All that makes Alaska extraordinary—spectacular landscapes, breathtaking wildlife, a pristine wilderness on the grandest scale imaginable—can be found along the Inside Passage, the storied corridor of islands and glaciers along the southeast coast. And the ultimate way to experience it is aboard our historic, 11-passenger wooden vessel that brings us into hidden places where big ships can’t even dream of entering. With our on-board naturalists, we kayak into narrow inlets like Ford’s Terror, whose sheer granite walls are wreathed in ephemeral mists, hike in old-growth forests, and encounter amazing wildlife from humpbacks to bald eagles. At day’s end, we savor the welcoming comfort of our boat and enjoy an evening of fine food and congenial company.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Day 1
Petersburg, Alaska

(Northbound itinerary) In Petersburg, we board our historic vessel and cruise north into Frederick Sound, one of the best places for humpback whale watching in southeast Alaska. Tides permitting, we hike on the moraine of the Baird Glacier, and later we enjoy our first sea kayaking excursion (no previous experience is necessary).

Days 2-3
The Brothers / Admiralty Island

Setting out for The Brothers, a group of small islands in Frederick Sound, we watch for humpback and orca whales in this prime summer feeding ground. We may shut down the engine and drift, listening to their ethereal songs with the ship’s hydrophone. On Day 3, we hike through temperate rainforest, sea kayak along the shores, or even fish for halibut for tonight’s dinner! Nearby is a Steller sea lion haulout, where hundreds of these vocal creatures crowd the rocks. Our next destination is 100-mile-long Admiralty Island, with its cathedral-like old-growth rainforests and high populations of brown bears and bald eagles. From our idyllic anchorage, the sound of breathing whales or the call of an eagle drift across the evening calm.

Days 4-5
Endicott Arm / Ford’s Terror

Getting underway in time to make the slack tide into Endicott Arm, we dodge icebergs as we wind our way into the fjord. Along the way we watch for whales, stopping to watch them surfacing as they prepare to dive for krill or bubble net for herring. At Dawes Glacier, we linger to watch the glacier’s calving, booming bergs. A treat awaits us at a seldom-visited anchorage called Ford’s Terror, a spectacular natural amphitheater that resembles a flooded Yosemite Valley. Our ship is powerful enough to push against the strong current into this sublime place, and we anchor here on Day 5 to explore by sea kayak, crossing saltwater rapids and paddling beneath steep 5,000-foot granite walls shrouded in otherworldly mists.

Days 6-7
Ford’s Terror / Juneau

A hike in the highlands above Ford’s Terror offers a bird’s-eye view of the raging tidal rapids. Heading out of Endicott Arm, we watch for bear, moose, wolves, and whales as we motor to Juneau, where we bid farewell to the ship’s crew and depart.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 2, Easy to Moderate. The M/V Catalyst serves as our mobile base camp. We explore remote coastlines and fjords by day, then retreat to the comfort of the ship in the evening for good food, fine company, and a comfortable bunk. Southeast Alaska is one of the few places in North America largely untouched since the first explorers trod through its ancient forests 200 years ago. Following in the wake of the naturalist John Muir, who was deeply inspired by Alaska’s wild grandeur, we cruise a glorious stretch of wilderness where glaciers crackle in lovely fjords and the sea is filled with whales, orcas, porpoises, and sea lions. Along the way, we pass countless miles of old-growth forests of spruce, hemlock, and cedar, home to bears and bald eagles. With just a few hours of cruising each day, there is plenty of time for walking, wildlife watching, or sea kayaking all in the company of an on-board naturalist who shares insights into the local botany, natural history, and native culture.

You should be ready for a variety of weather conditions. Layered clothing works best in the changing weather conditions typical of the Pacific Northwest Coast and Southeast Alaska.

Explanation of Trip Levels