There is no place like Alaska—a vast, pristine wilderness of snow-capped mountains, breathtaking fjords, and extraordinary wildlife. America’s final frontier captivates with the promise of discovery and aboard our nimble small ships you’ll have unparalleled access to seldom-seen corners of the Inside Passage and beyond. It’s in these remote parts where you can witness the thunder of a calving glacier, kayak past foraging bears, and linger with a pod of humpbacks. Lindblad Expeditions has been exploring the region for 40 years and our long legacy translates into an incredibly meaningful and authentic Alaska experience for our guests.
With action-packed itineraries for all ages, and expeditions ranging from six to 15 days, it's easy to get out and explore—especially with special family savings: take $500 off for each child under the age of 18 on any departure. Join us and discover why awe-inspiring Alaska is even better when shared.
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A Journey from Nome to Tokyo: Ring of Fire to Ainu Culture
Duration
20 days
Aug
From
$30,958
Top Highlights
Witness a profusion of rare wildlife in Alaska’s Pribilof and Aleutian Islands, from the deck of our ship or aboard a nimble Zodiac: from whiskered auklets and northern fur seals to Steller’s sea eagles and brown bears.
Spot the sacred red-crowned crane on a visit to the wetlands of Kushiro in Hokkaido, and learn about the culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people on visits to a village and a living history museum.
Delve into the history of the shoguns and samurai while visiting castle ruins in Sendai, the Tokugawa hub of Mito, and the spectacular Kairakuen gardens.
Enjoy a rich program of lectures by an expert team of naturalists, historians, and photographers; and take advantage of the National Geographic Resolution’s many amenities, from wellness programs and spa treatments to gourmet dining options and wine tastings.
A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii
Duration
15 days
Apr
May
Sep
From
$10,024
Top Highlights
With very special access, spend four days in Haida Gwaii, a UNESCO World Heritage site, learning from Haida interpreters about their nearly lost ancient culture and exploring these remote islands
Sail deep into fjords, narrow channels and hidden coves and bays, searching for humpback whales, dolphins, bears, and eagles
Kayak in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm for an up-close view of calving glaciers, towering forests, and seals afloat on iridescent icebergs
In wild, roadless places, see spectacular fjords with cascading waterfalls and soaring old-growth forests of spruce and cedar
Explore the picturesque fishing village of Petersburg, and by special permit, spend a full day exploring Glacier Bay National Park
Hike through lush forests and muskegs, kayak into secluded inlets, and cruise by Zodiac among electric blue icebergs and curious wildlife
By special permit, spend a full day exploring Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
If schedules permit, our conservation partners from the Alaska Whale Foundation will come aboard to meet with us and speak about the local whale population
Discover Alaska’s seldom-seen, vibrant marine life revealed by our undersea specialist
Hike and kayak in the wild remote areas of Tongass National Forest by special permit
Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia
Duration
14 days
May
Aug
Sep
From
$9,032
Top Highlights
Hike the San Juan Islands, and cruise where killer whales reliably gather each year to hunt among the numerous uninhabited isles’ remote inlets and bays
By special permit, sail into Glacier Bay National Park and pass a full day taking in the grand scale of the mountains, fjords, and active glaciers
Spend an afternoon strolling the streets of the 100-year-old town of Petersburg learning about its fishing industry and Norwegian heritage
In Misty Fjords National Monument, kayak along sheer, glacially carved cliffs and forested backwaters
In British Columbia explore along the shores of forested islands to see whales, dolphins, bears, and eagles
Wild Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands & Tracy Arm Fjord
Duration
6 days
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
From
$3,960
Top Highlights
Kayak or paddleboard along rugged coastlines of Chichagof Island which harbors one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world
Hike through temperate rainforest on Baranof island, listening for bald eagles calling out from the towering spruce and hemlock trees
Explore Haines, the “adventure capital of Alaska,” via raft, bicycle, or hiking boot, and opt to soar over Glacier Bay National Park on a flightseeing tour.
