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ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY

For many years, my plan to see Alaska from the water and the Aleutians was to use a kayak and Alaska Marine Highways (AMH). I have eventually dropped the idea of kayaking, but still want to take the ferry to the end of the Aleutians. My time frame was very fluid, basically any time in May to mid-July.AMH starts in Bellingham, easily accessible by public bus from Vancouver. It stops at Ketchikan and ends in Juneau, Juneau is a hub for SE Alaska (Hanes, Skagway and others). Only in the summer is there is connection across the Gulf of Alaska and one must fly to Anchorage to access the other sections. The middle section with a hub in Whittier is also avoided. The routes out to Dutch Harbour at the far western end of the Aleutians start in Homer. Fly to Anchorage and take a 5 hour bus to Homer.
The charm for me is that AMH allows camping on the upper, roofed deck of the ferry for free, making for a relatively economical way to see an otherwise expensive place. Set up your tent for a comfortable stay. The ferries have cabins (which I’m not interested in), showers and ferry food. The duration of stops varies, but it is possible to get off and stay along the route. I plan on getting off at every stop and exploring as much as possible.Because the ferry doesn’t access Homer and the Aleutians from Bellingham, I investigated cruises between Vancouver and Whittier (the port for Anchorage). There is a huge variety of heavily discounted cruise ships doing this route. The way to find them is to use Vacations to Go, sign up for the newsletter, and use their 90-day ticker that shows routes, many of which are discounted up to 85-89%. Click on the Fast Deal # to find common 5-7-day trips for about US$500-600. There is a choice of at least three companies, many with slightly different itineraries and stops. The lowest prices are for interior rooms, but other rooms are heavily discounted and still remarkably cheap. Explore the ports and investigate the quality of the ship.
However, prices for cruises are always for double occupancy. I am looking for a travel companion to share a double-occupancy cabin as far as Anchorage. In my search, I wrote, “I am a retired medical doctor, divorced, not a misogynist, a news junkie, read lots, not looking for sex or a romantic relationship, don’t snore, and am a fairly interesting guy with a wide life and travel experience. You can spend as much time alone as you want.”

THE ROUTES

The ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway cover 3,500 miles of coastline, providing service to over 30 communities that stretch from Bellingham, WA to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Chain. The ferries range from mainline ferries that sail thousands of miles and make multiple stops, to shuttle ferries that provide daily links between neighbouring communities. This allows access to communities by utilizing the regional hubs in Ketchikan, Juneau, Whittier or Homer.

1. SOUTHEAST ALASKA

2. ACROSS THE CULF OF ALASKA (only available in summer)

3. SOUTH CENTRAL & SOUTHWEST

Day 3. Wed July 15 Layover in Kodiak 5’45” Arrive at 06:45. Depart 12.
KODIAK
Alutiiq Museum. Archaeology and Anthropology Museums:
Kodiak History Museum
Kodiak Maritime Museum
Depart Kodiak for Old Harbour (OLD) @12:00 – 19:30 (7’30”). Layover in Old Harbour 1′ Depart Old Harbour for Chignik (CHG) @20:30 – 11:30 (14′)

Day 4 Thur Aug 13
Chignik. 249 nautical miles from Kodiak. Chignik, meaning “big wind,” was established in the late 1800s as a fishing village and cannery. The terrain is rugged, but beautiful, and boasts spectacular views ranging from steep rock cliffs to high jagged outcrops, waterfalls and green hills. Visitor services are not available in this community, but a brief visit afforded by the ferry stop is long enough for a walk through town. Layover in Chignik 1’30” // Depart Chignik for Sand Point (SDP) @13:00 – 22:30 (9′).

Sand Point is the largest community in the area, the population is mostly of Aleut and Scandinavian descent, and the community is a favorite with hikers and outdoor adventurers, in large part because of its beautiful views and lack of bears. Points of interest include historic St. Nicholas Chapel or a rare petrified forest on nearby Unga Island. Although visitor services are not abundant, charter boats are sometimes available for halibut fishing and marine wildlife cruises. Layover in Sand Point 1’15”. Depart Sand Point for King Cove (KCV) @11:45 – 06:30 (6’45”).

Day 5 Fri Aug 14
King Cove is a mostly Aleut fishing community at the west end of the Alaska Peninsula, 25 nautical miles from Cold Bay and 98 nautical miles from Sand Point. King Cove is known to have the “Largest Capacity Salmon Cannery in Alaska” processing King Crab, pollock, cod, salmon and halibut. Bears are abundant, and throughout the year, whales can be seen migrating through Belkofski Bay. No visitor services available, but King Cove welcomes visitors drawn by wildlife viewing opportunities.
Layover 1’45”. Depart King Cove for Cold Bay (CBY) @07:45 – 09:45 (2′)

