Paddleboard

The rugged Alaska coast offers limitless opportunities for uncrowded, pristine paddling adventure. For adventurers seeking an unforgettable journey to some of nature's most incredible landscapes, a paddling expedition along Alaska's coast is overwhelmingly recommended. This form of paddling involves standing on your board with a long, single paddle. Known for its breathtaking glaciers and icebergs, this epic adventure offers wildlife viewing up close and paddling in mystical fjords.

A person in a blue and gray wetsuit performs a handstand on a stand-up paddleboard in icy waters, surrounded by floating ice fragments and a backdrop of a glacier.
Two individuals paddleboarding on a serene river surrounded by tall trees and rocky shores. The overcast sky reflects off the calm water, creating a peaceful outdoor scene.
A cascading waterfall flowing into a serene green lake, surrounded by lush trees. Two kayakers paddle in the calm water beneath the falls, creating a tranquil scene in a pristine natural setting.
A woman in an orange life jacket paddling on a stand-up paddleboard in turquoise waters, with a backdrop of a glacier and rocky terrain in bright sunlight.
Two people paddleboarding on calm waters surrounded by floating icebergs and rocky cliffs. One is standing while paddling, and the other is kneeling on the board, dressed in wet suits, against a backdrop of a glacial landscape.
Two kayakers in bright orange jackets paddling among floating icebergs in a serene body of water. In the background, a green expedition ship is anchored near rocky cliffs covered in lush greenery.
A serene lake surrounded by dense green forests and steep cliffs, with several paddleboarders gliding across the calm water. Overcast skies create a tranquil atmosphere.
A person wearing a red jacket and a yellow backpack kneels on a paddleboard, holding a paddle. The water is calm and reflects the blue sky, creating a serene atmosphere.
A group of six people on paddleboards in a glacial bay, surrounded by ice chunks and stunning icy mountains in the background. Everyone is wearing life jackets and using paddles, enjoying a sunny day on calm waters.
A person stands on a paddleboard in calm, clear waters, paddling near a floating piece of ice. The individual wears a black hat, blue jacket, and gray pants, with a scenic backdrop reflecting soft light on the water's surface.
Trip Duration
8 days
Guests
up to eight
Distance
400 nautical miles
Price
$65,500

Paddleboard

Alaska and inflatable paddleboards are the perfect union of a fantastic wilderness destination with great adventure gear. Inflatable paddleboards are versatile enough to handle an eight-day paddling quest in Alaska. Whether you're a SUP fanatic or an intrigued adventurer, we're ready to treat you to a challenge. Let's band together and sing our praises to Alaska and inflatable paddleboards!

You'll have endless opportunities for uncrowded, pristine paddling. Each day features unmatched opportunities in the astonishing blue-green waters of calm coves and bays or among haunting icebergs adrift in mystical fjords. And the beautifully rugged Alaska coast creates an incomparable stage for hiking and photography excursions. Along our route of travel, we'll see a quaint fishing village and observe Alaska's magnificent wildlife—such as bears, eagles, and humpback whales.

Alaska’s natural beauty makes it a destination of extraordinary travel opportunities. Experience the best of Alaska aboard the Glacier Bear—including ancient rainforests, rugged mountains, tranquil harbors, and majestic fjords. A carefully crafted Alaska adventure awaits.

Trip route

Plan to arrive in Juneau or Sitka at least one day before your trip departure. We offer three trip routes. They are each fantastic, but differ slightly. Click one (or all) of the images below to view a custom Google trip map with a day-to-day schedule for each leg of travel.

A map of Southeast Alaska showing various routes and points of interest, marked with icons representing biking, hiking, and boating activities. The map highlights different colors for distinct trails and locations.
Around Admiralty

Explore the beauty of Alaska on this eight-day adventure. We will travel around Admiralty Island, with amazing locations along our route of travel. You'll see glaciers, wildlife, and more.

View Map
A colorful map featuring several recreational routes in a coastal region, with distinct trails marked for hiking, boating, and other activities. The map shows locations like St. Terese and Angoon, along with various symbols for facilities and points of interest.

Juneau to Sitka

On our eight-day adventure from Juneau to Sitka, you'll experience the best Alaskan fishing, wildlife viewing, and scenery. It's an unforgettable voyage you'll cherish.

View Map
A colorful map displaying various routes and recreational areas in a coastal region, including icons for hiking, camping, boating, and fishing near islands and a national forest.

