Linblad Expeditions

Alaska, British Columbia & San Juan Islands

The coast of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia is a maze of fjords, channels, rivers and glaciers gliding towards the sea. This majestic region is ideally suited for small ship cruising that enables up close and personal exploration from Seattle, Washington to Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park, including the San Juan Islands. This wilderness expedition travels through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America, sailing past mist-shrouded fjords and tidewater glaciers. These waters are among the best for whale watching, with good chances of finding humpback and orca whales. Along the way, meet people of Native American, Russian and Scandinavian ancestries. Kayak, beachcomb and explore forest trails under the guidance of our expert naturalists. You may also join our optional land extension to Denali National Park.

Ship

Accessibility means freedom. Our captains have decades of sailing experience in the regions we explore. They know when and where to navigate so that you feel the places we visit are all ours. Thanks to our sturdy fleet of Zodiacs and virtually untippable kayaks, you can be off the ship and out exploring within a moment’s notice. Launch your kayak from a picturesque beach, hike with our naturalists into the rain forest or walk easily along a sandy dune.

During your time with us, our expedition staff likes nothing better than to surprise and delight us by directing the ship toward breaching whales, bow-riding dolphins or into an alluring cove. Our seasoned crew consists of expert Zodiac drivers and considerate service providers. Their energy, enthusiasm and field expertise are sure to enhance your experience. This is what expedition travel is all about: not just seeing wildness, but being out there, in it.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 2 - San Juan Islands, Washington
The San Juan Islands are the gems of northern Washington State and today we explore them with the freedom of no specific plan. With kayaks and Zodiacs at the ready, we are able to explore this archipelago of some 170 idyllic forested islands. The varied coastlines offer wonderful opportunities for exploring, especially for kayaking. Search for seals, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles and orcas as sea birds form patterns in the sky overhead.

Day 3 - Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait
Early this morning, we arrive in Queen Charlotte Sound on course for Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once the ship is secured in the early afternoon, we make our way to the U'Mista Cultural Center at the northern end of the bay. U'Mista is home to a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. At the Center, anyone related to any member of this tribe is able to trace their ancestry. After our visit, we walk or ride to the Big House, just a short distance away where the Tsasala Cultural Group puts on a dance with performers in age from three to 92. Before each dance, the performers explain the story of the dance movements, as the story unfolds in subtle rhythmic movements.

Back on board we head the short distance to Johnstone Strait. Johnstone Strait is one of the foremost viewing areas for orca whales in the entire Northern Hemisphere and since nineteen whale pods are known to spend part of the year here, there is an excellent chance of exciting whale watching.

Days 4-5 - Inside Passage of British Columbia
You’ll feel like a true explorer as we continue northward looking for whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife. This is an area where vast sections of untouched coastal rain forest still exist — and where an expedition ship proves to be the perfect vessel. Without a specific plan, open to spontaneity and adventure, we’ll freely rove within the near-limitless expanse of pristine wildness — to explore any intriguing bay or inlet we happen upon, or reverse course to follow a sighted whale pod. Our small ship gives us this freedom. Our onboard kayaks and Zodiacs can be lowered swiftly to bring it all even closer. Wherever we choose to stop and explore, we’re certain to be the only human life, accompanied by spectacular birds and animals. In such a populated and busy world, these opportunities are tonic for the mind, body and soul.

Day 6 - Misty Fiords
Misty Fiords National Monument, often referred to as "Yosemite of the sea" for its sheer majesty, is 2.3 million acres of pristine wilderness that will leave you with exquisite memories of your stay in Alaska. Head out on a personal kayak reconnaissance or take a Zodiac cruise beneath glacier-carved cliffs with saw-tooth tops. Float past sheer cliffs and icy waterfalls, easily navigating in and out of areas the “big white boats” that ply Alaska’s waters can't get near.

