- Overview
- Day 0
- Day 1-4
- Day 5
- Included in Cost
Trip Overview
The journey begins in Haines, Alaska. A small fishing town in northern Southeast Alaska and know as the adventure capitol of Alaska. Haines is set at the base of towering mountains, ending dramatically at the sea and is remote, but still connected to the road system, making it the perfect place to start a sea kayaking expedition.
Starting in the waters of Letnikof Cove, we will soon leave behind the bustling streets of Haines and move south along the base of the Coast and Chilkat mountains. Paddling along rocky beaches and around uninhabited islands, we are constantly on the lookout for wildlife. Humpback and Killer whales cruise these waters during the summer months, feeding on herring and hooligan, alongside Stellar sea lions and harbor seals. When the clouds part, we can see rivers of ice from the Herbert and Eagle glaciers running from the Juneau Icefield and eventually to the sea.
We will be alone for the most part, seeing the occasional fishing boat or subsistence fisherman. The coastline of the fjord between Juneau and Haines is rich in wildlife and home to many species, including brown and black bears, wolves, and moose to name a few. We will tread lightly and use Leave No Trace camping practices, not only to maintain the wildness of this place but to keep us safe from harm.
This sea kayak expedition will have its challenges over 5 days, but we will have time to stretch our legs and explore the coastline in the evenings or on breaks through out the day. Physical fitness and sea kayaking experience is important on this trip and paddlers should be comfortable in intermediate conditions including winds of 15 knots and waves of 3 feet. We will spend some time going over safety information and paddling technique so that your Alaskan sea kayaking expedition is not only a safe one but educational as well.
Sea kayaks have a long history in the waters of Alaska and are a great way to enjoy the fjord between Haines and Juneau. They allow us to travel almost silently and be inconspicuous, letting us become part of the this world we are visiting.
Day 0
Meet your guide in Haines for a pre-trip meeting.
Days 1-4
Over this work week at sea we will kayak along pristine beaches using the tides and weather to determine our path. We will camp on gravel beaches or grassy shelves eating meals in the wilderness and relaxing beside campfires. We will paddle past Sullivan and the Chilkat Islands crossing over the fjord to Point Sherman with the lighthouse of Eldred Rock just off to our West. Still heading south we enter Berners Bay a rich watershed with many rivers finding their ends here.
Day 5
After one last camp breakfast, we have Juneau in our sights. We may paddle into Echo Cove to meet our ride into town, or if we have made excellent progress we can paddle into Tea Harbor or Auke Bay. Either way, we will be welcomed to Juneau by the crew at SEAK Expeditions, with showers in our very near future.
Included
Food while in the field
Group camping gear
Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads
Kayak, paddle, PFD, safety gear
Professional guide service
Not Included
Lodging while not in the field
Food while not in the field
Personal equipment
Gratuity for guide(s)