Glacier Bay National Park: A Sailing Expedition
Taking a cruise to Alaska was always on my travel bucket list. When our friends asked us to join them on a sailing expedition from Juneau through Glacier Bay National Park, we barked out YES! before they could even finish the question.
Highlights from our sailing expedition
We started our journey from San Francisco to Alaska with a fun-filled weekend in Juneau. The following Monday morning, we three couples headed to the docks at Auke Bay Harbor to embark on a truly once-in-a-lifetime sailing expedition through a part of the world so different than anything any of us have ever experienced. Our captain Blain Anderson and his First Mate (and wife) Monique greeted us and helped us aboard our home for the next 10 days, their 50 foot s/v (sailing vessel) The Bob. Blain and Monique own and operate Sound Sailing, which leads a variety of skippered charters through the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. Our friends who invited us had originally decided upon the 10 day Glacier Bay National Park Sailing Expedition, choosing June as one of the best weather months in Alaska. That was a great choice!
Accommodations
The Bob is a 50 foot sailboat that has four berths below deck, each with a double bed and private head, accommodating up to six passengers/3 couples–the fourth berth is for the crew. In the center of the interior is an open kitchen across from a dining area that seats eight comfortably. There are books, games and snacks to entice you. But he highlight of the Bob is the enclosed cockpit above. You want to spend most of you time there, where you can view the spectacular scenery and wildlife while staying warm and dry. In the center there is also a collapsible table, multi-purposed for dining, games and other activities. There are clear “doors” that you unzip (and can keep open in warmer weather) to get out onto the deck. The deck is spacious, with room for all of us to stand or sit, even with the SUP, kayak, and two large Yeti coolers.
Our Route
I wish I had recorded the specifics of what we did each day, but I was really in the moment on this trip. You can take a look at the sample itinerary, though much is decided on a day-to-day basis, based on the weather and marine conditions. Captain Blain and First Mate Monique have a keen eye and ear for spotting wildlife and marine life, creating the highlights of our experience. We all took (and shared) an abundance of photos and videos that chronicled our voyage and experiences (credit note: the photos on this post are a collection taken by everyone on the boat). Additionally, each couple received a map which Monique would update every few days with our route and what we saw and did along the way!
Glaciers
There are over one thousand glaciers in Glacier Bay. Being on a sailboat vs. a big cruise ship, we were able to get much closer for viewing, and we even went to shore and did a glacier hike at Reid Glacier.
Some of the glaciers we saw included:
- Lamplugh
- Grand Pacific
- Mendenhall
- Reid
- Margerie
- Johns Hopkins
Activities
Even though we spent 10 days on a sailboat, we did a lot of activities and I can confidently say that they beat any excursion offered by the cruise ships we saw coming in and out of Glacier Bay for the day. We took turns using the SUP (stand-up paddle-board) and kayak whenever we were anchored and the water was calm.
Hikes
- Admiralty Island and Funter Bay State Marine Park
- Excursion Inlet
- Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve – Bartlett Cove
- Reid Glacier Hike
- Bear Tracks Hike
- Hoonah on Chichagof Island
We had several land excursions. The first day we put on our knee-high waterproof boots and waterproof pants and took the skiff ashore in Coot Cove for our first hike. Monique taught us about the history of the area, and sharing so much information about the animals, marine life, and flora and fauna, as we trudged through the boggy remnants of canneries and a Russian Orthodox cemetery. In Bartlett Cove we disembarked and did a nature-led hike at Glacier Bay Lodge and also visited their Culture House. At Excursion Inlet, we had the choice of bike riding, mini-golf, a museum visit, and shopping! We hiked as close to Reid Glacier as we safely could. We followed bear and moose tracks on our Sebree Cove hike, and then had a more urban field trip in the village of Hoonah, where we also observed authentic totem-pole carving.
I actually brought my yoga mat with me and used it in Juneau at the hotel and at least once on the boat. It was really weather-dependent because there was only space to use it up on deck and it needed to be dry and calm.
None of us wanted to leave without doing a “polar plunge”–some of us liked it so much we did it twice! We were lucky to have really nice weather during our trip with many sunny days and only one or two days with some rain.
Wildlife
Some of the wildlife we saw included:
- humpback whales
- bald eagles
- sea otters
- harbor seals
- sea lions
- fish (salmon, halibut)
- puffins
- kittiwakes
- brown bears
- black bears
- oystercatchers
- moose
- mountain goats
- shrimp
Meals and food
Monique and Blain work together to plan and prepare tasty and creative meals throughout the entire trip. I was quite happy that they did such a great job accommodating my vegan style of eating and also served us many servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. There were always snacks available including mixed nuts, peanut butter pretzels, chocolate and fresh fruit. They do tell you in advance that they’ll provide mixers but guests need to provide their own alcohol and they request to keep bottles to a minimum. We did a good job of stocking up at the liquor store in Juneau and had a good supply for Happy Hour each night and dinner.
Games and Activities
After dinner each night, the eight of us sat around the table and had so much fun playing different games, including Code Names and Bridge. Blain and Monique taught us “O-Hell” and “It’s In The Bag”. Eric and Miriam became Crossword partners (which came with sharing a beer..). I brought my watercolors and enjoyed painting several times, and Miriam and I had a Haiku workshop together. I love having these creative experiences that become precious memoirs and priceless souvenirs.
Whale Watching
The DAILY whale watching was one of the most exciting parts of the trip. We even saw bubble net feeding several times!With the hydrophone on board, we could listen to the kill song of the whales as we watched them blow their spouts and then dive down and flip their tales in the air.
Best tips for a great Alaska sailing expedition
- Choose Sound Sailing with Blaine and Monique Anderson on s/v The Bob
- Go in June or July for best weather
- Pick friends you can live with in close quarters for an extended period of time that enjoy a rustic trip
- Consider going a few days in advance to enjoy Juneau, as you’ll be ready to go home after your sailing trip
Have you been to Alaska? I’d like to hear about your experience…please share in the comments.
