Few places in North America rival the scenic beauty and wildlife richness of Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage. Join us for a 10-day voyage aboard the MV Snow Goose as we explore magical rainforests, pristine inlets and coves, hidden beaches, mist-shrouded islands, cliff-bound seabird rookeries, and jewel-like tide pools. This all-new itinerary will take us from Petersburg, a picturesque fishing port situated on Wrangell Narrows, to the dramatic outer coast village of Sitka, once the Russian capital of Alaska. The Snow Goose, a 65-foot steel passenger yacht designed by the well-known marine architect Ed Monk and built in Ketchikan in 1973, is dedicated to education and research, accommodating 12 passengers in 6 comfortable cabins.

Petersburg Alaska, the start of our voyage, photo Audrey Benedict

Our route will take us along Frederick Sound to Chatham Strait and to secluded anchorages along the western shoreline of Admiralty Island, best known for having one of the highest densities of brown bears on earth. As we cruise Chatham Strait, we’ll watch for humpback whales and listen to their haunting calls with our underwater hydrophone.

We’ll navigate the magnificent defile of Peril Strait, a submerged fault that separates Baranof and Chichakoff Islands – our portal to the outer coast. With kayak paddle in hand, we’ll explore the lovely Magoun Islands and Saint Lazaria Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to nesting horned and tufted puffins, rhinoceros auklets, common murres, pelagic cormorants, and many more.

Brown Bear, photo Audrey Benedict

The islands of the outer coast are well known for their species-rich tide pools and for attracting large numbers of foraging sea otters and Stellar’s sea lions. Mt. Edgecombe, a dormant volcano that marks the eastern edge of the infamous "Ring of Fire," looms above the entrance to Sitka Sound as we near the end of our voyage.

Black Oysercatcher, photo Audrey Benedict

Price: $3,550 ($500 deposit to reserve space)
Group Limit: 10
Trip Rating 2
Included: 10-day charter aboard the Snow Goose, 3-person professional crew, naturalist guides, all meals, pre- and post-trip lodging (Petersburg and Sitka), sea kayak use and instruction, all airport and boat transfers, and gratuities to the Snow Goose crew. Does not include transportation to Petersburg or from Sitka to your point of departure.