At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- Juneau - Sitka, or reverse
- From:
- $6,232
- Time of Year:
- May - September
On this 8-day Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest or National Geographic Venture, explore Southeast Alaska on an unrivaled experience, guaranteed of in-depth encounters with all its wonders. Their expedition ships are fully equipped with tools for exploration.
Do more than just see Alaska—be an active participant in all that it has to offer. Voyage into majestic fjords, come face to face with glaciers, and kayak along the coast in search of marine life. Learn about whale behavior and watch for breaching and spy-hopping humpbacks and orcas. Enjoy a full day immersed in the beauty of Glacier Bay National Park with insights from a Tlingit cultural interpreter.
Highlights
- Hike through lush forests and muskegs, kayak into secluded inlets, and cruise by Zodiac among electric blue icebergs and curious wildlife
- Encounter iconic Alaska wildlife such as humpback whales, bears, otters, and bald eagles
- By special permit, spend a full day cruising Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
- Meet our conservation partners from the Alaska Whale Foundation (schedules permitting) and learn how you can contribute to their research throughout your voyage
- Discover Alaska’s seldom-seen, vibrant marine life revealed by our undersea specialist
- With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this wild corner of the world—from its massive glaciers to humpback whales
Expedition Team
Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.
Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness Details
Day 1: Juneau, Alaska/Embark Ship
Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, in the early afternoon and embark National Geographic Venture or National Geographic Quest in time for cocktails and an introduction of the vessel staff and crew. Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Note: Our Forest Service Special Use Permit for Tongass National Forest enables guests to hike and kayak in wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska.
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords with waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take a cruise in a Zodiac for an unbeatable view among sculpted icebergs. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and arctic terns.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Petersburg
Visit the small, true Alaska fishing town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island, which still retains much of its Norwegian heritage. Explore a unique Southeast Alaska ecosystem, the muskeg, with stunted trees and carnivorous plants. There is an opportunity to stretch your legs with an optional bike ride around town. This evening, enjoy a crab feast.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are prime areas for both orca and humpback whales. With luck, guests may observe their fascinating behavior—breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding—as we fill the deck and listen to the play-by-play from our expert naturalists. We will explore spectacular bays and inlets, following bear trails and salmon streams. Once ashore, we have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for up-close exploration.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Icy Strait and the Inian Islands
Explore among the Inian Islands, a busy feeding ground for myriad wildlife species including Steller sea lions and sea otters. We will search for marine mammals in the nutrient-rich waters of Icy Strait and choose the perfect spot around Chichagof Island to hike where sightings of bald eagles are common.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park
Spend the entire day amid the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. Witness glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them calving, when tons of ice separate and crash into the water accompanied by a thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks, as well as harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and puffins, are some of the creatures we may observe. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today, nature is our guide as we set forth with the flexibility to take advantage of wildlife and weather conditions. We may stop at an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest trails. Keep an eye out for old bear tracks worn into the soil as you move from forest to meadow. Sightings of bald eagles are common. If conditions permit, we will do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Sitka / Disembark Ship / Seattle
Disembark after breakfast in picturesque Sitka on the western coast of Baranof Island. Schedules permitting, walk among Tlingit and Haida totem poles at Sitka National Historic Park and visit the Alaska Raptor Center for an up-close look at Alaska’s birds of prey. Transfer to the airport for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
| Dates | Ship | Direction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, May 11, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $6,232 | $7,048 | $7,464 | $8,296 | $9,176 |
| Saturday, May 18, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $6,232 | $7,048 | $7,464 | $8,296 | $9,176 |
| Sunday, May 19, 2024 | NG Quest | Sitka to Juneau | $6,232 | $7,048 | $7,464 | $8,296 | $9,176 |
| Saturday, May 25, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $7,790 | $8,810 | $9,330 | $10,370 | $11,470 |
| Sunday, May 26, 2024 | NG Quest | Juneau to Sitka | $6,232 | $7,048 | $7,464 | $8,296 | $9,176 |
