Image 1 of 2
Image 2 of 2
Sample Itinerary
The following is a sample itinerary, but your particular cruise may be different. The vessel routes change due to the vagaries of weather, wildlife, or the spontaneous interests of our guests. This trip is a curated experience, taking full advantage of The Boat Company’s wide range of wilderness special use permits.
Day 1: Arrival in Sitka & Complimentary Hotel Stay
Welcome to Sitka, the oldest city in Alaska! Once you’ve settled into the Southeast Resort Hotel in the heart of downtown, you are perfectly positioned to explore this coastal gem. Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and towering volcanic peaks, Sitka offers a beautiful blend of Tlingit and Russian history that is easy to discover on foot.
If you’re feeling active, we recommend a stroll through Sitka National Historical Park, where towering totem poles line the forest trails along the water. For a closer look at the local wildlife, you might choose to visit the Alaska Raptor Center or Fortress of the Bear. If you prefer a more leisurely afternoon, the hotel is just steps from St. Michael’s Cathedral and the local boutiques and galleries of this historic district. However you choose to spend your first day, you’ll find that Sitka’s small-town charm is the perfect introduction to the week ahead.
Day 2: Embarkation Day & Cruising Through Peril Straight
Enjoy a leisurely morning in downtown Sitka, perhaps grabbing a local breakfast or finding a few last-minute treasures in the boutiques. In the afternoon, your hosts will meet you at the Southeast Resort Hotel to provide a private escort to the vessel. Once aboard, our friendly crew will welcome you with a tour of your stately accommodation and our well-appointed salon. This inviting space features an open bar, snacks, a library of books, games, and a TV, providing the perfect spot to relax between adventures. Following a warm welcome from the Captain and a brief safety orientation, you'll meet the expert guides who will lead your adventures for the week. Once the lines are cast off, the magic truly begins. We’ll navigate the winding Sergius Narrows, a dramatic stretch of water known for its swirling currents and lush scenery, as we head into the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Enjoy an evening of bottomless cocktails and a sunset dinner specially curated by our chefs. As with all menus, every meal is designed to highlight the fresh flavors of Alaska while meeting all dietary preferences. The day concludes as we arrive at the tranquil scenery of our first anchorage in a nearby coastal bay.
Day 3: Exploring Lake Eva
Wake up to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and a chef-prepared breakfast as you take in your first morning in the Alaskan wilderness. This is your first full day adventuring through our favorite rainforest! While most of our activities in the Tongass are off the beaten path allowing for exploration of true wilderness, Lake Eva offers a unique experience. This Forest Service maintained trail is only accessible by boat or plane and leads you through a breathtaking old-growth forest.
You can spend your morning hiking under a canopy of ancient trees surrounded by blueberry and salmonberry bushes, eventually reaching the stunning shores of Lake Eva. Be sure to listen for our guides calling out "Hey Bear" to ensure safe passage alongside our brown furry friends. Not into hiking? The choice of how to spend your day is yours. You may choose to cast your lines for Dolly Varden, coastal cutthroat, and various salmon species in the streams along the trail, or perhaps you’d prefer saltwater fishing in the surrounding bays from our 20' skiffs. Between excursions, enjoy a chef prepared lunch and an afternoon activity of your choice or simply enjoy some time relaxing amid the enthralling scenery. The evening festivities feature an educational presentation alongside hors d’oeuvres and our open bar. This leads to a charming dinner thoughtfully created by our chefs surrounded by the beauty of the Tongass. Finally, we make our way to our evening anchorage in a sheltered bay off Baranof Island.
Day 4: Kelp Bay
The day begins with another delightful breakfast as we navigate into the scenic waters of Kelp Bay, a location notorious for spectacular humpback whale and brown bear sightings. While the wild rhythm of the forest and sea means encounters are never promised, the three "arms" of Kelp Bay provide a perfect natural theater for wildlife, so keep your binoculars close!
The day is yours to design. You might choose to hop into a kayak to explore the quiet intertidal zones where marine life clings to the rugged coast, or head out in our 20' skiffs for a morning of saltwater fishing. If you prefer to keep your feet on land, join us for a hike along forested game trails. Depending on the season, these paths lead through rushing salmon streams, vibrant wildflower meadows, or bushes heavy with wild berries. Between your adventures, return to the ship for a quick and tasty lunch before heading back out for more exploration or opting for a peaceful afternoon on deck. Once the group has gathered back aboard, the evening festivities feature another insightful presentation from our naturalist during cocktail hour. This leads into our wrap-around Eisen-glass fantail for a fresh dinner featuring the flavors of Alaska as we enjoy the calm waters of our evening anchorage off East Baranof.
Day 5: Red Bluff Bay
We like to sneak in the occasional sunrise kayak throughout the week for our early risers! You can paddle and explore the quiet anchorage before a hot breakfast is served and we begin our cruise to the next destination. The east coast of Baranof Island is known for its abundance of waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, so feel free to join your Captain in the wheelhouse with a hot drink. Keep your binoculars at the ready as we navigate toward one of our favorite locations, Red Bluff Bay.
The day is yours to explore this dramatic landscape. You might spend your afternoon kayaking along the steep cliffs and waterfalls right in our anchorage, fly-fishing in the nearby stream, or saltwater fishing from one of our skiffs. If you prefer a more relaxing pace we recommend a skiff tour while enjoying the views, accompanied by snacks and a beverage in hand. A highlight of the day is often setting shrimp pots in hopes of catching Alaskan Spot Prawns. This activity, a favorite of our guest provides the freshest possible ingredients for our chefs to prepare. Enjoy an educational presentation from our naturalist followed by a locally sourced dinner in the fantail immersed by the rugged beauty of Baranof Island.
