Learn from a Scientist: Alaska Whale Watching Redefined
Experience Alaska's whales like never before on an intimate adventure yacht cruise
limited to just eight guests. Explore pristine waters departing from and returning to Petersburg, Alaska, on a personalized journey guided by whale expert Dr. Adam Pack, a Whale & Dolphin Institute professor in Hilo, Hawaii. This unique educational cruise focuses on humpback and killer whales, offering exceptional opportunities for observation and learning while also showcasing Alaska's stunning glaciers and relaxing hot springs.
Your Cruise. Your Way.
Discover the untamed beauty of the Inside Passage on your terms. Our flexible itineraries let you choose some of your bucket list highlights and explore destinations that ignite your imagination. Experience the wonders of Alaska with the freedom and flexibility only a private yacht cruise can offer. We collaborate with all eight passengers to ensure everyone experiences their Alaskan dreams. Go home with memories beyond your wildest expectations and newfound friendships.
Wildlife Encounters Guaranteed
With a more extended 8-day cruise, we have the time to search for whales, bears, bald eagles, porpoises, sea lions, birds, and so much more! Our comfortable zodiacs and kayaks allow you to get up close and personal with whales. This is a great time to see the humpback's bubble-net feeding!
Go Where Most People Don't.
While most people sit on their balcony on an Alaskan cruise, you'll have the adventure to explore the fjords and remote islands and take in the wildlife only accessible by boat.
Delicious Alaskan Cuisine
Enjoy the freshest Alaskan seafood prepared by our chef. Hear captivating stories from your local captain and fisherman about the journey from ocean to plate. You might even catch a Dungeness crab or shrimp for dinner! Come hungry.
No Extra Day Excursion Fees
Most cruises require you to pay for your day excursion separately, but it's all included with us! This means less planning, fewer crowds, and a fun and more intimate experience for you.
Exhilarating, Stable & Fun
Our 85-foot expedition yacht is built for Alaskan waters and has stabilizers for a comfortable, smooth ride. If the weather is rough in one area, we jump to another bay or inlet to have fun and experience those hidden gems. We don't want you to be seasick, so our cruises differ slightly depending on the wildlife and weather. And did we mention that we are a darn FUN group to adventure with?
Fun, Local Captain & Crew
Beyond the breathtaking scenery, your experienced local captain will share stories, local history, geological features, and his life as a commercial fisherman and adventure seeker!
Glacial Fjords, Giant Icebergs & Old Growth
Experience calving glaciers before they are gone, and cruise the pristine wilderness of Tongass National Forest, a 17-million-acre expanse—the largest rainforest in the USA.
Please remember the animals are always on the move, and whales have tails, so you never know what will be around the next bend. That is the fun of an Alaskan adventure.
Experience Alaska Like Never Before: Step aboard our 85-foot expedition yacht, designed for comfort and adventure. Our steel-hulled vessel, equipped with NIAD stabilizers, glides effortlessly through Alaskan waters, bringing you closer to glaciers and into remote areas inaccessible to other charters.
With 50 years of expertise and extensive US Forest Service permits granting access to even more remote and untouched areas, we craft handcrafted itineraries showcasing Alaska's most breathtaking sights. Savor the freshest Alaskan seafood, capture stunning photos of wildlife and landscapes, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
The M/V Northern Song is 85’ x 26’ x 10’ steel world cruiser with a capacity for 8-10 guests in four staterooms. There is a Master Suite that in with a queen-sized bed on the main deck and that includes one queen size bed on the main deck with an ensuite bathroom with a separate bathtub stall and shower. There is the ability to add an extra cot in this stateroom. There are three guest cabins on the lower deck with a full-size bed and a single upper bed, and an ensuite bathroom with a separate shower stall.
You will be picked up at your accommodation at 1:45 pm for a 2:00 pm departure. The boat will return to Petersburg at 2: 00 pm, from which you will be delivered to your lodging.
Please send us a friendly email to let us know you are canceling. If we receive a cancellation notice 150 or more days before the departure date, your deposit will be refunded less a 10% cancellation fee of the total fare cost and any commissions. You may also transfer your reservation to another available date if you choose.
