Wild Woolly & Wow with Glacier Bay

After a day of exploring Alaska’s Capital City of Juneau, you'll board the Wilderness Legacy just in time for a welcome cocktail or glass of Champagne before dinner. The captain and crew will introduce themselves and provide an overview of the adventure that awaits this week with a kick-off toast! Listen for the whistles as the Wilderness Legacy departs. These horns and whistles come from Captain Dan’s family collection…video on! (D)

Enjoy LeConte Glacier, noted as the southernmost tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, and an awe-inspiring landscape. Guests witness the glacier's imposing beauty up close, a highlight of the Alaskan wilderness.  
  
Realize there are no mega ships at this most amazing glacier, as they are much too LARGE to enter the shallow entrance to this magical wilderness fjord. We will spend most of our day here, exploring by kayak, small boat and if conditions permit, by stand-up paddle board. We may even have a chance to go ashore and frolic amongst ice bergs stranded on the beach. (BLD)

Mist hangs in the air. The soft exhale of a whale wakes you from your well-deserved slumber. The anchor drops into the milky blue waters of Thomas Bay as the summer sun cuts through the mist and the fog lifts. You hear it before you see it – a profound amount of water cuts through the forest in a series of waterfalls known as Cascade Creek. This is a favorite location for crew – one of the very few accessible trails in Southeast Alaska. Not to be missed, we have a level of hiking challenge to suit any skill level. After your foray into the woods, head back to the Legacy for a hearty meal as the boat repositions to the other side of Thomas Bay for new adventures. Water access is unmatched here, a kayak to a salmon run or skiff tour in search of bears wraps up your day. (BLD)

The west side of Kuiu Island is our playground for the day. We’re in black-bear country now and Kuiu Island plays host to the densest population of the iconic species on the planet. Tucked into a Bay, the waters are calm and filled with the smallest marine mammal on earth – the sea otter. Rafts of otters float by – unperturbed by our presence, and about as cute as one might imagine them to be. Humpback whales patrol the reefs in search of schools of herring – resident bubble-netters are a rare and exciting sight. The cold, nutrient rich waters provide opportunity not just for above-water activities. Try your hand at a snorkel (we have the warmest wetsuits known to man, fear not) and unlock an entire universe of discovery as you peruse the most diverse population of sea-stars on earth – a surprise to many who visit this place. For just a moment, the cold water is forgotten as you’re transported into what can only be described as a “cold water tropical reef”. The Pacific transforms into the wildest touch-tank you can imagine. (BLD)

Seek out the elusive Coastal Brown Bear along this rugged coastline. The East side of Chichagof Island includes three specific areas that have exceptionally good opportunities for sighting these wonderful creatures. Your Captain will use his knowledge to put you in the best spot, which changes regularly. This day may include the opportunity for hikes ashore, kayaking, skiff rides and hopefully watching brown bears from all our small boats and kayaks. The bear population is abundant in this area. The day concludes as we get underway, and guests share their experiences and photos with fellow travelers. (BLD)