Alaska Mothership Kayaking

Southeast Alaska’s Eastern Passages: Bears, Glaciers & Coastal Wilderness

Overview
Experience the diversity of Southeast Alaska on an intimate small ship cruise from Juneau to Petersburg (or vice versa). Aboard the historic wooden vessel M/V Catalyst, this 8-day journey blends remote wilderness, rich marine life, and cultural heritage. We explore ice-filled fjords, search for brown bears and humpback whales, and paddle through landscapes John Muir once called “an ocean-filled Yosemite.”

With a maximum of 11 guests, each cruise offers a personal and immersive connection to Southeast Alaska’s wild coastlines, ancient forests, and glacial geology.

Trip Highlights

• Kayak alongside tidewater glaciers and temperate rainforest

• Hike estuarial meadows and glacial valleys with naturalist guides

• Observe whales, bears, sea lions, eagles, and more

• Visit quiet coves, inlets, and the rarely visited Ford’s Terror

• Enjoy hand-crafted meals and cozy evenings aboard a classic vessel

Quick Facts

• Duration: 8 Days

• Season: May – September

• Location: Southeast Alaska (Juneau & Petersburg)

• Departure Port: Juneau or Petersburg, Alaska

• Vessel: M/V Catalyst

• Capacity: 11 guests

Sample Itinerary: Juneau to Petersburg (or reverse)

Day 1 – Departure from Juneau or Petersburg
Juneau to Petersburg:
Board near downtown Juneau at 11:00 am, stow gear, and meet the crew. After lunch, we cruise south into Stephens Passage and enter Endicott Arm. As we approach the inlet, we’ll likely see our first icebergs. We anchor near shore, fall asleep to twilight skies, and maybe the sound of howling wolves.

Petersburg to Juneau:
Board at 12:30 pm, location TBA (South or North Harbor). After safety orientation and lunch, we cruise north through Wrangell Narrows into Frederick Sound. We’ll anchor at Scenery Cove in Thomas Bay, with time for a skiff ride or hike to Baird Glacier’s outwash plain. Kayaking introduction, tides permitting.

Days 2–7 – Eastern Passages Exploration
Our route unfolds based on weather and wildlife, with possible highlights including:

• The Brothers Islands – Prime summer feeding grounds for humpbacks and orcas. Drift quietly as whales surface nearby. Explore tide pools and temperate rainforest by kayak and foot.

• Wood Spit & Dawes Glacier – Hike to learn about local geology, Tlingit culture, and gold rush history. This area is rich in birdlife, deer, and the occasional wolf. Witness the calving of Dawes Glacier up close.

• Ford’s Terror – Surrounded by sheer 5,000-foot granite cliffs, we enter this dramatic fjord at slack tide. Kayak through tidal rapids and hike through a glacial landscape of alpine, bog, and forest.

• Wildlife Encounters – Scan shorelines for brown bears, moose, and wolves; listen for the exhale of whales; watch bald eagles circle above.

Each evening, we anchor in a secluded bay and share meals, stories, and photos from the day’s adventures.

Day 8 – Return to Juneau or Petersburg
Juneau to Petersburg:
Arrive in the morning, with time to explore this charming Scandinavian fishing town or catch a flight to Juneau or Seattle.

Petersburg to Juneau:
Enjoy a relaxed final morning before reaching Juneau, in time for connecting flights or a stroll through Alaska’s capital.

Inclusions

• All excursions: kayaking, hiking, naturalist-led activities

• Use of all expedition equipment 

• Park entry and permit fees

• All meals: breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinners with wine pairings

• Snacks and beverages including beer, wine, soda, and boat drinks

Exclusions

• Airfare to/from Juneau or Petersburg

• Pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations

• Tips and gratuities for the crew

ACCOMMODATION : Pacific Catalyst

Southeast Alaska’s Western Passages

Explore the wild beauty of Southeast Alaska aboard the M/V Westward on this 8-day, 7-night expedition. Cruise through scenic fjords and channels, visit Admiralty, Baranof, and Kupreanof Islands, and experience close encounters with Alaska’s iconic wildlife, including humpback whales, brown bears, and bald eagles. Enjoy daily guided hikes and kayak excursions led by an expert naturalist who will share fascinating insights into the region’s unique flora and fauna. This small-ship cruise offers an intimate experience with personalized attention and gourmet meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients.

Highlights

• Cruise the stunning fjords and waterways of Southeast Alaska

• Spot humpback whales, orcas, brown bears, and bald eagles in their natural habitats

• Visit remote anchorages on Admiralty, Baranof, and Kupreanof Islands

• Kayak along sheltered shores and hike scenic trails with a knowledgeable naturalist

• See majestic glaciers, including Le Conte, Baird, and Dawes, and explore glacial outwash plains

• Relax in natural hot springs at Warm Springs Bay and Baranof Hot Springs

• Discover historic sites in Sitka, a town rich with Tlingit and Russian heritage

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Juneau to Endicott Arm
The Westward docks in downtown Juneau near the Mount Roberts Tram base. Departure is at 12:30 pm, cruising south through Gastineau Channel and Stephens Passage. By evening, anchor at Holcomb Bay in Endicott Arm, a serene glacial fjord known for humpback whales and shore-foraging bears and wolves.

