5 Night cruise departing roundtrip from Sitka onboard Misty Fjord.

Early spring in Sitka is one of Southeast Alaska’s best kept secrets. Many locals prefer this season over any other time of year, with its crisp mornings, lengthening daylight hours, flora and fauna springing to life, and frenzy of wildlife activity. Experience it all by joining our newest excursion aboard the M/V Misty Fjord. The intimate setting of our 10-passenger vessel will allow you to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife quest. As with all Misty Fjord itineraries, routes are not strictly defined. A knowledgeable local captain and on-board naturalist will choose the best activities based on each day’s unique circumstances and guest interests. The versatility of this small boat creates a photographer’s dream trip, allowing all aboard to view abundant wildlife as it emerges with the changing of the seasons amid the remarkable beauty of Southeast Alaska.

Itinerary Overview:
On the Alaska’s Spring Wilderness and Wildlife Safari, you’ll skirt miles of rugged coastline, taking in dramatic mountain views, pristine old growth forest, and the bountiful wildlife that rely on herring as a keystone species. The shallow draft of the Misty Fjordallows passengers an up-close view of stunning estuaries and bays that become spawning grounds for herring. While the specific timing of the herring spawn changes from year to year, guests are guaranteed an exclusive and personalized journey in and around the channels and bays of the Sitka Sound area.

During the days, you may find yourself immersed in whale and other wildlife viewing or on kayak, paddleboard, and hiking excursions. In the evenings, you’ll enjoy exquisite meals featuring fresh Alaska cuisine while anchored in secluded coves. After a decadent dessert, step onto the upper deck to enjoy the sunset, alpenglow, and stars while listening for the faint sounds of nearby humpback whales and the rustle of eagles settling into their nests. Upon setting sail, you’ll immediately be immersed in the unparalleled natural beauty of Sitka Sound. This itinerary truly has something for everyone: jaw-dropping photography opportunities, birding and wildlife viewing, kayak ventures, and even the possibility of witnessing the spirited and competitive commercial herring fishery.

Highlights of the Expedition may include:

Dazzling humpback whale viewing; these gentle giants are famous for their powerful and sometimes synchronized foraging behaviors of breaching, lunging, and bubble net feeding

Bays and inlets teeming with herring along with a great variety of additional wildlife including sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoises, Sitka black tailed deer, brown bears, bald eagles, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and more

An up-close visit to the St. Lazaria Wildlife Refuge, an offshore volcanic island that is home to a variety of seabird species

A chance to step ashore on remote beaches dwarfed by the towering canopies of Sitka spruce, yellow cedar, and western hemlock stands

Hiking adventures on one or more of the many beautiful trails near Sitka. These trails include maintained paths or boardwalks through rainforest habitats that feature tidelands, waterfalls, muskegs, and old growth forests

A visit to the rustic mineral pools at Goddard Hot Springs, where visitors can soak in healing tubs while taking in views of the meadows, tidelands, and islands scattered about Sitka Sound

Embarkation/Disembarkation in Sitka:
The Alaska’s Spring Wilderness and Wildlife Safari sails round-trip from beautiful “Sitka by the Sea,” the only Southeast Alaska community facing the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska. When you arrive, our hospitality team will greet you at the airport. Even before stepping foot on the Misty Fjord, you’ll be charmed by our uniquely Alaskan hometown and its rich Tlingit culture, natural beauty, friendly locals, and Russian history. Nestled between the mountains and shoreline of rugged Baranof Island, Sitka boasts incredible amenities and attractions for a small island town. Guests will have an opportunity to view birds of prey like bald eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons at the Alaska Raptor Center, and get up close with many marine species at the Sitka Sound Science Center, a working salmon hatchery and aquarium.

The 5-night expedition comes to a close back in our home port of Sitka. Before departing, you will have another chance to enjoy more local amenities including galleries, museums, a local brewery, an award-winning independent bookstore, boutique shopping, an extensive trail system, yoga studios, and restaurants featuring local seafood and ocean views.