Southeast Alaska Wildlife Photo Workshop

Explore the untamed beauty and abundant wildlife of Alaska's Inside Passage by private yacht

Southeast Alaska is one of North America’s most untamed and breathtaking wilderness areas. Its inlets and waterways navigate around countless islands surrounded by emerald forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. Massive glacier fields carve steep-walled fjords, and blue tidewater glaciers flow into the ocean, where they calve giant icebergs. It’s also home to Glacier Bay National Park, one of Alaska’s most awe-inspiring parks.

This area of Alaska teems with a diverse array of wildlife. In the summer, many humpback whales gather here to feed. They may breach, fluke, or team up with other whales to engage in bubble-net feeding. We’ll also encounter sea lion colonies, harbor seals resting on icebergs, rafts of sea otters, and Dall’s porpoises, who love to swim alongside the boat. Often, orcas will grace us with their presence. We will likely see bears, mountain goats, and occasionally wolves or moose. Bald eagles, puffins, and countless ducks, geese, and seabird species call this area home.

The best way to truly immerse yourself in the Southeast Alaskan wilderness is aboard a small yacht. Unlike large cruise ships, a small boat offers a more intimate and adventurous experience. It allows us to navigate narrow inlets, get up close and personal with the stunning landscape, and experience unique wildlife encounters that aren’t possible on larger vessels. Meals aboard the ship are a highlight of every trip, rivaling fine restaurant dining. We may catch Dungeness crabs or shrimp to add to the feast.

We will occasionally go ashore for short hikes or to wander amongst huge beached icebergs. There are also opportunities to kayak or fish.

Consider adding to your Alaskan photo adventure by joining us for our Alaskan Bears trip, which follows this one.

Highlights

• Private, photography-friendly yacht (Alaskan Story, 90-foot) will get you to locations and actions that larger boats cannot.
• Permit access to Glacier Bay National Park, often called the crown jewel of the national park system.
• Signature marine life moments: humpbacks (breaches, flukes, and bubble-net feeding), sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, Dall’s porpoises—and the occasional orca cameo.
• Flexible route that follows wildlife and light (shore walks, beached icebergs at low tide, plus optional kayaking/fishing when conditions line up).
• Real instruction baked in: pre-trip consult, in-the-moment coaching, and image reviews—so you go home with better photos and better habits.
• Small group for more space, faster decisions, and more time with your camera actually pointed at something worth photographing.