Prince William Sound Discovery

At 10:00 a.m. enjoy a private van transfer for a comfortable scenic ride along the Turnagain Arm, known for its tremendous tidal flats and frequent sightings of Beluga whales. Continue south through the Chugach mountains to rendezvous with the captain and crew in Whittier for a warm welcome aboard the Discovery. While the crew prepares for departure, relax in the Discovery’s cozy salon and enjoy specially prepared appetizers of smoked salmon or halibut spread with crackers, fresh baked breads, fruits, and a plentiful selection of fine beverages.

Leave Whittier in the early afternoon, enjoying lunch while traveling east and south to a hiking destination. Upon arrival, head out on inflatable Zodiacs to the shore for a short hike through lush rainforest vegetation and countless rivers and waterfalls. Return to the Discovery for an exquisite dinner waiting of local Copper River Red salmon, roasted rosemary potatoes, fresh vegetables and elegant desserts. Dinner wine selections and many other beverages are available. Meanwhile, the Discovery travels to an evening anchorage in one of the Sound’s many intimate and secluded coves.

The unhurried morning theme of a relaxed and casual, home-cooked breakfast awaits your flexible wake-up time. Discovery sails through Knight Island Passage and Dangerous Passage towards Icy Bay, with excellent opportunities to sight orca and humpback whales. The ship navigates Nassau Fjord to the terminus of Chenega Glacier, a 200-foot wall of ice that topples giant, blue chunks into the sea. Hundreds of harbor seals make Icy Bay their summer home. Take a hike above the glacier with opportunities to take photographs of the many small ice bergs that have washed ashore. After lunch, the Discovery exits this ice-laden fjord for Bainbridge Passage, with more whale watching. Enjoy a relaxing dinner while the Discovery travels along Knight Island, into the uncharted narrows of Long Channel for the evening’s anchorage.

Cruising northwest through more “sea pastures” fertile with whale watching opportunities the Discovery courses toward a noisy and raucous Steller sea lion haulout. After a short visit with the sea lions, travel turns west toward an impressive waterfall, with lunch served along the way. Those wanting to stretch their legs can take the short Zodiac ride ashore for a guided hike to the top of this 300-foot-high thundering waterfall. Walk through the world’s northern-most temperate rain forest, rich with ferns, mosses, and towering spruce, hemlock and cedar trees.

Later in the day travel the remote shores of Eaglek Bay to visit the oyster farm of David Sczawinski. Oyster lovers will enjoy one of the Sound’s most delicious sea products. Upon leaving Eaglek Bay the Discovery makes a brief stop near one of the many small islands, home to a colony of tufted puffins, thought by many visitors to be Alaska’s most photogenic seabird. Continuing westward through Wells Passage enjoy appetizers of expertly prepared fresh oysters and a dinner of macadamia nut halibut complemented by vegetables, fresh baked focaccia, dessert, dinner wines and other beverages. Set course northward to the fringes of College Fjord for the evening’s anchorage and midnight sunset views.

Awake to a casual breakfast and an exciting day of some of the world’s most spectacular scenery: corridors of breathtaking beauty, sprawling glaciers and a panoramic skyline of mountain grandeur. Harbor seals hauled out on the flotillas of icebergs watch closely as the Discovery navigates the icy, blue waters of Barry Arm. The enveloping mountains of this inlet stretch skyward to nearly 10,000 feet, with glacier after glacier descending the terraced mountain valleys. Alaska’s lush rainforest vegetation drapes the hillsides in green as streaming waterfalls fall from the rocky cliffs. Listen to the cracks, pops and thunderous roars of the Cascade, Barry and Coxe glaciers while the Discovery, dwarfed by blue and white walls, drifts silently by these actively calving rivers of ice.

For guests seeking a different perspective, the Discovery crew will launch the inflatable Zodiacs for a guided exploration of this magnificent area. Touch the impressive face of Coxe Glacier, watch the showy black oystercatchers strut across the rocky shorelines, sense the presence of the curious hoary marmots and drink in the bright pinks of fireweed and the intense blues of the alpine lupine. Anchor in the area for the evening.

Spend the morning exploring the wonders of Harriman Fjord and Surprise Glacier. Hike along the shore among beached icebergs stranded by the ebbing tide, or possibly an upland hike, offering broad spectacular views of the Chugach mountain range and glacier-valleys.

