Southeast Alaska is a magical place to be on a boat. And the best way for you to take in all the magic is on an adventure cruise aboard the David B. Our small ship can take you through channels and into coves and anchorages that the big cruise ships with equally big crowds can’t go. You’ll be able to experience the enchantment of Alaska with its solitude and wilderness. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and emerge yourself in the quiet of nature where you can take the time to watch whales feed, bears forage and birds soar. It is a magical time you won’t soon forget.

Check out the David B’s  schedule and rates. Plan now to join us for your Alaskan experience!

Sample Itinerary for 8-Day Alaskan Small Ship Cruise – Petersburg to Juneau – Northbound

Day 1
Petersburg to Farragut Bay

You’ll board the David B in the busy fishing town of Petersburg at noon. The sights of working fish boats and Stellers sea lions in the harbor are your first introduction to the abundance of life in Southeast Alaska’s cold nutrient-rich waters. Once we’re underway we’ll make way for Farragut Bay and a rendezvous with Marja and Bo from Farragut Bay Farm for fresh organic greens. At anchor, you’ll have the chance to kayak or hang out on the boat watching nearby eagles and seals.

Day 2
Farragut Bay to Baranof Warm Springs

The David B will raise anchor early to head for Baranof Warms Springs. It’s a favorite location for a long soak in hot spring pools that hug the edge of a roaring waterfall. On the way to Baranof, the crew will keep a look out for humpback whales that feed throughout Frederick Sound and for sea otters that float effortlessly near the tip of Admiralty Island. We’ll be underway for most of the day, but the time will fly by as there is so much for you to see and experience.

Day 3
Baranof Warm Springs to Donkey Bay

Because we love Baranof Warm Springs so much, you’ll have time for a morning soak in the hot springs or an easy kayak paddle before the David B gets underway for Donkey Bay on Admiralty Island. We’ll again look for humpback whales and sea otters, plus we might discover that there are orcas in the area. When we drop the anchor in Donkey Bay we’ll carefully scan the shore of Brown Bears. It’s a great place to look for these coastal grizzlies. If the shore is free of bears, we’ll  head to the shore for a walk along the beach to look for footprints and other signs of the bears that helped Admiralty Island earn is name – Fortress of the Bear

 Day 4
Donkey Bay to Gambier Bay

Donkey Bay is a great place for kayaking. At high tide, you can explore the shallow bays where just hours before brown bears were digging for mussels or eating sedges. After kayaking, we’ll head to the Brothers to visit a Stellers sea lion haulout. You’ll enjoy the sounds of the sea lions and watching their agility in the water as they cart-wheel and race each other around the haulout. Sometimes a curious sea lion or two will come over the the David B. After we cruise through The Brothers, we’ll make our way to Gambier Bay for more kayaking or a walk in the forest.

Day 5
Gambier Bay to Fords Terror

After breakfast and a hike or paddle, we’ll cross Stephens Passage for Holkham Bay and the Tracy Arm/Fords Terror Wilderness Area. Here you’ll experience the true magistracy of southeast Alaska as we enter Holkham Bay with Mt. Sumdum and it’s glacier to greet you.  On our way to Fords Terror the David B will glide between enormous sapphire icebergs from Dawes Glacier at the head Endicott Arm.  We’ll anchor in a deep water cove next to unbelievably steep cliffs that are laced with thin waterfalls that cascade into the aqua blue water.

Day 6
Fords Terror – Dawes Glacier – Wood Spit

After one going on one of the most beautiful hikes that southeast Alaska has to offer, we’ll get underway for Dawes Glacier. Visiting a tidewater glacier is one of the highlights of this cruise. After slowly picking our way through the ice that has calved off of Dawes, we’ll spend an hour or longer watching this magnificent river of ice as it calves its icebergs into Endicott Arm. In the evening we’ll anchor at Wood Spit. Once the anchor is down and all is quiet, we’ll listen for the breath of humpback whales that come into the adjoining Holkham Bay, and watch the shoreline for the occasional black bear that makes its way to the beach.

Day 7
Wood Spit – Tracy Arm – No Name Cove

In the morning we’ll take a walk along Wood Spit. It’s the ancient moraine of where Dawes Glacier once ended. The walk along the beach is a mix of rocks and sand left by the glacier and now home to many intertidal creatures. Wood Spit is also a nice place to follow bear trails into the forest. Once you’ve pushed through the low shrubs and Devil’s Club that lines the edge of the woods, the forest opens up into a cathedral of tall trees dripping with mosses and lichens. The trails that crisscross the floor lead us to the other side of the spit. After our walk, we’ll spend time cruising in Tracy Arm. This fjord is spectacular with steep walls, big bends, and s-turns. It’s also a good place to look for black bears. How far we’ll go will depend on the condition of the ice from North and South Sawyer Glaciers. In the evening, we’ll anchor in No Name Cove. It’s a special place with views of mountains, glaciers, and icebergs that ride the tide out of Tracy Arm. Here we’ll watch for humpback whales and brown bears.

Day 8
No Name Cove – Juneau

The David B will be underway early in the morning. It’s six hours between No Name Cove and Juneau. Along the way, you’ll be served handmade croissants while you watch for humpback whales. We’ll make our way up Stephens Passage to Gastineau Channel where Juneau clings to the side of Mount Roberts. We’ll arrive in Juneau mid-day at the Intermediate Vessel Float.

Please note that each cruise we do is a little different, so actual itineraries will vary due to weather and timing.

Click here to see our current schedule and rates.

To Book Your Alaska Cruise – Email or Give Us a Call at 360-474-7218

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