Alaska Mothership Tour, United States

Join us for a luxurious week-long mothership kayaking cruise in the spectacular coastal wilderness of southeast Alaska or in the blue whale realm of Baja's Sea of Cortez aboard the Ursa Major, a 65' crewed charter yacht. It's a fabulous vessel with spacious indoor as well as outdoor observation areas for viewing whales, sea otters, bald eagles, bears and glaciers in comfort and safety.

On a recent trip in Alaska, we witnessed porpoises riding the pressure wave off Ursa's bow, Humpback whales breaching, sea otters munching seafood snacks and pelagic sea birds soaring close by as we traveled between anchorages. In our cozy coves at anchor, we saw bears on the beach almost daily. The ship carries both extremely stable two-person and single kayaks for exploring the coastlines as well as a small skiff for safety, birdwatching and on-shore activities.

The Ursa Major can take paddlers to the most remote locations and prime whale watching areas far beyond the reach of typical self-supported kayak tours. Cruising only three to four hours each day allows plenty of time for kayaking, hiking, and beach-combing. Snorkel off the boat in Baja. Throw a fishing line or crab pot over the side of the boat in Alaska and reel in fresh seafood.

A naturalist guide will share his or her knowledge of the local flora and fauna, as well as leading paddling and hiking excursions. Meanwhile, the chef serves up some of the finest cuisine around customized to your tastes. We'll spend the evenings anchored in peaceful coves under starry skies enjoying conversation, good wines and restful sleep.

May is one of the best times in Alaska to cruise Glacier Bay National Park on the Ursa Major. From June to August, Ursa Major explores Alaska's spectacular Inside Passage between Sitka and Petersburg. Travel for six nights/seven days through this vast coastal wilderness, paddling glacier-fed waters where snow-capped peaks tower majestically above, soak in hot springs and observe abundant wildlife including whales, porpoises, bears and sea otters.

Beginning to experienced kayakers can enjoy these expeditions. Paddling a sea kayak is comfortable, and with the assistance of your guide easy to learn. Each day we'll travel to the best paddling spots wherever your group desires. You always have the option of kayaking whenever you like and there are daily opportunities for longer paddles with the Ursa Major there at the end of the day to pick you up. Kayaking is always optional with many other activities available.

The boat accommodates up to six guests in three comfortable cabins with two shared bathrooms and includes an expansive foredeck, upper sun deck, full galley, elegant salon and congenial wheelhouse. The Ursa's heavy displacement hull, high bulwarks, and stabilizer systems make her a comfortable and safe vessel in fair or foul weather. She combines the tradition and beauty of wood with the comfort of home for your adventures in Baja and Southeast Alaska.

Trips include: single kayaks, all kayaking and safety equipment, basic paddling instruction, kayak guide, delicious meals, warm beds, captain and chef, dinghy for safety and on-shore activities, on-board reference library and outlets for laptop computers.  Not Included: Hotel, airfare, gratuities.

Custom tailored itineraries are available for any group desiring kayaking, whale and bird watching, photography and visiting remote islands. Whole boat charters for families or groups, or individual bookings are available for weekly departures.

Photo Credits: Ted Steadman - kayaker and bear

For your trip to Alaska you will usually need to arrive in Seattle and then take a flight on Alaska Airlines to  Petersburg or Sitka. Please contact us with any questions 800.616.1943 or 208.765.3116

Tell me about the boat?
Launched at the Malahide shipyard just outside of Dublin Ireland in 1972, Ursa Major is a magnificent example of "Old World" craftsmanship.  Ursa Major is 65 feet long almost 20 feet wide and displaces over 100 tons and powered by a heavy-duty Caterpillar Diesel Engine with two diesel auxiliary generators.  She was built to the rugged "Det Norske Veritas" construction standards certifying her to operate year round in the extreme conditions of the North Sea.  All of this guarantees Ursa Major's guest of a comfortable and safe cruise while in Alaska's Inside Passage.

Guest accommodations include a full-width master suite with queen-sized berth and private head/shower.  There are also two guest staterooms with double berths (both can also deploy additional single berths if needed).  The two guest cabins share an adjacent head and shower.  Crew quarters are separate and have their own head/shower facilities.

Tell me more about the crusing waters?
Southeast Alaska known on the old British Admiralty Charts as the Alexander Archipelago is a seemingly endless labyrinth of channels, passages, fjords, bays and straits extending from Ketchikan in the south three hundred and fifty nautical miles to Skagway at the north end of Lynn Canal.  This area, over eighty percent of which constitutes the Tongas National Forest, is a temperate rain forest with some places receiving over 100 inches of rainfall per year. Heavily forested, with towering mountains the scenery becomes more and more spectacular as you cruise north past Petersburg to Juneau and Sitka. Tidewater glaciers, protected inside waters teaming with fish, marine mammals from whales to sea lions and sea otters await the adventurous spirited people who visit Alaska.

