"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I've recommended Sea Quest's southeast Alaska kayak tours to everyone. I was very impressed with how well organized the trip was. I learned a lot and had a great time doing it. Both guides were loads of fun - which made the trip! They made it look effortless but I know they were always working.
Jill Aikman, Seattle, WA
 

Dear Alaska Sea Kayak Adventure Seeker:

We invite you to join us this summer for a trip of a lifetime: sea kayaking in Alaska among the icebergs and whales. Sea kayaking Alaska ranks among the world's best adventures. Alaska is vast, rugged, and possessed of astounding beauty. It is truly one of the last great wild places left on our planet.

With literally thousands of miles of coastline to choose from, our job of selecting a route for sea kayaking Alaska was difficult. First, since whale watching in Alaska is a priority for the trips, we narrowed our focus down to the particular waterways that humpback and orca whales are most reliably found during summer months. Then we looked for outstanding natural features, such as tidewater glaciers, wilderness islands, and stunning mountain views. After long and careful research, we finally decided upon these superb locations. We believe that they represent the absolute best Alaska kayak tours available and we are ready to share them with you!

Naturally, one of the most exciting aspects of a southeast Alaska kayak trip is the opportunity to see abundant marine wildlife at close range. In fact, all Sea Quest Expeditions are planned to visit the favorite haunts of whales, porpoises, seals, and seabirds, thereby maximizing your chances for memorable encounters. As for Alaska whale watching, many varieties of whales swim the rich green waters within reach of our sea kayaks. The two kinds we most often see on our southeast Alaska kayak tours, the humpback and orca whale, are happily the most acrobatic and socially complicated species in the world! As for other marine mammals, Dall's porpoises, harbor seals, and the threatened Steller's sea lion are common kayaking companions. Sea otters gather at favorite kelp forests along the routes, and gaze endearingly at passing paddlers. Overhead, bald eagles seem to perch on every point of land as they patiently await migrating salmon. Many other marine birds gather to nest in noisy rookeries.

Going ashore, you will see tidal pools, teeming with fascinating creatures, come and go in the wake of enormous fourteen foot tides. Upland explorations will reveal numerous game trails, and maybe even the tracks of bears and wolves. Within the ancient forest gallery all sounds seem to be swallowed by the dense foliage and hanging mosses -- its as if you've entered a towering emerald cathedral. Here survives the largest temperate rainforest in the world.

Sea Quest Expeditions are staffed by experienced sea kayak guides and educators. The presence of trained educators makes our trips different from all other outfitters. We believe a knowledgeable naturalist can greatly improve your experience sea kayaking in Alaska --transforming it into an adventure in learning! We also limit group size to ten participants, thereby ensuring a close-up view of our natural world. Hopefully, we can be a part of your kayaking adventure plans and I look forward to serving you in the future. Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Martine Springer
Expedition Director 

Sea Kayaking Alaska - Experience the Wilderness!

Alaska Kayak Tours Itineraries

Alaska Kayak Tour #1 - Glaciers & Whales Combination Kayak Trip

You might call this Alaska kayak tour our "best of both worlds" trip as it features two incredible locations on the same adventure. This Alaska kayak trip offers an excellent chance of seeing humpback whales (about 90%) and great opportunities to paddle among icebergs to see the geological wonders of tidewater glaciers in action. If you want to experience the most in only one Alaska kayak trip, this vacation could be for you!

The first part of the kayak tour will visit LeConte Bay and LeConte Glacier, the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America. During its long, slow course through the millennia, it has ground its way down from the mountain peaks of its origin to carve a deep fjord. Thick green rainforest of hemlock and spruce line the fjord except where sheer 3,000-foot rock walls polished smooth by the ice prevent their growth. Gorgeous waterfalls cascade down from the cliffs, often emerging from "hanging glaciers" perched high on the ridges. The LeConte Glacier terminates in the 12-mile long saltwater bay where it constantly fractures with loud cracking reports and calves off icebergs with thunderous effect. The bay’s waters are often clogged with icebergs ranging in size from baseballs to buildings, that are constantly changing their shape, color, and texture as they melt into the sea. LeConte Glacier is an excellent place to observe the immense power of glacial forces and observe unique geological phenomena.

After three days at this exciting, dynamic location we will take flight in a float plane to get a bird’s-eye view of the awesome wilderness and re-locate ourselves to Big Creek on Kupreanof Island. Our kayaking basecamp here has many luxuries unexpected in such a remote location. It is nestled in the ancient forest near an old trapper’s cabin by a salmon-spawning stream. Wildlife abounds, from mink and chickarees up to moose, bear and wolves. Great hiking is available in the forest, up the foothills, and along the deserted beaches. Of course, the sea kayaking is great, especially for those who wish to do some whale watching and to view marine mammals such as porpoises, sea lions, and seals. In fact, Frederick Sound harbors the largest population of humpback whales in the world, up to 500 individuals each summer, so our chances of seeing one or more of these massive animals is extremely good. A unique combination of oceanographic features make the waters off the mouth of Big Creek very attractive to herring and other prey species that humpback whales prefer to feed on.

