Excursions

Get Close to the Real Alaska

Of all the things that set Northern Dream Alaska Yacht Charters apart from the larger cruise ships, the ability to maneuver into small spaces may be the best. Hot springs, fishing, Alaskan history, and more are all available on one of our Alaska excursions. And you won’t have to pay an extra dime to take it all in.

No Cars, No Cares

Only accessible by boat or plane, Tenakee Springs is a true example of people living off the grid. A bustling spot for fish canneries more than 50 years ago, Tenakee Springs is now home to artists and people living off the land, finding comfort in the remoteness of this place.

The town consists of around 70 cabins, a little bakery featuring amazing cinnamon rolls, and a grocery store for those necessities that can’t be found from nature. When hunting and fishing aren’t enough, a ferry brings in food and supplies once a week.

This is where Captain Jim drops the Northern Dream crab pots. We have a special spot for the crabs and never seem to leave empty handed. As we show you around town, talk to the locals, and stop in for one of those cinnamon rolls, you’ll see why Tenakee Springs is one of our favorite stops.

Saddle Up, Pilgrims!

Located across from Sitka on the east side of Barenoff Island, Barenoff Hot Springs offers our clients a chance to become one with nature. Featuring a public dock, bathhouse, hot springs, and a mountain lake, Barenoff Hot Springs is a perfect spot to sit and watch this part of the world go by.

As you might expect, there’s a little bit of history at this location, too. Named after Alexander Barenoff, the Russian Governor of Alaska before it became part of the United States, who spent many days soaking in the water. More recently, Captain Jim met John Wayne enjoying a soak during his first visit in 1978.

While there’s no chance of seeing The Duke nowadays, you may be able to spot an intern or two in their natural habitat. Barenoff Springs is home to the Alaskan Whale Foundation headquarters, staffed with researchers and interns from around the world.

On occasion, researchers will give a talk about who they are and what they do. During one visit, they came across a baby humpback and were able to secure a camera via suction cup so they could follow it for 12 hours.

A Zippy Trip

Hoonah is the home of the Tlingit tribe. First established in 1745, it is the main village in Southeast Alaska after the population migrated from Glacier Bay after it froze over.

Meaning “Where the North Wind Doesn’t Blow,” around 800 people live in Hoonah year round. Much larger than Tenakee and Barenoff, there is a town hall, a little marina, and locals carving totem poles and canoes. It also features the longest zip-line in North America, only four feet shorter than a zip-line located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Here and There

Covered in boardwalks connecting homes and businesses, Elfin Cove is another community with no cars. Located 40 miles past Hoonah, if the tides are with us we’ll be able to pull in for a bit. Pelican is another neat little place with miles of boardwalks.

Finally, the fittingly named Excursion Inlet is a small community built around an old fishing plantation. A fishing museum is open during the cruise, covering a time when over 100 remote fishing plants dotted the Alaskan seaboard – only four remain. An Ocean Beauty Seafood plant employs up to 500 people in the summer.

Alaska is full of interesting, fun, and remote little towns like these. On a larger cruise, you’d barely know they existed. With Northern Dream, however, you’ll get up close and personal with an Alaska the bigger boats just can’t reach. Contact us today for more information on booking your Alaska Excursion trip today.