Day 7 - Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It is also fertile ground for the majestic bald eagle which you may see keeping watch atop a tall spruce. As for whales, it’s not uncommon here to see schools of up to 30 humpbacks or orcas. We’ll then get to observe fascinating behavior — breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding — as we fill the deck, delighting in their activities and listening to the play-by-play from our expert naturalists, as our skilled Captain and crew keep us in perfect proximity. We may also see Steller's sea lions hauled out on the rocky islands and dozing. Once ashore, we’ll have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail, accompanied by our naturalists. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for appreciating this area close up.

Day 8 - Sitka
Whale sightings may make for some exciting diversions en route to Sitka. In the native Tlingit language, Sitka means the village behind the island and it has been home to various cultures for thousands of years. When visiting here, one can’t help but wonder about the ways in which cultures survive, passing down their characteristics from generation to generation.

Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent as you visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church with its onion domes right in the middle of town. Gaze up at the grand totem poles that line the wooded trails through Sitka National Historic Park. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, we have close views of species normally seen at a distance in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Sitka’s oceanfront setting is framed by the volcanic peak of Mount Edgecumbe and a string of small islands. The crystalline waters of Sitka Bay abound with sea stars and translucent moon jellyfish.

Day 9 - Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. There are many options for landings on islands such as Baranof and Chichagof, where bald eagles nest and brown bears make themselves at home. If you’re a beachcomber, the shoreline is rich with treasures. The forest trails are dense and beautiful, whether you choose the long walk option or a short stroll, accompanied by one of our naturalists familiar with the local terrain. Hemlock and spruce abound in the old-growth forest. When kayaking, we always offer choices. If you’re looking for exercise and excitement, choose a more strenuous course. If you want scenery and relaxation, you’ll have the option to paddle slowly — exploring, poking into little inlets and relishing the quiet and up-close, personal view.

Day 10 - Glacier Bay National Park
We spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, freshwater lakes and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park — one of the best places on earth to observe the ebb and flow of glaciers. Here, we’ll be accompanied by a National Park Ranger who gives us up-to-the-minute information about this ever-changing environment.

You’ll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them “calving” — tons of ice crashing into the sea — accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals and Steller's sea lions are some of the creatures we may observe in these icy waters. These sea lions are a threatened species — although the population in Southeast Alaska is still robust, elsewhere in Alaska their population has declined almost 80% in the last 30 years.

Look up during the day and chances are the sky will be filled with soaring sea birds. If you’ve never seen a puffin, you may have the opportunity to see not only one kind, but two: the tufted and the horned puffin. As you observe them flying to and from their nests, you’ll find the puffin to be both clumsy and graceful at the same time. Designed for underwater fishing, they paddle and flap their way into the air, then make a quick dive below the surface. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. If the timing is right, a bear and her cub may be playing in the water. With our engines idling so we can be as unobtrusive as possible, we’ll watch their interactions, knowing the cub will be on its own by the same time next year.

Day 11 - Point Adolphus & Chichagof Island
Our day begins on the waters off Point Adolphus, a favored feeding area for humpback whales. Keep watch on deck and you may find yourself rushing to the side as a pod of whales begins lunge-feeding right off our bow. As we watch with awe, our Naturalist lowers the hydrophone and we’re not only watching the whales, we’re listening in on their communications. A sense of wonder pervades. When questions come up, as they surely will, our marine mammal expert can tell you everything you want to know and more. After some thrilling whale watching, you’ll cruise the intricate coastline of Chichagof Island, looking for playful sea otters.

Day 12 - Juneau, Alaska/Disembark Ship/Seattle
After breakfast, disembark in Juneau, Alaska's state capital. Here we'll visit the Alaska State Museum, viewing its fascinating permanent collection with an emphasis on Alaska's native peoples and natural history. Explore on your own before flights home in the afternoon. Fly from Juneau to Seattle.

Cost of This Itinerary

The least expensive cabin costs:
$490 per person per night

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$635 per person per night