Alaska Kayak Trip #1 Itinerary: Please note that itineraries of Alaska kayak trips may change spontaneously due to Mother Nature’s whims!

Day 1: Catch one of the two daily Alaska Airline flights into Petersburg. After settling into your hotel you will be able to unwind and explore this quaint little town. At 7:30pm you will meet the rest of the group and your sea kayak guides to have a pre-trip meeting to brief you on the week's activities and do a final check of everyone's personal equipment.

Day 2: After packing up our personal gear we will board either a float plane or charter boat. Our destination is LeConte Bay kayak basecamp at the mouth of the bay. Our view here will include countless huge icebergs and smaller bergy bits shifting in and out of the bay with the tidal currents. We will be able to hear the rumbling and roar of the LeConte Glacier and the icebergs as they break apart. That afternoon we will have a sea kayaking skills and safety orientation. Later we’ll get to know each other around a beach campfire.

Day 3 & 4: For the next two days we will explore the wonders of LeConte Bay and its tremendous glacial activity. We will comb through the various coves, beaches, waterfalls, and feeder streams that line the bay and keep our eyes out for abundant otter, harbor seals, eagles, and shoreside life. Daylight hours are quite long and there is time for photography, fishing, beachcombing, or just lounging around. Your expedition staff is available at all times to lead walks, identify flora and fauna, and discuss the natural history of the area.

Day 5: The morning is open to do a short hike or relax before a float plane arrives to take us 55 miles west to Kupreanof Island and the Big Creek kayak basecamp on the shore of Frederick Sound. The flight is spectacularly scenic as we follow the Horn Cliffs, Thomas and Portage bays. The Coast Range and icebergs will be left behind but the area we are entering is richer in marine wildlife.

Day 6 & 7: The Big Creek area is a very important summer feeding area for humpback whales, Stellar sea lions, porpoises, harbor seals, river otters, and other marine life. The upland habitats support black bear, deer, moose, and even timber wolves. A hike in the muskeg habitat reveals an amazing array of unique flora including carnivorous plants.

Day 8: Our last chance to explore the miles of pristine beach and old-growth rainforest with the kayaks before the float plane or charter boat arrives to return us to Petersburg this afternoon. This will be the last night of our trip and it will be spent at a hotel with dinner provided. This will be a fine time to share stories of our travels and bid each other farewell.

Day 9: Off to your next kayak adventure!

Alaska Kayak Trip #1 fee: $2459 with a maximum of ten participants. This price includes two nights of hotel based on double occupancy. Single travelers must pay a single supplement fee of $130 unless we can match you with another participant. This price does not include meals in town or optional tipping of guides.

2008 Dates for Alaska Kayak Trip #1:   July 4-12, August 9-17

Alaska Kayak Tours Itineraries

Alaska Kayak Tour #2 - Tebenkof Wilderness Area Kayak Trip

Imagine a trip that explores a place even more remote than our "Glaciers & Whales" adventure (Alaska Kayak Tour #1). The Tebenkof Wilderness is an emerald region legislated to remain as wilderness for future generations to come. In these pristine surroundings you are more likely to hear the blows of whales and the drumming of surf over the workings of man. The only humans you will see, other than your sea kayaking comrades, will be of occasional salmon-fishermen earning their livelihood. More often will be sightings of humpback whales and other marine mammals going about their fervent activities of foraging and laying in fat reserves for the winter. Tebenkof Bay is a complex of fertile fjords carved into Kuiu Island. It opens on to Chatham Strait, a busy seaway for humpback whales traveling between Frederick Sound and the North Pacific Ocean. We expect whale watching to be even better on this kayak expedition than at Big Creek (Adventure #1).

Although Kuiu Island doesn’t have any active glaciers like LeConte Bay (Adventure #1), it does show the evidence of very recent passage by vast sheets of heavy ice. The 65 mile-long island has severe, rolling terrain due to the sculpting action of now-melted glaciers. The central portion of Kuiu is dominated by a cluster of mountains ranging up to 3,325 feet while smaller peaks mass to both the north and south ends. Between them lie low areas of intricate marine waterways and fresh wetlands, in some cases nearly bisecting the island. In fact, there are several portages of less than 5 miles that allow one to cross the entire island on foot. Where drainage is poor, a unique bog-like habitat called muskeg dominates. The annual rainfall of approximately 100 inches has cloaked Kuiu’s uplands in a dense growth of moss-covered hemlock and spruce. Mid-may through mid-September is the driest time of year.

