Glacier Bay Kayaking & Wildlife Adventure

Arrive in Gustavus, Alaska

Welcome to Gustavus, Alaska! After meeting your guide at the airport, you will transfer to the Annie Mae Lodge at the edge of Glacier Bay National Park. Enjoy a pre-trip meeting with the guide and a hearty welcome dinner, and explore the nearby sandy beach and beach-fringed meadows.

Cross Icy Strait to Point Adolphus

After an early breakfast, a charter boat in Gustavus will be waiting to carry us across Icy Strait to the whale-feeding grounds of Point Adolphus. Situated on the northern shore of Chichagof Island, the largest island in Alaska's Inside Passage, Point Adolphus also lies within the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Here we’ll set up camp for two nights and begin our leisurely paddling exploration along the shore, taking time to watch for humpback whales and other marine mammals. We'll also enjoy the spectacular scenery as we prepare and eat our evening meal at the water’s edge, and are lulled to sleep by the gentle sounds of whales breathing as they pass by.

Paddle the scenic shores of Chichagof Island

Kayaking the productive waters along Chichagof Island is one of the best ways to see and experience Alaska’s Inside Passage. We paddle along the scenic shores, watching for wildlife and exploring the area, including beachcombing along the shore or hiking in the island’s rich forests. The area is noted for its humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, and seals, and we may also see bald eagles, loons, marbled murrelets, and other birds that are rare in many parts of the world. We’ll travel four to five miles a day in the kayaks. The pace will be leisurely, but there may be more challenging times when we will encounter winds or ocean currents.

Explore Point Adolphus and return to Gustavus

After breakfast and breaking camp, we’ll kayak along the shore to meet our charter boat for our trip back to Gustavus. In the late afternoon we can explore this rustic bush town (population 429), and then dine at one of our favorite local restaurants before settling in for a great night’s sleep.

Glacier Bay kayaking expedition

We'll meet for breakfast and then board our charter boat for a spectacular scenic cruise into Glacier Bay, a journey through geologic time. Then, switching to sea kayaks, we'll set off on our two-day paddling expedition. Our pace is leisurely as we paddle and hike along the scenic shores of the bay, with ample time to appreciate and photograph the fantastic surroundings, which include tremendous glaciers, fascinating land forms, icebergs, flowers, seals, birds, and (if the skies are clear) the magnificent mountains that rise above us. We'll camp both nights.

Journey through Glacier Bay

After getting picked up by our charter boat, we'll journey back south through Glacier Bay keeping an eye out for wildlife as we return to Gustavus and head back to the B&B. We’ll have a final farewell dinner together before one last stroll, bike ride, or round of golf. Alternatively, just take time to relax!

Depart from Gustavus

After breakfast, enjoy a short but hearty hike in Gustavus. Your trip leader will then transfer you to Gustavus airport for your flight home or onward to Juneau (for trip extenstions).