Trip Overview
A kayak mothership expedition with SEAK Expeditions combines wilderness sea kayaking in remote Alaskan fjords with the comfort, safety, and mobility of a motorized support vessel. Instead of paddling packed kayaks between cold beach campsites, you explore glacier-carved waterways by day and return to warm meals, hot showers, and private berths each evening.
Trip Highlights
Glacier Navigation: Paddle alongside tidewater glaciers in iconic areas like Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm, or Endicott Arm, weaving past icebergs and listening to calving ice.
Wildlife Encounters: Close-up views of humpback whales bubble-net feeding, orcas, sea otters, harbor seals resting on ice floes, and coastal brown bears foraging along the shoreline.
Expansive Reach: Cover significantly more ground than standard kayak trips by letting the mothership navigate open water crossings and long distances overnight or during meals.
Warm Wilderness Luxury: End cold paddling sessions with heated staterooms, gourmet meals prepared by an onboard chef, and drying lockers for gear.
High Quality Equipment : Options for performance kayaks and top of the line kayaking equipment i.e. carbon fiber paddles, low volume pfds, drysuits etc….
Details
Duration: 7 to 9 Days
Activity Level: Moderate (3–6+ miles of paddling per day; beginner to advanced)
Group Size: 6 to 12 guests (for small-group, low-impact wilderness access)
Paddling Conditions: Sheltered fjords, tidewater glacier bays, and forest estuaries
Best Season: May through September
The Vessels
Length: 65 -95 Feet |
Guest Capacity: 6–12
Crew: 3–5 (Captain, First Mate/Guide, Private Chef, Kayak Guide)
Vessel Design
All the vessels we work with are designed to navigate the rugged, narrow fjords and sheltered waterways of Southeast Alaska, they combine heavy-duty commercial seaworthiness with warm, refined expedition luxury. They offer a smooth and stable, ride through the region’s dynamic marine environments.
Onboard Accommodations & Comfort
Staterooms: Well-appointed staterooms featuring comfortable accomodations with single, queen or flexible twin bedding, individual climate controls, and either shared heads or private ensuite bathrooms with hot freshwater showers.
Although we are aboard our Mothership the focus of this unique wilderness trip is the kayak and the way it allows us to move through our environment in an intimate and almost silent fashion. This allows us to experience the waters and coast line in a unique way that one can not in a skiff or a larger vessel.
Each morning we will look at the wind and the tide and discuss with our captain the plan for the day. Your guide and the group will formulate a float plan for the day but leave things flexible enough to allow us to pursue adventures as they reveal themselves to us.
Once packed we will cast off leaving the ship behind. Paddling the shore for a couple hours we will go ashore to stretch our legs and maybe do some beach combing. Back to the kayaks we continue along our path looking for Brown Bears on the shoreline or spouts from Humpbacks in the distance. Mid-day we are looking for a sandy or gravel beach to pull shore on and take a relaxing lunch break and maybe a hike inland a bit exploring muskeg or old growth forest with towering Sitka Spruce hundreds of years old. Back on the water after lunch we are checking our plan and starting to head for our meeting location with our mothership but we still have plenty of time to paddle and enjoy being immersed in the magic of this Southeast Alaskan seascape.
Each day will bring new and stunning experiences. Whether its kayaking amongst ice bergs, watching Humpback cruise by or Sea Otter frolicking in the ocean swell each of the nine days we have to kayak these waters will create memories that last forever.
Wildlife Viewing
Your guide will share the facts and history of the wildlife and culture of Southeast Alaska. The mothership along with our kayaks and smaller boats are the perfect wildlife viewing platform. Large enough for safe travel in these remote waters but agile enough to go into the inlets and bays where wildlife tend to congregate.
Whale Watching Exploring the many bays and inlets of Southeast Alaska for Whales and other marine wildlife.
We will explore these waters for humpbacks, Orca and Gray whales not to mention the many other marine mammal species present in the waters. The whales have made their long journey from Hawaii where they have spent the winter mating and and giving birth to this years calves. In addition to these whale species many other marine mammals call South east Alaska home including Meinke whales, several different types of porpoise, Stellar Sea lions, Harbor seals, sea otters and many more.
Bears and More
Brown bears also known as grizzlies are common on the islands that protect the mainland from the Gulf of Alaska, in fact Islands like Chichagof and Admiralty host some of the most dense populations of brown bears, per square mile greater than anywhere in the world, far out numbering the human populations that inhabit these islands. Along with these large omnivores, there are very healthy populations of Black Bears, wolves, coyote, moose, sitka black tail deer, and river otter just to name a few.