Travelers will not receive a refund if cancellations are made 149 days or less before departure. Therefore we recommend getting travel insurance to protect your fare in case any unanticipated circumstances require you to cancel your trip.
Meals are prepared by our chef, wine with evening meals, and beer throughout your day. Meals include Alaskan seafoods Black cod, halibut, salmon, and crab! Dietary needs can be accommodated.
All cabins include towels, bed linens, hair dryers. and select sizes on Alaska boots so you don't have to bring your own.
Outside on our top deck is an eliptical machine to excerise.
Sea kayaks are available for excursions in the bays and near the glaciers.
We have a reference library filled with maps and books on Alaska, whales, and local history for you to enjoy in our lounge.
Sales tax is included in the rates.
There are two tender boats for exploring and getting to shore for beach walks and hiking.
We have a hydrophone that goes in the water to listen to the whale song then we can gauge when they will surface or potentially bubble feed, so you are ready to capture those incredible photos.
Endless knowledge from the founder of The Dolphin Institute - Dr. Adam Pack.
Alaska Airlines is the only commercial airline that flies into Southeast Alaska.
Our crew will help you with purchasing any licenses.
Guests may have the opportunity to go flight seeing near Mount Edgecumbe Volcano and see the whales and herring fisherman from above. We highly recommend this experience. It is weather permitting.
We recommend a gratuity of 10-20% to show your appreciation for exceptional service. Our staff strives to provide the highest level of service.
We can help with hotel recommendations as we encourage you to come the day prior to boarding and stay the night you depart the boat and then fly out.
Wine is provided with dinner and beer is available throughout the day. If you would like any additional spirits, we can pick them up prior to departure or you can bring them aboard.
There is a sales tax that is not included in these rates.
We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your trip in the event of an emergency.
Wi-Fi is available to purchase if you would like to use it or you can unplug and relax!
You will depart from Petersburg and explore Frederick Sound and all its beauty.
Join whale biologist Adam Pack for your meals and discuss topics on his latest whale and dolphin research.
Humpback whales congregate here to feed on massive schools of fish and krill. With some luck, you may see these endangered giants as they use bubble nets to execute their cooperative feeding attacks. Our guide will introduce you to the world of the humpback whale-it’s life cycle, anatomy, behaviors, migration, feeding strategies, and current research. He will also share the secrets of getting great whale photos!
Explore Alaska's glacial wonders from a unique perspective aboard your private yacht. Cruise through stunning fjords, discovering hidden coves and witnessing the raw power of nature's icy giants.
You will go in search of all the amazing wildlife, but remember, we can not predict the wildlife and what we will see, but that is part of the adventure!
We will cruise Frederick Sound exploring the wildlife. You will see Steller sea lions, otters, seals, porpoises, and multiple other bird species. We can not predict the wildlife and what we will see, but that is part of the adventure!
You can explore the beaches and bays in a kayak, and our whale guide Dr. Adam Pack will take you on adventures in the tender boats.
Picture this: you're enjoying a delicious meal of freshly caught Alaskan seafood, prepared by our all-inclusive chef, while engaging in fascinating conversation with a whale scientist about their groundbreaking research. Our daily menu features seasonal delicacies like halibut, black cod, salmon, crab, shrimp, and more, tailored to your tastes and dietary needs, bringing the "from sea to table" experience to life. We happily accommodate all dietary preferences.
The rocky shorelines, saltwater marshes, bogs, and woodlands of Southeast Alaska comprise a birder’s paradise. The diversity of habitats ensures a wide variety of birds can be seen nearby, including large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds. Bald eagles are common in the Southeast; their numbers are measured in the thousands.
Have a glass of wine, chat with whale scientist Dr. Adam Pack, play a game, read all the beautiful Alaskan books aboard the boat, edit your incredible photos, or just daydream!
Be sure to stay and explore Petersburg, also known as Alaska's Little Norway. Guests depart via Alaska Airlines or the Alaska Marine Highway.
