Multi day Kayak Expedition Sitka, Alaska

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
load and launch
1 stop
1
We meet early in the morning to pack our boats with all the gear and food we will need for our expedition. Boats are moved to the launch pad before packing and a packing brief is conducted then the process is completed. We leave shore andd paddle south through the Harbor Islands and past Cape Barunof and take a short lunch break on a protected island or beach. Perennial bear tracks can be viewed just under the edge of the forest. Paddling out through a reef looking for the otter family that live here we pass the Keyhole and duck into the "first maze" Crossing the wide water at the mouth of two deep bays we find our nights campsite on a small island with views of mountains, water and forest. Clients set up their tents while the group area is arranged and everyone works together to make dinner. Local wild forage is available here to augment our meal with delicious greens.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Immersion in Island life. Explore the reefs and islands, look for marine mammals and intertidal life
1 stop
2
This is the first chance to really explore at a leisurely pace the vast array of life visible just beneath the surface. Our day begins with hot drinks and breakfast then luch is packed, camp tidied and we launch for a day of deep discovery. There are over 20 islands and islets and numerous reefs and mazes in this area. We will lunch on a prominant "tombolo" or secret shell beach before moving the the entrance to "The Black Pass". This is a passage through a reef that noone else seems to know about. If the swell and tides align we will paddle all the way through it and perhaps see a giant pacific octopus. After the Black Pass we will look for the female humpback that frequents the area and tends to be near the pass in th emid afternoon.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Move Camp! Today we are up early and heading further south and further into the wilderness!
1 stop
3
This is our big travel day with the option of paddling 16 miles through numerous small islands and outside reefs. Several spots allow us to land and explore the shore. There are also alternate camps along the way if we need to shorten the trip. First we head out on a 1-mile open water crossing to a lonely island where we will land on a hidden beach for a short exploration. Back in the boats we hug the shoreline and make our last 1-mile crossing to a small island where there was a fox farm in the 1920's. An exploration of this magiacal spot may induce us to stay and camp, or move on: Paddling through and past rock reefs that tower above us we thread our way past islands and through passes to arrive at one of the most secret and hidden camps in the area. This is a place where the original inhabitants camped. We can see the evidence of canoe landings. We are now officially in the South Baranof Wilderness! Time for hot drinkss and dinner!
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Haul OUT!
1 stop
4
Today, conditions permitting, we head outside to the sea lion haul out to see them on their home turf. Keep an eye open for whales and otter. The haul out is just a mile from camp. Returning along the the shorelines of nearby islands we can stop in several places to stretch legs and eat lunch. As we approach our hidden lagoon, we can drop a line or two to catch some fresh fish as an addition to dinner. This is not a bog paddle day but a relaxed and beautiful paddle along the exposed outer islands of the South baranof Wilderness.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Inside Channels
1 stop
5
Today we turn back to the north and paddle along inner passes and channels. We all get a real feel for what it may have been like 200 years and more ago when the only way to travel in this area was via water trails. There are numerous potential routes to take that will bring us to our final nights camp, Camp Beauchamp. The preferred route is a 12 mile half loop that takes us up a fjord and out a bottle neck to a beautiful camp where we will be picked up the next day. There is good fishing here as well.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Pick up
1 stop
6
This, our last day we get up early and break down camp. Breakfast is normally a leisurely affair but our timing is tidal dependent. All gear and kayaks are positioned at the pickup spot where our powerboat/beachlander will swoop in to collect us. The ride back to Sitka includes a wildlife tour and our captain is knowledgeable and engaging. We arrive back in Sitka in time for you to check in to your accommodations and get readdy for a nice dinner at one of SItkas restaurants.
10 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• This activity is not suitable for infants.
• A basic level of fitness is required. Participants should be able to climb a flight of stairs without trouble.
• We have supported paraplegic and amputee paddlers in the past and are happy to do so again.
• Our kayaks while suitable for adults have weight limits. Please check with us if you thinkn this may be a concern.

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