Sitka to Juneau

On this eight-day voyage from Sitka to Juneau, you'll view glaciers, icebergs, whales, and eagles—while enjoying the comfort of our spacious yacht Glacier Bear.

View Map

What's included with your charter?

Each multi-day charter includes:

  • The Glacier Bear, our 95' yacht.
  • Operating costs of the Glacier Bear during your charter, including fuel, fees, and permits.
  • The For Reel (our 28' fishing tender), lets up to four people fish at a time and enables small groups to explore in locations that Glacier Bear can't reach.
  • Our 16' Lund skiff allows guests to set crab pots and shrimp pots. It also provides a convenient way for us to ferry guests ashore for hiking and sightseeing excursions.
  • An experienced crew, including Alaska-licensed captain, engineer, gourmet chef, and fishing guide.
  • Each trip also includes your choice of kayaks or paddleboards for active paddling adventures.
  • Chef-prepared meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), beverages, snacks, and appetizers.
  • Your catch of the day, superbly prepared by our chef.
  • A reasonable quantity of beer and wine.
  • Fishing tackle for guests who have purchased an Alaska fishing license.
  • Processing and freezing of fish you've caught for the flight back home.
  • A hot tub!
Trip deposit

We require a deposit of 50% of the total trip cost at time of booking. The full balance is due 90 days prior to the trip departure.

    Trip cancellation

    Please be sure to buy trip insurance when you book your charter. A good option is www.insuremytrip.com. Our trips are planned several months before departure. With the limited operating season in Alaska, we must strictly adhere to the following cancellation/refund policy:

    • Cancellation 151 days (or more) before departure. You will receive a refund of 70% of the deposit. Your loss is equivalent to 15% of the charter cost.
    • Cancellation 91-150 days before departure. You will receive a refund of 50% of the deposit. Your loss is equivalent to 25% of the charter cost.
    • Cancellation 31-89 days before departure. Forfeiture of the entire deposit. Your loss is equivalent to 50% of the charter cost.
    • Cancellation 1-30 days before departure. Forfeiture of the entire cost of the charter.
    Crew gratuity

    What is an appropriate crew gratuity? We advise clients to plan for a 15 to 20 percent gratuity (given to the Captain and shared with the crew) for any Alaska charter. This is of course at the clients' discretion. If they don’t feel the crew has earned the high end of the range, then they are justified in leaving less. On the flip side, we have had clients leave a 25 percent gratuity. The service was that good.

    It’s important to note that the industry standard 15–20% gratuity applies whether it’s an owner-operated boat, or a large charter boat company with a hired crew. For some reason, people occasionally don’t realize that they need to leave a gratuity for the crew of an owner-operator boat. They mistakenly feel the crew is making enough money on the charter. But in reality, the owner-operators (and crew) are probably making less. There are far more expenses (per charter) for small owner-operators than there are for large charter boat companies.

    An overhead view of a paddleboard featuring a sleek design with a light gray top, a wood-textured surface, and blue accents. Bungee cords for storage are visible near the nose, along with a central handle and logo.

    Relax and Observe

    On your voyage we'll see charming fishing villages and the breathtaking scenery of the Inside Passage. Our crew has the experience and training to provide you with a safe, enjoyable wilderness adventure. They will pamper you while the captain maneuvers the Glacier Bear to tantalizing places that cruise ships can't reach.

    A mother bear walking along the shoreline with her cub beside her. The calm water reflects the surrounding trees and greenery, creating a serene natural habitat scene.

    Brown Bears

    Alaska brown bears are an iconic wildlife species. These animals have adapted to live in the rugged terrain of Alaska's northwestern interior and coastlines.

    Two perfectly grilled salmon fillets topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with fresh herbs, resting on a bed of vibrant sautéed spinach, all served on a white plate with a lemon wedge in the background.

    Cuisine

    We offer an unforgettable culinary experience, with gourmet meals unlike anything else—whether organic food or fresh Alaskan seafood.

    A humpback whale breaching the surface of a calm blue sea, showcasing its large body and distinctive white underbelly, with mountains visible in the background under a clear sky.

    Whales

    One of Alaska's most spectacular and sought-after experiences is whale watching! You'll have a great opportunity to observe humpback whales.

