Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land

Look out for marine wildlife as we cruise the Inside Passage

The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long.

We’ll be sailing outside of the protected fjords into open waters, up Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait. This is a day at sea, and our passage is somewhat protected from the open ocean by the island of Haida Gwaii. As we sail, look out for wildlife including humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, minke whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins. v

Start your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound. The next two days are exploration days, so the Captain and Expedition Team will use their expertise to choose the best destination.

We might go ashore for a nature landing, take to the water in our expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or sail into Icy Strait, where opportunities for kayaking may present themselves if the conditions are right. Wherever we explore, keep a lookout for wildlife as bald eagles, bears and humpback whales can be spotted in this region.

As ever, we will gauge the weather conditions and wildlife spotting opportunities to decide upon the best location.

Cruising through Icy Bay offers dramatic views of towering tidewater glaciers like Guyot Glacier, Yahtse Glacier, and Tyndall Glacier calving ice into the sea. You’ll often see floating icebergs in brilliant shades of blue, creating a striking, ever-changing landscape. Wildlife is abundant, with chances to spot harbor seals resting on ice, sea otters drifting nearby, and even bears or mountain goats along the shoreline. On clear days, the backdrop of the Saint Elias Mountains adds an awe-inspiring sense of scale to the experience.

Get ready to experience nature’s raw power

Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions.

We’ll get as close to the glaciers as we safely can, taking our small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, bald eagles, otters, and harbor seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.

Travel inland to Anchorage through spectacular scenery

Your expedition cruise ends in Whittier, a small, picturesque fishing town of just a few hundred residents, nestled between towering mountains and the deep blue waters of Prince William Sound.

Surrounded by dramatic glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and lush temperate rainforests, it serves as a gateway to the sound – a haven for kayakers, photographers, and adventurers drawn to its pristine fjords and abundant wildlife.

From here you will be transferred to the airport in Anchorage.

To get the most out of your time here, we recommend joining our -post-voyage option.