OVERVIEW

Cruise through spectacularly scenic Neets Bay to a bear observatory where you can watch these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Tongass, the largest national forest in America, blankets the shores of the bay, making for an extraordinary setting. Few places are so wild and pristine, which is why wildlife thrives throughout the area. While cruising the typically calm bay, you may spot whales, sea lions and bald eagles, all of which are prevalent there. Even so, the highlight will surely be the opportunity to observe bears as they feast on spawning salmon. A short walk through the rainforest will bring you to the viewing platform, an excellent spot to see bears catching and eating large salmon along the stream. It can be quite the show, especially if the bears are leaning over the water with their mouths open, just waiting for salmon to unknowingly leap within easy reach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for bears along a stream where they typically come to fatten up on spawning salmon.
• Enjoy the rare opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitats, undisturbed by humans.
• Watch for whales, sea lions and bald eagles as you cruise through Neets Bay to the bear locale.
• Admire the gorgeous setting of Tongass National Forest, the largest such forest in America.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Your adventure begins with a scenic motorcoach tour to a secluded mountain lake, where you'll board a Tlingit-style 37 foot, 20 passenger canoes which are fast, stable and easy to maneuver. Paddle under the direction of an experienced guide, scan the shore for wildlife and learn the unique natural and native history of the Ketchikan area. The lake, part of a lush rainforest, is ideal for canoeing and is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Stop ashore for a Alaskan-style snack at a remote camp. Your knowledgeable guide will lead a short nature walk highlighting the flora and fauna of the rainforest. Paddle back to the canoe dock and reboard your motorcoach for your return to the pier.

Pedal a pontoon-style Sea-Cycle around the estuary at Ward Cove as the guide describes the scenic beauty and area history. Each two-person Sea-Cycle boat allows for leisurely pedaling yet leaves your hands free to snap photos of the surrounding natural wonders. There is plenty to view, especially when passing Tongass National Forest, the largest such protected landscape in America. The dense forests of red cedars, hemlocks and Sitka spruces will seem to go on forever. Along the way, the guide will elaborate on how many Alaskans still subsist on food and medicines that they harvest from the woodlands and sea. Be sure to keep an eye out for eagles soaring overhead and seals and bears along the shore. Ducks are among the most prevalent animals in the tidal estuary. Ward Cove is noteworthy for being the site of Alaska’s first pulp mill and home to one of the area’s most productive fish canneries.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Pedal a two-person Sea-Cycle boat around the estuary at Ward Cove and along the sea.
• Take in the natural beauty of Tongass National Forest, America’s largest such landscape.
• Look for indigenous wildlife such as bears, eagles and seals.
• Learn about the history of Ward Cove and how it once fueled Ketchikan’s economy.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat, comfortable, non-slip shoes.

Paddle a two-person kayak across the calm waters of Connell Lake, a manmade reservoir that the Tongass National Forest surrounds. Following a briefing to help you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide around the lake. This beautiful body of water was created in 1952 by damming several creeks to feed millions of gallons of freshwater to the Ketchikan pulp mill. The 60-foot concrete dam still exists and continues to supply water to resources throughout the community. Today, Connell Lake is known more for its spectacular natural beauty, which you will see up-close as you paddle along the forested shore of America’s largest national park. Unusual flora and fauna abound, which the guide will describe as you paddle around the lake to several hidden wonders.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Kayak across naturally beautiful Connell Lake, all of which the Tongass National Forest surrounds.
• Gain a historical perspective of the manmade lake, which once provided millions of gallons of freshwater needed to operate the Ketchikan pulp mill.
• Learn about the indigenous flora and fauna from the naturalist guide.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Take a van ride to beautiful Clover Pass for a paddle in the Tongass National Forest. You’ll be welcomed and led down to the waterfront facility, introduced to your tandem kayak, and receive a safety briefing. The protected waters of Clover Pass provide you with the opportunity to experience the tranquil setting of the Tongass National Forest. As you paddle, you’ll learn about the natural and cultural history of the area while keeping a keen eye out for bald eagles, their nests, seals, jumping salmon, humpback whales and when the tide is right, star fish.

Enjoy a 10 minute van ride to the takeoff site. After gearing up with layers, take a fast boat ride to the remote and protected Tatoosh Islands. Have your camera handy for the magnificent scenery and wildlife sighting opportunities on the fast and fun boat ride. Ancient cedars, spruce and western hemlock trees add to the peace and tranquility of the setting as you glide along the wild rocky shoreline. Bald eagles peer down from overhead, while seals often pop up to take a peek. You might spot a deer or mink along the shore or colorful seaweed, kelp, starfish, jellyfish and other inhabitants of the intertidal area. Other life you might see are humpback whales, sea lions and orca or maybe an eagle catching a salmon from the water! Upon arrival guides will greet you and present a thorough but quick orientation. Get into your double kayak and launch onto the water. Practice your strokes as you approach the sheltered islands, circumnavigate the Tatoosh islands. After the kayak enjoy a fresh baked cookie. No paddling experience is necessary but expect to paddle 3 miles. The tour is operated for a limited number of guests under special use permit with the US Forest Service.