    A scenic view of multiple waterfalls cascading down a rugged, rocky cliff into turquoise waters below. The lush greenery surrounding the cliffs contrasts with the gray rocks, under a cloudy sky.

    Fjords

    Fjords are breathtaking reminders of Earth's icy past. They are captivating marvels of Mother Nature, carved by mighty glaciers during the last Ice Age.

    Three seals resting on an ice floe surrounded by water, with one seal lying flat, another sitting upright, and a third partially submerged. The scene features floating ice chunks and a calm, reflective surface.

    Endicott Arm

    Endicott Arm is a narrow 27-mile-long inlet with Dawes Glacier at its head. Endicott Arm's crystal-clear waters are teeming with icebergs and wildlife.

    A bustling marina filled with various boats, including sailboats and fishing vessels. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a cloudy sky, while reflections of the boats shimmer on the calm water.

    Harbors

    Alaska harbors are places of stunning beauty that serve a valuable working purpose. The harbor facilities offer safe havens for a variety of watercraft.

    Testimonials

    A person standing on a stand-up paddleboard in calm waters, surrounded by icebergs and rocky cliffs. The individual wears a life jacket and a knitted hat, looking thoughtfully at the scenery.
    "Absolutely in awe of this entire experience. I had some expectations, and all were exceeded. I learned much, saw more than I imagined, and never ate this well. As fun-packed as it was, it was just as relaxing. Five-stars all around. I would do this all over again in a heartbeat. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Amazing trip!"

    Jackie Bowen
    Calgary, Alberta

    Paddleboard
    © John Schnell Photography. Alaska Wilderness Charters—SVG icon.
    A woman standing on a boat, smiling energetically while holding a large crab trap above her head. The background features lush green hills and calm waters, creating a scenic outdoor setting.
    "Thank you so much for this beautiful experience. It will be hard to beat, for sure. Neil… you're a great captain. Excellent skills in getting up close to everything. Al… thanks for keeping us warm with fresh towels and a hot tub. Michelle, you are an excellent teacher and amazing person. Thank you so much. Katie. Your talents as a chef, I have no words. You will make an incredible nurse practitioner. Adriane… thanks for making us laugh and look great in the photos!"

    Cari Buckmaster
    Lexington, Michigan

    Paddleboard
    © John Schnell Photography. Alaska Wilderness Charters—SVG icon.
    A woman wearing a blue life jacket and sunglasses sits on a paddleboard amidst floating ice in a calm, turquoise lake. She holds a paddle with both hands, smiling in a sunny day.
    "The Women's Paddleboard Retreat was the perfect combination of a relaxing cruise, wildlife and sightseeing, delicious local foods, wine tasting, impromptu dancing, and a hot tub. The captain and crew were exceptional. I felt safe, well-cared for, and prepared with the valuable skills shared by Michelle. The trip was more than I expected, and I highly recommend it. Thank you, Neil, Michelle, Katie, Ayesha, Al, and John, for everything you did to make this trip so memorable."

    Deborah Reid
    Juneau, Alaska

    Paddleboard
    © John Schnell Photography. Alaska Wilderness Charters—SVG icon.
    A smiling woman wearing a black wetsuit and a brown cap with a logo stands beside a boat in a marina. The background features the white hull of the boat and hints of water, suggesting an outdoor aquatic activity.
    "To Neil and crew, I can't thank you enough for sharing some of your favorite places with us. Last August I started looking for a trip that would offer me a unique experience of a lifetime, and you and your team have most definitely fulfilled that for me. Everything about this holiday holds treasured memories—until we meet again."

    Marie di Mambro
    England

    Paddleboard
    © John Schnell Photography. Alaska Wilderness Charters—SVG icon.
    Two women smiling together on a boat with a waterfall and lush green forest in the background. They are wearing casual attire, with one in a dark sweater and the other in a bright purple fleece. The water is calm and reflects the scenery.
    "Thank you, Captain Neil and crew, for a fabulous eight-day sail around the Inside Passage. So many breathtaking views of the landscape and wildlife along the route. Living aboard the Glacier Bear and having paddle experiences in areas most visitors cannot access was extraordinary. The trip was indeed an adventure of a lifetime! Our heartfelt thank you for all of your generosity. All the best until we sail again!"

    Amy and Brittney
    Lake Forest, Illinois

    Paddleboard
    © John Schnell Photography. Alaska Wilderness Charters—SVG icon.