Cruise by Zodiac and kayak among abundant sea lions and search for whales in the Inian Islands
Meet eagles at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center
Seamlessly combine the experience with our southern Wild Alaska Escape itinerary and double the sights, sightings, and wildness on this most active of expeditions
Whale-watch daily from the bow of our small ship, and witness breaching humpbacks and orcas on the hunt.
Wild Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell & the Misty Fjords
Duration
6 days
Jun
Jul
Aug
From
$3,960
Top Highlights
Leave the ship every day with active options for exploring Alaska's wildness up close
Venture by Zodiac into a fjord choked with blue ice from Leconte or Baird Glacier and walk along the shoreline among the ice sculptures stranded on the beach
Sail Behm Canal into Misty Fjords National Monument in search of humpbacks, killer whales and sea lions, then hike the moss-draped cedar and Sitka spruce forest of nearby islands
Visit a tribal house and a beach famous for native petroglyphs on remote Wrangell Island, or take a jet boat excursion up the Stikine River
Whale-watch daily from the bow, keeping eyes peeled for orcas on the hunt
Explore Ketchikan’s local port with its vast fleet and thriving commercial fishery
This is the Alaska of legend—to experience it you have to go deep. Venture into narrow fjords, where virgin rock that has never before been seen or touched by humans is now being exposed by receding glaciers. Go into remote bays to linger and observe whales going about the slow business of their daily lives. Walk through temperate rainforests on trails worn into the spongy earth by foraging bears. Venture into small towns, populated by hardy, friendly souls, to discover the way life has been lived in Alaska for centuries. Meet First Nations people in mutually rewarding encounters and learn their traditions and ways of life. Plus, sail aboard U.S.-built and -flagged ships to minimize time-consuming protocols to clear customs and maximize time exploring.
One of the most rewarding sights on an expedition is witnessing the gleam of discovery in a child’s eyes, whether they’re making ice cream sundae glaciers or learning how to identify humpback whale flukes alongside our naturalists. Moments like these are abundant in Alaska—and they’re especially meaningful when complemented with the learning opportunities offered through our exclusive National Geographic Global Explorers Program for kids and teens 18 and under.
Henry David Thoreau called it the "tonic of wildness." It’s what Alaska, with its beauty and wildness intact, gives you—a spirit lift. To compound this healthful effect, add the luxury of comfort to the privilege of being here—with a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
Expert Perspectives: Wild Alaska with Travel Writer Fran Golden
A visitor to Alaska since the mid-1990s, award-winning writer Fran Golden shares some well-traveled wisdom, gleaned from the depth of immersion only small ships can offer.
Best Times to Visit Alaska: A Month-by-Month Guide
Each part of the Alaskan cruising season also holds its own allures. Midsummer makes for the most daylight hours, while the shoulder season—the first week of May and the beginning of September—is the only time one can transit the entire Inside Passage.
Our exclusive family program is the only one of its kind in Alaska travel. Developed in conjunction with National Geographic Education, it’s designed to help kids and teens develop the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of an explorer. And most of all—it delivers glacier-sized fun!
The Inian Islands: Where Alaska’s Wildlife Gathers
On the very northern edge of the Inside Passage, the Pacific Ocean flows into a narrow strait, creating one of the most biologically rich places on Earth. In the middle of this channel lie the Inian Islands, a small archipelago popular with Lindblad naturalists for the diverse and plentiful animals that flock there to feast.
As the director of the Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF), Andy Szabo studies the fascinating cultural behaviors of humpbacks in Southeast Alaska. Thanks to a longtime, exclusive partnership between Lindblad Expeditions and AWF, he regularly comes aboard our ships in Alaska to share his latest findings and observe whales alongside our guests.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Undersea specialists on select expeditions are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools, including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialist dives frequently during the voyage to show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Everyone was knowledgeable and well able to explain and share their information with anyone. Their enthusiasm is contagious!
