we enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains rising majestically out of the ocean.
Bluewater Adventures offers two different route options for this itinerary. Please check your trip’s dates to confirm your start/end location.
We stop briefly to clear US Customs in Ketchikan before continuing north among the narrow passages of Etolin and Wrangell Islands to Anan Bay. Anan Creek has the largest run of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska, and this accumulation of food attracts bears and eagles in great numbers. The US Forest Service viewing observatory is famous and access to this area is limited in order to protect the wildlife and local habitat.
We will disembark for a day tour on a jet boat, escorted by a local guide, up to Le Conte Glacier – the southernmost tidewater glacier in Alaska. In the last 15 years, it has receded by over a mile and a half with enormous slabs of ice “calving” into the ocean. It is located beside the Stikine River estuary – an important stop for millions of migratory birds.
Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, and Stephens Passage are the core feeding area for humpback whales in Southeast Alaska. We will take the time to observe these 15-metre-long creatures whenever the opportunity arises and hope to witness spectacular behaviours like breaches, pectoral slaps, and possibly bubble-net feeding (an amazing cooperative foraging technique). We will also keep an eye out for wary sea otters – over 150 years of hunting by Europeans for their luxurious pelts nearly wiped them out completely until the 1960’s saw efforts to rebuild the population by reintroducing otters from the Aleutians.
Admiralty Island National Monument has the highest concentration of brown (grizzly) bears in North America. Pack Creek on Admiralty Island has been a protected area for brown bears for the last 40 years and offers amazing viewing opportunities in the estuary of their estimated resident 1,500 bears.
We arrive in Petersburg late in the morning to complete our voyage. After clearing customs, guests can catch an afternoon flight to Seattle or explore the area further on their own.
We keep our itineraries purposefully flexible allowing our captains to cater to the needs and interests of their group as well as take into account weather, wildlife sightings, and more.
Island Roamer
Vessel Type: Yacht
Length: 21 metres
Passenger Capacity: 16
Built: 1983
The Island Roamer is a custom 68-foot ketch, launched in 1983. The boat's design, safety and comfort make her perfect for these trips. She features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 3 heads with hot showers, a large comfortable lounge with an extensive library, and a well-equipped galley. On deck, the large covered seating area provides protection in all types of weather. The Island Roamer is large enough for comfort, privacy and safety, and small enough to create a good rapport among passengers and crew.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
