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.
New
A Journey from Nome to Tokyo: Ring of Fire to Ainu Culture
Duration
20 days
Aug
From
$31,470
Top Highlights
Watch for a profusion of rare wildlife in Alaska’s Pribilof and Aleutian Islands: from whiskered auklets and northern fur seals to Steller’s sea eagles and brown bears
Search for the sacred red-crowned crane on a visit to the wetlands of Kushiro in Hokkaido
Learn about the culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people on visits to a village and a living history museum
Alaska Escape: Haines, the Inian Islands and Tracy Arm Fjord
Duration
6 days
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
From
$3,202
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.
Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell and Misty Fjords
Duration
6 days
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
From
$4,084
Top Highlights
Venture by Zodiac into a fjord laden with blue ice from the Leconte or Baird glacier
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
Roam small, uninhabited islands, hiking through the moss-draped cedar and Sitka spruce or tidepooling along the craggy shores
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 and 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
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$7,801
Prices are per person
Highlights
Alaska
New
Exploring Southeast Alaska’s ABC Islands
Duration
8 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$7,801
Top Highlights
Kayak or paddleboard along the rugged coastline of Chichagof Island, home to one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world
Hike through remote areas of Tongass National Forest, with an option for an adventurous all-day bushwacking excursion
Cruise through an ice-filled fjord towards the face of a glacier in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area
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
Stroll through the 100-year-old fishing town of Petersburg and learn about its Norwegian heritage
Voyage to Alaska, British Columbia and Haida Gwaii
Duration
15 days
Apr
May
Aug
Sep
From
$11,189
Top Highlights
With very special access, spend four days in Haida Gwaii, a UNESCO World Heritage site, learning from Haida interpreters about their living culture and exploring these remote islands
Sail deep into fjords and cruise rugged coastlines in search of humpback whales, dolphins, bears, and more
Explore by Zodiac in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm for an up-close view of calving glaciers, towering forests, and seals afloat on iridescent icebergs
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.
After a soggy day in Petersburg, we were thrilled to find our day in Tracy Arm flooded with sunshine instead of raindrops. Winding through the labyrinthine fjord is always an adventure this time of year, and we prepared for a veritable wall of frozen icebergs. But the fjord was surprisingly clear until the final bend, where a thick layer of pan ice stopped us in our tracks. Undeterred, we boarded our Zodiacs, crept below the steep cliffs, and prodded into the pan ice perimeter as far as we dared. Several mountain goats watched us from above, and a couple of curious harbor seals followed in our wake, patiently waiting for the pan ice to melt so they can wiggle onto the massive bergs and pup their young. A handful of humpbacks escorted us north through Stephens Passage, along with some blissfully calm water and more of that rare Alaskan sunshine. We have a long sail ahead of us this evening as we motor more than 160 miles toward mystical Glacier Bay.
As we entered Wrangell Narrows before breakfast and en route to Petersburg, we were met by a pod of about 8 Dahl’s porpoises. They made sure we were properly escorted, as they darted back and forth continuously in front of the bow to the absolute delight of all. Fortunately, no smartphone cameras were lost, although many were hung precariously over the side to capture photos and videos of the amazing performance. After about 25 minutes the porpoises peeled off, presumably to escort another ship entering their domain. After docking and lunch, we had a choice of five activities: two different hikes featuring muskegs, a bike ride or photo tour through town, and a walking tour of Tongass National Forest led by an Alaska Native guide. Because we are in a rainforest, much of our afternoon was under moderate-to-heavy rain, sprinkled with a dash of sun. We returned to National Geographic Sea Lion to view a blazing rainbow off the bow, and to enjoy a particularly rousing recap with a fashion show featuring guests who purchased items of clothing in Petersburg. The festivities continued with our traditional Crab Night dinner, while transiting into tomorrow.
National Geographic Sea Lion made her way back into Alaskan waters this morning. The glassy water offered reflections and sightings of a humpback whale to welcome us into spring on our northbound expedition. We made our way through the forest-covered granite walls of Rudyerd Bay. The clouds hugged the snowy mountaintops, with the sun offering sneaky peeks of the peaks. Known as the “Yosemite of the North,” Misty Fjords is a hard-to-reach pocket of wilderness, and no picture can capture its true beauty. We launched our Zodiacs and kayaks to explore and take it all in. Alaska has welcomed us back in her truest form of wonder.
This morning, we left the dock in Daajing Giids, Haida Gwaii in search of wildlife. Our fabulous bridge team took us slowly north along the coast of Haida Gwaii towards Old Massett. The east coast of Haida Gwaii is an excellent place to spot humpback whales, killer whales, and if we are lucky, gray whales. Well, we were super lucky and spotted a few gray whales! During our sea day, guests were spoiled with a myriad of interesting presentations. In addition, throughout the day, some guests enjoyed reading on the sundeck while others visited the bridge, and many delighted in taking a nap. The day closed with a fun recap session and a magnificent dinner. Tonight, we cross Hecate Straight, and tomorrow we will wake up in Alaska! Sweet dreams from National Geographic Sea Lion.
Today, National Geographic Sea Lion docked in Daajing Giids and then drove up to Old Masset to visit two Haida master carvers. The luscious smell of cedar was powerful in the carving sheds of both artists. Each carver’s creative space was filled with many projects “in the works”. We were feasted with a traditional meal in the Canoe House that was delicious. After our meal, there were two stores to visit which had Haida art, jewelry, and so much more. We really enjoyed commemorating our time in Haida Gwaii with a treasured purchase or two.
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.