Peter & Ann G.
Making a Difference
Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts in the places we explore, and one way we do that is through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. Traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in Alaska currently support our regional partner, Alaska Whale Foundation, in its efforts to study and conserve Alaska’s whales and other wildlife.
This morning found National Geographic Quest tied to the dock in Alert Bay, British Columbia. We were all invited to the U’mista Cultural Center to view the story of the ‘Namgis people as told by their beautiful artwork and regalia. Walking along the waterfront afforded us views into the daily lives of these fiercely independent people. After satiating ourselves with information of times past, we walked up to the longhouse at the top of the hill overlooking town. The longhouse for the ‘Namgis people is, appropriately enough, guarded by the tallest totem pole in the world. We were invited inside the longhouse; the toasty fire burning in the center was a welcome respite from the rain. Dancers came out and performed several ‘Namgis dances. Dancers young and old were swaying to the beats pounded out on drums. There were several different stories being told by the dancers and we all sat entranced by the beauty and the movement of each. At the end of the performance the dancers came into the crowd and invited us to participate in a final dance circling around the still-raging fire in the middle of the floor. What a pleasure to see the vibrance and pride of a community so well represented in dancers so young.
The first full day within the boundaries of the temperate rainforest set the scene for our upcoming trip as the weather consisted mostly of rain. After embarking in Ketchikan, Alaska, our first stop was Prince Rupert, Canada to fill out customs forms and visit the town. The rain did not dampen anyone’s spirits, as over half the boat hiked the Rushbrook trail. Alders and red cedars lined the trail on either side. Some of the cedar trees were culturally modified, as bark strippings were observed. Those not on the hike visited the North Pacific Cannery, or the Museum of Northern British Columbia, and don’t forget time spent wandering around town! Returning from the day’s activities, guests had a chance to stop at Cowpuccino’s, a local coffee shop where they could order a complimentary hot beverage. As the day came to an end and the rain subsided, a rainbow broke out to cap off a wonderful day spent exploring Prince Rupert.
After a comfortable evening sail through Johnstone Strait, we arrived in Tenedos Bay within the Desolation Sound Marine Park just prior to sunrise. The morning views were spectacular with wispy bands of mist on the tree-covered mountains, clear skies, and a hint of orange in the sky reflecting off the glassy waters as the sun rose. Many guests enjoyed the early morning views from all decks as oystercatchers and belted kingfishers sounded off with the rising sun. Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for kayaking and standup paddleboarding in the morning. The calm waters made for a beautifully peaceful yet aerobic paddle as we explored around a small island within Tenedos Bay. Amongst the red cedars and the Douglas firs, the sunlight highlighted the red bark of the Pacific madrones, locally known here as arbutus trees. These trees are becoming much more prevalent as we journey southward on this, “Remarkable Journey: Alaska, British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii. Prior to lunch, the fun continued for both participants and spectators alike during our Polar Plunge! The plunge wear was varied and included a pink Power Ranger suit and a Gumby suit worn by Second Mate Jenna. It was so much fun with laughter and smiles all around, and it made for some fun lunchtime conversations. For the afternoon, we opted to remain anchored at this beautiful place and took scenic Zodiac cruises to explore the area more. Harbor seals, kingfishers, and many oysters were among the nature we spotted. Today was a fantastic final full day on board National Geographic Sea Bird . Experiences and memories that will last have been made during our voyage. Tomorrow morning, we disembark in Vancouver.
National Geographic Quest anchored at Jackson Narrows, and we awoke to a foggy, beautiful morning. The sounds of bald eagles against the quiet morning made a comforting setting, as guests enjoyed a cup of coffee on the bow. We got into Zodiacs to zip around and explore the narrows while dodging the rain. Kayakers were able to observe a lot of the wonderful wildlife in the shallows as they enjoyed a paddle. In the afternoon we had a great viewing of orcas. They were in a large pod swimming near the surface and breaching along our journey into Jackson Passage. Our wellness specialist Ava held a dance class after lunch to get everybody up and moving!
