Southeast Alaska

The panhandle portion of Alaska, commonly referred to as the Southeast, is made up of the Alexander Archipelago of islands and a strip of mainland bordering Canada’s British Columbia and Yukon Territories.

The Tongass National Forest is the largest U.S. National Forest and contains a major portion of the world’s remaining temperate rain-forest.

Southeast Alaska is one of the most remote areas in the United States, accessible only by air or boat.

The area has less than 70,000 people located across a handful of scattered towns, villages, and communities. The bears outnumber people by approximately two to one. On some of the larger islands, the ratio of bears to people is at least ten to one!

The pristine islands of the Southeast are bounded by a network of inner channels, protected bays, and fjords of remarkable beauty. Extensive ice fields to the east feed tidewater glaciers, which calve blue icebergs into cold, calm waters. Forests cloaked in clouds provide habitat for a variety of terrestrial wildlife, including bears, wolves, and moose, and nutrient-dense waters attract hundreds of feeding whales, eagles, and other marine life.

Alaska Sea Adventures provides the best access to this unique and remote wilderness area, on trips custom-designed to your interests. Whether your dream adventure includes wildlife viewing, fishing, photography, or research, we have the experience and know-how to make it happen for you.

Humpback Whales
Southeast Alaska is the summer home to many hundreds of humpbacks and the calm island-protected waters provide some of the best whale watching in the world.

Killer Whales (Orcas)
Killer whales are often viewed from the Northern Song or when out exploring in one of the vessels tenders.

Birds
The old-growth forests, streams, and shorelines are summer nesting areas for a multitude of bird species.

Wildlife
Alaska’s ‘salmon forest’ and island waterways are home to a variety of species of terrestrial and marine wildlife

Glaciers
Spectacular calving tidewater and alpine glaciers located in scenic deep fjords are favorite areas for a visit.

Inside Passage
The wild scenic and protected waterways of Alaska’s Inside Passage create popular cruising areas replete with a host of wildlife.

Petersburg
Known as ‘Little Norway’ this very quaint and successful commercial fishing village was founded by Norwegian immigrants and retains its Scandinavian heritage today.

SE Alaska Map
View our map of Alaska Sea Adventures cruising area.

Another day closes with a serene scene of diving whales and a lingering sunset

“This trip gives a new meaning to “wilderness” for an old city girl like me! Thank you, thank you for endless days of novel exposure to the wildlife & beauty of Alaska”.

Dottie U.
Los Angeles, CA