Alaska is the USA’s largest state spanning more than 650,000 square miles (1.7 million km²) of mountains, fjords, glaciers and forests. Our expedition cruises here and into British Columbia, are often met with temperate rainforest, piercing the clouds as it descends steep coastal mountains into the sea. Clear blue fjords dissect the land into a scattering of islands, whose shores may be clad with wild meadows.

Amongst some highly varied habitats, we can find wildlife which includes Brown, Black and Spirit Bears, Bald Eagles Orcas and Humpback Whales which famously encircle fish with ‘nets’ woven from bubbles.

Animal activity booms in the summer months as salmon return to their places of birth up the rivers along the coast. Brown bears can be seen patrolling riverbanks and waiting in the rapids for fish to literally jump into their mouths. Humpback whales bubble net salmon, speeding towards the surface as they lunge, mouth open, swallowing hundreds of fish at a time. Their splashes, gulps and blows create huge splashes of activity against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

As well as a healthy environment, Alaska has maintained much of its indigenous culture. In many of our voyage itineraries, you will be able to visit villages of indigenous groups like the Kawkwaka’wakw and Haida people; try their food, watch their traditional dances; and meet local artists and carvers. Learning about their ways of life and history will complete your experience of the state.

Our selected National Geographic expedition cruise ships come fully equipped with expert guides and opportunities to sea kayak, paddleboard and hike through temperate rainforest overlooking fjords. You have the chance to see this dramatic region from all its best angles, immersed in an adventurous experience of Alaska.