Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 (D)
On our arrival day, we'll meet for dinner at our hotel in Juneau followed by an orientation about this week's adventure.


Day 2 - Auke Bay to Swanson Harbor (B, L, D)
Nestled just north of Juneau, you'll start in a bustling harbor with views of nearby islands, boats, and the surrounding mountains. As we head out, we might catch glimpses of the massive Mendenhall Glacier in the distance. We’ll be sailing through one of the deepest and longest fjords in North America. Surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests, there’s a high possibility of seeing wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, and whales. On our approach to Swanson Harbor, we’ll see the rugged coastline and dense forests of Admiralty Island, known for its high population of brown bears. The harbor itself is a serene, sheltered area with calm waters, making it a popular spot for anchorage.


Day 3 - Swanson Harbor to South Marble Island to South Sandy Cove (B, L, D)
Starting from this remote and sheltered harbor, we’ll be surrounded by lush forests and calm waters. The harbor is a haven for marine life and birds, making it a tranquil beginning to our journey. Keep an eye out for humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, and seals as we sail through the fjords. The area is also home to a variety of seabirds, including bald eagles, puffins, and gulls.

South Marble Island is a small, rocky island in Glacier Bay National Park which is renowned for its abundant wildlife. The island is a critical habitat for Steller sea lions and harbor seals, which often haul out on the rocky shores. South Marble Island is also a hotspot for birdlife. You'll likely see puffins, cormorants, and kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs. The cacophony of bird calls adds to the island's vibrant atmosphere.

As we continue sailing, we’ll navigate through the stunning Glacier Bay. The waters are deep and surrounded by snow-capped peaks and ancient glaciers. The scenery here is truly majestic, with icebergs floating in the water and the possibility of spotting calving glaciers. When we approach South Sandy Cove, we’ll immediately notice how tranquil the cove is. Nestled within Glacier Bay National Park, this cove is truly a hidden gem. The sandy beach and calm, sheltered waters make it a perfect spot for anchorage. The cove and surrounding areas are home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, moose, and a plethora of bird species. Kayaking and exploring the shoreline can yield unforgettable wildlife encounters.


Day 4 - South Sandy Cove to McBride Glacier Inlet (B, L, D)
Sailing from South Sandy Cove to McBride Glacier Inlet in Alaska offers a journey through some of the most stunning and remote wilderness areas of Glacier Bay National Park. Beardslee Islands is an archipelago we’ll sail past, and we’ll be treated to serene landscapes with forested islands and quiet coves. Watch for bald eagles perched on trees and black bears foraging along the shore. The waters in this area are rich with marine life. We may encounter humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, and sea lions. Keep an eye out for the spouts of whales or the playful behavior of porpoises riding the bow wave of your boat.

As we enter McBride Glacier Inlet, the scenery becomes even more dramatic. The glacier itself is a tidewater glacier, meaning it flows directly into the sea. You’ll see the striking blue ice of the glacier and possibly hear the thunderous sound of calving ice. The inlet is often filled with floating icebergs and smaller pieces of ice known as brash ice. The icebergs can be various shades of blue and white, creating a surreal and beautiful seascape. We might see mountain goats on the steep slopes, puffins and other seabirds flying overhead, and possibly even brown bears on the shoreline.


Day 5 - McBride Inlet to Reid Inlet (B, L, D)
As we navigate out of McBride Inlet, we’ll encounter floating icebergs and chunks of glacial ice. These range in size and shape, and their blue hues are a testament to their density and age. If time allows, a detour to John Hopkins Inlet might be possible. The John Hopkins Glacier is one of the few advancing glaciers in the park and offers a spectacular view, especially with the surrounding mountains and hanging glaciers.

As we enter Reid Inlet, we’ll be greeted by the Reid Glacier. This glacier, while smaller than some of the others in Glacier Bay, is easily accessible and offers stunning views. The inlet is known for its calm and serene waters, providing a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. The shoreline of Reid Inlet is rich with vegetation and wildlife. We may see a variety of seabirds, and the inlet is a popular resting spot for harbor seals.


Day 6 - Reid Inlet to Lamplugh Glacier to Tarr Inlet (B, L, D)
The journey to Lamplugh Glacier will take us through Glacier Bay’s pristine waterways, surrounded by towering mountains and dense forests. Approaching Lamplugh Glacier, we’ll be struck by its impressive face, which is about 160 feet high and over a mile wide. The glacier’s vibrant blue ice is a result of the compression of ice crystals, and its surface is marked by deep crevasses and seracs. The glacier is backed by the Fairweather Range, with its snow-capped peaks providing a dramatic backdrop.

The route to Tarr Inlet offers a sense of solitude and wilderness, with fewer boats and human presence. The landscape here is raw and untouched, giving you a true sense of the remote Alaskan wilderness. As we sail closer to Tarr Inlet, the number of icebergs typically increases, and we might see bergy bits and growlers (smaller chunks of ice) in the water.

Continuing our sail, we’ll reach Tarr Inlet, home to the famous Margerie Glacier. This tidewater glacier is known for its impressive calving displays and its striking blue ice. Adjacent to the Margerie Glacier is the Grand Pacific Glacier, which marks the border between the U.S. and Canada. Unlike Margerie, the Grand Pacific Glacier is covered with debris and appears more rugged and less vibrant.


Day 7 - Tarr Inlet to Shag Cove (B, L, D)
As we sail to Shag Cove, the scenery transitions from the stark, icy landscape of the upper bay to lush, forested shorelines with towering mountains and cascading waterfalls. Shag Cove itself is a tranquil and sheltered bay, offering a peaceful contrast to the more dramatic landscapes earlier in our journey. The cove is surrounded by dense forests of Sitka spruce and western hemlock, and its calm waters reflect the stunning scenery. The cove is a popular anchorage spot, providing a serene setting to relax and soak in the natural beauty. It’s also an excellent place for kayaking and exploring the shoreline. The waters around Shag Cove are rich with marine life. We may see sea otters floating on their backs, harbor seals lounging on rocks, and possibly even porpoises or dolphins. In addition to bald eagles, we might see oystercatchers, cormorants, and various species of gulls and terns.


Day 8 - Shag Cove to Excursion Inlet (B, L, D)
After we depart Shag Cove, we’ll head toward Icy Strait, passing through pristine waters known for their marine life. Keep an eye out for humpback whales breaching and bubble-net feeding, orcas hunting, and playful porpoises. The scenery is dramatic, with snow-capped peaks in the distance and dense forests lining the shores.

The approach to Excursion Inlet is marked by a mix of rugged coastline, tranquil bays, and the majestic backdrop of the Chilkat Range. The inlet itself is sheltered, offering calm waters ideal for anchoring. This area is known for its rich history and natural beauty. The inlet was once a hub during World War II and has since returned to a peaceful, remote destination. The inlet is surrounded by dense spruce and hemlock forests, with occasional clearings that provide stunning views of the mountains and water. In addition to marine life, the surrounding forests are home to brown bears, black bears, moose, and Sitka black-tailed deer.


Day 9 (B)
Our final day will be spent sailing from Excursion Inlet back to Statter Harbor in Auke Bay. This picturesque journey will remind us of all the incredible sights we’ve seen on this trip.