Alaska's Inside Passage | Micro Cruising

Delve deep into Alaska's Inside Passage

The Swell in Alaska

Sea Otter relaxes | Simon Ager

Calving glacier in Alaska | Phillip Stone

Hiking in Alaska's Inside Passage | Tavish Campbell

A group of brown bears fishing for salmon | Simon Ager

A Harbor seal basking in the sun

The Swell in Alaska

Humpback whales enjoy the spoils of Alaska's nutrient rich waters

The Swell in Alaska

Sea Otter relaxes | Simon Ager

Calving glacier in Alaska | Phillip Stone

Hiking in Alaska's Inside Passage | Tavish Campbell

A group of brown bears fishing for salmon | Simon Ager

A Harbor seal basking in the sun

The Swell in Alaska

Humpback whales enjoy the spoils of Alaska's nutrient rich waters

NEW

12 Days$11600USD

View Inclusions

Activities

Wilderness cruising, hiking & optional kayaking

Accommodation

1 night hotel
10 night aboard Swell

Meals

11 Dinners
10 Lunches
11 Breakfasts

Trip highlights

Experience Alaska from the decks of a ship that has traversed its natural wonder for more than a century.
Journey through sheer-sided glacial fjords, reaching the foot of tidal glaciers. Witness spectacular calving events.
Cruise into Fredrick Sound, a renowned feeding ground for whales. Look out for breaching humpbacks or the playful splash of an orca calf.
Enjoy special access to remote and protected areas like Salmon Creek & Pack Creek, where brown bears gather to feed.
Optional Kayaking included in the voyage cost

On our Alaska small ship cruises, we explore natural wonders aboard a classic, wooden tugboat designed for the ultimate in guest comfort. Expeditions provide an opportunity to personally connect with the natural and cultural history of Alaska’s rugged Southeast, each day becoming more in tune with the rhythm of the coast. The area is home to wildlife-filled fjords and incredible wilderness scenery, undertake guided walks and zodiac cruise through some of the most remote regions on the planet. Travel with just a few guests, guided by the expert crew, naturalist, and guides.

Day 1
Join in Sitka, overnight hotel

Meet in the lobby of your hotel, for a historic walking tour of Sitka. This Alaskan town is richly layered in history: Tlingit, Russian and American. It’s also a real Alaskan fishing town, evidenced by the marinas and the character of local eateries. Visit to raptor centre and welcome dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Meals: D

Day 2
Sitka, afternoon embark ship

Free time to explore Sitka in the morning and then board Swell after lunch. Weather permitting, explore by zodiac at St. Lazaria, an offshore island with thousands of seabirds. Cruising Kruzof Island and Salisbury Sound watching for sea otters.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Kruzof Island

Hike and wildlife on Kruzof Island, introduction to the rainforest and other ecotypes: lake, bog, west coast beach. Cruising Peril Strait.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Baranof Island

Morning rainforest trail to scenic lake. Wildlife viewing (bears, otters) along the way. Cruising the waterfall coast of Baranof Island. Marine mammal viewing. Warm Springs Bay halmet, bog walk, and natural hot springs.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Frederick Sound

Cruising Frederick Sound, watching for whales. Visit sea lion haul out, small island anchorage beach walk. Anchorage Admiralty Island.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Pack Creek, Admiralty Island

Guided brown bear viewing and rainforest walk up salmon creek at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, with special access for Swell guests.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Admirality Island

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Stephen’s Passage and Frederick Sound

Stephen’s Passage and Frederick Sound whales. Waterfall + rainforest hike. Glacier anchorage.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
Wrangell Narrows

Petersburg visit. Scenic Wrangell Narrows cruise, with a view of Alaskan water-based lifestyle. Cruising south.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 10
Misty Fjords National Monument

Today we enter Misty Fjords National Monument, searching thousand-metre granite cliffs for seabirds, eagles and mountain goats. Kayak through Walker Cover or Rudyerd Bay, soaking in the 'Yosemite of the North'.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Tongass Narrows community visit at Meyers Chuck

Morning visit to off-the-grid community of Meyer’s Chuck. Cruising Tongass Narrows to Ketchikan.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 12
Disembark in Ketchikan, where trip concludes

After breakfast we disembark the ship in Ketchikan and are transferred to the airport

Meals: B

Expand all | Collapse all

Day 1
Today we will fly from Seattle to Ketchikan

Today you make your own way to Seattle airport for the flight to Ketchikan. On arrival we will transfer to the dock to embark the Wilderness Adventurer in the late afternoon. The staff will warmly greet us as we settle in and enjoy our first dinner onboard.

