Safari Quest, Alaska's Glacier Wilderness with Glacier Bay ex Juneau Return

Embark on a journey through Alaska's breathtaking landscapes with the Safari Quest, a uniquely agile yacht carrying just 22 guests. Its small size allows it to navigate nooks even our other vessels can't reach, offering exclusive access to remote wilderness areas. Experience Alaska's hidden gems, rich Native cultures, and diverse wildlife like never before on this unforgettable adventure.

Included Highlights:
- Visit restricted wilderness areas that can only be accessed on this ship
- Take a skiff or kayak ride in Fords Terror Wilderness Area
- Visit Admiralty Island National Monument, home for the "Fortress of the Bears"
- Explore areas with the highest population of brown bears per mile on earth
- Search for humpback whales in Frederick Sound and Icy Strait

Day 1: Juneau, Alaska Embarkation
Welcome to Juneau! First settled in the gold rush days, Juneau welcomes you with both small-town charm and towering glaciers. Toast to the beginning of your Alaskan journey as you sail west toward Icy Strait.

Meals included: dinner

Day 2: Icy Strait & Glacier Bay Outer Bay
Begin your morning with on-deck stretches and a strong cup of coffee. Energized and snug in your kayak, glide around in remote bays off Icy Strait through giant bullwhip kelp that can grow to over 100 feet long. Join your fellow guests on a skiff ride to a rocky outcropping to watch sea lions play. Or step into your boots for a forest hike with your top-notch naturalist guides who have plenty to share about everything Alaska—marine biology, plants, and even geology. On board, soak it all in as you soak in the hot tub.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Chichagof Island: Iyoukeen Cove & Basket Bay
Today, you’ll venture deep into the wilderness of Chichagof Island with a stop at Iyoukeen Cove and/or Basket Bay (weather permitting). Once home to Alaska’s only gypsum deposits, Iyoukeen Cove has long since returned to nature. Now it’s a haven for wildlife, where brown bears roam the shoreline, otters play in the kelp, and humpback whales feed just offshore. Here, you may kayak at the mouth of a river or join a guided hike.

Basket Bay is a quiet and rarely visited spot on Chichagof Island with ties to Tlingit heritage. You may hike nearby at the unnamed “Baby Basket Bay” as our crew refers to it. Part of the creek runs underground through a marble grotto which presents excellent kayaking opportunities. Due to the remoteness of this location, wildlife is abundant, including brown bears, otters, and other species, making it a beautiful place to explore.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Whitewater Bay or Takatz Bay
Today’s adventures take place on Admiralty Island, known to the Tlingit as “Kootznoowoo,” which translates to “Fortress of the Bear.” Your captain will assess conditions and choose the best destination among Whitewater Bay, or Takatz Bay.

Whitewater Bay is a designated wilderness area located on the West side of Admiralty Island National Monument, which is protected public land set aside to remain largely untouched. Thanks to the small size of the Safari Quest, you will have the chance to explore this remote and pristine area, where it is likely we will be the only visitors. Whitewater Bay is perfect for hiking and wildlife viewing, with bears commonly seen feeding on salmon during mid to late summer.

Takatz Bay is a deep, scenic bay that offers its own opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting, with trails leading to remarkable viewpoints around the surrounding forest and water.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Warm Springs Bay & Red Bluff Wilderness Area
Warm Springs Bay is a rare and special destination that few visitors to Alaska ever get to experience. It is home to the small village of Baranof, where there is plenty to explore. You may visit the indoor bathhouse featuring hot springs in individual soaking tubs with vast views over the bay. There is also a hiking trail that leads to the natural outdoor hot springs, offering a relaxing soak in a beautiful setting. Beyond the springs lies Baranof Lake, another beautiful spot we may also have the chance to explore. Due to the small size of the Safari Quest, we are able to acquire rare access permits to this unique location where even our other UnCruise ships cannot go.

