Wild Dawn Alaska Private Yacht Charter

Discover Southeast Alaska by private chartered yacht

Explore tranquil inlets, secluded coves, and mighty glaciers on a private voyage
for 8 to 10 friends or family members in four spacious en-suite staterooms

Welcome to Southeast Alaska!

Together with captain and crew, chart a course through narrow inlets and secluded bays in search of humpback whales bubble-net feeding. Spot grizzlies and bald eagles. Fish or drop crab and shrimp pots for a succulent feast. Most of all, enjoy the quiet majesty of Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, far from the busy cruise-ship lanes.

Daily exploration

One tender, four 2-person kayaks and two paddleboards provide a choice of dailly activities, depending on weather, location and animal sightings.

Each day, you’ll consult with your captain for a choice of possible activities.  Depending on your location, you may choose to go ashore and stretch your legs, try your hand at fishing, paddle a kayak or paddleboard in calm waters, or simply sit and enjoy the natural beauty over a cup of fresh coffee or a glass of wine.

WILD DAWN

The perfect vessel for a small group of friends or family.

M/Y WILD DAWN is a safe, quiet, tastefully decorated and very comfortable private yacht. She has large interior spaces with great visibility, covered aft and top decks for watching wildlife when the weather turns bad.   More about WILD DAWN »

360° Virtual Tour »

Day 1 | Embarkation Juneau*

Welcome aboard! You’ll board around noon. After a brief safety meeting, you’re underway for your first anchorage. Lunch is served shortly after departure. As you head north into Stephens Passage and the Lynn Canal, keep watch for the numerous whales that patrol these waters. You’ll arrive in Funter Bay in time to set some crab pots and go for a kayak or just relax and enjoy our first night aboard. Dinner is served in full view of the spectacular scenery. 

*Most flights arrive Juneau in the early afternoon. Plan to arrive at least one day early. Please give us a call to discuss accommodations, transfers, and optional activities.

Day 2 | Exploring Chichagof Island

After a great breakfast, pull your crab pots to see if you’ve had any luck before getting underway. Today you’ll cruise south past the intersection of Icy Straight and Chatham Strait. There is an incredible amount of life as you pass through the area. After a lunch underway, you’ll arrive at the anchorage in Tenakee inlet. Options here include hiking, kayaking, fishing or exploring the quaint town of Tenakee and experiencing the hot springs. 

Day 3 | Exploring Admiralty Island

Today you’ll say goodbye to Tenakee inlet and head across Chatham Strait to the coast of Admiralty Island. Cruising south, keep your eyes peeled for grizzly bears along the shoreline. Admiralty Island has the densest population of grizzly bears in the world. You’ll arrive in Hood Bay in the early afternoon with time to explore the area which boasts an interesting abandoned mine.

Day 4 | Exploring Baranof Island

You’ll depart Hood Bay for a short trip over to Warm Springs Bay, arriving mid-morning. After the anchor is set, everyone jumps aboard the tender to head over to the Baranof Springs dock. After a leisurely hike up to the top of Baranof Falls, you’ll enjoy the beautiful natural hot springs along the river. You’ll return to Wild Dawn and head out on a short trip south to Red Bluff Bay. On arrival you’ll have an opportunity to set shrimp pots before enjoying dinner at anchorage. 

Day 5 | Admiralty Island

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll explore the beauty of Red Bluff Bay and its dozens of waterfalls by kayak or paddle board. Brown bears are often seen at the head of the bay, feeding on salmon or tending to their cubs. After your exploration, you’re back aboard Wild Dawn for your next destination - Pybus Bay. As you cross Chatham Strait and head into Frederick Sound, close to the south shore of Admiralty Island, be on the lookout for pods of orcas. Pods of Dalls porpoises often play in the bow wake. You’ll arrive in Cannery Cove in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, we have time for a pre-dinner hike or kayak.