False Pass is located between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, which has the world’s largest commercial fisheries. False Pass has 27 of the 46 most active volcanoes in the U.S. and has unique beachcombing opportunities. The name False Pass originates from the fact that the Bering Sea side of the strait is extremely shallow and cannot accommodate large vessels. Visitor services are not available, but a brief ferry stop is long enough for a walk through town.
Layover in False Pass 1’45”. Depart False Pass for Akutan (AKU) @18:45 – 05:00 (10’15”)

Day 6. Sat Aug 15
Akutan. Located on Krenitzin Island, part of the Fox Island group. It is 45 nautical miles east of Unalaska and known as “The Friendliest Fishing Community in the Aleutians.” Akutan is located in the center of some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world and is the site of a traditional Unangan village. Without roads, the village has boardwalks to make everything in town accessible on foot. Layover in Akutan 45″. Depart Akutan for Dutch Harbor (UNA). @05:45 – 09:15 (3’30”).
ALASKA -SOUTH (Anchorage, Kenai, Kodiak, Aleutians)

Dp	HOM	Tue, Aug 11, 2026	9:00 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	KOD	Wed, Aug 12, 2026	6:45 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	KOD	Wed, Aug 12, 2026	12:00 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	OLD	Wed, Aug 12, 2026	7:30 PM	ACTIVE
Dp	OLD	Wed, Aug 12, 2026	8:30 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	CHG	Thu, Aug 13, 2026	11:30 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	CHG	Thu, Aug 13, 2026	1:00 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	SDP	Thu, Aug 13, 2026	10:30 PM	ACTIVE
Dp	SDP	Thu, Aug 13, 2026	11:45 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	KCV	Fri, Aug 14, 2026	6:30 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	KCV	Fri, Aug 14, 2026	7:45 AM	ACTIVE
Ar	CBY	Fri, Aug 14, 2026	9:45 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	CBY	Fri, Aug 14, 2026	12:45 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	FPS	Fri, Aug 14, 2026	5:00 PM	ACTIVE
Dp	FPS	Fri, Aug 14, 2026	6:45 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	AKU	Sat, Aug 15, 2026	5:00 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	AKU	Sat, Aug 15, 2026	5:45 AM	ACTIVE
Ar	UNA	Sat, Aug 15, 2026	9:15 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	UNA	Sat, Aug 15, 2026	5:15 PM

Sat Aug 15
UNALASKA (DUTCH HARBOR) Arrive at 09:15.
Museum of the Aleutians.
Aleutian World War II National Historic Area.

Flight. Dutch Harbour to Anchorage. Aleutian Air @10:50. 12:40, 17:05, 18:30. US$733. or
Ferry. Depart at 17:15. Stops at all the same stops except False Pass. Arrives Homer Aug 18 @17:30.

Dp	UNA	Sat, Aug 15, 2026	5:15 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	AKU	Sat, Aug 15, 2026	8:45 PM	ACTIVE
Dp	AKU	Sat, Aug 15, 2026	9:45 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	CBY	Sun, Aug 16, 2026	9:45 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	CBY	Sun, Aug 16, 2026	10:45 AM	ACTIVE
Ar	KCV	Sun, Aug 16, 2026	12:45 PM	ACTIVE
Dp	KCV	Sun, Aug 16, 2026	1:45 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	SDP	Sun, Aug 16, 2026	8:00 PM	ACTIVE
Dp	SDP	Sun, Aug 16, 2026	9:00 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	CHG	Mon, Aug 17, 2026	6:15 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	CHG	Mon, Aug 17, 2026	7:15 AM	ACTIVE
Ar	OLD	Mon, Aug 17, 2026	9:45 PM	ACTIVE
Dp	OLD	Mon, Aug 17, 2026	10:45 PM	ACTIVE
Ar	KOD	Tue, Aug 18, 2026	6:00 AM	ACTIVE
Dp	KOD	Tue, Aug 18, 2026	8:00 AM	ACTIVE
Ar	HOM	Tue, Aug 18, 2026	5:30 PM

Arrives Homer Tue, Aug 18 @ 17:30.
ON Homer

Wed Aug 19. Bus Homer to Anchorage Airport. @08:00-13:00. US$139. AK Bus
Flight from Anchorage to Vancouver. CA$497 Delta via Seattle. or
Cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver.

Thur Aug 20 Cruise
Anchorage Airport to Whittier. Alaska Cruise Transfer 10 am MW, 12 MW, 2 pm MWSS, 3 pm Sat.
Azamara / Azamara Pursuit. 11 nights departing Aug 20 (Fast Deal )
The description of the boat is not great, with nothing of interest for me (spa, swimming pool, hot tub), no pickleball, tennis. 2 free restaurants and two with surcharges of $50.
Brochure Inside $14,156
Inside $1,649
Single Inside $3,089 on July 7 (will watch to see if it decreases) (single Supplement 6%). You Save 91%

