Discover Glacier Bay National Park and the surrounding areas aboard the MV Catalyst or the MV Westward. See bears, sea otters, mountain goats, humpback whales, sea lions, puffins, and grey wolves!
Quick Details
Embark on a Multi-Day Voyage
Join us on an unforgettable six-day/five-night voyage aboard Westward around the San Juan Islands.Enjoy warm days and cool nights, kayak quiet coves, walk forest trails and explore crystal clear tide pools. We might see bald eagles soar overhead and observe pods of dolphins and orcas up close.
Cruises Include:
- Equipment needed for excursions (see Equipment list for what to bring)
- All park and permit fees
- Gourmet food cooked fresh from locally sourced ingredients
- Breakfast, Lunch and three-course Dinners with wine pairings
- Boat Drinks, Sodas, Beer, Wine
- Snacks
Cruises do not Include:
- Airfare
- Hotel
- Tips and Gratuities
We ask for a deposit of $1,000 per person to reserve your cabin. The balance is due 90 days before the cruise begins; see Terms & Conditions for details.
Cabins
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All cabins on MV Westward are outfitted with a double bunk (4′ 6″ wide by 6′ 8″ long) and a single bunk (2′ 6″ wide by 6′ 6″ long), a settee, sink, toilet, and a shower. There is ample storage space. Cabins comfortably accommodate two guests and can accommodate up to three, though we do not recommend triple occupancy unless the third guest is a minor.
Itinerary
Itineraries are dependent on weather and tides and may change at the captain’s discretion.
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Board Westward at 12 noon at Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. After a brief boat orientation, we’ll head south down San Juan Channel and the wind-swept coast of Lopez Island, watching for spotted harbor seals, Steller sea lions and seabirds on the numerous wildlife refuges. We may come across one of three resident pods of Orca whales that feed on salmon in these plankton-rich waters. Enjoy a kayak orientation and paddle along the shoreline. The alpenglow over Mount Baker’s snowy 10,107-foot summit complements our welcome aboard dinner in a quiet cove.
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One of the most stunning panoramic views of the San Juans is along the west side of San Juan Island. We will travel along the strait, passing by Lopez and San Juan, where the orcas, porpoise and rafts of sea birds feed and anchor in Garrison Bay. Here is the site of the former British Army encampment, dating to the mid-1800s. Now a National Historic Monument, the bay boasts miles of trails and shorelines that invite us to explore on foot or by kayak.
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Heading out of Garrison, we pass by Spieden Island, where we will spot exotic animals grazing on its steep slopes. We will anchor in Reid Harbor at Stuart Island. Most of Stuart is privately owned, but a network of county-maintained dirt roads provides access to most of the island. The view from Turn Point Light House is breathtaking, as freighters and private yachts turn the “corner” into Boundary Pass. Orca whales frequently hug the southwest shore as they seek the shoals of salmon that pass through these waters on their way to their natal creeks, mostly tributaries of the mighty Fraser River. Here we will hike a few trails and paddle either in the bay or around part of the island.
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Today is devoted to exploring Sucia Island, and her off-lying satellites. We may kayak to Fossil Cove and enjoy a picnic lunch; and hike beneath over-arching madronas from Shallow Cove to Ewing Point. Sucia has a fascinating history, both geological and cultural. We will take the time to get beneath the surface of this beautiful place.
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Matia Island, along with Sucia, are the northern most members of the San Juan archipelago. Matia has been the home to hermits and smugglers. With its outlying seal haul-out islets, unique geological and topographical features, we could spend several days here and not yet have seen it all. After a day of paddle and foot borne wandering we will return to Westward for another satisfying dinner.
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Up anchor and begin heading back to our home port of Friday Harbor. As we travel south down President’s Channel, we will keep watch for Minke Whales, Harbor Seals and Pacific Whiteside Porpoises. We will return to Friday Harbor in time to catch an early afternoon ferry back to the mainland.
Additional Information
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Travel-Information-San-Juan-Islands
Pacific Northwest Clothing, Equipment, and Resource List
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Cabins
All cabins on MV Westward are outfitted with a double bunk (4′ 6″ wide by 6′ 8″ long) and a single bunk (2′ 6″ wide by 6′ 6″ long), a settee, sink, toilet, and a shower. There is ample storage space. Cabins comfortably accommodate two guests and can accommodate up to three, though we do not recommend triple occupancy unless the third guest is a minor.