The Tebenkof Wilderness lacks any human residents, but wildlife is certainly abundant. Many marine mammals thrive, including humpback, minke, and orca whales; two kinds of porpoise, harbor seals, northern sea lions, and sea otter. Perhaps the cutest marine mammal of all, mustachioed sea otters dive for rich shellfish beds beneath their floating kelp forests. Eagles and other marine birds hover over the fertile waters. On land there are black bear, timber wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer, river otters, mink, martin, beaver, and more. Several salmon species spawn in the streams along our kayak trip route, affording amazing views of one of nature's most exciting spectacles.

Alaska Kayak Tour #2 Itinerary: Please note that itineraries for sea kayaking in Alaska may change spontaneously due to Mother Nature’s whims!

Day 1: Catch one of the two daily Alaska Airline flights into Petersburg. After settling into your hotel you will be able to unwind and explore this quaint little town. At 7:30pm you will meet in the lobby of your hotel with the rest of the group and your sea kayak guides to have a pre-trip meeting to brief you on the week's activities and do a final check of everyone's personal equipment.

Day 2: After packing up our personal gear we will board a float plane at the nearby harbor. Our destination is Kuiu Island and the Tebenkof Wilderness. The 45 minute flight will reveal spectacular views of Mitkof Island, Rocky Pass, and Kuiu Island, our destination. The seaplane will land in Elena Bay near Alecks Creek at the northern end of the wilderness area. Here we will make our first night’s camp. That afternoon we will have a sea kayaking skills and safety orientation followed by a fresh seafood dinner and beach campfire.

Day 3: After a hearty breakfast we’ll pack up the sea kayaks and island-hop our way across Tebenkof Bay to a new campsite near the Troller Islands and Explorer Basin. The route will take us through prime humpback whale feeding areas and kelp forests favored by pods of sea otters. One of the best camp activities is to sit on shore and watch the mother otters nursing and playing with their young pups.

Day 4: Today we will leave camp set up and explore our surroundings by sea kayak and foot. The Explorer Basin and Windfall Islands are perfect for this activity and should yield excellent wildlife sightings and scenic vistas of the wilderness. Daylight hours are quite long and there is time for photography, fishing, beachcombing, or just lounging around. Your expedition staff is available at all times to lead walks, identify flora and fauna, and discuss the natural history of the area.

Day 5: We will again leave our camp in place and point our sea kayaks south to explore the myriad coves and islands in the southern end of the Tebenkof Wilderness.

Day 6: This morning we will break camp to travel to the northwest corner of the Wilderness area and investigate Gap Point and Happy Cove. Later in the day we will hike up the Alecks Creek trail to immerse ourselves in the coastal rainforest habitat. If we are lucky, we may find sign of black bear, wolves, deer, or other wildlife.

Day 7: Our last chance for a short kayak paddle or hike into the old-growth rainforest before the float plane arrives to return us to Petersburg this afternoon. This will be the last night of our Alaska kayak adventure and it will be spent at a hotel provided as part of your tour. Later, it is traditional to gather with your kayak guides for a no-host dinner to share stories of our travels and bid each other farewell.

Day 8: Off to your future sea kayak adventures!

Alaska Kayak Tour #2 fee: is $2459 with a maximum of ten participants. This price includes two nights of hotel based on double occupancy. Single travelers must pay a single supplement fee of $130 unless we can match you with another participant. This price does not include meals in town or optional tipping of guides.

2008 Dates for Alaska Kayak Tour #2 : No dates are being offered for this year.

Alaska Whale Watching Tours by Sea Kayak

Who Can Participate in our Alaska Sea Kayak Adventures?: Anyone in average physical shape can join an Alaska kayak trip - if you can hike, bike, or swim, you can participate with us! No prior sea kayaking experience is necessary. We use extremely stable sea kayaks, both one- and two-person models, that are very unlike tipsy whitewater river kayaks. Techniques such as the "Eskimo roll" are not needed in these state-of-the-art vessels. You will be surprised at how easy our sea kayaks are to paddle and maneuver. Your staff will instruct you on basic paddling technique and kayaking safety before leaving the beach. Although our Alaska kayak adventures are not extremely strenuous, we recommend that you condition muscle groups of the upper body by doing light exercise (calisthenics, rowing, swimming, situps,etc.) prior to the kayak tour. The only other preparation is to carefully review the pre-trip information and equipment packing list. Regardless of your age or skill level, you will find that our kayak trips offer enough flexibility to make your experience with us safe and rewarding. Families are welcome with the minimum age of seven years for base-camp style trips (Alaska Kayak Trip #1) and twelve for exploratory kayak trips (Alaska Kayak Tour #2). Children under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult.