Another option for the day is Red Bluff Bay, named for the striking red hills that surround this narrow, deep fjord. The area is home to several waterfalls, and we’ll have the chance to bring the boat close so you can take them in. As a designated wilderness area, Red Bluff Bay remains largely untouched, making it an ideal spot for kayaking and skiff tours.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Frederick Sound Whales, Admiralty Island National Monument
Search for humpback, killer, minke, and fin whales as we cruise through Frederick Sound. Search for bears on the shores of Admiralty Island National Monument.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Dawes Glacier, Endicott Wilderness Area
Skiffing up Endicott Arm, harbor seals laze around on icebergs. If the tides are right, slip into Fords Terror, the steep walls of this narrow opening streaked with waterfalls. Back in the Arm, gasp at the deep glacier-carved valleys. It’s at the end where you meet the piece de resistance: Dawes Glacier. Blue ice marches down from the Coast Mountains. With a sharp crack, the white thunder of a calving slice makes a mega-splash. Tonight, celebrate with a festive Farewell Dinner and “photo journal” from your expedition team.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Juneau Disembarkation
Mmmm, fresh baked pastries over one last breakfast. Your crew and new friends wish heartfelt goodbyes. This morning, transfer to the Juneau airport or begin your UnCruise hotel stay or land tour.

Meals included: breakfast

Aboard the 22-guest Safari Quest, unwind with upscale amenities, attentive service, comfortable staterooms, and warm public spaces for a welcome experience. Guests enjoy the casually elegant salon to recap the day's activities, relax or watch a movie on the wide screen TV, and are always welcome at the yacht's fully stocked bar, or to enjoy quiet moments reading in the library.

Its four decks provide ample room to get away from it all. An on-deck hot tub and fitness equipment are available on board, and a full-beam swim step allows for easy access to water activities. Onboard adventure equipment includes kayaks and stand-up paddle boards; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles; fishing poles and tackle; and hydrophones for listening to below-surface sounds.

The four stateroom categories aboard the Safari Quest: Single; Mariner; Commander; Captains are suited for single and double accommodation.

CHOOSE TO UNCRUISE
Wilderness, wildlife, and exploration; or history, tours, and wine. Our innovative adventure and river cruises provide an unbeatable combination of activity, expertise, service, and exclusive encounters. Uncover your small ship cruise, then pack, go, and discover! Alaska, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Central America, Galápagos, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, and the Pacific Northwest.
Unrushed. Uncrowded. Unbelievable.

Adventure Cruising
Focused on experiencing life on the outside—rain or shine—we offer different destinations, a mix of price points (some generously inclusive), and an exciting range of multi-sport activities. Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), hiking, snorkeling, inflatable skiff excursions, and cultural encounters top the agenda. Our experiential cruise vacations are delivered from a variety of platforms, and depending on your choices, will accommodate from 22 to 84 like-minded guests. We provide the adventure, equipment, opportunities, fun, expert crew, expedition guides, and the vessel—the rest is up to you.

Equipped for action, adventure cruises are delivered from aboard our expedition vessels and yachts:
Wilderness Adventurer; Wilderness, Discoverer; Wilderness Explorer; Safari Endeavour; Safari Explorer; Safari Quest

River Cruising
Traveling nearly 1,000 miles upriver and down, our inclusive river cruises provide the best value available on the Columbia, Snake, and Willamette Rivers—included shore excursions, a complimentary massage, wellness program, onboard historians and guest experts, living history programs, visits to boutique wineries, exclusive one-on-one interactions with locals, no long lines or hours on a bus, and you’re never far from the riverbank. While exploring the cultural traditions, unspoiled lands, and the history and evolution of life along the rivers, you’ll enjoy a stimulating heritage voyage of colorful places and fascinating people.

Traveling aboard our 88-guest replica turn-of-the-century steamer—a style of vessel that has been on these rivers for over 100 years—offers you the conveniences of today with the feel of yesteryear. Enjoy the old-world charm of our newly-refurbished: S.S. Legacy