The Wild North

Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

Navigate narrow channels, explore tranquil inlets and bays far from the cruise ships

Welcome to Southeast Alaska!

Alaska's landscape is home to abundant wildlife found nowhere else on earth. A cruise from Sitka to Juneau is an experience of the natural world like no other.  

This yacht tour of the Alaskan Panhandle brings you as close as you can get to the marine animals of the Northern Pacific coast. Humpback whales bubble-net feed just off the bow, and pods of orcas play in the wake. A hike through the spruce forests of Sitka is the perfect way to breathe crisp Alaskan air, and a sea kayak is an ideal vessel to watch as grizzly bears fish for spawning salmon. A day in Alaska means fly fishing in picturesque streams, glaciers calving in the distance, and the best sunsets in the world. At the end of the day, dinner is salmon sashimi from the day’s catch and Dungeness Crab fresh from the Ocean. 

These adventures often sell out two years in advance for high season (mid-June to early August) so it’s wise to plan ahead, but spring and late summer are superb times to visit as well.

Daily exploration

A day at sea offers an array of activities, including hiking in the Tongass National Forest, sea kayaking, salmon fishing, setting crab pots, experiencing the health benefits of a polar plunge off the back of the boat, and breathing in the fresh air of Alaska’s wilderness with a glass of wine in hand. 

After breakfast and a coffee, the crew meets with guests each morning to discuss the day's opportunities. What happens next is entirely up to you! 

LISERON and MIST COVE

Our fleet includes two unique vessels perfect for exploring the waters of Alaska’s inside passage.  

MV LISERON was built in 1952 in Seattle, sold to France as a minesweeper, and then acquired and lovingly restored in 1989. All cabins have private baths, a double wardrobe, and a picture window view. 

MV MIST COVE was built patterned on the LISERON and built for a voyage on the sea. She's 157 feet long and 33 feet wide, with a draft of almost 9 feet, and constructed of heavy-duty aluminum. The interior is plush and stately, with mahogany accents throughout.     More about LISERON » | More about MIST COVE »

Your Itinerary

The Wild North operates between Sitka and Juneau with alternating starting destinations. The itinerary below is a sample. The itinerary is flexible and depends on weather, wildlife, and group interests.

Sample Itinerary, Sitka to Juneau.

From Juneau to Sitka, the itinerary operates in reverse.  

Day 1 | Arrive Sitka

After arriving and settling into your Sitka hotel, you will have free time to explore one of Alaska's most charming towns. On an island, Sitka has an incredible backdrop of mountains with dense forests and has a small and calm harbor that opens to the sea. We recommend grabbing a coffee at the Backdoor Café then making your way to the Sitka National Historical Park to admire the totem poles and indigenous art. For dinner, Campfire Kitchen-Woodfire Pizza and Ashmo's Seafood offer low-key and tasty food. 

Lodging: Westmark Sitka  

Day 2 | Sitka and Boarding the Yacht

Grab an early morning coffee and then head to the yacht for boarding and an introduction to the crew. Your day will start with a cruise up the very narrow Neva Strait to anchor in sheltered Kalinin Bay on Kruzof Island. As you float through the calm waters of Alaska’s inside passage, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and marine life. As will be the case for most days on your trip, you can spend the evening kayaking, fishing, or watching the sunset over the region’s temperate rainforest.

Day 3 | Salisbury Sound and Sergius River

A morning hike takes you over a ridge on Kruzof Island to Sealion Cove on the Pacific Ocean. As the trail ascends a rocky but easy-to-traverse spine, a magnificent view emerges. You might be lucky to spot grizzly bears wandering the Island's lush forests. If you wake up and decide a hike is not in the cards, you can choose fish from the skiff and look out for whales and orcas instead. After the hikers return and the sun begins to dip, you cruise Sergius Narrows and Peril Strait, hoping a Dall’s porpoise plays in the yacht’s wake and scouring the shoreline for bears, deer, and eagles.  

Day 4 | Paradise Flats & Kelp Bay

A day meandering from Chatham Strait to Frederick Sound offers hope of seeing humpback whales bubble-net feeding At the same time, gulls swoop down to catch fish in the chaotic swirl the whales create. You can spend the afternoon halibut fishing at the Brothers Islands. Once back on board, the yacht's chef will happily turn your catch into dinner as the late-night sun glows through the dining room windows.  

Day 5 | Red Bluff and Pybus Bay — Admiralty Island

Wake up to a tasty breakfast and an orchestra put on by our friends, the Stellar Sea Lions, as the magnificent Alaskan wilderness slowly passes. A skiff ride takes you along the shore of Admiralty Island, the home to the densest population of grizzly bears in the world. After a view into the bear’s life, a return to the yacht means it is time to check the crab pots!

Day 6 | Admiralty and Brother’s Islands

Your morning can be spent hiking to a pristine forest lake, fly fishing in a wild stream, or beachcombing the tidal flats. An afternoon cruise to the mainland will bring you to anchor just around the corner of the beautiful and imposing Tracy Arm Fjord. A day of many activities ends with the long northern sunset, a glass of chilled wine, and fresh Dungeness crab from the pots you set in the morning. 