Alaska Sea Kayaking Expedition Staff: Trip directors of our sea kayaking in Alaska adventures are notably experienced in both sea kayaking and natural history instruction. They possess academic degrees and have in-depth knowledge of the area's best spots for sea kayaking, whale watching, and wildlife watching. They are also great campfire cooks! This high level of skill sets us apart from all other outfitters in the region and ensures a more enriching experience for you. A second field staff member will be present if there are more than six participants.

Alaska Weather: There's no doubt about it - coastal Alaska is a rainy place! But, the abundant precipitation is crucial for maintaining the spectacular rain forests, salmon spawning streams, and powerful glaciers. Of course, there are sunny days in Alaska, sometimes reaching 75°F or more. But, on most days you can expect temperatures to be in the 50°s and 60°s, perhaps dipping into the 40°s during really foul weather (rare in summer). Our clothing checklist, provided when you make your reservation, takes this into account so that you may enjoy whatever nature produces - even rain! Strong winds are uncommon during summer so wave action should be minimal. The paddling route passes through islands that are situated far enough from the ocean that the effects of ocean swells and surf are generally not felt. Summer sea temperature hovers around 45°F so don't plan on doing much swimming unless you have the blood of a polar bear. Divers and snorkelers usually wear drysuits in Alaska. Check out the weather and aurora links for current forecast information.

Sea Kayaking Alaska - Tours & Trips

Equipment & Meals: Sea Quest Expeditions provides all of the sea kayaking trip equipment, two-person tents, and cooking gear. All of our equipment is of the finest quality and reflects our concern for safety and comfort. Our emergency gear includes communication equipment and an expedition first aid kit. A complete personal equipment checklist and packing instructions are provided upon confirmation of your reservation.
Sea Quest Expeditions provides all meals on the Alaska kayak tours, prepared from fresh foods. We often augment our supplies by catching various seafood, gathering vine-ripened berries, or harvesting tasty kelps and sea vegetables. Although we prefer to call our menu wholesome and delicious, many of our participants claim that we understate the quality of our food and have urged us to describe the cuisine as "campfire gourmet".

Logistics for Alaska Tours: Our Alaska sea kayak adventures begin in the town of Petersburg, which is reached via the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry system) or Alaska Airlines. The ferry is an interesting and simple way for many people to reach Alaska and can be boarded in Bellingham, Washington or Prince Rupert, British Columbia, as well as in numerous Alaskan ports from Ketchikan to Skagway. Travel time from Bellingham to Juneau is approximately two days. Unlimited layovers are allowed at any of the stops for those who want to explore along the way. The ferries feature observation decks, food service, and vehicle decks. You may rent cabin space or simply go deck passage. Cabins and vehicle space must be reserved far in advance.
Air travel reservations are also best made well in advance of departure as this is the most popular way to get to the "North Star State". Alaska Airlines has two flights each day to Petersburg from the "Lower 48", with both flights beginning in Seattle, Washington. There are also flights from with Alaska to Petersburg from both Juneau and Anchorage.
You will need a minimum of two night's accommodations in Petersburg: the day before your Alaska sea kayak adventure begins and the same day it ends. Your kayak trip fee includes both of these nights of lodging and we will make these hotel reservations for you. Of course, you may choose to stay longer to enjoy the surrounding attractions of sport fishing, wilderness hiking, and regional tours. There are many inns and bed & breakfast establishments in Petersburg that range from $40 to $200 per night; some include all meals and many extras.
Although we are happy to offer suggestions on any aspect of travel and lodging, please remember that all transportation to the staging area, and for certain itineraries accommodations, are the responsibility of the participant. If you would like professional assistance with making your travel and accommodation reservations en route, we suggest you speak with Samantha, our recommended travel agent. Samantha specializes in assisting Sea Quest guests and has the unique knowledge about our destinations and programs that make her much more useful than a typical travel agent. She can be reached at 360-378-4600 or via her website http://www.cmagent.net/samanthag.html

Important Alaska Numbers & Links:
Alaska Division of Tourism
Alaska Public Lands Information Center - [907] 271-2737 (call for info on state/federal campgrounds)
Alaska Marine Highway [800] 642-0066 (the state-operated ferry system)
Alaska Railroad - [800] 544-0552
British Columbia Ferries [888] 223-3779 (connections to Alaska's ferry and road system)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game [907] 465-6085 (regulations booklet & license info)

Whale Watching in Alaska by Sea Kayak

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