Ursa Major's normal cruising grounds extend from Juneau south to Petersburg and west to Sitka. This area with its spectacular geology and teaming wildlife defines the image many people have of Alaska. At times cruising these waters we feel like we are in the middle of a "National Geographic" nature film. In fact, this is where many filmmakers come to get their best close-up footage of whales and other marine mammals.

This trip covers approximately 200 nautical miles and gives a great sampling of Alaska’s best in fishing, whale watching, scenery and wildlife. This is just one of an infinite number of possible cruises. Your itinerary will be designed based on your interests.

What is the food like?
 The Ursa's chef prepares gourmet meals including fresh baked goods, local caught seafood, delicious deserts, and regional wines.  Whenever possible our guests enjoy their fresh caught Alaska Spot Prawns, Dungeness Crab and caught fish specially prepared by our chef for their enjoyment.

What weather conditions can I expect?
Southeastern Alaska is a temperate rain forest, with the most rain falling in the southern part.  Annual rainfall amounts range from 150 inches in Ketchikan to 30 inches in Skagway.  May and June are the driest months while July and August are a bit wetter but warmer as well.  Normal temperatures run form the mid-fifties to low seventies with temps dropping about ten degrees at night.  Rarely, when the sun comes out, temps in the eighties can occur.  It is important to note that there can be up to 20 hours of daylight in early summer.   The weather in southeast can and does change with amazing frequency.  In order to stay comfortable one needs to be prepared for these changes.

What wildlife can I see?
The abundance of Alaska's Wildlife  is staggering. Close viewing of Humpback Whales is almost a daily event during our cruises.
Killer Whales,  Dall's Porpoises, Sea  Lions, Seals, Sea Otters, Alaskan Brown Bear, Black  Bear, Mountain Goats, Timber Wolves, are a few of the other mammals you may see when you visit Alaska. The incredible variety of birds you might see includes: Bald Eagles, Puffins, Harlequin Ducks,  Falcons,  Hummingbirds, several species of Loons and swans.

Please call us with any questions you have about this tour 800.616.1943 or 208.765.3116

Day One -  Depart at noon from Sitka for Klag Bay.   This six hour passage is part inside waters and part outside (about two hours in open water).  The outer coast of Chichigof Island is a National Wilderness Area and has abundant wildlife and very few visitors.  Expect to see humpback whales, many sea otters, sea lions, big coastal brown bears (grizzlies) and all manner or bird life including puffins, herons, falcons, harlequin ducks, bald eagles, hummingbirds, etc.  

Day Two - Cruise through the protected  labyrinth of channels islands and passageways to White Sulfur Hot Springs in the middle of the wildest stretch of coast line imaginable, on the waters edge, soak in a natural mineral hot springs overlooking the boat with the pacific ocean as a backdrop.  Cruise north, again protected by the inner channels, through Lisianski Inlet to the charming fishing village of Pelican.  A very friendly place, with a year round population of 100 people and a summer population of 300, Pelican is a slice of the real Alaska, unspoiled by mega-tourism.

Day Three - If the weather allows, cruise back down Lisianski Inlet and head up the coast to Deer Harbor on the outside of Yacobi Island.  The salmon, halibut and assorted bottom fish are so abundant here that we probably will not spend very much time getting your limit of fish!  Anchor in Inian Cove for the night. If the weather is not cooperating, we can fish our way north through the Inlet and wind through the islands to Inian Cove.   A great place to kayak and explore, there are usually many sea otters and whales nearby as well as lots of unusual bird life.  If the weather is clear we will have many spectacular views of Mt. Fairweather and the Brady Glacier.

Day Four - Cruise through Icy Strait past Point Adolphus This should be our prime whale watching day as these waters consistently have the largest and most active population of humpback whales in Alaska - Anchor for the night in Pavlof Bay or dock in Tenakee Springs

Day Five – Cruise to Hoonah Sound on Peril Strait. This "lost corner" or Southeast Alaska with its many streams and quiet anchorages gives our guests the feeling that they are the first people to explore here. Frequent sighting of Killer Whales and Porpoises, good fishing for giant yellow eye, salmon and shrimp as well as many streams with numerous brown bears makes this a choice spot.

Day Six – Cruise through Sergius Narrows to Kalinin Bay. This perfectly sheltered cove at the edge of the ocean has some of Alaska’s best fishing just a short skiff ride away. We frequently see brown bears, sea otters and many bald eagles while at anchor here.  This is a pleasant place to launch the sea kayaks before dinner.

Day Seven - Cruise into Sitka arriving at eleven am.