Just before the light of day, National Geographic Sea Bird made her way towards Government Dock in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island in British Columbia. Our floating home cruised all night, making her way across Queen Charlotte Sound before finally entering Johnstone Strait at its northernmost end. Cormorant Island is located just south of this location and was our destination. Alert Bay is home to the Namgis band of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation. After docking, we made our way to the U’mista Cultural Center to get acquainted with another of the many Indigenous Nations that make up the northwest coast of North America. We were greeted by several of the people who manage the Cultural Center, and we eventually divided into two groups. One group made its way to the Potlatch Collection, while the other half enjoyed a film from Namgis filmmaker Barbara Cranmer in the upper half of the cultural center. The center was established in 1980 and houses a very important collection of potlatch regalia that was stolen from the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation in 1921 by the Canadian government, which had outlawed potlatches. The potlatch was held on Village Island. The people of Alert Bay petitioned the Canadian government for the return of their stolen regalia and were told, “If you build a museum, we will return your regalia.” The museum was built, and repatriation began. The Namgis people of Alert Bay were among the first to create an interpretive center/museum to tell the story of their treasures from their point of view! Alert Bay became a vocal community from that time forward. Many other Indigenous nations along the northwest coast followed suit by creating interpretive centers to house their own treasures and preserve the Living Cultures of the Northwest Coast peoples for future generations. We arrived in Alert Bay on an unusual day, as there was a community wide power outage from 10 am to 4 pm. This required the U’mista Cultural Center and our natural history staff to design a day of operations without power. At 10 am sharp, the electricity in Alert Bay shut down. Just before then, Bruce Alfred arrived on site and conducted a tour through the Potlatch Collection in the lower end of the Cultural Center. The lights went out, and Bruce kept talking! The staff came down to the collection area and let us know that it was time to exit the Cultural Center. Outside, Bruce gathered us all for an in-depth discussion on carving and the creation of bentwood boxes. He is considered a world expert in this fine art form. With a wicked sense of humor and through a very detailed discussion, Bruce explained the complexity of constructing bentwood construction. A very intricate form of box construction that is more than 5,000 years in age, this style of box continues today with “new” tools introduced by non-natives. As we listened from under the protection of a tent, we watched the fall weather slowly making its way down channel, headed for Alert Bay. Our group made its way back to the ship for lunch. We made a brief stop at the ancestral burial grounds of the Namgis people. We were met by another community member, Brendon, who walked us through the many totem poles and detailed their history and importance. After lunch and hosting several community members on board National Geographic Sea Bird , we gathered once again for a short journey to “Gator Gardens.” This marshy area was renamed Alert Bay’s Ecological Park in 1998. The water is part of a backed up, swampy area that is made by a dam created in 1870 to bring fresh water to several canneries along the waterfront of Alert Bay. Those canneries operated until 1941. It took five years for the top of the hill to flood, eventually killing the trees and creating a bog-like environment that exists to this day with old growth western red cedar trees standing like giant sculptures. The weather finally hit Alert Bay, and rain came down in torrents as we made our way through the forest. We were sheltered from much of the rain under western hemlocks, some of which were old growth trees and mammoth in size! Eventually, we made our way back downhill to the ship. Once everyone was on board, National Geographic Sea Bird made her way south to Blackfish Sound. This area of moving sea currents is home to many marine mammals and seabirds. We made our way through a grey and rainy day with shades of dark green as we watched humpback whales. Seabirds made their living on the rich resources of the ocean water that make up Blackfish Sound and Johnstone Strait. Today was another amazing day exploring the many regions that make up the Inside Passage and the waters inhabited by Indigenous peoples for many thousands of years.
I’ll never forget doing our original reconnaissance in Alaska—soaring in a floatplane over such a wild landscape of dense forest, massive glaciers, and endless waterways. Southeast Alaska is simply magical.
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