Thursday, July 23	Anchorage (Whittier), AK		6:00pm
Friday, July 24	Valdez, AK	7:30am	2:00pm
Saturday, July 25	Hubbard Glacier, AK (Cruising)
Sunday, July 26	Haines, AK	1:00pm	10:00pm
Monday, July 27	Icy Strait Point, AK	8:00am	5:00pm
Tuesday, July 28	Wrangell, AK	9:00am	8:00pm
Wednesday, July 29	Ketchikan, AK	7:00am	10:00pm
Thursday, July 30	Klawock, AK	10:30am	5:00pm
Friday, July 31	At Sea
Saturday, August 1	Nanaimo, BC, Canada	9:00am	8:00pm
Sunday, August 2	Victoria, BC, Canada	8:00am	11:00pm
Monday, August 3	Vancouver, BC, Canada	7:00am

ALASKA – SOUTHEAST (Panhandle – Juneau, Sitka)
WHITTIER
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

VALDEZ. With its towering peaks that are sometimes compared to those of Switzerland, Valdez sits quietly on the shore of beautiful Prince William Sound. The area’s major attractions are the vast Columbia Glacier and the tumbling Keystone River. Aerial tours over the glacier and river-rafting adventures are among the most popular excursions offered.

HUBBARD GLACIER. While most of the world’s glaciers are receding, North America’s largest tidewater glacier is advancing. At 76 miles long and 7 miles wide, Hubbard Glacier presents a majestic sight for passengers cruising across Yakutat Bay on the Alaskan panhandle. One of the behemoth’s most impressive stunts is the same reason ships must keep a safe distance from the spot where it occupies Disenchantment Bay: The glacier calves frequently, meaning that large chunks of ice break off from its face and plunge into the water below, creating icebergs. In addition to witnessing this spectacle of nature, keen eyes can also catch glimpses of the area’s wildlife, which includes harbor seals, orcas and humpback whales.

ICY STRAIT POINT
Housed in a refurbished salmon cannery, Icy Strait Point serves as headquarters for a variety of tours and activities. Perched on Chicagof Island, the cruise port is just outside Hoonah, home of Alaska’s largest Tlingit community. Tours explore the fishing village’s past through the likes of outings in traditional hand-carved dugout canoes, and Icy Strait Point has a zipline, adventure center, cannery museum and shops selling native merchandise. The ABC Islands, which include nearby Admiralty and Baranof islands plus Chicagof, boast a high density of brown bears with an estimated 4,200 grizzlies (about one per square mile), so wildlife watching excursions are popular. Lucky tour-goers might even catch a bear swimming the smaller channels between islands. Orcas and humpback whales are also often spotted, along with otters and porpoises.

HAINES
The Hammer Museum. Bizzarium.

JUNEAU
Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure.
Marie Drake Planetarium.
Mount Roberts tramway.

ENDICOTT ARM. Like its neighbor Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm features excellent views of several different types of glacier. As always, the thrilling spectacle of glacier calving could be on the menu. Also, Bald Eagles are known to nest in the area and may be seen along the coast.

KETCHIKAN
Totem Heritage Center.
Dolly’s House Museum.

ALASKA SOUTH EAST
DARE
Pribilof Islands
St. Matthew & Hall Islands
Attu Island (westernmost island of Alaska)
Nunivak island
Montague island
Kodiak Island
Aleutians main group (Unalaska, Dutch Harbor)series

World Heritage Sites: Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek

Islands
Adak
Afognak
Atka (Alaska)
Attu (Alaska)
Kodiak (Alaska)
Nelson (Alaska)
Nunivak (Alaska)
Tanaga (Alaska)
Umnak (Alaska)
Unimak (Alaska)

SITKA
Sitka: Baranof Castle State Historic Site
Sitka: Russian Bishop’s House
World of Nature: Alaska: Tongass National Forest
Waterfalls: Nugget Fall
Mountains: Mount Fairweather
Hospitality Legends: Skagway: Red Onion Saloon

ALASKA SOUTHWEST
Roads, Road Bridges and Tunnels: Scenic Road – Alaska: Seward Highway
Science, Technology and all Industry and Mining Museums: Fishhook: Independence Mine State Historical Park
World of Nature:
Chugach National Forest
Denali NP
Katmai NP
Kenai Fjords NP
Lake Clark NP
Wrangell-St. Elias NP
Waterfalls: Lowell Creek Waterfall
Mountains
Mount Blackburn
Mount Hunter
Lakes: Becharof Lake, Illiamna Lake
Rivers: Kuskokwim River, Yukon River
Festivals: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska
Aquariums: Seward: Alaska SeaLife Center
Ski Resorts: Alyeska Resort
Indigenous Experiences: Aleuts, Athabaskans, Yuit
Sports Museums: Wasilla: Iditarod Museum

DARE – Alaska – Prince of Wales Island
Islands
Admiralty
Annette
Baranof
Chichagof island
Dall
Etolin
Kuiu
Kupreanof
Mitkof
Prince of Wales
Revillagigedo
Wrangell

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I would like to think of myself as a full time traveler. I have been retired since 2006 and in that time have traveled every winter for four to seven months. The months that I am "home", are often also spent on the road, hiking or kayaking. I hope to present a website that describes my travel along with my hiking and sea kayaking experiences.

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