Wake early and take a peek outside. Granite cliffs rise skyward, glaciers glint in the distance, and floating ice drifts past your window. No special effects here; this is pure, natural magic. Cruise past harbor seals lounging on ice floes and watch for mountain goats perched on cliff ledges. Waterfalls cascade down the Coastal Mountains. If tides permit, skiff or kayak driver will guide you into this narrow fjord for an up-close look at towering walls and thundering ice.

Misty spouts on the horizon signal what is in store. Humpback whales are in the neighborhood. As we navigate whale-rich waters, your expedition team has the day’s adventures ready. Paddle at your own pace, watch for sea stars and shorebirds along the shoreline, or charge ahead on a longer kayak journey or a guided hike into the heart of the Tongass. Skiff tours, snorkeling opportunities, and hikes offer another perspective on this wildlife-filled region. Either way, today is about going big in whale country.

Today, we explore the wild coastline of Chichagof Island in search of the elusive coastal brown bear. This remote area is rich with life and offers some of the best bear-viewing opportunities in Southeast Alaska. Your captain and expedition leader will take you deep into bear territory using their expert local knowledge. Activities include shoreline walks, kayaking, skiff rides, and up-close (but safe) bear spotting from the water. This is a day of awe-inspiring encounters with nature at its most raw.  

Spanning3.3 million acres, just shy of the size of Connecticut, Glacier Bay National Park is vast, wild, and mostly unexplored. But you are not most visitors. Today, you venture deep into the park where you can kayak, skiff, hike glacial ridges, moraine walks, or even all-day paddle. Watch for mountain goats, sea lions, puffins, and, if you are lucky, a surprise whale sighting. You have two full days here, plenty of time to absorb its grandeur.

Start your morning with a deep breath of glacier-fresh air. Today’s adventures are yours to shape, whether you choose an all-day paddle through kelp-lined channels, a wilderness trek through spruce and hemlock forest, or a skiff ride to tucked-away inlets, this is your chance to fully immerse yourself in the quiet magic of this remote, rugged corner of Alaska. Moraine walks and skiff tours may also be available.

Ease into the day with sunrise stretches on deck and a strong cup of coffee as your expedition team scouts the best opportunities for exploration. Today is all about flexibility and immersion, with options to kayak at your own pace, join an all-day paddle, set out on a shore walk, or venture deeper on a bushwhack hike that reveals the raw textures of Alaska’s wild landscapes. Skiff rides open access to otherwise unreachable stretches of coastline, while open paddles and yak-and-walk combinations let you shape the day moment by moment alongside your naturalist guides, who bring the region’s ecology, geology, and sense of place to life. Back onboard, unwind in the hot tub as the scenery drifts past, then gather this evening for a celebratory Captain’s Dinner and a slideshow of the week’s highlights, thoughtfully curated by your expedition team.

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast as we cruise back into Juneau. Say farewell to the crew and your fellow adventurers. Then it is off to the airport or on to the next leg of your Alaskan journey with an UnCruise hotel stay or land tour.