Experience the Majesty of Sitka's Herring Run - HOLIDAYS DEAL - SAVE 15% (Use promo code HOLIDAYS at checkout)
Join us on a 5-day, 4-night cruise departing and returning to Sitka, Alaska. Witness one of nature's most spectacular events: the annual herring run.Under the watchful eye of Mount Edgecumbe, the serene waters of Sitka Sound transform into a bustling ecosystem. Countless herring return to spawn every year, attracting a symphony of predators.
Beyond the wildlife, immerse yourself in the beauty of Sitka. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, savor fresh seafood prepared by our private chef, and experience the tranquility of the Alaskan wilderness. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the raw power of nature and gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. This 5-day, 4-night cruise departing and returning to Sitka, Alaska.
We take you through the ice, closer to glaciers, and travel across waters where others can’t go due to the challenges of the sea with our 85 ft custom expedition yacht. This motor vessel is built for Alaska with a steel hull for bumping up against the ice and NIAD stabilizers for a comfortable cruise!
During our 50 years, we have accumulated over 800 US Forest Service permits, so we take you to remote areas other charters can't go.
Our Naturalist will share the facts and history of wildlife and Southeast Alaska.
You will leave with a newfound experience of the freshest seafood caught from our Alaskan waters, incredible photographs, and, most importantly, the trip of a lifetime!
The M/V Northern Song is an 85’ x 26’ x 10’ steel world cruiser with a capacity for 8-10 guests in four staterooms. There is a Master Suite with a queen-sized bed on the main deck that includes one queen-sized bed, an ensuite bathroom with a separate bathtub stall and shower. There is the ability to add an extra cot in this stateroom. There are three guest cabins on the lower deck with a full-size bed and a single upper bed, and an ensuite bathroom with a separate shower stall.
You will be picked up at your accommodation at 1:45 pm for a 2:00 pm departure. The boat will return to Sitka at 2: 00 pm, from where you will be delivered to your lodging.
Please send us a friendly email to let us know you are canceling. If we receive a cancellation notice 150 or more days before the departure date, your deposit will be refunded less a 10% cancellation fee of the total fare cost and any commissions. You may also transfer your reservation to another available date if you choose.
Travelers will not receive a refund if cancellations are made 149 days or less before departure. Therefore we recommend getting travel insurance to protect your fare in case any unanticipated circumstances require you to cancel your trip.
Meals are prepared by our chef, wine with evening meals, and beer throughout your day. Meals include Alaskan seafoods Black cod, halibut, salmon, and crab! Dietary needs can be accommodated.
All cabins include towels, bed linens, shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair dryers and select sizes on Alaska boots.
Outside on our top deck is an eliptical machine to excerise.
Our Naturalist will share the facts and history of whales, wildlife and Southeast Alaska.
We have a reference library filled with maps and books on Alaska, whales, and local history for you to enjoy in our lounge.
A 5% sales tax is capped for a total of a $600 sales tax and a bed tax of $5 per person, per overnight of the trip.
There are two tender boats for exploring and getting to shore for beach walks and hiking.
We have a hydrophone that goes in the water to listen to the whale song then we can gauge when they will surface or potentially bubble feed, so you are ready to capture those incredible photos.
Alaska Airlines is the only commercial airline that flies into Southeast Alaska.
This trip does not include any fishing.
Guests may have the opportunity to go flight seeing near Mount Edgecumbe Volcano and see the whales and herring fisherman from above. We highly recommend this experience. It is weather permitting.
We recommend a gratuity of 10-20% to show your appreciation for exceptional service. Our staff strives to provide the highest level of service.
We can help with hotel recommendations as we encourage you to come the day prior to boarding and stay the night you depart the boat and then fly out.
Wine is provided with dinner and beer is available throughout the day. If you would like any additional spirits, we can pick them up prior to departure or you can bring them aboard.
We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your trip in the event of an emergency.
Wi-Fi is available to purchase if you would like to use it or you can unplug and relax!
This charter departs and returns to Sitka, Alaska, while we explore the waters of Sitka Sound. Here you can see the milky-colored shores milky-colored filled with herring spawn. The eagles, whales, and wildlife are fattening up on the herring. The commercial fisherman waits patiently for the herring to spawn so they can start seining for the herring. commercial
We will explore the waters of Sitka Sound, experiencing the humpback whales. The whales have made their long journey from Hawaii where they have spent the winter mating and calving.
This is a excellent time of the year to potentially experience breaching or bubble-net feeding as the whales are fattening up on the abundance of herring. Remember, we can't ever predict what the fish and animals may do, so we can't guarantee what marine life you will get to see, but that is part of the adventure!
The rocky shorelines, saltwater marshes, bogs, and woodlands of Southeast Alaska comprise a birder’s paradise. The diversity of habitats ensures a wide variety of birds can be seen nearby, including large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds. Bald eagles are common in the Southeast; their numbers are measured in the thousands. During these Spring trips, you can potentially see the Long-Tailed Duck and the golden eye harlequin ducks. You can not see these again until our December trips.
We will cruise the Sitka Sound exploring for wildlife. You will see Steller sea lions, otters, seals, and many other bird species. Remember, we can't ever predict what the fish and animals may do, so we can't guarantee what marine life you will get to see, but that is part of the adventure!
Bring your swimsuit and experience an Alaskan hot spring!
You will leave with a newfound experience of the freshest seafood from our Alaskan waters served at your table.
Our all-inclusive chef will tailor a menu to your preferences. Seafoodod includes halibut, black cod, salmon, king crab, shrimp, Dungeness crab, and whatever else might be in season!
Commercial fishermen gather in Sitka from all over Alaska to harvest herring for their valuable eggs. The eggs are sent to Japan and repacked in small cedar boxes for Christmas gifts.
Have a glass of wine, play a game, read all the beautiful Alaskan books aboard the boat, edit your incredible photos, or just daydream!
