At a glance
- Duration:
- 14 Days
- Start/End:
- Juneau, Alaska to Seattle Washington
- From:
- $10,858
- Time of Year:
- September
Set sail on a remarkable 14-day adventure through the untamed beauty of the Pacific Northwest. From Alaska’s glacier-carved fjords to the towering, moss-laden trees of the Great Bear Rainforest, this immersive expedition unveils three legendary regions in one unforgettable journey: the wildlife-rich waters of Southeast Alaska, the secluded coastal sanctuaries of British Columbia, and the storybook charm of Washington’s San Juan Islands.
With exclusive access to remote lands stewarded by First Nations communities, you’ll venture deep into pristine wilderness, where you just might glimpse the rare and mystical spirit bear, found nowhere else on Earth.
Exploring Alaska, Great Bear Rainforest and the San Juan Islands Highlights
- Take kayaks and Zodiacs deep into verdant fjords and wildlife-rich shores in search of bears, golden eagles, river otters, pods of orcas, and more
- Journey into pristine forests inaccessible by road and managed by First Nations people
- Immerse yourself in First Nations culture at Alert Bay’s Big House, where the Kwakwaka’wakw people share their traditional art, music and regional knowledge
- Cruise the eastern coast of Princess Royal Island in search of the elusive spirit bear, a rare but thrilling sighting
- Hike the San Juan Islands, and cruise nearby waters in British Columbia where orcas gather annually to hunt within the isles’ inlets and bays
- Explore at water level in Tracy Arm for an up-close view of calving glaciers, towering forests and harbor seals afloat on iridescent icebergs
Expedition Team
With over 50 years of exploration behind them, Lindblad Expeditions has built a legacy on the strength of its expert staff and the meaningful connections they forge with guests. From seasoned expedition leaders to passionate naturalists, many with advanced degrees and deep expertise, Lindblad’s team brings destinations to life with insight and enthusiasm. Some return year after year to the same wild places they’ve come to love; others roam the globe, leading adventures across continents. Guests often say, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” returning time and again to travel with the people who make every journey unforgettable. Meet the full cast of our expedition team in our staff directory.
Exploring Alaska, Great Bear Rainforest and the San Juan Islands Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Juneau, Alaska / Embark Ship
Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, in the early afternoon and embark the ship in time for cocktails and an introduction of the vessel staff and crew.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords with waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take a cruise in a Zodiac for an unbeatable view among sculpted icebergs. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, harbor porpoises and arctic terns.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-4: Exploring Southeast Alaska
Spend two days exploring the wild gems of southeast Alaska, in the northern part of the Alexander Archipelago. With nature as your guide, you will cruise Chatham Strait in search of orca and humpback whales and experience wild Alaska up close on Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards and hikes.
Explore the wild and remote areas of southeast Alaska by special use permit with the Tongass National Forest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
Wake up in Prince Rupert, a scenic harbor town on British Columbia’s rugged northwest coast. Get immersed in First Nations history at the Museum of Northern British Columbia, built in the style of a coastal longhouse. Breathe in the scent of cedar beams and peruse an impressive collection of ornate carvings, weavings, ceremonial objects and regalia. Visit the North Pacific Cannery Museum, a collection of cannery buildings located in pristine wilderness surroundings that highlight British Columbia’s economic, cultural and natural development over the last century.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park / Cruising
Seek out pods of killer whales and foraging bears as you sail north through the narrow Grenville Channel between Pitt Island and the mainland, a dramatic navigational experience. Not only does the channel narrow to less than a quarter of a mile across, but a slight bend in the passage makes the waterway seem to disappear into the hills ahead and behind the ship. Here, you’ll explore the salmon run at Verney Falls in Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park by Zodiacs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 7-10: Exploring Great Bear Rainforest and Rugged Coastline of British Columbia
Over the course of the next four days, you will cruise far into the fjords and deep valleys that carve into the Coast Range looking for black and grizzly bears. You will cruise the eastern coast of Princess Over the course of the next four days, you will cruise far into the fjords and deep valleys that carve into the Coast Range looking for black and grizzly bears. You will cruise the eastern coast of Princess Royal Island in search of the elusive spirit bear. It is believed that between 10 to 20 percent of bears in this region are born with the recessive gene that causes the white fur; fewer than 400 are estimated to exist.
British Columbia has one of the highest proportions of protected land of any jurisdiction in the world. Almost 15 percent of the land is protected, with a wide range of provincial parks, national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alongside your veteran expedition team, go ashore and explore several remote locations where few people venture. Discover hidden gems by Zodiac and kayak, navigating the tidal narrows that lead to the backs of bays while scanning for bears along the rocky shoreline and meadows such as Gilttoyees Inlet.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait, British Columbia
Visit the Big House in the First Nations village of Alert Bay, Canada and gain insight from the Kwakwaka’wakw people who will share their art, music and regional knowledge. Sail through Johnstone Strait, a waterway cut through a magnificently wild and scenic area of mountains and islands. These ocean waters are also home to extraordinary marine mammals and bird watching.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Southern British Columbia
Discover British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, a mecca for kayakers and small yachts. Anchor in calm, sheltered waters to kayak in isolated bays that beckon for exploration. On land, hike through meadows and forest ecosystems.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: San Juan Islands, Washington, U.S.A.
Discover the wild charm of the San Juan Islands, a captivating archipelago in northern Washington State. Paddle hidden coves by kayak, keeping an eye out for friendly harbor seals. Navigate dramatic shorelines aboard Zodiacs. Hike along rugged coastal trails where bald eagles soar overhead, while expert naturalists provide insight on the fascinating ecology and cultural history of this distinctive northwest wilderness.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Seattle / Disembark Ship
Disembark in Seattle and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Departure Time: Depart after 10:30 a.m. local time.
Departure City: Seattle, Washington
Meals Included: Breakfast
