Guide to Alaska

This remote location offers a startling contrast to the popular cruising grounds of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. A yacht charter vacation in Alaska is the ultimate way to explore, as much of Alaska's coastline is inaccessible by road. Lovers of the outdoors and nature enthusiasts will find plenty to adore here, though charter yachts venturing to this vast and solitary destination need to be durable and able to handle glacial waters.

The capital, Juneau, located in the southeast of Alaska, is a town full of character. Inaccessible by road, it's perfect for exploring by yacht, framed by tumbling hills, labyrinthine streets, and thick forestation. South of Juneau lies the town of Ketchikan, home to the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, with more than 80 scattered throughout the town and surrounding area. To learn more about the craft, visit the Totem Heritage Center, home to original and restored carvings rescued from abandoned native villages.

The Inside Passage is home to a wealth of striking sights, from sunsets to fields of glittering glaciers. This scenic stretch is a highlight of any yacht charter to Alaska, threading through fjords, forests, mountains and wildlife habitats. A particular highlight is Glacier Bay National Park, covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, tidewater glaciers, and sheltered fjords. While visiting the Inside Passage, don't miss Admiralty Island, home to the highest density of brown bears anywhere in the world, more than the rest of the United States combined, and part of the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the US.

Weather can be unpredictable here, with no guarantees of seeing everything you might hope to when it comes to whale watching and wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes peeled for humpbacks and pods of orca, plus land-based wildlife such as wolves, bears, eagles and moose. For something more restorative, Baranof Warm Springs offers a chance to soak in natural hot springs surrounded by Alaskan wilderness. With opportunities for kayaking through icebergs, hiking through forests, and traversing mountains, Alaska offers a distinctive alternative to more conventional charter destinations.

If you are interested in a yachting vacation in the waters of the Alaskan wilderness, view all Alaska and North America yacht charters available to rent, or contact a yacht charter broker.