Apart from the spectacular scenery, Glacier Bay is teeming with wildlife. There are more than one thousand glaciers in the area and there is plenty to do here. The Park and Preserve are different and have different regulations, particularly regarding the wildlife. In the Preserve, you may, with the appropriate licence, go hunting animals like black bears, wolves, wolverines, mountain goats, snowshoe hare, ptarmigans and waterfowl. Associated activities include hiking, camping, mountain fishing and bird watching. It is advisable to have a guide or ranger with you as well as a pair of strong binoculars to enable you to look out for bears up ahead. Confrontation is not a good idea. The Preserve and the Park host many outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, rafting, fishing camping, mountaineering, and bird-watching. From the water, you will spot whales, orcas, sea lions and seals.
Hoonah, USA, is an ideal destination for yacht guests. Located in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park, it offers unbeatable views of the mountainous surroundings. Explorers can marvel at snow-capped mountains from the warm, sheltered bays and harbors or cruise to scenic destinations like Point Adolphus and Icy Strait. In addition to awe-inspiring sights, Hoonah boasts world-class fishing, abundant wildlife, and ancient native culture. With its sheltered hammocks, wooden platforms, and rocks for sunbathing, Hoonah is definitely an unforgettable stop for any seafarer.
The tiny beachfront city of Tenakee is the perfect place to drop anchor and switch off for a few days. With no cars allowed and a wealth of wilderness right on your doorstep, charter guests will adore the endless opportunities to indulge in nature. Endless logging trails offer keen mountain bikers the chance to pedal and push for miles, rich salt waters invite you to cast your lines, humpback whales can be spotted crossing these waters during the month of October, and steamy hot springs let you soak away any traces of stress left. The community may be small but it's lively, artistic, ever welcoming and even home to a historic market that dates back to 1899.
The largest settlement on Baranof island is Sitka which was once the Russian capital of Alaska. A number of trails lead from Sitka including a dormant volcano and mountains from where there are spectacular views on clear days. The shore excursions include whale watching, kayaking and tours to see bears and raptors.
Situated on Baranoff Island, Red Bluff Bay is an Alaskan beauty. The entrance to this picture-perfect bay can be found east of Frederick Sound - a spot famed for its ample whale watching opportunities. Red Bluff Bay takes its name from the shorn hills that close in on it - coloured in rusty hues from the presence of chromite. The striking contrast of red and blue and green is spectacular and charter guests can also see brown bears, shoals of salmon, thundering waterfalls, and the spots of whales against this backdrop. Kayaking, hiking, wildlife watching, and photography are all excellent ways to spend your days in Red Bluff Bay.
Southeast Alaska is brimming with beautiful anchorages and Takatz Bay is definitely at the top of that list. Filled with thundering waterfalls and a natural delta mouth at high tide, it's a great spot for kayaking upstream, hiking the trails, and keeping a keen eye peeled for grizzlies. With dense fir-packed slopes and a feeling of being dwarfed by nature, charter guests can breathe easy in this idyllic spot. Along with bears, you can also see bald eagles, seals, and other wildlife wonders too.
For charter guests looking to sink into steamy delight, the enticing waters of Warm Springs Bay are waiting. Located on Baranof Island, 20 miles to the east of Sitka, you can find blissfully warm waters encouraging you to take a break from the meandering cruise along the Chatham Strait. The remote community close by means that these springs are rarely bustling and the natural backdrop sets the scene for afternoons of pure unwinding in the wild.
In the depths of the Alexander Archipelago, the Frederick Sound flows for eighty miles beneath towering snowy peaks that ripple from the east to the west. Rich in marine life and dreamily diverse, the Frederick Sound brims with bays and fjords. The cold waters support a whole host of life and larger sea mammals flock here for the wealth of nutrients. With over a thousand humpback whales migrating through this sound, charter guests shouldn’t be surprised to see whale tails and these larger-than-life animals breaching the surface. Seabirds swirl around the air and there are also orcas, sea lions, porpoises, and seals to be seen too. Sail the breadth of this beautiful Alaskan spot and lose yourself at what can feel like the end of the earth.
Endicott Arm, located in Southeast Alaska is an ideal yachting destination for guests looking for a great outdoor adventure. With views of the majestic Tracy Arm Fjord, guests can marvel at the towering mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife. The area features an abundance of wildlife sightings including sea lions, orcas, porpoises and bald eagles, along with fishing opportunities for halibut and salmon. Guests can explore the caves and kayak the endless bays, or stroll the ash-covered shoreline; the possibilities for exploration around Endicott Arm are endless. Those more comfortable staying on the boat have the options of cruising around Endicott Arm, anchoring off shore, or visiting the local marina located nearby. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventurous one, Endicott Arm is the perfect destination.
The Tracy Arm fjord is accessible only by boat or seaplane. It is a wonderful place to visit and should be included in any charter in the region. It is a place to view some marvels of nature from the water, surrounded by mountain peaks and waterfalls. Apart from the two glaciers, North and South Sawyer which are major spectacles themselves, you will see much land and marine life. On land you will probably see bears, wolves, deer and goats. Because the ice interferes with whales’ communication, it is a good spot for seals to have their pups. Above these spectacles you will see majestic eagles and other minor birdlife flying around. The glacier is live, in that it is flowing and “calving” or losing pieces of ice into the water. You will enjoy the stillness and the sounds of the ice if the boat’s engines are turned off. A loud and memorable crash normally accompanies larger pieces of ice hitting the water. In the water and on the ice flows you may see whales, orcas and seals of various sizes.
At the Alaskan end of the Inside Passage, lies Juneau, the capital city of Alaska. The nutrients provided by the glaciers attract humpback whales and orcas which are a must see. Water activities include water-skiing, kayaking, and rafting which is also a good way of sight-seeing along the coast. Bear viewing tours, dog sledding and ziplining are also on offer. Nearby Mount Roberts provides excellent views and can be ascended either on foot or by tram. The Juneau Icefield is a massive area of ice which is best explored by trekking or flightseeing. If you’ve had enough of the outdoors, the Alaska State Museum is well worth a visit.