Kids in Nature, Wild Woolly & Wow with Glacier Bay
Watch your little adventurer's eyes light up at the majesty of Alaska
Includes Glacier Bay National Park and an up-close look at glaciers, old-growth forests, and sea life. Plenty of activities to keep young explorers busy and learning.
INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS:
- Explore parts of Glacier Bay National Park rarely seen by visitors as we explore the "Outback"
- Hike, mountain bike, skiff, and kayak inside Hobart Bay
- Hike and explore Hobart Bay
- All day kayak and "yak-and-whack" opportunities
- Wildlife search - Humpback, orca, seals, bears, sea otters, moose, puffins and other sea birds
- Snorkeling in the frigid Alaskan waters, wetsuits onboard, screams or smiles guaranteed
- Experience the isolated LeConte Glacier Wilderness Area, no mega ships here!
- Opportunities to hike, kayak, paddle board, skiff, and bushwhack, all in one week
- Brown bear search near the shores of Chichagof Island
- Bay of Pillars exploration, this remote bay is a true kayakers paradise
- B= Breakfast L=Lunch D= Dinner
Your day-by-day details
DAY 1 Juneau Embarkation
Welcome aboard the Wilderness Legacy. After a day of exploring Alaska’s Capital City of Juneau, you'll be greeted by your Captain and Crew as you explore your home for the next week. Grab a festive beverage for the kids and a Champagne for the adults as a toast kicks off the trip in the Legacy’s lounge as you receive an overview of the adventure that awaits this week! Listen for the vintage whistles as the Wilderness Legacy departs.These horns and whistles come from Captain Dan’s family collection, and speak to the company’s "legacy.” Grab your binoculars and start your “wildlife bingo” card for the week, scanning for signs of wildlife as you pull away from the dock–Alaska is waiting. (D)
DAY 2 Hobart Bay
Get ready for a day tailor-made for families and young adventurers! Kids will learn by being captivating by educational nature with our trained guides. Wake up in Hobart Bay, deep within the Tongass National Forest–tucked into a calm pocket of water where you will have the opportunity to take your first paddle, skiff ride, hike, or bike. There’s nobody here but us, and we have options that fit any activity order you can dream of. A family bushwhack sounds right up our alley. As the day unfolds, set out on a skiff expedition, offering an intimate encounter with the bay's wildlife; a chance to witness majestic eagles soaring gracefully overhead. For the avid cyclists, a thrilling mountain bike excursion awaits, beckoning you to explore the hidden depths of the lush forest. A locally sourced meal is waiting for you back on the boat, so don’t be afraid to go big on your first full day. (BLD)
DAY 3 LeConte Glacier Fjord, Wilderness Area
Today is a treat for kids of all ages. There is something in the water. The Legacy glides through a tight waterway with sheer cliffs on each side of the fjord leads to the southernmost tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. LeConte Glacier is rarely seen. Large cruise ships simply can’t get here. This is our special corner of Alaska for the day, and you get to choose your own adventure. Grab a paddle and go for a kayak or even a paddleboard if conditions permit. Jump in a skiff and cruise amongst icebergs that can tower over the Legacy herself. This is a place of deep wonder and reverence for the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples; pause and listen to the sounds that surround you–this is where you belong today. (BLD)
DAY 4 Thomas Bay, Land of the Kushtaka
Wake near Cascade Creek in Thomas Bay. This bay is the quintessential playground for our guests and crew, with plenty of kid friendly activities. Long flat hikes, steep elevation climbs, calm kayaking, and hikes to a glacial lake with the mighty Baird Glacier still calving ice into the lake may all be options today. Depending on tides, we may start the day near Cascade Creek or at Scenery Cove near Baird Glacier. Regardless, after lunch the boat will move to the opposite end of Thomas Bay for more adventures. This is an epic day for adventurers. Evening skiff tours and kayaks take in the pre dark hours when the sounds of the wilds beckon. Sounds of the wilds beckon, is that a Kushtaka in the distance? (BLD)
DAY 5 Bay of Pillars & Whale Watching
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 Bay of Pillars, the waters are calm and filled with the smallest marine mammal on earth, the sea otter. Rafts of otters float by, who ar eunperturbed 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)
DAY 6 Brown Bear Search near the shores of Chichagof Island
The kids have been asking for bears all week, and today we’re going to find them! Explore the untamed coastline in search of the elusive Coastal Brown Bear. The east side of Chichagof Island offers multiple distinct areas with exceptional opportunities to spot these magnificent creatures. Your Captain and Expedition Leader, leveraging their expertise, seek out the hidden corners of Chichagof–getting you deep into the home of the Coastal Brown. Today’s options feature shorewalks, kayaking, skiff rides, and the thrilling prospect of observing brown bears from our small boats and kayaks. The bear population thrives in this region, ensuring a day filled with awe-inspiring encounters. (BLD)
DAY 7 The Rarely Visted Outback of Glacier Bay National Park
Junior Rangers inbound! Welcome to the crown jewel of Southeast Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park. Today, we'll drop anchor in one of three remote areas within this extraordinary place, venturing into the rarely explored landscapes of Fern Harbor, Dundas Bay, or No Name Cove near Excursion Inlet. The entire day is dedicated to immersive activities, starting with early morning kayaking and birding excursions into the park. The array of possibilities includes kayaking, paddleboarding, skiff expeditions, hiking, leisurely beach strolls, and more. Get off for an “All-Day” Yak & Whack – deep into the backcountry of one of the most remote national parks in the country. This UNESCO Heritage site is filled with opportunities, and it’s yours for the taking. Back onboard after a full day (dare we say a full week), your expedition team shares photos from the week – sent to you as our parting gift. Lift the anchor and make way for Juneau. (BLD)
DAY 8 Juneau Disembarkation
Welcome back to Juneau. Enjoy your last breakfast aboard. Check every nook and crannWake up to the sounds of your crew preparing the Legacy to dock back in her favorite port. As Juneau comes into sight, get out on deck for one last glass of freshly squeezed orange juice before you head to a farewell breakfast. Say goodbye to your crew and traveling companions (new friends, galore). Fair winds and following seas to you and yours as you return to the Great Land’s capital city. (B)