Embark on an unforgettable wildlife expedition through some of the most remote and biodiverse regions of North America: Alaska, British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, and the San Juan Islands. This 14-day small ship cruise beginning in Juneau, Alaska and ending in Seattle, offers exceptional opportunities to observe iconic wildlife in its natural habitat – including Grizzly Bears, Spirit Bears, Humpback Whales, and Orcas. Along the way, enjoy cultural encounters, glacier exploration, and kayaking adventures through pristine coastal wilderness.
Bear Watching in Alaska & the Great Bear Rainforest
Alaska is home to a very large population of Brown and Black bears potentially 85,000 strong. Known for their boldness and visibility, bear watching in Alaska is one of the region’s most rewarding wildlife experiences.
Black bears are the smallest bear species in North America, reaching up to 1 m (3.3 ft) at shoulder height and 2 m (6.6 ft) from head to tail and males weigh up to 250 kg (550 lbs). Most of what they eat consists of insects like bees, ants and beetles but they also famously love honey.
The iconic Brown or Grizzly bear is closer to 390 kg (860 lbs) and roams the banks of fjords and rivers through the summer months looking for food. They eat a wide range of food, from berries and nuts to moose and bison.
The Great Bear Rainforest is your best chance to see these amazing creatures on this tour whether it’s Grizzly Bears, Black Bears or even the possibility of catching sightings of the incredibly rare Spirit Bear.
Spirit Bears are a subpopulation of Black Bears which have a recessive gene causing their fur colour to appear white and only 400 individuals are though to exist in the wild!
At this time of the year, Bear viewings are more likely than at other times because the annual Salmon Run will be in full swing.
Witness the Salmon Run: A Wildlife Spectacle
To breed, salmon species swim back up the rivers from which they were born, meaning that huge numbers of these fish can be found heading up the fjords in this area.
This makes finding Bears during this time of the year relatively simple and they will often wait at rapids for salmon to literally jump into their mouths. You’ll take to the water in Zodiacs and head to Verney Falls to watch bears fishing for salmon at the peak of the run.
Of course, there is far more wildlife here than just bears during the Salmon Run: the fjords are home to Killer Whales, Harbour Seals and many species of seabird at this time of year.
Birds of Prey, like the Golden Eagle, and River Otters will also be taking advantage of the influx of salmon, so there should be plenty of opportunities to see some incredible wildlife encounters on this cruise.
Kayaking, Hiking & Zodiac Adventures
This wildlife cruise also includes a range of adventure activities, from hiking through forests inaccessible by road, to kayaking alongside marine mammals, and exploring remote coastlines by Zodiac.
With these immersive activities and the panoramic views from your ship, you’ll be able to experience the region’s grandeur throughout the entire journey — and from all the best angles.
First Nations & Indigenous Cultural Experiences
On top of unbeatable wildlife encounters and immersive activities, this trip also offers an indigenous experience in British Columbia to enrich your cruise even further.
You will have the privilege to go to the Big House in the First Nations village of Alert Bay for a cultural visit. Here, the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples share their traditions, art, music and regional knowledge with you, undoubtedly making this one of the trip’s most memorable sections.
How to Book Your Alaska Wildlife Cruise
If you would like to secure a space on one of this Alaska wildlife cruise’s departures to the Great Bear Rainforest, Contact Us. With only 1 departure a year, places onboard are quickly booked up, so call us as soon as possible to book your small ship cruise and ensure you get the privilege to explore this awe-inspiring region and its wildlife on this unmissable experience.
Itinerary
2026 & 2027
Please note that this itinerary is written to provide a flavour of each voyage. The actual route will vary according to choice of vessel, the captain and expedition team in accordance with prevailing ice, weather and sea conditions and opportunities to see wildlife and wilderness scenery.
Day 1 – Juneau
Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, in the early afternoon and embark the ship in time for cocktails and an introduction of the vessel staff and crew.
Day 2 – Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords with waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take a cruise in a Zodiac for an unbeatable view among sculpted icebergs. Keep an eye out for harbour seals, harbour porpoises and arctic terns.