Day 7 | Glacier Day

A cruise up the narrow Tracy Arm Fjord brings you to the massive Sawyer Glacier. The imposing face of this mighty sheet of ice rises above the ocean at seemingly impossible angles. If you are lucky, you will watch as a chunk of the glacier breaks off and plummets into the sea below, a phenomenon known as calving. After the Sawyer Glacier, you will return to Stephens Passage for the last chance to see whales, sea lions, and an array of other marine life.

Day 8 | Juneau

You spend your last morning drifting up Gastineau Channel to Juneau, where you disembark your vessel. If you decide to spend a night in Juneau, you will have plenty of time to take the Mt. Roberts tram for a truly magnificent view before spending your evening exploring Alaska’s capital. If you feel especially adventurous there are options to take a glacier overview flight or ride with sled dogs. 

Lodging: Four Points by Sheraton Juneau 

The Wild North - Dates & Prices

The Wild North operates from May to August.  All prices are per person, double occupancy unless otherwise specified. Please note that some dates may have only one or two cabins available. Contact us for latest availability.

Supplements, inclusions and exclusions

Single Travelers

• Requested single accommodations are subject to 60% supplement.

Children

• Limited discounts apply for kids 12 and under. Call for details.

Included

• Hotel accommodations for the first Saturday night in Sitka or Juneau

• Airport & hotel transfers

• Use of all recreational equipment: kayaks, salmon & halibut fishing gear, hand-tied flies & lures

• All shore excursions – guided hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking & fishing

• Cleaning, packing & freezing your catch in an easy-to-carry box

• All meals prepared by our onboard chef – special diets accommodated – wines with dinner

• Open bar including top-shelf brands

Additional costs (subject to change without notice)

• Round-trip airfare to Alaska

• Late arrival or early departure via floatplane

• Highly personalized fly-fishing rods & gear – waders

• Gratuities to the ship’s crew

• Travel insurance

• Child care

Deposit, Payment & Cancellation Schedule

Deposit

• A non-refundable deposit of $2500 per person is due at the time of booking

Payment

• 50% of the balance is due by November 1st, prior to your year of travel

• The remaining balance is due by April 1st of your year of travel

Cancellation

• Cancellations before December 1st of the year prior to travel are subject to $1000 penalty

• Cancellations after December 1st result in no refunds of moneys paid

Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.

Video

A taste of what to expect

For even more video, click here »

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the right trip for me?

Each departure is shaped by your personal interests combined with the great variety of activities available in Southeast Alaska, including hiking, beachcombing, kayaking, fishing, whale watching and wildlife viewing.  

The crew meet with guests each morning to discuss the day’s opportunities.  Yet there are no required activities.  You may happily spend your entire trip curled up in the salon with a good book—or watch it all go by from a chair up on the skiff deck while sipping coffee or a chilled glass of wine.

What will I see?

There are no wildlife “guarantees,” however you will see a variety of species each day. Brown and black bear are present on shore throughout the summer and can be spotted stream fishing in fall.  Dolphins and whales, especially humpbacks, abound.  Orca and sea otter are less common but also present.  We’ll pass Harbor seals with new pups resting on ice floes in Tracy Arm fjord.  We usually visit a sea lion rookery each trip.  Deer and different kinds of birds—notably bald eagles, hawks and other raptors—may be observed on hikes or along the shores.  Tide pools reveal a plethora of smaller creatures.  Sitka and Juneau host impressive museums of native history, culture and art, which should not be missed.

When is the best time to go?

The season is between May and September, with July the most popular month.  When you choose to go depends on your schedule and your interests.  

Humpback and Minke Whales, Orcas, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Dall's and Harbor Porpoises can all be seen in Alaska's waters generally between June and early September.  Spring is an excellent time to see wildflowers in bloom and the fall is known for its colorful fall foliage.  The warmest and longest days of the year are in June and July. 

Climate and Weather

Alaska’s Inside Passage is a temperate rain forest.  Rainfall averages about 3½“ during May and June, trending upward to 7½“ in September.  Rainfall is usually intermittent and it is rare to have an entire week of blue skies.  Temperatures average in the mid-60s during the day and mid-40s at night, but range from 80s to 30s—layers are the key to comfort!

Should I worry about seasickness?
You’ll be traveling on the sheltered, often mirror-calm waters of the Inside Passage.  Each night will be at anchor in a sheltered cove.  If you are prone to motion sickness, it’s best to consult your physician beforehand and choose either a prescription or OTC remedy.

What about bugs—do I need to bring bug spray?
Biting insects are not as prevalent in the Inside Passage—the famous “Alaskan State Bird” mosquitoes are very rare—and they peak in July.  Pack your preferred brand of insect repellent and we will also have head nets and a variety of sprays, lotions and creams aboard.

I don’t know anything about fishing—will someone help me?
Yes.  The deckhands and guides are happy to help novices.  They’ll get you started in any fishing excursion; however, their primary job while ashore in bear country is to ensure group safety, so fishing excursions do not allow for prolonged one-on-one individual attention.

Can I bring the fish I caught in Alaska home with me?
Yes!  The crew will clean; fillet & vacuum seal your fish before stowing it in the walk in freezer on board.  At the end of your trip, they will pack your catch in an insulated, easy to carry box for your flight home.