Birders Paradise
Eagles are synonymous with this part of Alaska and very often a highlight on many peoples list of bird species to observe, but they are just one of many birds that pass through this area or call it home.
Keep in mind we can not predict where the wildlife will be and what we will see, but that is part of the adventure and if any vessel and crew is going to get you to where the wildlife is at, it’s the Snow Goose.
The chance to see glaciers is a huge reason people come to Alaska and the mothership provides the perfect platform to not only see Glaciers but to get up close. This sturdy vessel along with its experienced crew and captain, is agile enough to get us into tight places and sturdy enough to do it very safely. The option to climb aboard the inflatable boat or the kayaks, along with your experienced guide allows us the chance to experience the ice and the wildlife that can be found in the same waters in a very intimate fashion.
Guide & Crew
Your guides and Crew will be one of the most important aspects of your trip and SEAK Expeditions guides and the crew of your vessel are up for the job. SEAK Expeditions kayak guides have some of the best training available, to keep you safe on the water, and they have been guiding trips in Alaska for decades and will help enrich your experience. SEAK Expeditions guides have an array of technical and professional sea kayak training, from the ACA (American Canoe Association), BCU (British Canoe Union) , and ISKGA (International Sea Kayak Guide Alliance). This training along with years of experience in the field will ensure both a safe and enjoyable experience on the water, in Sea Kayaks. Your guide has wilderness medical Training to at least the WFR (Wilderness First Responder) Level and some guides hold a WEMT (Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician) Certification. Additionally our guides are trained or have degrees in Zoology, Animal behavior, and biology to help you understand the flora and fauna we encounter in this incredible intact ecosystem we will be visiting. Finally they have been working and living in Southeast Alaska and have been immersed in the rich culture that is part of the lifestyle of Alaska and enjoy sharing that with the people they meet.
Hiking
The option to go on hikes or beach combing is always available whether its on a break from kayaking or in the evening after dinner. There are a variety of walks and hikes on our trip that may be of interest to all or some of our guests. Walks on the beaches are often easier than on the trails, and many times there is more than one option available.
Fishing
Our trip focus mainly on kayaking wildlife and native culture. Sometimes a small number of our guests are interested in fishing with the hope of providing dinner. If time and energy allows, fishing may be possible, however, our days are so full of kayaking and other activities there is often little to fish. We have some fishing gear on board. If you wish to try fishing you will need to purchase a fishing license before you join the trip. Licenses can be purchased upon arrival or prior to your trip through Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Included
Meals
From freshly baked scones and frittatas in the mornings to truffle potato cakes, roasted romanesco, and seared local steak topped with smoked salt for dinner, chefs bring their creativity and love of food into each dish.
We shop local, sustainable, and organic whenever possible. Planning and provisioning takes weeks of ordering, menu planning, and shopping to make a trip run with ease. We focus on organic and pastured meats, sourced from Pacific Northwest companies for all of our proteins. The one exception is the delicious wild fish and other seafood that we either catch ourselves or buy from fishermen in port. We shop Alaskan fair whenever possible to help support the local communities and people we love so much.
Our chefs cook three squares a day. There’s also a happy hour snack – typically starting at five o’clock – which can be as simple as pickled asparagus and pub mix, to a sweet and savory baked brie with homemade baguette. Let’s not forget about the beer and wine, which is included in your experience aboard your vessel. We are also happy to accommodate folks with food allergies and special dietary needs.
Your guide will share the facts and history of whales,
wildlife and Southeast Alaska and provide a safe experince while out on the tender boats or kayaks.
Kayaks & Tender Boat
We have your choice of single or tandem kayaks and all associated gear available and there is a tender boat for exploring or heading to shore for hikes.
Not included
Hotel Accomodations
We are happy to help with hotel recommendations as we encourage you to come the day prior to boarding and stay the night you depart the boat and then fly out
Spirits
Wine and beer is provided in the evening and with dinner. If you would like any additional
spirits, we can pick them up prior to departure or you can bring them aboard
Trip Insurance
We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your trip in the event of an emergency.
Gratuities
We recommend a gratuity of 10-15 % to show your
appreciation for exceptional service. Our staff strives to
provide the highest level of service.