Day 6 | Brothers Islands and No Name Harbor

After breakfast you’ll head for No Name Harbor at the entrance to Tracy Arm. Along the way you’ll make an extended stop at the Brothers Islands to observe the stellar sea lions that call the islands home. You’ll be close enough to hear their grunting and enjoy the wonderful aroma that only sea lions can produce. The Wild Dawn arrives in No Name Harbor in the early afternoon with plenty of time to kayak and take the tender to explore the floating ice and small icebergs. One can spend hours looking at the different ice formations and their limitless shades of blue. Some of the icebergs even have rocks embedded in them. After your fill of exploring, you’ll head back for dinner.

Day 7 | Sawyer Glacier

The anchor is weighed early this morning in preparation for a long and exhilarating day of travel. Breakfast is served underway as you travel along the beautiful and narrow Tracy Arm. Vertical walls surround you in this fjord as waterfalls tumble down the sides. The ice bits and bergs get more dense as you approach the Sawyer Glacier. Once we arrive you’ll spend time watching and listening to the glacier calve into the water below. You’ll take a ride in the tender to enjoy the dense ice at water level.  After enjoying the glaciers show, it’s time to head out of Tracy Arm and up to Taku Harbor. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon and have time to go ashore and explore the abandoned cannery ruins before your last delicious dinner aboard.

Day 8 | Disembark Juneau*

After breakfast you’ll depart for Juneau Harbor. Everyone can share their photos and videos, memories for a lifetime, aboard the boat’s computer on the trip back. After an incredible week, it’s time to say goodbyes.

* Disembarkation normally takes place at noon. Depending on airline flight schedules, an additional night’s stay may be required in Juneau. Please give us a call to discuss accommodations, transfers, and optional activities.

Wild Dawn - Dates & Prices

Wild Dawn private yacht charters operate from late May to late August. 

2024 Charter prices start from $75,000 for the first eight guests, and increase $5000 per guest up to a maximum of ten guests.

Supplements, inclusions and exclusions

Inclusions

• All meals while aboard the yacht

• All non-alcoholic beverages, wine and beer while on yacht

• All guides, activities, tours and sightseeing arrangements

• Use of kayaks and paddleboards while on yacht

• Use of fishing gear with supervision by crew while on yacht

Exclusions

• Round-trip airfare to Juneau, Alaska

• Overnight accommodations in Juneau

• Airport transfers

• Highly personalized fly-fishing rods & gear – waders

• Fishing licenses - available for purchase on board or online from Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game website

• Gratuities to the yacht’s crew

• Travel insurance

• Child care

Deposit, Payment & Cancellation Schedule

Deposit

• A non-refundable deposit of 25% is due at time of booking the charter

• An additional deposit of 25% is due 180 days prior to departure

Payment

• The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure

Cancellation

• Cancellation more than 180 days prior to departure: full refund of deposit

• Cancellation between 180 and 90 days prior to departure: deposit will be refunded only if the charter is re-sold

• Cancellation within 90 days of departure: non-refundable

• 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.

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.  Juneau hosts 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 August, 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 crew 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 on board.  At the end of your trip, they will pack your catch in an insulated, easy to carry box for your flight home. 

Is laundry available aboard?

Yes. Complimentary laundry is available for guests during your trip.

Is the chef able to cater to special dietary needs?

Yes. The chef is very flexible and can accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions or food allergies as long as she is notified in advance of the trip.

How do I get there?

Alaska Airlines operates multiple daily flights to Juneau via Seattle. Most flights arrive mid-afternoon, so you will need to plan on arriving at least one day prior to embarkation. There are plenty of activities in Juneau worth the extra time, including sea plane flights to the glacier, the cable car ride up Mount Roberts for spectacular views (weather permitting), and plenty of hiking just on the outskirts of town. Following your charter, you may need an additional night depending on flight schedules to your home city. We would be happy to arrange hotel accommodations, transfers and activities. Please give us a call to discuss.