Please check your email to verify your subscription. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Cruising in the Inside Passage takes a certain amount of skill. Another popular area in the Salish Sea is Desolation Sound. Keystone's book is a handy, personal, detailed account of where to go, where to anchor, what to see. But everything does. We’ve seen grizzly bears foraging along the shore and a dozen normally solitary bald eagles all perched together on a beached log. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Being used to the 1:40,000 scale commonly found on the Canadian Hydrographic Services’ marine charts, for example, you don’t immediately appreciate the change in size as you start looking at NOAA charts again (scale 1:80,000). Since there is no need to sail more than 5 hours in a given day on this itinerary, there's plenty time to soak in the local hot springs, too. Please try again. In a way, the Inside Passage is to the Pacific Northwest what the Intracoastal Waterway is to the East Coast—a protected waterway used by mariners to reach distant destinations. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Before we set out we make sure we know the timing of the predicted currents. For those who do make it beyond the strait, though, the Broughton Archipelago, with its sparsely inhabited, forested islands, snug anchorages and friendly seasonal marinas holding weekly potlucks or shrimp feeds, is the next reward. Still, cold aside, it’s an incredible place. Sail on an intimate 54-foot vessel through Alaska’s Inside Passage. The Inside Passage of Alaska is a network or coastal islands that form multiple passages along the coast. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. "I try to position the boat for the nearest thing going on environmentally," he says, "but if someone wants to see something really specific that’s great.". Seaside towns nestle beside coastal mountains where thrill seekers whale watch, kayak, dog mush, and even snorkel. First came hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean followed by Dorian in the Bahamas. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Granted, a couple of large cruise ships will also typically enter the park on any given day. Toward the southern end, which I call “cruising in civilization,” you will find cities and towns with plentiful marinas, provisioning opportunities, chandleries, and such amenities as farmers' markets, good shopping, restaurants and … All you need is an open heart and an open mind and Captain Hoock will offer you a unique trip of a lifetime. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. As summer goes on, another good itinerary runs from Juneau to Sitka, which Hoock calls the " heart of Alaska" trip. It’s an amazing area to explore, with wildlife all around. Captain Hoock then joined the NOAA Corps (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a Commissioned Officer) and served a sea tour on a 224 foot research vessel. The Inside Passage: A Tanner/Whitney sailing adventure (Tanner Whitney Sailing Adventures Book 1) - Kindle edition by Brookins, Carl. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Ericson sailboat up the Inside Passage. But it’s easy sharing a mile-wide tidewater glacier with even the biggest of them, and they only ever loiter for 15 minutes or so anyway. Itineraries are custom, escape to little known hot springs. Powerboaters listen for swell reports from the nearby ocean buoy, and when the waves are less than 3ft scurry around the cape and into the protected waters of Fitz Hugh Sound. See the News page (Sailing with Toddlers) for our stories from the sea. I may even mean stopping early at a protected anchorage. For those headed north, a dawn departure will often provide an enjoyable 25-mile sail close-hauled on port tack from Entrance Island to Lasqueti Island. If you’re a fan of quiet and unspoiled nature, you’ll love exploring the Inside Passage. Self-reliance is vital. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? 7-10 days is the most common. On North Broughton Island, the marina is at the junction of Sutlej Channel and Wells Passage. The New Mexico native got the sailing bug when he moved to Alaska for college—and bought a sailboat as his home; though he will clam to have been born on the crest of a wave. The author has obviously sailed the Inside Passage many a time, exploring the coves and fjords, appreciating the beauty and mystery of the scenery. Fortunately, there are also a variety of channels through this area, some better protected than others, so it’s possible to select a route that best suits your skills and your boat’s capabilities. She is also the author of the sailing guide, Taken by the Wind: The Northwest Coast, Quiet. Hoock is the first to say that this is not a luxury cruise—but it’s a fabulous way to explore Southeast Alaska. Some of the narrower regions, such as Seymour Narrows, actually have tidal rapids where currents can reach 12-16 knots. Further complicating the situation is the fact the surrounding mountains will often funnel and divert this wind, creating conditions that can change rapidly depending on where you might happen to be. No chug, chug, chug from the diesel as water cascades out of the exhaust. For me, this is where the cruising adventure really begins. Group participation cooking is encouraged, though Captain Hoock has a reputation as a bit of gourmet chef himself. Once a route plied by Klondike gold rushers, Alaska’s Inside Passage spans 500 miles of shoreline jam-packed with some of the world’s most amazing landscapes and abundant wildlife. Snug anchorages and excellent marinas abound. This may mean diverting into a side channel, where the winds are typically less. Along the Inside Passage, for example, there is not a single drawbridge to worry about. Sail past alluring fjords and miniature islands so beautiful that it seems they’ve been placed for aesthetics’ sake. You’ll sail from Juneau to Tracy or Endicott arms, dropping crab pots along the way and seeing sights like Sawyer Glacier and large groups of whales. Beyond Cape Caution is the BC north coast, where things like cell signals and the internet become essentially nonexistent. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. We’ve seen shearwaters gracefully skimming the waves, and cute little tufted puffins diving for dinner. Most of these inlets have dramatic steep-sided mountains that plunge directly into the water, and during spring rains and the summer snow melt, you will find any number of waterfalls. Hoock always has kayaks and other gear, so along the way you can stop and get out to kayak, stand-up paddleboard or fish. You wouldn’t expect much to change simply because you’re crossing the imaginary line that is the international boundary separating the United States and Canada. We’ll have to wait to see who comes in last this year. As if a cruise vacation to Alaska isnt amazing enough, you can arrive or depart on an extra special route through glacier lined, wildlife-filled and smooth-sailing waterway of Alaskas Inside Passage. The cape bears the brunt of the ocean wind and waves coming in from the west, causing it to act as the passage’s next gatekeeper. We’ve even been lucky enough to see humpbacks bubble-feeding. Continuing on from the Broughtons, you enter Queen Charlotte Strait. The Inside Passage starts in Puget Sound, goes through the Salish Sea past Vancouver, British Columbia, and then follows the BC coast to Southeast Alaska. Car, train, or group tour. Victoria, one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, puts its British charm on display. Explore away from the crowds, and get a wonderfully up-close view of wildlife & scenery Sadly, there is not much wind in this area. Inside Passage by Sailboat We recently sailed our 32’ Westsail, Chaika, up the Inside Passage from Bellingham, Washington to Haines, Alaska. As a result, on most summer afternoons, Environment Canada will end up forecasting a strong wind warning, similar to a small-craft advisory in the United States. It’s the kind of place where you can really disconnect from the outside world. Toward the southern end, which I call “cruising in civilization,” you will find cities and towns with plentiful marinas, provisioning opportunities, chandleries, and such amenities as farmers' markets, good shopping, restaurants and fascinating museums. Something to be aware of—with water temperatures in Glacier Bay as low as 34 degrees F, even in July, living in a sailboat cabin, much of which is below the waterline, requires a toughness greater than my own. Coming to Alaska just to glide along the coastline by boat and smell the ocean breeze—that’s a classic trip. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. The Inside Passage is a coastal route for ships and boats along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American Fjordland. Self-drive vacations. Join the Silver Explorer and sail the Inside Passage from Vancouver to Seward, Alaska and experience the dynamic culture and natural splendor this region has to offer. In many spots, you’ll also find great sailing. We hope you will feel you are part of the trip. and Kevin Escoffier (PRB) to wish them well and congratulate them on their effort. Mornings are usually calm, but later in the day, as the interior heats up in the summer sun, cooler ocean air begins rushing inland. By contrast, we once sat for eight hours watching slabs of blue ice crashing into the water off Margerie Glacier. A practical guide to Sailing the Inside Passage to Alaska. You can also enjoy cruising in Washington State’s San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands in BC, both of which are favorite destinations for sailors from the Seattle and Vancouver areas. Many of these rapids are extremely dangerous, due to their turbulent flows and whirlpools that make boathandling difficult to impossible. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Not surprisingly, Johnstone Strait acts as a gatekeeper for those sailors who prefer the creature comforts and beauty of the Salish Sea. ≈ 5 Comments. He has taught sailing, and has shared his passion for environmental stewardship, but his strength lies in his enthusiasm and ability to share adventure with others. Day 1-Sunday-2:00PM: After we get you settled aboard Northwind we will set sail from Bellingham to Sucia. Maps of Inside Passage for Sailing Tour | Sail the San Juans Maps of Inside Passage Use your mouse to click and drag to explore the maps. The 54-foot-long, steel-hull sailboat was first built as a research vessel for the Kodiak Island Research Group in 1983 as part of “The Great Alaska Tree Survey.” The ship sleeps up to 6, plus the captain. Book Your Own Inside Passage Cruise. We offer two of these one-way 12-day training trips annually. Southeast Alaska — a network of sheltered waterways, spruce-covered islands, snow-capped mountains, glacier-fed rivers, and small, beautiful coastal communities, all within America’s largest national forest and connected by the topnotch Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. That’s what you hear as you back away from the mooring. This link will tell you everything you need to know about dates, times, prices and added extras. Instead, the way is generally wide and deep, with the route crossing any number of different straits and sounds. As one of the class' top sailors who's been on the Vendeé Podium twice, it seemed possible that Thomson was going to grab an early lead and hold on to it all the way around the world. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Alaskas Inside Passage is a water route between the Gulf of Alaska and Puget Sound. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Encompassed by tranquil waters, one moment you can be sailing a wide bay of barrier islands and the next you’re cruising through a narrow waterway flanked by towering forested walls. Welcome to Alaska’s Inside Passage. The reason for this is the thriving Alaskan fish population, which means an active food chain from top to bottom. 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