September 13 – 20, 2025
Here is Southeast Alaska! Up close and personal! With (or without) ‘ukuleles! And we’re going at a time of year when the wildlife is really getting busy: mating, migrating, and feeding up for winter. This trip, too, offers one of the best opportunities to perhaps witness the Northern Lights!
Hope you can join us!
Itinerary
Day 1: Juneau & Embarkation
We’ll all board the Wilderness Legacy in Juneau in time for a welcome cocktail or glass of Champagne before dinner. The captain and crew will introduce themselves and provide an overview of the adventure that awaits this week. We’ll have a great meal onboard and soon be on our way into the Wild and Woolly north…strumming all the way! (D)
Day 2: Hobart Bay
Today we can immerse ourselves in the serene beauty of Hobart Bay. We’ll start with a refreshing kayak excursion and glide through crystal clear calm waters or join our naturalists on an invigorating hike, uncovering the secrets of the local flora and fauna. (So much fun! Do you know they have albino banana slugs there?) Skilled cyclists can even try a short mountain bike excursion deep into the forest. As the day winds down, we’ll gather together on deck for ukulele playing, wildlife watching, happy hour in the lounge, or a captivating presentation. The fun builds as we get to know each other and make new friends! (BLD)
Day 3: LeConte Glacier
LeConte Glacier is the southernmost tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere and is surrounded by an awe-inspiring landscape. Today we will get to witness the glacier’s imposing beauty up close. And the best part? There are no huge cruise ships here because they are much too LARGE to enter the shallow entrance to this magical, wilderness fjord. We will spend most of our day here, exploring by kayak, small boat and, if conditions permit, by stand-up paddle board. We may even have a chance to go ashore and frolic amongst ice bergs stranded on the beach. Really, if you haven’t been up a close and personal with a glacier before…this is a great opportunity. (BLD)
Day 4: Thomas Bay, Land of Kushtaka
Today we enjoy a day of hiking on a couple of the very few, accessible, trails in Southeast Alaska…with hiking challenges to suit any level of skill. A typical day may start with the soft exhale from a whale while the mist still hangs in the air and the anchor drops into the milky blue waters of Thomas Bay. Then – you hear it before you see it – a profound spillage of water that cuts through the mountainous forest in a series of waterfalls known as Cascade Creek–one of the crew’s favorite locations. After a morning foray into the woods, we head back to the Wilderness Legacy for a hearty meal as the boat repositions to the other side of Thomas Bay for even more, new adventures. Water access is unmatched here: kayaking to a salmon run or a skiff tour in search of bears wraps up our day of adventure to be followed by more (optional) ‘ukulele merriment in the evening. (BLD)
Day 5: Whale Watching & Kuiu Island
The west side of Kuiu Island is our playground for the day. We’re in black-bear country now and Kuiu Island plays host to the densest population of the iconic species on the planet. Tucked into a Bay, the waters here are calm and filled with the smallest marine mammal on earth – the sea otter. Rafts of otters float by – unperturbed by our presence, and about as cute as one might imagine them to be. Humpback whales patrol the reefs in search of schools of herring – resident bubble-netters are a rare and exciting sight. The cold, nutrient-rich waters provide opportunity for more than above-water activities. Try your hand at a snorkel (we have the warmest wetsuits known to man, fear not) and unlock an entire universe of discovery as you peruse the most diverse population of sea-stars on earth – a surprise to many who visit this place. For just a moment, the cold water is forgotten as you’re transported into what can only be described as a “cold water tropical reef”. (BLD)
Day 6: Brown Bear Search Near the Shores of Chichagof Island
Seek out the elusive Coastal Brown Bear along this rugged coastline. The East side of Chichagof Island includes three specific areas that have exceptionally good opportunities for sighting these wonderful creatures. Your Captain will use his knowledge to put you in the best spot, which changes regularly. This day may include the opportunity for hikes ashore, kayaking, skiff rides and hopefully watching brown bears from all our small boats and kayaks. The bear population is abundant in this area. The day concludes as we get underway, and guests share their experiences and photos with fellow travelers. (BLD)
Day 7: Glacier Bay National Park Outback
Glacier Bay National Park covers 3.3 million acres…just a a tad smaller than the state of Connecticut! But most visitors see the same sliver of the park as everyone else. Not us! We’re going the further and exploring parts of the park that 99% of visitors never go to. Here we can hike the outwash field of glaciers winding down the Fairweather Mountain Range where the cool breeze off the nearby snow and icefields is energizing. As the day winds down, it’s time for Captain’s Dinner and a slideshow of all the amazing things we’ve done this week…including playing our ukuleles! (BLD)
Day 8: Juneau Disembarkation
Back in Juneau where we will enjoy our last breakfast aboard. And after checking every nook and cranny of our cabins we say farewell to the crew as we disembark, get that last group photo and wave goodbye until next time. (B)
For more information on availability, prices, etc., please click here.