The 5 most beautiful boat crossings on Alaska’s icy waters

Do you love nature and wide open spaces? Explore Alaska’s magnificent landscapes by boat, thanks to these 5 ideas for exceptional crossings.

What better place than Alaska for adventure and nature lovers? This largest and one of the least populated states in the US is located in the Arctic Circle. It offers grandiose landscapes that have remained untouched, making it a popular tourist destination for wildlife enthusiasts. What’s more, crossing Alaska by boat allows you to fully immerse yourself in this incredible natural environment.

Sail the icy waters of the Gulf of Alaska, take in sumptuous panoramas and meet local people in remote locations. It’s a great way to get away from it all. For an authentic trip, however, avoid cruise ships. It’s crowded, noisy and not very environmentally friendly… Turn instead to Nomade Aventure, which offers small-group itineraries to explore Alaska by sailboat. Thanks to this original mode of transport and their expertise, you’ll have an unforgettable trip. Discover below 5 superb crossings to explore Alaska by boat.

Alaska cruise on the Kenai Peninsula

Photo credit : Shutterstock

Start your adventure from the fjords of Prince William Sound, home to the 2nd largest national forest in the USA: the Chugach Forest. The scenery here is already breathtaking! Aboard your sailboat, you’ll sail through extraordinarily blue-green waters, between fjords and numerous islands, all the way to the Kenai Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll admire several glaciers in the mountains and encounter birds, sea lions and even whales.

After passing Northwestern and McCarty fjords, you arrive on the immense island of Kodiak. It offers a wild landscape of mountains and forests. You may even encounter the Kodiak bear, an impressive brown bear native to this region. Your journey ends here, with a visit to Kodiak National Park, where you can learn more about the place.

Destination Alaska by boat in search of whales

Photo credit : Shutterstock

This itinerary will introduce you to the Haida Islands, a protected archipelago listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to its sumptuous landscapes, the islands are the cradle of a thousand-year-old civilization: the Haida. During your crossing, you’ll learn more about the local culture, including a visit to an Amerindian village steeped in spirituality. Your boat will also call at Tanu Island, where you can relax in natural hot springs in superb surroundings. You’ll then sail to Rose Harbour, a former whaling station, now a peaceful spot.

Then you’ll approach the remains of a Haida village with a burial cave and numerous totem poles. You’ll learn more about Alaska’s first inhabitants. You’ll then cross the Hecate Strait to reach the Great Bear Rainforest, an immense forest. Be careful as you explore this forest, which is home to many black and grizzly bears! Finish the day with a soak in Bishop Bay’s hot springs.

You’ll then sail through theInside Passage, where you’re likely to encounter orcas and humpback whales. A moment you won’t soon forget!

Iceberg boat trip in Alaska

Photo credit : Shutterstock

Cruise Alaska’s icy landscapes aboard a sailboat to get up close and personal with icebergs. First, you’ll sail to the Columbia Maritime Glacier. At 64 km long, it’s the largest in North America! In this silent place, you can hear it crackle and get a closer look at the fascinating color of the icebergs that surround it. Over the next few days, you’ll have the chance to admire other glaciers such as Miners Lake (the only advancing glacier in the region), Surprise Glacier and many others. You’ll also stop off at various points along the way to look for black bears in the lush vegetation.

Afterwards, you’ll pass by the Blackstone Glacier. It’s a magnificent and photogenic place. You’ll be able to contemplate its relief and different shades of blue and white. Then you’ll discover Alaska’s sumptuous landscapes by boat, but also on hikes. You’ll be surrounded by a multitude of islands, with panoramas worthy of postcards. You’ll also get up close to a colony of sea lions near Shoup Bay. A paradise for animal lovers!

Crossing the Gulf of Alaska by boat

Photo credit : Shutterstock

The journey begins in southeast Alaska, aboard your sailboat in Prince William Sound. You’ll immediately get into the swing of things as you pass by a colony of sea lions. Watch them bask in the sun! Secondly, you’ ll cross the Gulf of Alaska, with its magnificent mountains where you may be lucky enough to spot whales. You’ll call at Elfin Cove, nicknamed the village at the end of the world. This cute little port surrounded by fir trees is home to a dozen fishermen.

Meet the ice giants in Glacier Bay National Park. There are no fewer than 16 glaciers here, spilling incredible quantities of icebergs into the fjords you’ll travel through. These landscapes of mountains and ice will never fail to amaze you. It’s an absolutely splendid place! Your itinerary ends in Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the region’s history, and in particular about the pioneers of the gold rush.

Sailboat cruise in Alaska’s fjords

Photo credit : Shutterstock

Aboard your sailboat, get close to remote and wild landscapes. First, you’ll sail to the Tongass forest, where you can spot bears at Anan Creek. They gather here to fish for salmon on their way upstream. A fascinating sight! Then on to the village of Petersburg, founded by a Norwegian colony in 1890. Here, you can soak up the atmosphere of the Far North and contemplate its splendid surroundings of forests and high peaks.

Enjoy a moment of intense relaxation in the natural hot springs of Warm Spring Bay. Then head for a spectacular site: Glacier Bay National Park. As its name suggests, glaciers abound in this park. You can admire them as you pass between the icebergs floating between the fjords. After this breath of fresh air, return to civilization by boat to Alaska’s capital, Juneau. Visit old gold mines and saloons that bear witness to the region’s pioneering history.

Find out more about the Alaska boat trip

The best time to visit Alaska is in spring and summer, when temperatures are mildest. It’s during this period that the tours offered by Nomade Aventure depart.

All the expeditions presented in this article to explore Alaska by boat take place on a sailboat, accommodating 1 to 6 passengers. It has 6 berths and a single shower (with hot water). Life on board is an integral part of the experience. Living together in a small space like a sailboat is unusual, and will take you out of your comfort zone. Respect for each other and conviviality are essential values on such a trip.

Meals on board are provided by a cook, but mutual help is always appreciated for preparing menus and washing up.

You’ll need to bring a sleeping bag (with a comfort temperature of 10°C) and a pillowcase. And don’t forget to bring wipes for a quick daily wash. You can also take showers in the ports where you dock for a few dollars.

Exploring Alaska by boat is a wonderful way to enjoy the scenery and tranquility. Are you now convinced you want to sail across the Gulf of Alaska?