When: May 1 - September 30

Length of fieldtrip: Five days (aprox. noon Monday to noon Saturday)

Number of participants: 2 to 5

• 4 or 5 persons: $289.
• 3 persons: $369.
• 2 persons: $549.

Outfitting, maintaining, operating and insuring a vessel for safe, comfortable sailing in these remote waters is not a low overhead proposition. However, our rates are lower by far than any other operator capable of providing this experience.

Rates are per person per day (24 hours), maximum 5 persons (generally not suitable for children under age 12). Rates include overnight accommodations on vessel, use of kayaks, beverages and snacks, and three delicious meals per day prepared onboard by our cook. Rates do not include fishing licenses, transportation to and from vessel, or appropriate clothing or personal items.

Background:
Only seven-hundred miles up the coast from Seattle lies Alaska’s magnificent Alexander Archipelago. The outer islands of the archipelago form one of the most wild, beautiful, and little-explored temperate rain forest coastal ecosystems on earth. Inaccessible by any means other than private vessels appropriately outfitted, these wilderness areas lie far off the beaten path of tourism, waiting for your exploration and discovery. Among the designated wilderness areas of the Tongass National Forest that we visit are Coronation Island, Kuiu Island, South Prince of Wales Island, and remote Forrester Island, a part of the Alaska Maritime Refuge.

Called by some biologists "the Galapagos of the North", 2800 acre Forrester Island is home to some one-million seabirds, including horned and tufted puffins, Leach’s and fork-tailed storm petrels, Cassin’s and rhinoceros auklets, ancient murrelets, as well as one of the largest healthy Stellar sea lion rookeries in the world. Other wild residents of the Archipelago include the pigeon guillemot, yellow billed loon, Barrow’s goldeneye, harlequin duck, oldsquaw, red-necked phalarope, whimbrel, red-breasted sapsucker, varied thrush, Townsend’s warbler; numerous marine mammals including the sea otter, humpback whale, minke whale, orca (killer whale), Dall’s porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin; 49 terrestrial mammal species including the Alexander Archipelago wolf, and massive black and grizzly bear; a spectacular variety of colorful inter-tidal and marine life; an endless collection of unique temperate rain forest flora and fauna.

Each evening we will anchor at a different location, with plenty of time for shore excursions. Stable kayaks will allow us close-up observations and yet we will be able to return to dry bunks and a hot shower. The "Loon" takes us through the "big water" in safety and comfort allowing us more time to spend exploring remote, secluded places by paddle. You will enjoy wildlife observation, beach exploring, hiking, fishing, kayaking, or opportunities for solitude as suits your fancy. Venturing off the beaten track, far from the package tour ship crowd, you will encounter a vast area of unspoiled wilderness and incomparable beauty

We are privileged to have aboard life-long Alaskan Terry Metcalf, whose energetic personality is only surpassed by her culinary excellence, creating delicious, healthy meals, featuring freshly caught seafood and local wild-harvested specialties.

Logistics:
We sail from Craig, Alaska Monday afternoon, returning five days later. Craig is located on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island, about 40 miles west of Ketchikan, Alaska. Alaska Airlines flies five non-stop jets daily from Seattle to Ketchikan, a 90-minute flight, with frequent scheduled floatplane service between Ketchikan and Craig.

The Ship:
Loon" is a 48’ steel schooner originally designed for world ocean sailing and specially built to additionally withstand the rigors of commercial fishing in the Gulf of Alaska, is now recently remodeled to accommodate eco-adventurers in comfort and safety. Far from being another plastic charter boat, or a cumbersome cruise ship, the "Loon" is a safe, solid vessel uniquely qualified to provide your party comfortable accommodation and safe passage to places otherwise unobtainable.

She features a deck-level viewing lounge, a mid-ship main cabin with four, single private sleeping compartments, a commodious commode with a hot shower, and in the fo’c’sle, a queen-size lower double berth and two single upper bunks. (The Captain’s quarters are at the opposite end of the vessel behind the engine room, leaving your party undisturbed). Forward, there is a fully equipped galley and dining area. The pilot house features the latest in electronic navigation and communications equipment. First rate safety and survival gear are carried, far in excess of legal requirements. "Loon" is equipped with commercial trolling rigging and licenses, providing exciting and educational commercial fishing demonstrations. Stable kayaks are carried for shore excursions and close-in explorations.