5 Day Alaska Private Yacht Itinerary & Highlights

If you're curious about booking a private yacht charter in Alaska, typically costing the same per person as a cruise, but aren't sure what to expect then you've come to the right spot. Not only are private yachts the most personalized way to see Alaska, but they're the only tour that allows you to see Alaska up close and personal both on land and on sea while still exploring off the beaten paths.

​My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates.
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To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi.

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Highlights of Our Alaska Yacht Experience

If you aren't sure where to begin, my first step would be deciding where and with who to charter your private Yacht with - basically, you'll want to get your yacht logistics straightened out first. Elysium Expeditions is the only private yacht my husband and I have charted, and I can't recommend them enough. Although they're typically based out of Sitka, for our expedition they based out of Juneau, altering their typical itinerary a bit. However, it's important to remember that your itinerary can be customized to fit your interests (wildlife, photography, fishing, hiking, glaciers, etc.) and needs - unlike any of the large cruises. This is just a sample itinerary of some things you might expect if you were to also begin your journey out of Juneau.

As our first private yacht experience ever, we truly didn't know what to expect. Turned out we were in for a treat. Our room itself was so cozy, we even had our own private bathroom. As the only guests onboard, we truly had the entire place to ourselves (minus our lovely hosts) which created a super intimate and welcoming environment. The food was in a league of itself, and the entire menu had been specially curated around our tastes and dietary restrictions based on a pre-expedition survey we completed before we boarded.

The only yacht I can recommend chartering is through Elysium Expeditions.

As for amenities and included experiences, we were pleasantly surprised as well. Onboard we had access to kayaks, paddleboards, and there were even crabbing pots and fishing poles - not to mention games and binoculars. That doesn't even mention the viewing experiences themselves, from the best whale watching we've ever seen to the most intimate iceberg viewing and hiking experiences we've ever had. If you add in the cost of what these types of experiences would normally cost as singular excursions, it completely outweighs the cost of the private yacht.

My Favorite Tours near Juneau :
- Whale Watching
- Mendenhall Glacier Adventure
- Helicopter Ride & Icefield Landing

Complete 5 Day Yacht Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1
​Our onboarding took place at a harbor in Juneau, and we were immediately welcomed onboard with the smell of fresh baked sourdough bread and breakfast. As we continued down the channel we kept our eyes peeled for possible whales. We were beyond lucky. Not only did we see the most whales we've ever spotted, but we even saw multiple whales breaching completely out of the water. One even breached around 30+ times and completely left us in awe. After our full day with the whales, we made it to a nice, secluded dock where we tied down for the night - we were even able to get out and enjoy a short hike to a now deserted cannery.

Day 2
​On our second day onboard, we continued the journey South and had even more whale encounters - an experience that continually left us in awe. As we entered into Tracy Arm Fjord, we dropped the kayaks and paddleboards into the water to explore more of the calm waters - and wouldn't you know it we had the most incredible experience as a pod of orcas began making their way up the arm. We anchored in a small bay just as the rain made it's way in and had the coziest dinner.

Day 3
​On day three aboard the Elysium, we attempted the journey to a nearby glacier. Unfortunately because of a storm pushing in and the weather patterns it brought with it, all the floating iceberg chunks from previous calvings had caused a blockade in the narrow fjords, making it impossible to pass. Lucky for us, our hosts had a backup, and we just took the kayaks and paddleboards out to a nearby beach were we went on a short hike. Being in a place with no other people with majestic mountains and cliffs surrounding us and views of icebergs in the water in front of us was completely unreal.

Check out Elysium Expeditions here!

Day 4
​Unfortunately day four brought some severe weather challenges. Our original plan was to spend the whole day in the fjord - enjoying the views, seeing a second glacier up close, and possibly enjoying some seals and orca encounters. However with the worsening weather (and the fact that we had to catch our flight back to Anchorage tomorrow) our hosts made the decision to head back north so we could be closer to Juneau as the waves and wind intensified. Even though all weather changes are disappointing, we were grateful to have hosts that prioritized our safety over anything else.

Day 5
Our last day onboard was spent in Juneau. On a typical itinerary you'd be beginning your journey back to town, keeping your fingers crossed for more whale encounters. Because we were back a bit early we got to explore Juneau instead! Even if you visit Juneau solely for a private charted yacht, there really are so many things to do in Juneau that I highly recommend extending your trip and adding a day or two just to explore town before or after your yacht trip!

Watch my Alaska Yacht Adventures here!

Coming Soon!

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> Chartering a Private Yacht in Alaska
-> Alaska Cruise vs. Private Yacht Full Comparison
-> 7 Best Things to Do in Sitka

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