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7 Night Exploring Alaskas Coastal Wilderness Cruise from Juneau

Ship: National Geographic Quest

Cruise Line: Lindblad Expeditions

Sailed: Sunday, Jul 17, 2022 from Juneau, United States

Ended: Sunday, Jul 24, 2022

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Sunday, Jul 17, 2022 departure of the National Geographic Quest. If Lindblad Expeditions modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Sunday - Jul 17, 2022

Juneau, United States

Fly from Seattle to Juneau. Explore the newly constructed Alaska State Museum, with its sprawling collection of natural history and cultural artifacts, and explore downtown Juneau. Settle into your cabin before dinner. Later, explore the port of Juneau on your own. (D)

Day 2 - Monday - Jul 18, 2022

Cruising Sawyer Glacier, United States

Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular glacially carved fjords. We'll also pass the Sawyer Glacier, which has been described as bluer than any blue on earth, or the towering Dawes Glacier. If conditions permit, we'll use our expedition landing craft to provide unparalleled up close views of the glacier. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, porpoises and arctic terns. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Tuesday - Jul 19, 2022

Petersburg, United States

Search for humpback whales as we head towards the small, true Alaskan town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Explore a unique Southeast Alaskan ecosystem, the "muskeg", with stunted trees and carnivorous plants. There is an opportunity for optional flightseeing or bike riding. Enjoy a Dungeness crab feast this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Wednesday - Jul 20, 2022

Frederick Sound, United States

Cruising Chatham Strait, United States

These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It's not uncommon to observe their fascinating behavior - breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding - as we fill the deck and listen to the play-by-play from our expert naturalists. We'll explore spectacular bays and inlets, following bear trails and salmon streams. Once ashore, we'll have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for up close exploration. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Thursday - Jul 21, 2022

Icy Strait Point, United States

Inian Islands, United States

Cruise among the Inian Islands, where an abundance of Steller sea lions reside. Hike nearby islands, kayak, and search for whales in the rich waters of Icy Strait. Conditions permitting, we'll lower the ship's hydrophone to listen in on the whales' communication. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Friday - Jul 22, 2022

Glacier Bay, United States

We spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. You'll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water's edge and observe them "calving" - tons of ice crashing into the sea - accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and puffins are some of the creatures we may observe. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. A native Tlingit interpreter joins us onboard to share the legend of the area. (B,L,D); Please Note: The 2019 National Geographic Sea Lion departures will have a modified itinerary and will not be calling on Glacier Bay National Park. Guest will instead get an opportunity to explore the rarely visited outer bays - either Dundas Bay or Fern Harbor where you will have the opportunity to go on naturalist-led coastal hikes looking for evidence of moose or wolves, kayak into secluded coves, or cruise around sea stacks via expedition landing craft.

Day 7 - Saturday - Jul 23, 2022

Coastal Navigation, United States

Today, nature is our guide as we set forth with the flexibility to take advantage of wildlife and weather conditions. We may stop at an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest trails. Keep an eye out for old bear tracks worn into the soil as you move from forest to meadow. Sightings of bald eagles are very common. If conditions permit, we'll do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Sunday - Jul 24, 2022

Sitka, United States

After breakfast we disembark in Sitka, southeastern Alaska's only oceanfront town. Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent as you visit the onion-domed St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Church. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, we have close views of species normally seen at a distance in the wild - bald eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. (B)