Wet Bear walking through the river with a fish in its mouth surrounded by green lush landscape, on a bright sunny day.

Man photographing the green mossy ocean while his friend kneals next to him in front of lush green forest

Bald Eagle flying over the bright teal water with its taons up the Eagle prepare to grab its prey.

A family of four explores in yellow kayaks and red life vests in Alaska, USA

Group of travelers gather at the back of the boat to enjoy the sunset off the top deck and snap some pictures

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Exploring Southeast Alaska’s ABC Islands

Photo by: Carlos J. Navarro

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North America Alaska Cruise

Exploring Southeast Alaska’s ABC Islands

Embark on an 8-day active exploration of the crown jewels of Alaska’s Inside Passage—the ABC Islands, aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Lion. Discover what makes this area so special as you circumnavigate Admiralty Island in waters teeming with wildlife, and hike and kayak on Baranof and Chichagof Islands. With insights from expert naturalists, witness the full spectrum of biodiversity that thrives in this natural wonderland—from plants and mushrooms to bears and whales, and even the vibrant undersea landscape. This recipe for adventure makes this itinerary a prime selection for our Alaska family cruises.

Along this journey, explore the rugged coastline of Chichagof Island by kayak or paddleboard. Hike through the remote trails of Tongass National Forest. Cruise through the majestic Tracy Arm Fjord, marveling at towering glaciers and calving icebergs. Venture into Frederick Sound or Chatham Strait to witness the breathtaking spectacle of breaching humpbacks and pods of orcas. Discover a world of marine life along the rocky shorelines, including sea stars, sea cucumbers, anemones and more. Spot puffins nesting on cliff walls and listen to the haunting calls of bald eagles soaring high above.

Read on for details about this Alaska ABC Islands cruise, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Alaska trips, Alaska small ship cruises, Alaska Inside Passage cruises and Glacier Bay cruises.

Itinerary

Exploring SouthEast Alaska's ABC Islands Itinerary

On this 8-day cruise explore the crown jewels of Alaska’s Inside Passage—the ABC Islands. Witness the breathtaking beauty of Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof Islands as you kayak, paddleboard and hike through their rugged landscapes.

Day 1

Embark Juneau, Alaska

Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, in the early afternoon, and embark in time for cocktails and an introduction to the vessel, staff, and crew.

Accommodations

National Geographic Sea Lion

Meals

dinner

Day 2

Icy Strait and the Inian Islands

Spend the day searching for wildlife in nutrient-rich waters where the Pacific Ocean meets the Inside Passage. Options include a Zodiac cruise among the Inian Islands, home to a sizeable population of Steller sea lions; kayaking in the protected coves of Chichagof Island; or hiking in a lush temperate rainforest where bald eagles dot the canopies.

Accommodations

National Geographic Sea Lion

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 3 -7

Exploring Alaska’s ABC Islands and Surrounding Areas

For the next 5 days, explore these wild gems of southeast Alaska, located in the northern part of the Alexander Archipelago. This area is a staff favorite for its exceptional wildlife and opportunities for active exploration. With nature as your guide, you will experience wild Alaska up close on Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, and hikes, including an option for an all-day bushwack adventure.

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.

Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait (Admiralty Island)
The dense forest and snow-capped peaks of Admiralty Island provide a scenic backdrop for exploring its productive surrounding waters. These are prime areas for spotting both orca and humpback whales. With luck, guests may observe their fascinating behavior—breaching, tail-slapping, and variations on feeding—while standing on deck and listening to the play-by-play from expert naturalists.

Baranof Island
The smallest of the ABC islands, Baranof Island is home to the archipelago’s highest peak, as well as a diverse ecosystem. Meander through the old- growth temperate rainforest, following a stream studded with sockeye salmon making their journey upstream to spawn. The salmon nourish a variety of land and ocean animals including bears, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, and more. Your naturalists will provide a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the Alaskan temperate rainforest, from its edible and poisonous plants to the fascinating mating habits of the banana slug.

Chichagof Island
Chichagof Island is one of the largest islands in the U.S. and harbors one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world. The lush foliage offers excellent opportunities for naturalist-led hikes and photo walks. With the help of your certified photo instructor, practice your macrophotography skills on the variety of mushrooms rising from the mycelium that carpets the forest floor. Stroll the shorelines to witness a kaleidoscope of colorful intertidal life, while keeping an eye peeled for bubble-netting humpbacks feeding in the surrounding waters.

Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
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 Zodiac cruise for an unparalleled view among sculpted icebergs. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and Arctic terns.

Accommodations

National Geographic Sea Lion

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8

Disembark Juneau, Alaska

After breakfast, disembark in Juneau and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Details

Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Accommodations aboard ship; all meals as indicated; beer, wine & full bar; excursions; services of expedition leader, naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; park and entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes; basic WiFi (enhanced and premium packages available for purchase). Gratuities for all departures of National Geographic Explorer, Orion, Endurance, Resolution, Sea Cloud, Jahan and Lord of the Glens.

Exclusions

Immigration fees; air transportation; extensions; meals not indicated; reserve wines & premium spirits; gratuities for all departures of Delfin II, Endeavour II, Islander II, Venture, Quest, Sea Bird and Sea Lion; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD, etc.; and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special payment terms apply for groups of 8 or more; inquire for details. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
120 or more days – 100% of deposit**
119 to 90 days – 50% of total trip cost
89 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
**Advance payments will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation, and which may only be applied towards final payment on any future booking.

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Exploring Southeast Alaska’s ABC Islands cruise begins and ends in Juneau, Alaska (JNU). Plan flights to arrive to Juneau by 2:00pm to embark by 4:00pm Day 1 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Juneau no earlier than 1:00pm on Day 8.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most any expedition to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include whale watching, snorkeling, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, inflatable boat/skiff excursions, morning yoga and stretching, land treks, glacier viewing, wildlife observation and practicing photography.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Travelers under the age of 18 at time of travel save $500, at double occupancy. Skilled staff members are trained in organizing activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts, Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Rates & Dates