A rainforest walk with a twist, your adventure starts aboard a motorized inflatable Seahawk, for the short but exciting cruise along the coast of Clover Passage. If you;re lucky, along the way, you may have the opportunity to observe whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and migrating seabirds. Landing at a secluded beach, you’ll follow your guide through the ancient Tongass National Forest, home to a diverse cross section of flora and fauna. You’ll see Western Red Cedars and Alaskan Yellow Cedars that early Alaska Natives depended on for spiritual enrichment, shelter and transportation. The well-maintained trail is mostly boardwalk and about one mile in length. You'll also enjoy an interactive beach life interpretation by your naturalist guide. After hiking the historic route, enjoy an Alaskan-style snack, before returning to Ketchikan.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hike to Talbot Lake following a natural trail through Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in America. Although the hike is only about three miles long roundtrip, the surrounding scenery is wonderfully varied and spectacular. You will walk in the shadow of towering western hemlocks, Sitka spruce and red cedars, all indigenous to the area. The naturalist guide will narrate the hike by describing the native flora and fauna and detailing the history of the area, which was once crucial to the logging industry. In the decades since the last pulp mill closed, the forest has regained its splendor and wildlife has flourished. You may spot eagles, deer, and beavers, which are particularly prevalent along the trail at Talbot Lake. The lake-view setting couldn’t be more serene as you sip hot chocolate while gathered around a campfire. You may see anglers fishing for cutthroat trout, but otherwise you will likely have the woods to yourself.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike three miles roundtrip through Tongass National Forest, America’s largest such landscape.
• Follow the trail to beautiful Talbot Lake and gather around a crackling campfire.
• Learn about the flora, fauna, and local history from the naturalist guide.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take in the gorgeous scenery within the pristine Misty Fjords National Monument while flying in a DeHavilland floatplane as the bush pilot elaborates on the natural wonders below. This completely undeveloped wilderness sprawls across more than two million acres in the Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. Majestic beyond imagination, the landscape is a mosaic of sea cliffs, misty mountains, deep fjords, thundering waterfalls, jewel-like lakes and dense rainforest, all of which you will gaze down upon from your own window seat. The exact route for the flight will depend on the weather. If you fly south, you will likely see shimmering Big Goat Lake and New Eddystone Rock, an immense volcanic spire that rises above the sea. The northern route usually passes over Neets Bay and Bell Island Hot Springs. Be sure to look for brown and black bear, Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles as wildlife is abundant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly over the Misty Fjords National Monument wilderness in a DeHavilland floatplane.
• Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of a pristine landscape that glaciers sculpted centuries ago.
• Pass over dense rainforest, cliff-lined fjords, majestic mountains and sparkling lakes.
• Keep an eye out for bears, deer, bald eagles and other iconic Alaskan wildlife.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fly to a remote wilderness on a floatplane and observe black bears feasting on salmon. From your window seat on the DeHavilland floatplane, you will look down on the natural beauty of the seemingly endless Tongass National Forest. The sights will be breathtaking as the plane flies over a sheltered fjord and lands in the water just off Traitor’s Cove, where you will meet a naturalist guide that is especially knowledgeable about black bears. A short hike will bring you to an elevated observation platform that overlooks a stream where pink, coho and chum salmon spawn. Bears typically gather there to feast on the salmon as they make their way upstream. It can be quite the sight to see a salmon leap into the air only to be caught in the mouth off an awaiting bear. Chances are, you will also see bald eagles feeding on the scraps that the bears leave behind.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly deep into the Alaskan wilderness in a DeHavilland floatplane.
• Land off Traitor’s Cove, a remote area frequented by black bears.
• Follow a naturalist guide to a wildlife viewing platform that overlooks a stream.
• Look for black bears feasting on spawning salmon as they make their way upstream.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Board your motorcoach for a scenic 10 minute drive to Knudson Cove, a private waterfront estate in the Tongass National Forest. Upon arrival, guides will instruct and outfit you with safety equipment in an open air forest pavilion. Your adventure begins as you ascend into the trees and gravity pulls you along the ziplines. Nestled on a platform in the park, keep an eye out for eagles and ocean views. You can take an optional challenge route that leads you across swinging logs and rope bridges. Feel the speed and acceleration of the ocean zip, where you'll land above the water on a freestanding platform. Then take the final zip to the take the UTV up the hill to the 50 foot climbing tower where guides will show you techniques to climb to the top and safely auto belay to the ground. For those that are less adventurous, guides can assist you in skipping elements if you choose. You’ll complete 6 ziplines, with time to shop for souvenirs before returning to the pier.

Live the thrill of gliding through the top of a rich rain forest canopy along a series of nine zip-lines with an aerial bridge suspended between tall spruce, hemlock and cedar trees, bordering the magnificent Tongass National Forest. This major rain forest reserve embraces one of Alaska’s richest salmon spawning streams and a pristine intertidal estuary. Abundant wildlife habitat here includes a high concentration of bald eagles, black bears and a variety of other species. At Herring Cove, an all-terrain custom 4x4 Unimog will transport you up a steep rain forest hillside to the canopy chalet. Professionally trained guides will outfit you with the state-of-the-art safety equipment and provide a detailed orientation before you mount the first platform. Your rain forest canopy challenge features a ‘flight’ over eight zip-lines. Your guide will progressively ease you into the forest canopy along cables ranging from a short 100 feet up to 750 feet. Eagles and bears are often seen from the platforms. Cross a hanging bridge with breathtaking views of the forest below. You will be up to 135 feet above the forest floor. Throughout this adventure, you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rain forest wildlife pre-serve. The final zip-line emerges from the rain forest and transports you over lush grassy wetlands to a viewing tower, 55 feet above where you will rappel to the ground. Time permitting, grab a freshly brewed coffee or a cold Alaskan beer and explore our Tsimshian totem park, see a master carver working, check out our historic sawmill and watch our local blacksmiths at work. Stop by the General Store to see photos taken during your zip-line experience and to shop for mementos of your Alaska adventure. Your excursion concludes with a scenic drive back to the ship.