Where Glaciers & Ocean Connect
The Awe-Inspiring Gateway to the North
Alaska is full of breathtaking scenery, rich history, and epic wildlife. The southeast area of Alaska, also known as ‘the Panhandle,’ showcases 500 miles of coastline dotted with Sitka spruce and cedar topped off with snowy white mountain peaks, and fjords carved out by prehistoric glaciers.
Learn MoreRoute & Notable Stops
We keep our itineraries purposefully somewhat flexible allowing our captains to cater to the needs and interests of their group as well as take into account weather, wildlife sightings, and more. Below is a sample of the route you may take on your Southeast Alaska eco-tour.
Northern Bound
Meet your Bluewater Adventures crew & vessel late morning at Cow Bay in Prince Rupert. Heading north, we pass through the topography of Chatham Sound and its myriad of islands. The entrance to Portland Canal marks the border between Alaska and British Columbia. Sailing past Misty Fjords National Monument, we enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains rising majestically out of the ocean.
Bluewater Adventures offers two different route options for this itinerary. Please check your trip’s dates to confirm your start/end location.
World Class Bears and Glaciers
We stop briefly to clear US Customs in Ketchikan before continuing north among the narrow passages of Etolin and Wrangell Islands to Anan Bay. Anan Creek has the largest run of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska, and this accumulation of food attracts bears and eagles in great numbers. The US Forest Service viewing observatory is famous and access to this area is limited in order to protect the wildlife and local habitat.
We will disembark for a day tour on a jet boat, escorted by a local guide, up to Le Conte Glacier – the southernmost tidewater glacier in Alaska. In the last 15 years, it has receded by over a mile and a half with enormous slabs of ice “calving” into the ocean. It is located beside the Stikine River estuary – an important stop for millions of migratory birds.
Wildlife of Frederick Sound & Admiralty Island
Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, and Stephens Passage are the core feeding area for humpback whales in Southeast Alaska. We will take the time to observe these 15-metre-long creatures whenever the opportunity arises and hope to witness spectacular behaviours like breaches, pectoral slaps, and possibly bubble-net feeding (an amazing cooperative foraging technique). We will also keep an eye out for wary sea otters – over 150 years of hunting by Europeans for their luxurious pelts nearly wiped them out completely until the 1960’s saw efforts to rebuild the population by reintroducing otters from the Aleutians.
Admiralty Island National Monument has the highest concentration of brown (grizzly) bears in North America. Pack Creek on Admiralty Island has been a protected area for brown bears for the last 40 years and offers amazing viewing opportunities in the estuary of their estimated resident 1,500 bears.
Heading Home
We arrive in Petersburg late in the morning to complete our voyage. After clearing customs, guests can catch an afternoon flight to Seattle or explore the area further on their own.
To request a full Southeast Alaska itinerary, contact us
Icefields & Glaciers
Fed by enough snow to flow out of the mountains to reach the ocean, tidewater glaciers are an incredible feat of nature to witness up close.
Intimate Bear Viewing
Alaska boasts the highest concentration of brown (grizzly) bears in North America. Bear viewing in these areas have daily visitor limits.
Humpback Whales
Fascinating whale behaviours are frequent from the humpback whales who call Southeast Alaska home, including the cooperative feeding technique of bubble-net feeding.
Expansive Nature
With nothing but ocean and mountain peaks punctuating the horizon viewline, Southeast Alaska boasts a boundless wilderness like no other.
Current Southeast Alaska Offerings
Browse through our current sailings & prices for Southeast Alaska below. All prices are listed in CAD and are subject to a $200 sustainability fee.
