call our experts
800-728-2875

business hours
M-F: 8-5 PST

north america: alaska

Island Spirit Cruise

If your idea of a great vacation includes spending quiet evenings anchored in peaceful coves, getting up-close and personal with the native wildlife, and sight-seeing and shopping throughout Southeast Alaska's most popular destinations, then the Alaska Island Spirit Cruise is the perfect Alaska cruise for you. Imagine enjoying humpback whales and marine mammals close enough to hear the "rush" of their breathing. Cruising the rugged shorelines and remote bays of Alaska's Panhandle. Bald eagles, cormorants, tufted puffins, loons, and Pacific sea birds right outside your cabin window. Feeling the need to get even closer to nature? You can enjoy one of the ship's kayaks to explore the "nooks and crannies" of the anchorage, or help pull in a crab trap to check for the catch of the day.

The Alaska Island Spirit Cruise is true to its name capturing the Alaskan spirit that permeates the islands, wilderness and settlements of Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. Cruise Alaska aboard the 32 passenger Motor Vessel Island Spirit exploring the Russian and Tlingit heritage of Sitka, the gold rush history of Alaska's capital on Juneau and the Norwegian fishing village of Petersburg. In addition this cruise visits the smaller, more authentic settlements such as Warm Springs Bay, Tenakee Sprints, Eflin Cove, Hoonah, and Pelican. Along the way watch for whales, bears, eagles and glaciers while exploring up close and away from the ship on beach walks, zodiac excursions and kayaking. Each evening anchor in a quite cove, with the engines off to experience true Alaskan solitude. While cruising Alaska aboard the Island Spirit expect delicious cuisine, excellent service and the hospitality of a small ship captain who also owns and operates the ship.

--Please scroll down to see video--

Day 1 - Arrive Sitka and Embark Island Spirit

Arrivals into Sitka, Alaska by 1:00pm will include a Sitka City Tour. The Sitka City Tour includes guided visits to the Alaska Raptor Center, Totem Park and the Sheldon Jackson Museum, with time for shopping. Later arrivals transfer to the Island Spirit for embarkation and a cocktail reception. The Alaska Island Spirit Cruise gets underway in the afternoon for a sunset cruise to the first evening anchorage. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sitka Sound, Mount Redoubt and Sergious Narrows as you cruise to Alaskan wilderness.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Whale Watching and Wilderness Explorations

The Island Spirit cruises in the rich waters or Chatham Straight and the ABC Islands. (Admiralty, Baranof, Chichagof). Passengers and crew scan the water for the trademark spout of humpback whales. This area is well known as a summer feeding ground for these gentle giants. Traverse the shores of of the ABC islands in search of bears and other wildlife. There may be time for a shore walk, zodiac excursion or kayaking the calm water of a secluded cove.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Tenakee Springs

Cruise North in Chatham Strait watching for whales along the way. Our destination today is the small community of Tenakee Springs population 97. This unique town is built entirely on wooden walkways straddling the thin line between mountains and ocean. Enjoy a stroll to the bakery and the local mercantile mingling with charismatic locals for an interesting Alaskan afternoon. Tonight's anchorage is the Captain's choice as there are numerous quite coves to choose from.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Hoonah

The Island Spirit continues North in Chatham Strait to visit the Native Alaskan village of Hoonah. Visit the ICy Strait Point Historic Salmon Cannery. Enjoy Tlingit cultural experience arranged for our education and entertainment. There is time for a forest walk or a thrilling zip line adventure. Hoonah is home to the world's longest zip line (available at an additional cost). This afternoon depart Hoonah, cruising East for Juneau, Alaska.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Juneau

Arrive early in the historical gold rush town of Juneau, Alaska. Enjoy time for shopping and exploration before lunch. Back on board the Island Spirit cruises south down Gastineau Channel toward Endicott Arm. Again traverse the shores of Admiralty Island in search of brown bears. Admiralty is known as Kootznoowoo or "fortress of the bears" in the native Tlingit language. Don't be surprised to view some icebergs as we near the entrance to Endicott Arm and our anchorage for the night.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Endicott Arm and Fords Terror

Endicott Arm is a dramatic glacially carved fjord with steep granite walls towering thousands of feet above the narrow channel. At its end is the dramatic Dawes glacier. Explore close to the glaciers face, among cobalt blue icebergs as big as the ship. If we are lucky we will witness a huge spire of ice crash from the glaciers face into the icy waters. Watch harbor seals as they haul out on the ice. If the tides are right we will explore a dramatic inlet known as Fords Terror.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Frederick Sound Whale Watching

Cruising south in Stephens Passage be on the lookout for Humpback Whales as they feed an play in the waters of Frederick Sound. If the seas allow we may have a chance to visit the oldest lighthouse in Southeast Alaska. Tonight anchor in Farragut Bay or Portage Bay and explore up close on a beach walk or tranquil paddle. Or just relax on deck enjoying the silence and solitude of true Alaskan wilderness.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Petersburg

This morning cruise into the Norwegian fishing community of Petersburg. Visit a local fish cannery (in season) and explore town with more time for shopping. Enjoy a traditional banquet dinner at the Sons of Norway hall, complete with local entertainment. Overnight aboard the Island Spirit.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Depart

Disembark the Island Spirit after breakfast and transfer to the airport for departure.

Accommodations: Island Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast

The Island Spirit Reverse Itinerary

Petersburg to Sitka:
Day 1 - Arrive Petersburg, embark Island Spirit
Day 2 - Whale watching and wilderness cruising
Day 3 - Endicott Arm and Fords Terror
Day 4 - Frederick Sound Whale Watching
Day 5 - Juneau
Day 6 - Hoonah
Day 7 - Tenakee, wilderness explorations
Day 8 - Sitka
Day 9 - Depart

15 day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Friday harbor
Day 2 - Nanaimo, British Columbia
Day 3 - Campbell River
Day 4 - Ford's Terror
Day 5-7 - Green Inlet & Lowe Inlet
Day 8 - British Columbia's Prince Rupert
Day 9 - Ketchikan
Day 10 - Petersberg
Day 11-12 - Dawes Glacier
Day 13-14 - transit various bays and inlets
Day 15 - Depart

Notes on Itinerary: This itinerary is only a sample. Included in every tour are visits to Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau and Sitka, as well as all included land tours. Anchorages may change due to weather and/or to find wildlife. Other Southeastern Alaskan towns we may visit include Elfin Cove, Hoonah, Kake, Pelican and Tenakee Springs.

Single/Family Travelers: There are two single cabins aboard the Island Spirit booked on a first come first serve basis. Children under the age of 16 cruise 2 for the price of 1 on dedicated family departures.

Land Cost Includes: Meet and greet services and transfers, all meals aboard, onboard professional naturalist or escort, all taxes, port charges and fees.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska, excess baggage charges, gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Arrival/Departure: The Alaska Island Spirit Cruise begins in Sitka (SIT) and ends in Petersburg (PSG) or reverse. Plan flights to arrive in the departure city no later than 12:00 noon on day 1. Plan flights to depart no earlier than 11:00am on day 9 if you wish to enjoy breakfast and the included transfer. Early departures on day 9 can be arranged by taxi. Many travelers consider arriving at the port of embarkation one day early. If you would like assistance with pre or post cruise hotels please contact our Alaska travel experts.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $1000 per traveler is due at the time of booking. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to Denali National Park and more.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

The video below features images taken from an actual 2009 cruise aboard the Island Spirit.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com