DAY 1 - Auke Bay
Arrive in Juneau and explore the historic capital of Alaska. With no road connections to the rest of the state, the only way to access this city is by air or sea. Take the tram 1,800 feet up Mt. Roberts, and on your very first day, you will be immediately immersed in the Alaskan alpine. Surrounded by hiking trails and wildflowers, take some time to absorb the sights and breathe in the fresh, clean air. Settle in on board, and in the afternoon you will head north to Naka Bay, near the native village of Hoonah. Here you will have a chance to set crab traps, which will be hauled in the morning.
DAY 2 - Takatz Bay
Wake up early and spend the morning catching Alaskan Dungeness Crabs. These are found only on the west coast of North America, and later you will enjoy a fresh traditional meal. Explore the village of Hoonah, visit Icy Strait Point to see traditional tribal dance, and learn about the cultural legends. Heading south in the afternoon you will anchor in Takatz Bay for the evening, where you can relax and enjoy the scenery while you enjoy an Alaskan-style dinner of Dungeness Crab.
DAY 3 - Kasnyku Bay to Red Bluff Bay
In the morning anchor in Kasnyku Bay, below a gushing waterfall, where you may see a grizzly bear saunter out of the forests. Head ashore to the see the Hidden Falls Hatchery, where thousands of salmon return from the sea every year. Record years have seen millions of fish returning. Cruise to Warm Spring at Baranof Lake, enjoy a boardwalk and soak in the hot pools or try some fly-fishing.
DAY 4 - Pybus Bay
After sailing through Red Bluff Bay where you will spend the night, in the morning you will cruise to Pybus Bay. The waters here offer the best salt and freshwater fishing in Alaska, and you can spend an afternoon fishing for salmon and halibut in this world-class location. You can be sure that your fresh catch will be cooked to perfection as your onboard chef will prepare it for dinner. After dinner spend an evening cruising the surrounding islands and watching the sunset over the dense green forests.
DAY 5 - Frederick Sound to Windfall Harbor
Heading south to the Alexander Archipelago, you will cross the Frederick Sound, which separates the two islands Admiralty and Kupreanof Island. A beautiful passage of water, this region is rich in marine life including hundreds of humpback whales that come in to feed during the summer and right through much of winter. See the breathtaking bays and fjords and the icebergs that break from the LeConte Glacier. In the afternoon, transit to Seymour Canal to see brown bears fishing for salmon. Anchor here and take a kayak out to paddle through Windfall Harbour before settling in for the night.
DAY 6 - Holkham Bay
Arrive at the mouth of Holkham Bay after cruising up Stephens Passage. Here floatplanes can be seen bringing visitors to the impressive fjords of Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. You will anchor below SumDum glacier for the evening and enjoy views of the enormous blue icy formation. The glacier frequently calves icebergs, which are a stunning sight to sail through. Orca also frequents the waters here, watch out for a glimpse of their black and white faces or dorsal fins above the water.
DAY 7 - Tracy Arm Fjord
In the morning you will cruise up Holkham Bay and enjoy a fresh breakfast on your way to Tracy Arm Fjord. Set within the Tongass National Forest, at the end of Tracy Arm you will come up to the humbling sight of the North Sawyer Glacier. Spend some time taking in this imposing feature, before tendering in for an up-close view of the icebergs. The nutrient-rich, cold water encourages many species to live in the shallow area, including corals, rockfish, seals, and the Dall’s porpoise, which is found in only a few spots in the world. On land, you may spot black and brown bears, wolves eagles, guillemots, and even mountain goats that may venture down to the base of the glacier.
DAY 8 - Stephen's Passage
Rise early to see the sunrise and set off to retrace your steps through Stephen’s Passage. Head along the Gastineau channel past Douglas Island to head back to the capital, Juneau. Explore the botanical gardens or walk through downtown to unwind and let the amazing sights and experiences of the last 8 days sink in. Find a cosy café or grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants to soak in a few last hours of the unique Alaskan atmosphere.