Book Now| Date | Start / Finish Location | Days | Vessel | Price | Trip Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21 – Jul 3, 2025 | Prince Rupert BC – Ketchikan AK | 13 | Island Odyssey | $12,200 CAD | Open |
| Jul 14 – 24, 2025 | Prince Rupert BC – Petersburg AK | 11 | Island Odyssey | $10,550 CAD | Open |
| Jul 25 – Aug 4, 2025 | Petersburg AK – Prince Rupert BC | 11 | Island Odyssey | $10,550 CAD | Booked |
| Aug 6 – 16, 2025 | Prince Rupert BC – Petersburg AK | 11 | Island Odyssey | $10,550 CAD | Open |
| Jun 21 – Jul 3, 2026 | Prince Rupert BC – Ketchikan AK | 13 | Island Odyssey | $12,475 CAD | Booked |
| Jul 6 – 14, 2026 | Petersburg AK – Prince Rupert BC | 11 | Island Odyssey | $10,785 CAD | Call for Availability |
| Jul 15 – 25, 2026 | Prince Rupert BC – Petersburg AK | 11 | Island Odyssey | $10,785 CAD | Open |
| Jul 26 – Aug 5, 2026 | Petersburg AK – Prince Rupert BC | 11 | Island Odyssey | $10,785 CAD | Call for Availability |
| Aug 7 – 17, 2026 | Prince Rupert BC – Petersburg AK | 11 | Island Odyssey | $10,785 CAD | Call for Availability |
Prepare for Your Adventure
Feel prepared and equipped for traveling to, and living aboard, our vessels. Learn more about guest expectations, amenities onboard, and what to bring along to make the most out of your once in a lifetime eco-tour.
Get ReadyYour Nautical Accommodation
A floating home away from home
Island Odyssey is a custom 68-foot ketch motor-sailer. There are 6 double occupancy guest cabins and 3 shared bathrooms with hot showers. In addition to a comfortable salon with an extensive natural history library, the large wheelhouse above deck provides comfortable seating in all types of weather. Learn more about Island Odyssey.
Island Odyssey
Southeast Alaska FAQs
Find more in depth information specifically on our Southeast Alaska itinerary here. Should you have more questions surrounding your Bluewater Adventures experience at large, please visit our general FAQ page to learn more.
Explore All FAQsOperating July through August, so more often than not guests can anticipate summer weather! That being said, weather in the coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska can be variable. We strongly suggest bringing waterproof outerwear and wool layers to stay warm in the event of a wet bear viewing day.
Also, it can become cold very quickly when visiting tide water glaciers. Gloves, a hat, and extra layers will ensure that you will be comfortable during this portion of your trip.
This itinerary has longer travel distances and a greater focus on viewing wildlife than some of our other itineraries, which means there may be fewer walks ashore than on some of our other itineraries. That said, there will also be zodiac-based excursions and opportunities to kayak.
Guests will still need to be able to get in and out of the zodiac – both unloading and loading from the boat and unloading/loading from shore.This requires some mobility to swing legs in and out of the zodiac and onto the shore. Crew are always there to support with this.
Much of this itinerary takes place along the Inside Passage, a sheltered waterway that runs from Washington State up through Southeast Alaska. There are a couple of sections of the voyage that are slightly more exposed and we may experience some rolling seas depending on the weather.
This itinerary has longer travel distances and a greater focus on viewing wildlife than some of our other itineraries. This, in combination with large parts of the expedition taking place within the Inside Passage, means we are not granted as much opportunity to sail as some of our other itineraries. That being said, should the wind be in our favour, our expert crew will do what they can to raise the sails!
When walking ashore, guests may experience terrain ranging from established boardwalk to unmaintained forest paths.
Anan Creek Wildlife Observatory is accessed by a relatively accessible, half-mile (~800m) gravel trail with some steps and bridges.
Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area is located in a tidal estuary, accessed by walking about 0.3 miles (~500m) along the beach.
Keep watch on the shoreline as we travel and on the estuary of our anchorages as bears are commonly sighted foraging on intertidal life! We also plan to visit both Anan Creek and Pack Creek, which are both shore based, world-class locations for bear viewing.
During any shore excursions, we will stay together as a group and follow procedures to stay safe in bear country. Your crew are certified bear guides with the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia.
Start Your Southeast Alaska Education Now
Browse through our collection of blog posts reflecting information, thoughts on, and experiences in Southeast Alaska written by our seaworthy and knowledgeable staff & crew.
