Map Guide:
1. Thomas Bay ~ 2. Kake & the Keku Islands ~ 3. Baronoff Warm Springs ~ 4. Brothers Islands
5. Admiralty Island "Fortress of the bears" ~ 6. LeConte Tidewater Glacier~ 7. Petersburg, Alaska

Petersburg, Alaska Round-trip: Small Ship Cruise

Whales, Glaciers, Sea Lions, Hot Springs, Photography, Native Culture and more...

$2975 per person available May - August 2011
(7 days, 6 nights)

This cruise offers the experience that visitors to S.E. Alaska's Inside Passage expect, Glaciers, Whales and Wildlife. It is done on a relaxed schedule that provides time for kayaking, beach walks, and in general, an opportunity to experience the solitude and grandeur of Alaska. The adventure starts and ends in the colorful and picturesque Norwegian fishing community of Petersburg. Highlights include a visit to LeConte Glacier, the whale rich waters of the Brothers Islands, and shore visits into Admiralty's salmon rich estuaries, prime habitat for brown bears.  Admiralty is referred to as Kootznoowoo, the Native name for “fortress of the bears”. This island has the highest density of brown bears in the world, about out one per square mile. Kayaking and skiff shore excursions allow a shore exploration of this amazing island.

History and Native culture are also a part of this trip. The Tlingit village of Kake is visited. In hidden harbors, are often found the ruins of fish processing plants from a by-gone era. We view one in Surprise Harbor. Included is a visit to Baranof Island's eastern Waterfall Coast. Fun and history are combined here in a stop at Warm Springs Bay Hot Spring and an opportunity to relax in a stream-side naturally heated pool. Bring your swim suit! All of your expectations will be met and exceeded on this comprehensive Alaskan cruise adventure.

7-Day Sample Trip:

Petersburg, Alaska Round-trip: Small Ship Cruise

Sample Trips are a good guide but trips will vary depending on weather, tides, guest requests and wildlife opportunities.

~ Day 1: Thomas Bay ~

Thomas Bay is great place for some sheltered kayaking and maintained wilderness trail hiking.

Welcome aboard! After meeting your crew, we leave Petersburg for a short cruise to Thomas Bay. Enjoy a hearty brunch as we head out. At our destination, we go ashore to explore the moraine of the Baird Glacier, tide permitting. As an alternative we will take a easy hike up the Cascade Creek Trail.  Here we can get a sense of the awesome influence that glaciers have had on the land. Kayaks are launched here.

~ Day 2: Kake and Keku Islands : Alaskan Totem Poles & Native Culture ~

Explore Native Culture in Kake. This small Tlingit Indian town hosts the worlds tallest totem pole.

We depart Thomas Bay for Kake, a Native village of 682 Tlingit Indians. Kake has the world's tallest totem pole and a fascinating past. Look for whales along the way. Kake has a place in history having been shelled by the U.S. Navy vessel “Saginaw” in 1869. We anchor among the nearby picturesque Keku Islets, one of which is known for being the site of a discovery of a rare 200 million year old Ichthyosaurus fossil. It has been identified as a thalattosaur, and is one of only 10 known in the world and the most complete thalottosaur remnant found in North America.

~ DAY 3: Baronof and Warm Springs Bay ~

The natural Baronof Hot Springs at Warm Springs Bay. Great to take a soak after all that kayaking and hiking.

We leave Keku Island for the Waterfall Coast of Baranof Island. This beautiful island's eastern shore is noted for its waterfalls, wildlife, scenic beauty and rich history. Our destination is Warm Springs Bay hot springs, one of the favorites stops for S.E. Alaska boaters. It is nestled adjacent to a scenic waterfall consisting of a basin of naturally heated water. Bring your bathing suit for an iconic Alaskan experience. En route, we motor into Surprise Harbor, a cove rich in history. The community, named Tyee was originally a whaling facility starting in 1907, later a herring reduction plant and finally a salmon cannery which closed in the 40's. Inside the bay is Murder Cove, named for an incident detailed in a book called “The Cheechakos”, by Wayne Short.

~ DAY 4: Brothers Islands & Frederick Sound~

See a Seal Lion Rookery at the Brothers Islands and look out for Humpback whales in Frederick Sound
Photo Credit: © Mike Reyfman 2011 All Rights Reserved

Departing Baranof Island, we head for the Brothers Islands, a small group of picturesque islands off the southern coast of Admiralty Island. Expect many whales, orcas and a variety of sea birds. Nearby is a sea lion haul out, the presence of which is very apparent given the constant roar. We spend much of the day drifting, observing humpback whales feed, watching for a breach and checking out the sea lions. We kayak around the islands.

~ DAY 5: Admiralty Island~

Admiralty Island has the highest density of brown bears in the world

We depart for Admiralty Island. Here we cruise the estuaries looking for bears in kayaks and/or skiffs. Lush estuaries with salmon filled streams are a natural attraction  for these magnificent animals. On a sandy beach we have a crab feed and enjoy a crackling campfire.

~ DAY 6: Glacier Day ~

Pictures left to right: Kayaking amongst the icebergs, LeConte Glacier (the most southern tidewater glacier in North America, a jet boat will take you through icebergs to the face of LeConte Glacier.

At the mouth of LeConte glacier guests travel to LeConte Glacier by jet boat, passing many icebergs, some with adult seals and pups.  We anchor in a serene cove for the last night of Kayaking.

~ DAY 7: Arrive in Petersburg ~

We enjoy a leisurely brunch on the way to Petersburg, arriving by noon.

Chef Yolanda with freshly made Cinnamon Rolls