Day 6: The Brothers Islands & Pybus Bay
The morning finds us exploring the East and West Brothers Islands and Pybus Bay, located just off the coast of Admiralty Island. This area is a true playground for nature lovers. You can take a hike on a game trail through a mossy wonderland of ancient forest, join a skiff tour to visit nearby wildlife, or head out for one last session of saltwater fishing in Pybus Bay.
While the vessel steams deeper throughout the afternoon, keep your eyes on the horizon. These waters are a crossroads for marine life, offering prime opportunities for whale watching and the vast species that call Alaska home.
The evening is highlighted by a special glacier presentation from our naturalist during cocktail hour. This insightful talk is designed to prepare you for the icy wonders of the next day. The night concludes with a multi-course dinner on our wrap-around fantail surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mainland.
Day 7: Glacial Expedition
We haul anchor in the early morning to begin our cruise down a glacially carved fjord, where towering mountains are draped in waterfalls and glacial ice floats below. These dramatic fjords are home to sure-footed mountain goats and serve as a vital nursery for harbor seals and their pups in the early summer. Keep your binoculars ready for this ever-changing landscape.
Once we drop anchor, bundle up and hop into one of our skiffs for an awe-inspiring tour of a massive tidewater glacier. Our crew will provide hot cocoa and fresh cookies with optionally peppermint liqueur and Irish cream to help keep you warm as you watch and watch and wait for the thunderous crack of a calving event at the glacier’s face. Watching huge towers of ice crash into the sea is a moment you’ll never forget. After returning to the vessel, we begin our final evening of celebration. Enjoy cocktail hour followed by a multi-course dinner surrounded by the sights and sounds of pure Alaska. After dinner our crew invites you to a slideshow presentation reliving the weeks’ highlights and memories not soon forgotten. Finally, we invite you for a behind-the-scenes "underground" tour of the crew quarters and the engine room. Capping off our final sunset in the Alaskan wilderness together.
Day 8: Disembarkation Day
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before pulling into the historic docks of Juneau. Your crew will be on hand to bid you a warm farewell and assist with your luggage, including your fresh Alaska catch which is professionally prepared and packed for safe transport home!
Following breakfast, our crew will ensure timely transfer of your luggage and escort you for a short walk or ride to the Ramada Hotel. From there, you may continue your exploration of Alaska’s capital city. If you have time before your departure, we recommend a short taxi or bus ride to visit the receding Mendenhall Glacier or a stop at the Alaska State Museum. Finally, when you are ready to depart, please enjoy a complimentary trip on the TBC Shuttle Bus to the Juneau Airport.
The Boat Company is a tax-exempt organization
Revenue after costs goes to conserve/preserve the forest, wildlife and fisheries of Southeast Alaska.
What is included in the cost of your trip
Hotel accommodations for the first Saturday night in Sitka or Juneau
Airport & hotel transfers
Use of all recreational equipment: kayaks, salmon & halibut fishing gear, hand-tied flies & lures
An Alaska state fishing license
ALL shore excursions – guided hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking & fishing
Cleaning, packing & freezing your catch in an easy-to-carry box
All meals prepared by our on-board chef – wines with dinner
Open bar including top-shelf brands
What is not included
Round-trip airfare to Alaska
Late arrival or early departure via float plane
Highly personalized fly-fishing rods & gear – waders
Gratuities to the ship’s crew
Travel insurance
Child care
Cancellation Policy
The Boat Company is a non-profit educational organization incorporated in the State of Alaska. Unlike large cruise operations carrying hundreds or thousands of passengers, our small-scale trips and limited sailing season mean that cancellations significantly impact our ability to cover expenses.
Cancellations within 24 hours of booking: Free cancellation is available for all trips within 24 hours of booking.
Cancellations more than 180 days prior to departure: Deposits are non-refundable after 24 hours; any payments made prior to the 180-day period will be returned 100% minus the deposit.
Cancellations between 90 and 180 days prior to departure:
Receive a credit for the amount paid, less a 25% administrative fee, to be applied toward a future trip.
Receive a charitable contribution letter for the amount paid less any deposits and fees.
Cancellations within 90 days of departure: All deposits and payments are non-refundable, and guests will receive a charitable contribution letter for the amount paid less any deposit or fees.
Cancellations after the cruise has begun or early disembarkation: No refunds, credits, or compensation will be provided for cancellations after the cruise begins or for early disembarkation for any reason.
We appreciate your understanding of our cancellation policy, and we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against unforeseen changes. Travel insurance can be purchased through our affiliate at www.squaremouth.com/23597.
Cancellation requests must be submitted by telephone or in writing to The Boat Company. To cancel or modify your reservation, please contact our team as soon as possible.
For questions or assistance, please reach out to us at hello@theboatcompany.org or visit our Contact Us page. Thank you for supporting The Boat Company’s mission, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Please Note: Prices are subject to change. Every effort has been made to produce pricing information accurately. The Boat Company reserves the right to correct promotional or pricing errors at any time, or to raise the price in the event of cost increases due to higher park fee, state and/or federal taxes, fuel surcharges, etc.