Days 3 & 4 – Chatham Strait
Spend two days exploring the wild gems of southeast Alaska, in the northern part of the Alexander Archipelago. With nature as your guide, you will cruise Chatham Strait in search of orca and humpback whales and experience wild Alaska up close on Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards and hikes.
A Forest Service Special Use Permit for Tongass National Forest enables guests to hike and kayak in these wild and remote areas of Southeast Alaska.
Day 5 – Prince Rupert
Wake up in Prince Rupert, a scenic harbour town on British Columbia’s rugged northwest coast. Get immersed in First Nations history at the Museum of Northern British Columbia, built in the style of a coastal longhouse. Breathe in the scent of cedar beams and peruse an impressive collection of ornate carvings, weavings, ceremonial objects and regalia. Visit the North Pacific Cannery Museum, a collection of cannery buildings located in pristine wilderness surroundings that highlight British Columbia’s economic, cultural and natural development over the last century.
Day 6 – Lowe Inlet
Seek out pods of killer whales and foraging bears as you sail north through the narrow Grenville Channel between Pitt Island and the mainland, a dramatic navigational experience. Not only does the channel narrow to less than a quarter of a mile across, but a slight bend in the passage makes the waterway seem to disappear into the hills ahead and behind the ship. Here, you'll explore the salmon run at Verney Falls in Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park by Zodiacs.
Days 7 to 10 – The Great Bear Rainforest
Over the course of the next four days, you will cruise far into the fjords and deep valleys that carve into the Coast Range looking for black and grizzly bears. You will cruise the eastern coast of Princess Royal Island in search of the elusive spirit bear. It is believed that between 10 to 20 percent of bears in this region are born with the recessive gene that causes the white fur; fewer than 400 are estimated to exist.
British Columbia has one of the highest proportions of protected land of any jurisdiction in the world. Almost 15 percent of the land is protected, with a wide range of provincial parks, national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alongside your veteran expedition team, go ashore and explore several remote locations where few people venture. Discover hidden gems by Zodiac and kayak, navigating the tidal narrows that lead to the backs of bays while scanning for bears along the rocky shoreline and meadows such as Gilttoyees Inlet.
Day 11 – Alert Bay & Johnstone Strait
Visit the Big House in the First Nations village of Alert Bay, Canada and gain insight from the Kwakwaka'wakw people who will share their art, music and regional knowledge. Sail through Johnstone Strait, a waterway cut through a magnificently wild and scenic area of mountains and islands. These ocean waters are also home to extraordinary marine mammals and bird watching.
Day 12 – The Sunshine Coast
Discover British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, a mecca for kayakers and small yachts. Anchor in calm, sheltered waters to kayak in isolated bays that beckon for exploration. On land, hike through meadows and forest ecosystems.
Day 13 – San Juan Islands
Discover the wild charm of the San Juan Islands, a captivating archipelago in northern Washington State. Paddle hidden coves by kayak, keeping an eye out for friendly harbour seals. Navigate dramatic shorelines aboard Zodiacs. Hike along rugged coastal trails where bald eagles soar overhead, while expert naturalists provide insight on the fascinating ecology and cultural history of this distinctive northwest wilderness.
Day 14 – Seattle
Enjoy breakfast onboard before disembarking in Seattle and transferring to the airport for flights home.
Dates
Juneau – Alaska, Great Bear Rainforest, San Juan Islands – Seattle
Comfortable expedition ship, 100 guests
From price per person in a Twin/Double Porthole cabin
Contact Us for all cabin prices & availability
Juneau – Alaska, Great Bear Rainforest, San Juan Islands – Seattle
Comfortable expedition ship, 100 guests
From price per person in a Twin/Double Porthole cabin
Contact Us for all cabin prices & availability
Included
- Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary?
- Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and other state-of-the-art gear
- Guidance and company of our leading expedition staff?
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible.
- Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
- 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
- Beer, wine, cocktails, liquors and spirits. We are also pleased to offer a selection of premium brands available for purchase.
- Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
- Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
- Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available?
- 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces?
- Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker with the latest gear to try out on loan
- Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Enhanced and Premium internet packages are available for purchase, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting).