Sitka to Petersburg, Alaska

Small Ship Alaska Cruise & Pelagic Tour

$3,465 per person
Available May - August 2012
(8 days, 7 nights)

 

Confirmed Cruise August 9-16 Only 5 Places Left 

This trip begins and ends in two of the most ethnically unique and classically S.E. Alaskan communities, Sitka and Petersburg. Sitka, rich in history, is the city from where you will start your adventure. This community was established by the Russian America Company in 1799 as Archangel St. Michael. In Sitka Sound, we visit St. Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge and look for seals, sea lions and sea otter.

Birds commonly seen at the Refuge include Petrels, Tufted Puffins, and Rhinocerous Auklets.

The departure from Sitka Sound takes us north to Salisbury Sound where salmon fishing is an option. Next, we travel through the narrow and winding Peril Straits to Chatham Straits, then south to Baranof Hot Springs, for an iconic Alaskan experience, soaking in a stream side hot springs. Beach combing, bear watching and evening campfires are part of the journey down the West coast of Admiralty Island. Leaving Warm Springs Bay, the entry into Frederick Sound brings us into one of the largest concentrations of humpback whales in Alaska. From Frederick Sound we visit Thomas Bay with its Glacial Moraine and a enjoy an easy hike up beautiful cascade trail . The final whole day takes us on a jet boat ride to the face of LeConte Glacier. Your trip ends in the Picturesque predominately Norwegian fishing community of Petersburg.

 

8-Day Sample Trip:

Sitka to Petersburg Small Ship Cruise

Sample Trips are a good guide but trips will vary depending on weather, tides, guest requests and wildlife opportunities.

~ Day 1 : Pelagic Tour to St Lazaria Wildlife Refuge ~

Welcome aboard! Meet your crew and fellow travelers before departing Sitka. First we will cruise Sitka Sound looking for seals, sea lions and sea otters. Next is a visit toSt. Liaza National Wildlife refuge where Tufted Puffins and many other species are abundant.

Pelagic Tour on Day 1: Tufted Puffins are some of the Pelagic Birds to check out at the St. Lazaria Widlife Refuge. The list also includes Fork-tailed Storm-petrels, Leach's Storm-petrels, Common , Thick-billed Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Ancient Murrelets, Cassin's Auklets, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Black Oystercatchers.

~ Day 2: Salisbury Sound and Peril Straits : Mothership Kayaking ~

Today we travel to Salisbury Sound. Here you can fish for salmon or paddle in the ocean swells. After that we travel through the narrow winding Peril Strait.

Sea Kayaking in Alaska is a great experience. The M/V Misty Fjord provides as Mothership Kayaking Vessel as needed.
It is great to go for an adventurous paddle then come back to the warm boat and delicous treats from your Personal Chef.

~ Day 3 ~

This day we are southbound in Chatham Straits, we stop at scenic bay with a beautiful white sand beach. A check of a nearby stream often reveals brown bear fishing for salmon. We watch the sun go down while enjoying the glow of a crackling campfire.

~ Day 4: Baronof Warm Springs: For small Cruise boats only ~

The natural Baronof Hot Springs at Warm Springs Bay. Great to take a soak after all that kayaking and hiking. Only guests on small boats get to enjoy the Hot Springs.

A stop at Baranof Hot springs provides an opportunity to soak in a natural basin of perfectly warm water along side of a beautiful waterfall. After our relaxing swim we continue our journey. Entering Frederick Sound, we are in “whale country” as we transit the north coast of Kuiu Island to Keku Islets for our anchorage. The multitude of small islets, inlets and channels makes this a kayaker's delight.

~ Day 5: Whale Watching~

Traveling through more whale grounds, we spend much of the day drifting, watching humpback whales feeding and watching for breaching before arriving at Thomas Bay for the night.

Humpback Whale getting set to dive down in Frederick Sound

~ Day 6: Thomas Bay~

At Thomas Bay we go ashore to explore the moraine of the Baird Glacier, tide permitting. A hike along Cascade trail allows us to fully appreciate the lushness of the Tongass National Forest and it is here you can get a sense of the awesome influence that glaciers have had on the land. Kayaks go into the water here.

~ Day 7: Glacier Day at LeConte Glacier~

Adventure Cruise Pictures left to right:   Kayaking amongst the icebergs, LeConte Glacier (the most southern tidewater glacier in North America, a jetboat will take you through icebergs to the face of LeConte Glacier.

This day takes us to the face of LeConte, the most active tidewater glacier in Alaska. Its high level of activity provides such a volume of ice bergs, that the only way we can get to the face is in a smaller vessel. A local outfitter intimately familiar with the fjord takes us on a ride to the face of the glacier. Kayaking among the icebergs before or after your jet boat ride is a never to be forgotten experience.

~Day 8: Arrive at Petersburg~

Departing our anchorage, we enjoy a leisurely brunch and take in the amazing scenery on the way to Petersburg for the conclusion of your magnificent journey.