Fifteen days in Alaska, including 11 days of itinerant sea kayaking in the heart of Prince William Sound. Fjords, snow-covered peaks, glaciers reaching the ocean, long crossings and remote camps make this a genuine expedition through one of North America’s great wilderness areas.
Prince William Sound, a legendary sea-kayaking destination
South of Anchorage, Prince William Sound forms a vast network of fjords, islands, deep bays and rugged coastlines backed by snow-covered mountains. Its geography is exceptionally well suited to sea kayaking: numerous route options allow us to adapt to the conditions while remaining immersed in spectacular scenery.
The scale of the area changes the experience completely. Glaciers descend to the sea, distances add up over several days, and wildlife is part of the landscape: marine mammals, seabirds and, depending on the area, groups of cetaceans may be encountered during the journey.
Trip at a glance
United States · Alaska · Anchorage · Whittier · Prince William Sound · Knights Island · Icy Bay
Available on request
Have a period in mind? We can discuss opening a departure for a private group or look for additional participants.
- Duration
- 15 days
- Sea kayaking
- 11 days
- Level
- Level 3 — Experienced
- Group
- 4 to 8 participants
- Distance
- 20 to 25 km / day
- Price
- €3,400 per person excluding flights
- Accommodation
- 11 camping nights · 2 nights in a 3★ hotel in Anchorage · return-flight transit
- Cold-water equipment
- Drysuit provided
The route is indicative. It may be adapted according to weather, sea conditions, visibility, ice and safety requirements.
An expedition, not just a kayaking holiday
Eleven kayaking days and eleven camping nights give this journey a true expedition character. We carry what we need to live independently for several days and usually move camp every evening.
Daily distances are generally between 20 and 25 km. Some stages in the reference programme are shorter, while others may approach 27 km. The required level is therefore not only technical: you also need the ability to link successive days, remain efficient in a cool and damp environment and keep a comfortable physical margin.
Glaciers, drifting ice & marine wildlife
One of the highlights of the journey is the area around Icy Bay and Nassau Fjord. Glaciers descend to the ocean and paddling may take place among pieces of ice that have broken away from the glacier fronts.
Safe distances from the glaciers are always dictated by current conditions and by the guide’s decisions. Calving, the waves it can generate and drifting ice require a cautious approach.
Further on, Orca Bay, Whales Bay and Knights Island offer different atmospheres and further opportunities for observing marine wildlife.
Day-by-day itinerary
The programme below follows the reference route. Prince William Sound offers many alternatives, and the guide may modify stages in order to adapt to the conditions encountered.
- Day 1 — Anchorage
Arrival in Alaska and installation in a 3★ hotel in Anchorage. Meet the guide according to flight schedules. - Day 2 — Anchorage → Whittier → Decision Point → Surprise Cove
Equipment distribution, road transfer to Whittier, then water taxi to the starting point of the expedition. Load the kayaks and paddle to Surprise Cove. First camp. About 10 km. - Day 3 — Cochrane Bay → Culross Passage
Cross Cochrane Bay and set up camp at the entrance to Culross Passage. About 20 km. - Day 4 — Culross Passage → Applegate Island
Head south through Culross Passage. Camp on Applegate Island. About 20 km. - Day 5 — Port Nellie Juan → Knights Island Passage → Point Nowell
A more sustained stage towards the southeast through an area where cetaceans are regularly encountered. Camp at Point Nowell. Up to about 27 km. - Day 6 — Paddy Bay → Ewan Bay → Chenega Island
Continue south towards Chenega Island and establish camp on its southern coast. About 24 km. - Day 7 — Chenega → Icy Bay → Nassau Fjord
Enter a spectacular glacial environment. Camp on an island at the entrance to Nassau Fjord. About 17 km. - Day 8 — Exploring Icy Bay & Nassau Fjord
Leave camp in place and spend the day exploring the fjord and approaching the glaciers within the limits imposed by the ice conditions. About 24 km.
- Day 9 — Orca Bay → Whales Bay
Head west through an area frequented by marine mammals. Establish a new camp. About 24 km. - Day 10 — Whales Bay → Knights Island → Copper Bay
A crossing of about 7.5 km towards Knights Island, with a group of islets around halfway, followed by a northward section into Copper Bay. About 25 km. - Day 11 — Knights Island → Lower Herring Bay
Paddle north along Knights Island, passing Drier Bay and Johnson Bay, then camp on a small beach in Lower Herring Bay. About 20 km. - Day 12 — Herring Bay
Final full day of itinerant paddling and establishment of the last camp at the head of the bay. The exact distance depends on the route chosen. - Day 13 — Herring Bay → Whittier → Anchorage
Final exploration in the morning, then meet the water taxi. Return to Whittier, transfer to Anchorage and overnight in the 3★ hotel. - Day 14 — Return flight
Departure from Anchorage. - Day 15 — Arrival
Arrival after the international flight.
Route map
Eleven camping nights in the wilderness
The heart of the journey is spent under canvas. We usually move camp every day, with one additional night in the same place while exploring Icy Bay.
Provided equipment includes MSR tents, a mess tent for communal life, stoves and cooking equipment. Everyone takes part in setting up and running the camp.
Before and after the itinerant section, two nights in a 3★ hotel in Anchorage provide time to prepare for the expedition and recover in comfort before the return flight.
Drysuit & equipment provided
The water in Alaska remains cold even when the weather is pleasant. A drysuit is therefore provided and is part of the standard expedition equipment.
- sea kayak and paddle;
- buoyancy aid / PFD;
- drysuit;
- dry bags;
- tents and shared camping equipment;
- stoves and cooking equipment.
The detailed personal packing list is provided with the Road Book.
Meals
Meals are included during the itinerant section, from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 13 in the reference programme. Cooking is done at camp using the shared expedition equipment.
Meals in Anchorage and at airports are not included.
This journey is for you if…
- you have regular sea-kayaking experience and match Level 3 — Experienced;
- you can link several days of 20 to 25 km in a loaded kayak;
- you are comfortable with camping, cold water, damp conditions and a remote environment;
- you are looking for a genuine expedition rather than a kayaking holiday with hotel comfort every evening;
- glaciers, wildlife and wilderness matter as much to you as the paddling itself;
- you accept that the itinerary always remains subordinate to conditions and the guide’s safety decisions.
Dates, price & inclusions
Available on request
Current reference price: €3,400 per person excluding flights. Contact us to discuss a period and receive the corresponding Road Book.
The price includes:
- guiding by a qualified French sea-kayak guide;
- use of the kayaks and activity-specific equipment, including the drysuit;
- camping and cooking equipment required for the expedition;
- 2 nights in a 3★ hotel in Anchorage in a double room, with breakfast according to the selected arrangement;
- meals during the kayaking expedition, from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 13 in the reference programme;
- the Anchorage–Whittier transfers included in the organisation;
- the water-taxi transfers required by the route.
The price does not include:
- international flights;
- meals in Anchorage and at airports;
- the airport–hotel transfer in Anchorage unless otherwise specified in the quote;
- drinks, tips and personal expenses;
- personal insurance not included in the travel contract;
- anything not explicitly stated as included.
Practical information
A remote expedition environment
The itinerant section takes place far from roads and accommodation. Retreat options exist, notably through the water-taxi network and alternative route choices, but autonomy and the ability to adapt remain essential.
Weather & conditions
Alaska’s weather can change quickly. Wind, rain, fog, cool temperatures and ice can all affect the programme. This flexibility is not a weakness of the journey: it is part of the expedition itself.
Physical preparation
Level 3 means being able to paddle for several hours, manage a loaded kayak and link successive days on the water. Good general fitness and recent sea-kayaking practice are required.
FAQ — Essential information
How long is the Alaska journey?
The journey lasts 15 days in total, including 11 days of itinerant sea kayaking in Prince William Sound.
What level is required to join?
The journey is rated Level 3 — Experienced. It is designed for paddlers with regular sea-kayaking experience who can link several long days on the water in a remote environment.
How far do we paddle each day?
Daily paddling is generally between 20 and 25 km. Some stages may be shorter or slightly longer depending on the route, weather and safety requirements.
How large is the group?
The group is limited to 4 to 8 participants in order to keep the organisation well suited to expedition travel and safety in a remote environment.
How is the accommodation organised?
The reference programme includes 11 camping nights during the expedition and 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Anchorage. Another night corresponds to the return flight.
Is a drysuit provided?
Yes. A drysuit is part of the specific equipment provided for this journey, together with the kayak, paddle, PFD and dry bags.
What camping equipment is provided?
Voyage Kayak provides the shared expedition and camping equipment, including tents, a mess tent, stoves and cooking equipment.
Are meals included during the expedition?
Yes. Meals are included during the kayaking section, from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 13 in the reference programme. Meals in Anchorage and at airports are not included.
Is the itinerary fixed?
No. Prince William Sound offers several route options and the guide may change stages according to weather, sea conditions, visibility, ice and safety requirements.
Can the journey be organised on request?
Yes. The Alaska expedition is currently available on request. Voyage Kayak can discuss a period for a private group or consider opening a new departure.
Would you like to join an expedition in Alaska?
This journey can be organised on request.
Send us your preferred period, the number of participants and your sea-kayaking experience.