Then the Discovery will explore deeper into the ice filled fjord for a chance to kayak and up to the face of Harriman Glacier. On this journey, you’re entertained by families of playful sea otters foraging the shellfish-rich shallow waters of their favorite feeding ground. As a protected species, these otters exhibit little concern for human presence, instead offering great opportunities for photos and up-close observations. Nature offers few chances to see animals in the wild as adorable as these mothers with young pups. Enjoy a memorable final dinner on the Discovery while continuing toward the evening’s anchorage.

Awake today immersed in a wilderness sanctuary of unparalleled natural beauty. Take in the morning light on the deck of the Discovery while enjoying a hot cup of coffee or tea. These spellbinding sights and dramatic sounds leave you humbled and feeling insignificant amidst this powerful living landscape. Lunch will be served while taking in the final sights of Passage Canal prior to docking in the Whittier Harbor and taking your private van transfer to Anchorage. Arrive at your downtown Anchorage inn this evening

Transfer on your own to the airport for departures home, or you may choose to extend your stay in Alaska.

At 10:00 a.m. enjoy a private van transfer for a comfortable scenic ride along the Turnagain Arm, known for its tremendous tidal flats and frequent sightings of Beluga whales. Continue south through the Chugach mountains to rendezvous with the captain and crew in Whittier for a warm welcome aboard the Discovery. While the crew prepares for departure, relax in the Discovery’s cozy salon and enjoy specially prepared appetizers of smoked salmon or halibut spread with crackers, fresh baked breads, fruits, and a plentiful selection of fine beverages.

Leave Whittier in the early afternoon, enjoying lunch while traveling east and south to a hiking destination. Upon arrival, head out on inflatable Zodiacs to the shore for a short hike through lush rainforest vegetation and countless rivers and waterfalls. Return to the Discovery for an exquisite dinner waiting of local Copper River Red salmon, roasted rosemary potatoes, fresh vegetables and elegant desserts. Dinner wine selections and many other beverages are available. Meanwhile, the Discovery travels to an evening anchorage in one of the Sound’s many intimate and secluded coves.

Cruising northwest through more “sea pastures” fertile with whale watching opportunities the Discovery courses toward a noisy and raucous Steller sea lion haulout. After a short visit with the sea lions, travel turns west toward an impressive waterfall, with lunch served along the way. Those wanting to stretch their legs can take the short Zodiac ride ashore for a guided hike to the top of this 300-foot-high thundering waterfall. Walk through the world’s northern-most temperate rain forest, rich with ferns, mosses, and towering spruce, hemlock and cedar trees.

Later in the day travel the remote shores of Eaglek Bay to visit the oyster farm of David Sczawinski. Oyster lovers will enjoy one of the Sound’s most delicious sea products. Upon leaving Eaglek Bay the Discovery makes a brief stop near one of the many small islands, home to a colony of tufted puffins, thought by many visitors to be Alaska’s most photogenic seabird. Continuing westward through Wells Passage enjoy appetizers of expertly prepared fresh oysters and a dinner of macadamia nut halibut complemented by vegetables, fresh baked focaccia, dessert, dinner wines and other beverages. Set course northward to the fringes of College Fjord for the evening’s anchorage and midnight sunset views.

Spend time exploring the wonders of Harriman Fjord and Surprise Glacier. Hike along the shore among beached icebergs stranded by the ebbing tide, or possibly an upland hike, offering broad spectacular views of the Chugach mountain range and glacier-valleys.

Then the Discovery will explore deeper into the ice filled fjord for a chance to kayak and up to the face of Harriman Glacier. On this journey, you’re entertained by families of playful sea otters foraging the shellfish-rich shallow waters of their favorite feeding ground. As a protected species, these otters exhibit little concern for human presence, instead offering great opportunities for photos and up-close observations. Nature offers few chances to see animals in the wild as adorable as these mothers with young pups.

Lunch will be served while taking in the final sights of Passage Canal prior to docking in the Whittier Harbor and taking your private van transfer to Anchorage. Arrive at your downtown Anchorage inn this evening.

Transfer on your own to the airport for departures home, or you may choose to extend your stay in Alaska.