| Saturday, June 1, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $7,948 | $8,989 | $9,520 | $10,581 | $11,704 |
| Sunday, June 2, 2024 | NG Quest | Sitka to Juneau | $7,948 | $8,989 | $9,520 | $10,581 | $11,704 |
| Saturday, June 8, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $7,948 | $8,989 | $9,520 | $10,581 | $11,704 |
| Sunday, June 9, 2024 | NG Quest | Juneau to Sitka | $7,868 | $8,818 | $9,333 | $10,373 | $11,474 |
| Saturday, June 15, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $7,948 | $8,989 | $9,520 | $10,581 | $11,704 |
| Sunday, June 16, 2024 | NG Quest | Sitka to Juneau | $7,868 | $8,818 | $9,333 | $10,373 | $11,474 |
| Saturday, June 22, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $7,868 | $8,818 | $9,333 | $10,373 | $11,474 |
| Sunday, June 23, 2024 | NG Quest | Juneau to Sitka | $7,948 | $8,989 | $9,520 | $10,581 | $11,704 |
| Saturday, June 29, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $7,868 | $8,898 | $9,424 | $10,474 | $11,585 |
| Sunday, June 30, 2024 | NG Quest | Sitka to Juneau | $7,868 | $8,898 | $9,424 | $10,474 | $11,585 |
| Saturday, July 6, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $8,114 | $9,177 | $9,718 | $10,802 | $11,947 |
| Sunday, July 7, 2024 | NG Quest | Juneau to Sitka | $8,030 | $9,175 | $9,711 | $10,793 | $11,938 |
| Saturday, July 13, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $8,114 | $9,177 | $9,718 | $10,802 | $11,947 |
| Saturday, July 20, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $8,114 | $9,177 | $9,718 | $10,802 | $11,947 |
| Saturday, July 27, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $8,114 | $9,177 | $9,718 | $10,802 | $11,947 |
| Sunday, July 28, 2024 | NG Quest | Sitka to Juneau | $8,030 | $9,175 | $9,711 | $10,793 | $11,938 |
| Saturday, August 3, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $7,790 | $8,980 | $9,510 | $10,570 | $11,690 |
| Sunday, August 4, 2024 | NG Quest | Juneau to Sitka | $8,030 | $9,175 | $9,711 | $10,793 | $11,938 |
| Saturday, August 10, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $7,790 | $8,980 | $9,510 | $10,570 | $11,690 |
| Sunday, August 11, 2024 | NG Quest | Sitka to Juneau | $7,868 | $8,898 | $9,424 | $10,474 | $11,585 |
| Saturday, August 17, 2024 | NG Venture | Sitka to Juneau | $7,790 | $8,980 | $9,510 | $10,570 | $11,690 |
| Sunday, August 18, 2024 | NG Quest | Juneau to Sitka | $7,868 | $8,898 | $9,424 | $10,474 | $11,585 |
| Saturday, August 24, 2024 | NG Venture | Juneau to Sitka | $7,790 | $8,980 | $9,510 | $10,570 | $11,690 |
| Sunday, August 25, 2024 | NG Quest | Sitka to Juneau | $7,868 | $8,898 | $9,424 | $10,474 | $11,585 |
| Sunday, September 1, 2024 | NG Quest | Juneau to Sitka | $7,868 | $8,898 | $9,424 | $10,474 | $11,585 |
Dates and rates are effective the date the information was updated on this site. Dates and rates may have changed by the cruise line prior to an update here. Contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises for the latest dates & rates.
Prices are per person, double occupancy.
Prices subject to change.
Included
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages*
- Your bar tab and all crew gratuities are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages.
- Your bar tab and WiFi** are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Islander or National Geographic Endeavour II voyages.
- Cappuccinos, lattes & filtered water
- 24-hour coffee, tea & soda on demand (soda not included on Lord of the Glens)
- Hors d’oeuvres & snacks during Recap
- Fitness center or exercise equipment, depending on the ship
- Fully stocked library, and other gracious public spaces
- The guidance and company of our expedition staff
- The services of a physician on certain ships/destinations
- Sightseeing & entrance fees
- Special access permits, park fees, port taxes
- Transfers to and from group flights
- The expertise of the expedition staff
- All excursions
- Zodiac & kayak explorations
- Snorkeling, including wetsuits, masks, fins & snorkel where relevant
- Presentations and guest speakers in the lounge
*Alcoholic beverages are included on the National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance, Sea Cloud, and Lord of the Glens; certain super-premium brands are not included.
** Travel aboard any National Geographic Islander or National Geographic Endeavour II voyage and we will cover your bar tab; certain premium brands not included. Free WiFi, up to one hour a day per person aboard any National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II departure.
Not Included
- International and internal airfare
- Additional hotel nights
- Private transfers
- Travel Protection Plan
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Expedition extensions
- Pre- and post-expedition Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages (except aboard Sea Cloud, Lord of the Glens, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II); certain super-premium brands not included
- Spa treatments
- Aboard ship Gratuities (except aboard Sea Cloud, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance & National Geographic Explorer)
- Scuba diving
- Laundry
- Internet and phone
- Gift shop items and any other items of personal nature
- Cappuccinos and lattes are not available on the Delfin II
National Geographic Venture
The 100-passenger National Geographic Venture is the perfect ship to explore the same remote locations Lindblad Expeditions has sought out for decades while setting a new standard in comfort and style.
National Geographic Quest
The 100-passenger National Geographic Quest is the perfect ship to explore the same remote locations Lindblad Expeditions has sought out for decades while setting a new standard in comfort and style.