Day 1: Sitka to Krestof Sound
Board the Westward at Sitka Harbor by noon. Explore Sitka’s historic sites before a short 9-mile cruise to Krestof Sound. Enjoy your first kayak adventure before dinner.

Day 1: Petersburg to Le Conte Bay
Board in Petersburg’s harbor at noon and cruise south to Le Conte Bay to see the southernmost saltwater calving glacier in North America. If conditions allow, cruise close to the glacier face before anchoring at Ideal Cove for a 2-mile hike on the Ideal Lake Trail.

Days 2–7: Admiralty, Baranof, and Kupreanof Islands
Travel through fjords and canyons, stopping at remote bays to kayak, hike, and watch wildlife. Highlights include:

• Kayaking in Stephens Passage while searching for brown bears along the shoreline

• Hiking to waterfalls and soaking in natural hot springs at Warm Springs Bay

• Exploring Freshwater Bay’s estuary to watch salmon and brown bears

• Visiting Baird, Le Conte, and Dawes Glaciers, including cruising near glacier faces

• Touring Hidden Falls Hatchery during salmon runs and hiking to Baranof Lake

Day 8: Return to Sitka or Juneau
After breakfast, cruise into Sitka or Juneau for final visits to historic sites before disembarking. Flights depart from both towns in the early afternoon.

What’s Included

• Expert-guided excursions: hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing

• Use of all necessary equipment for excursions 

• All park and permit fees

• Gourmet meals made with fresh, local ingredients

• Breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinners with wine pairings

• Non-alcoholic beverages, beer, wine, and select boat drinks

• Snacks throughout the day

What’s Not Included

• Airfare to and from Alaska

• Hotel accommodations before or after the cruise

• Tips and gratuities for crew and guides

ACCOMMODATION : Pacific Catalyst

Glacier Bay National Park Cruise: Glaciers, Wildlife and Kayaking Adventures

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska on a small-ship cruise designed for adventure and exploration. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to see incredible wildlife, including humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, puffins, mountain goats, and even gray wolves. We will visit several massive tidewater glaciers and explore quiet inlets by kayak, paddling up streams and meadows where bears often forage along the shoreline.

Itinerary

Day 1
Our journey begins from Juneau’s Auke Bay Marina with a midday departure at 12:30 pm. As we round Point Retreat, the bustle of town quickly fades behind us—cruise ships, high-rises, and power lines replaced by open waters, snow-capped peaks, and the possibility of spotting whales or seabird colonies. That evening we anchor in a sheltered cove just outside Glacier Bay National Park. Here you’ll have your first chance to slip into a kayak and quietly paddle along the shoreline, surrounded by Alaska’s wilderness.

Day 2 and onward
Each day brings a new corner of Glacier Bay to explore. We navigate among fjords, coves, and inlets, anchoring each night in a scenic harbor. With opportunities to hike or paddle alongside our onboard naturalist, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the unique wildlife and ecosystems. Every voyage differs slightly with the weather and season, but highlights often include:

Bartlett Cove and Fingers Bay: Near the park entrance, a walk on the Bartlett Cove nature trail offers an introduction to Glacier Bay’s landscapes. Later, at Fingers Bay, it’s common to see black bears foraging on the beach and flocks of seabirds filling the skies.

Reid Glacier: This grounded glacier is one of the rare places where you can actually walk up to the ice itself. Along the shoreline, you might come across remnants of an early 1900s mining claim once worked by the Ibach family. If luck is with us, we’ll even discover the curious truth about ice worms!

Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers: A day among these massive glaciers is often unforgettable—whether it’s the thunderous crack of calving ice, the striking blues of the glacial ice, or the sight of otters bobbing near John Hopkins Inlet. Eagles perch on icebergs while kittiwakes nest along the sheer walls of the glaciers.

Wildlife Encounters: As we make our way through the park, keep an eye out for mountain goats on rocky cliffs, Steller sea lions gathered on small islets, or puffins nesting along the coast. Glacier Bay’s nutrient-rich waters also draw humpback whales, giving us excellent chances to watch them feeding and breaching.

Final Day (Day 8 or Day 10, depending on itinerary length)
On our last morning we make an early start back toward Juneau. By midday we’ll be securely moored, allowing plenty of time to catch onward flights or extend your stay to enjoy Juneau’s many attractions.

ACCOMMODATION : Pacific Catalyst