Meals: D

Day 2
Misty Fjords National Monument

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3-5
Tongass National Forest & Sitka

The next few days see us enjoying the pristine Tongass National Forest, we explore Chatham Strait’s Kuiu and Barnof Islands, where perhaps we may snorkel for underwater life. We may visit Kasaan, a traditional Haida village, and enjoy marine life and easy treks in Behm Canal.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6-7
Wrangel Narrows

Enter a wonderland carved by mighty glaciers, ridged by moraines and decorated by muskegs (Arctic bogs rich in Arctic life). We watch for orcas in the Wrangell Narrows and the next day, visit Wrangell, home to the Tlingit and Haida people. We enjoy the town’s many totem poles and cultural presentations at historic Chief Shakes Tribal House.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Thomas Bay & Patterson Glacier

At Thomas Bay, trek through scenic rainforest or paddle the surreal blue meltwaters of Patterson Glacier, and learn of the area’s mythical, shape-shifting creatures called Kushtaka.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9-10
Tracey Arm Wilderness & Frederick Sound

We awake to find ourselves heading through Tracy Arm Wilderness to Sawyer Glaciers, where huge calving icebergs are found. The days are spent keeping our eyes open for bears, wolves, deer, Arctic terns and red breasted merlangers. We contnue on to Frederick Sound, alive with humpbacks, orca and Steller sea lions. In Endicott Arm, ice-laden granite peaks, calving ice from the Dawes Glacier and seals on bergy bits feature, and if tides allow, we explore narrow Ford’s Terror.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Disembark in Juneau

We disembark the ship this morning in Juneau and transfer to our hotel for overnight accommodation. The afternoon is free to explore the town

Meals: B

Day 12
Fly Juneau to Seattle trip concludes

Today you will be transferred from the hotel to Juneau airport for the flight to Seattle. On arrival at Seattle airport our trip concludes

Meals: Nil

Inclusions

What's included

8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
1 nights twin share accommodation in Sitka
Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of craft beer
Transfers to and from the hotel/airport to the ship in Sitka/Ketchikan
Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
Specialist expedition staff
All shore excursions from the ship including the use of Zodiacs
Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (for guests with a recreational fishing license)
Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities
Pre-departure information

What's not included

International or domestic flights to the start and end point
Passport, visa and vaccination charges, reciprocity fees and or airport departure taxes
Accommodation and meals or other services not included in the ship cruise itinerary
Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges, wine and phone calls.
Emergency evacuation charges
Travel Insurance
Customary end of voyage tips
Sustainability Fee (Mandatory)
Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.

What to Know Before You Join Us

Our voyages are designed for curious travellers — not just passengers. While our itineraries offer a range of activities, from gentle Zodiac cruises to more challenging hikes and paddles, it’s important to understand the nature of this experience before you join us. These expeditions are suitable for most travellers with an adventurous spirit, good health, and the ability to move confidently around a vessel — especially in variable weather and sea conditions. Some shore landings and excursions may involve uneven terrain, wet landings, or light scrambling. Boarding Zodiacs and navigating the boat may require balance and agility, though our experienced team is always on hand to assist. Each trip may include a variety of optional activities, most of which require no prior experience. Of course, all activities are optional — you’re always welcome to stay aboard and enjoy the ship at your own pace. Not sure if this trip is right for you?

Get in touch with our team — we’re here to help you choose the experience that best suits your interests, comfort, and curiosity.

Vessel

Swell

The gorgeous Swell is spacious with amenities offered by no other ship on the coast in her class. Her $4 million refit transformed her from a powerhouse working tugboat to a comfortable passenger vessel. The renovations kept the warm character of her classic wooden construction, and each cabin is panelled with natural wood. The Swell is an authentic, coastal tugboat. She’s the real deal. Her small size and ruggedness, combined with our special access permits and incredibly knowledgeable and well-connected crew, give you an unparalleled experience.

Cabins

Swell

Category 3 cabins

Cedar and Douglas Fir, feature outside doors with opening portholes, large private 3-piece ensuite heads, natural light, and small boat queen-sized beds. Cedar has walls on three sides of the bed, while Douglas Fir has walls on two sides. Both cabins offer storage options and occupy 120 sq. ft.

Swell

Category 2 Cabins (Option 1)

Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock are located on the top deck. These cabins offer 80 square feet of space and feature a double bed with an angled foot. Cabins feature an outside door with opening portholes and a private ensuite. Cabins provide under bed storage designed to maximize comfort and convenience.

Swell

Category 2 Cabins (Option 2)

Arbutus is located on the main deck. This cabin offers 80 square feet of space and features two large up and down bunks. It includes a small desk and an en-suite bathroom. Storage options include a tall cupboard with shelves, a small under-sink cupboard, and storage space under the bed, a practical and comfortable option for guests.

Swell

Category 1 Cabins

Red Alder features an outside door with opening portholes and a private ensuite head with a separate washbasin area. The cabin also receives natural light through a skylight and sleeps two on up and down small, extra-long single beds (79.5? x 30?). Storage options include a tall cupboard with shelves, a small under-sink cupboard, and storage space under the bed. Red Alder occupies 57 sq. ft.

Departure dates

Notes

Optional hiking and kayaking is included in the voyage cost.

Mandatory Sustainable travel fee is payable and is NOT included in the cabin cost

Dates don't fit?
Create a Private Trip

If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$11600USD

Options & Supplements*

Sustainability Fee (Mandatory)USD$150
Category 2 cabin upgradeUSD$1080
Category 3 cabin upgradeUSD$2400

*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Alaska 's Inside Passage: Sitka to Ketchikan trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.