SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Southeast Alaska known on the old British Admiralty Charts as the Alexander Archipelago is a seemingly endless labyrinth of channels, passages, fjords, bays and straits extending from Ketchikan in the south three hundred and fifty nautical miles to Skagway at the north end of Lynn Canal.

This area, over eighty percent of which constitutes the Tongas National Forest, is a temperate rain forest with some places receiving over 100 inches of rainfall per year. Heavily forested, with towering mountains the scenery becomes more and more spectacular as you cruise north past Petersburg to Juneau and Sitka. Tidewater glaciers, protected inside waters teaming with fish, marine mammals from whales to sea lions and sea otters await the adventurous spirited people who visit Alaska.

Ursa Major's normal cruising grounds extend from Juneau south to Petersburg and west to Sitka. This area with its spectacular geology and teaming wildlife defines the image many people have of Alaska. At times cruising these waters we feel like we are in the middle of a "National Geographic" nature film. In fact, this is where many filmmakers come to get their best close-up footage of whales and other marine mammals.

The map on the right shows a red tracing that corresponds to our sample itinerary. This trip covers approximately 200 nautical miles and gives a great sampling of Alaska’s best in fishing, whale watching, scenery and wildlife. This is just one of an infinite number of possible cruises. Your itinerary will be designed based on your interests.