Whale Watching

Alaska is an incredible destination for whale watching! We'll cruise through the blue-green fjords, encountering haunting icebergs along the way. We'll observe fantastic marine mammals including Humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, and Dall’s porpoises. Bring your camera and binoculars—eagles, bears, moose, and Sitka deer are abundant in Alaska's stunning wilderness.

A close-up view of a whale surfacing from the ocean, showing its smooth, dark skin and dorsal fin breaking through the calm blue water.
A humpback whale breaching the surface of a calm ocean, with its large body partially out of the water. The background features snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.
A playful dolphin breaches the surface of calm blue water, splashing droplets around while displaying its sleek body and dorsal fin against the serene backdrop.
A large whale's tail emerges from calm ocean water, creating a splash. The black and white photograph captures the graceful curve of the tail against a serene background of still water and a hazy horizon.
A humpback whale's fluke rises dramatically from the water, surrounded by splashes of water, showcasing its barnacle-covered surface against a calm backdrop of rippling ocean.
The tail of a whale gracefully emerges from a calm sea, sending droplets of water cascading down. In the background, misty mountains and a small rocky island create a serene atmosphere.
Two orcas swimming in calm blue water, with sleek dorsal fins visible above the surface. In the background, a picturesque landscape features distant mountains and a clear blue sky.
A close-up of a humpback whale emerging from the water, its large head visible above the surface, with bubbles splashing around it. The whale's textured skin and barnacles are clearly visible against the calm water background.
Two humpback whales surfacing in a calm ocean, their large mouths open, creating splashes of water around them. The cloudy sky reflects softly on the water's surface, emphasizing the marine environment.
A humpback whale breaching the surface of a calm ocean, creating a splash of water. The whale is partially out of the water, displaying its massive size against a misty background of forested hills.
A close-up view of a whale's dorsal fin emerging from calm blue water, capturing the sleek body and unique patterns of its skin glistening in the sunlight.
A humpback whale breaching the surface of calm waters, splashing water around it. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a clear blue sky.
A humpback whale breaching the surface of calm blue water, with its large body partially out of the water. Background features distant snow-capped mountains under a clear sky.
Trip Duration
8 days
Guests
up to eight
Distance
400 nautical miles
Price
$65,500

Whale Watching

You'll enjoy an incredible whale watching experience while cruising in the astonishing blue-green waters of calm coves and bays and among haunting icebergs adrift in mystical fjords. You'll observe the unique wildlife and breathtaking wilderness of Southeast Alaska, home to eagles, black and brown bears, Humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoises, and harbor seals.

The rugged Alaska coast offers limitless opportunities for uncrowded, pristine adventure. The Glacier Bear is an outstanding platform to launch this adventure and a comfortably warm place to relax after long days on the water. The crew will pamper you while the captain maneuvers Glacier Bear to place you in perfect wildlife viewing locations.

Join us on an eight-day whale watching charter. 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 detailed map showing various routes and locations in a coastal region, with colored lines representing different trails and activities, including walking and boating options marked with icons, along with nearby place names.
Around Admiralty

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

View Map
A colorful map displaying various routes and trails in a coastal region, including paths for hiking, biking, and water activities. Key landmarks and terrain features are marked. The map covers multiple islands and waterways.

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 detailed map of a coastal area featuring various colored route paths, landmarks, and icons indicating points of interest like hiking trails, boat launches, and recreational areas in the vicinity of Baranof Island.

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.

    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 brown bear walking along a sandy shore beside a calm lake, accompanied by a smaller cub. Lush green trees rise in the background, reflecting softly on the water's surface.

    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 pieces of grilled salmon fillets garnished with creamy sauce and fresh herbs, served over a bed of sautéed spinach on a white plate. A slice of lemon is visible 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 calm ocean water, creating splashes. The backdrop features distant mountains 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 cascading waterfalls flowing down a rocky cliff into a turquoise body of water, surrounded by lush green trees and rugged mountains 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 floating ice in a calm body of water. The seals are various colors, including gray and brown, surrounded by patches of melting ice. The tranquil scene reflects a serene natural environment.

    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 marina filled with various boats, including a sailboat named "Lincoln," surrounded by lush greenery and mountains. Snow-capped peaks rise in the background under a cloudy sky, creating a serene coastal scene.

    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.