For all the road trips and hiking we do, it feels extra special when we get to be a part of something unique that’s an entirely different sort of travel. The Boat Company invited us to spend a week sailing the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska on the Mist Cove so we could learn about a different type of cruise experience, and truly, it was an expedition instead of a cruise. We’ve done this sort of trip several times now, and it never gets old. Southeast Alaska is just one of those places that feels different every time you visit. The scenery is jaw-dropping, the wildlife is incredible (and everywhere), and there’s this feeling of being somewhere truly wild and untouched that you just can’t replicate anywhere else in the USA.
Nearly everything you see and explore when you’re cruising through Southeast Alaska is a part of the Tongass National Forest. It’s absolutely massive and breathtakingly beautiful. And the Boat Company has made it their whole mission to protect this incredible place through their non-profit work and conservation awareness. Yep, you read that right: the Boat Company is actually a non-profit sailing experience. The money you pay for your trip is directly doing good things for Southeast Alaska. I didn’t fully wrap my head around what that meant until we actually got to sail with them, and now I’m so excited to share what we learned.
So let me break down everything you can expect from sailing with the Boat Company and how they’re fighting for the environment through their non-profit work. If you have any questions about our experience on the Mist Cove or want to know more about how they operate, just leave a comment or send us a note. We love chatting about the Tongass and helping people plan meaningful trips to Alaska.
Our Expedition with the Boat Company Alaska
With weekly sailings between Sitka and Juneau, the Boat Company offers a totally unique take on the Inside Passage cruise. Think of it as an expedition adventure rather than a floating hotel with a buffet. It’s all-inclusive and full service like you’d expect from a quality, luxury cruise experience, but it goes much deeper than that. We spent a week onboard the Mist Cove, one of the Boat Company’s ships, and every single day we learned something new about the Tongass National Forest and its waters. We watched wildlife everywhere we went, got up close with a glacier, ate fresh and delicious food, and felt this wonderful sense of community with our fellow passengers and crew. It was one of our favorite travel experiences ever.
So what is it that makes the Boat Company such a standout option compared to other small ship sailings in Southeast Alaska? There are definitely several companies offering small ship experiences in the Inside Passage, and they all tend to approach it through a conservation and expedition lens, but the Boat Company has two major things that really set them apart from the pack: their non-profit mission and the fishing opportunities.
It sounds a little funny to talk about being a non-profit AND a “cruise line” but trust me, it all comes together beautifully. Calling the Boat Company experience just another cruise would be doing it a disservice. We’ve enjoyed all sorts of ways to experience Southeast Alaska, including doing the Inside Passage completely on our own, and every trip has been unique and awesome. What made our week with the Boat Company stand out was how every single activity, every conversation with our guides, every quiet moment watching the water all circled back to the surrounding ecosystem of the Tongass National Forest. When a company builds its entire experience around teaching people the value of the natural world and how everything connects, it creates something genuinely engaging and special.
As someone who’s lived and worked in Alaska and has traveled extensively throughout both Southeast AK and the rest of the state, I can honestly say that our week with the Mist Cove crew was unlike anything we’ve experienced before. The onboard naturalist and expedition leader truly believe in both the conservation work they do and the guest experience they create, and that passion shapes everything about the trip. Obviously the scenery and wildlife are going to blow your mind when you’re sailing through Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest, that’s basically guaranteed no matter how you visit, but to really understand what makes the Boat Company special, we need to talk about the non-profit side of things and the unique experiences they offer.
A Cruise That’s Actually a Non-Profit
Over the last 40-plus years, the Tongass National Forest has faced repeated threats from logging and development on land that then impacts the sea, which in turn affects the communities that rely on the waters of the Inside Passage for their livelihoods. It’s a cascading problem that needs serious attention and that’s where the Boat Company gets its mission.
Between doing my own research and getting to actually sit down and chat with Hunter McIntosh, the leader of the Boat Company, I learned a lot about what the non-profit does. From championing legal battles to stop logging in the Tongass National Forest, and even to contributing to local conservation and tourism projects, the Boat Company reinvests into the land where it operates. They’re continually improving communities and preserving the natural environment for future generations, which is pretty incredible when you think about a “cruise line” taking this sort of project to heart.
If you’ve ever been on a big ship cruise or talked to locals in Alaska about what the cruise industry means to their communities, you know it’s a mixed bag. Some people love the tourism dollars flowing into their towns, while others are all too aware of the strain that 20,000 new visitors a day can put on resources. The Boat Company takes a completely different approach. They’re tiny by comparison, gently visiting the towns they port in to start and end their sailings, and leaving absolutely no trace in the coves they explore. This gentle footprint combined with putting real money and action back into protecting the Tongass makes them truly one of a kind among cruise operators in Southeast Alaska.
Hands Down, the Best Fishing Cruise in Alaska
The other huge differentiator is the fishing. Other small ship sailings offer activities like kayaking and hiking, and the Boat Company has those too, but the fishing opportunities are on another level, particularly because as of 2026 there isn’t another small ship that offers fishing as a standard. And it’s not just rod-and-reel fishing either. When conditions allow, shrimping and crabbing are on the activity menu too. Here’s the full lineup of fishing options available:
- Saltwater fishing from a skiff – think halibut, rockfish, cod, salmon
- Saltwater fishing from the big boat – rockfish, salmon and more
- Fly fishing on land – trout, steelhead, salmon
- Crabbing with overnight pots
- Shrimping with overnight pots
The guides are passionate fishermen and women who seriously know their stuff when it comes to regulations and techniques. They practice proper conservation methods, including sinking rockfish that tend to float after being brought to the surface. For species that look similar to others, only fish that are positively identified and within season and region regulations are kept with no exceptions. They don’t mess around with the rules, and respect the regulations and processes that protect healthy fish populations.
The Boat Company makes every part of the fishing experience incredibly easy. They get you registered with the Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife for your fishing licenses; they handle all the gear and bait; they report all catches… And the absolute best part is that they clean and vacuum pack your fish for you! They’ve got equipment onboard to pack and flash-freeze your catch, and when you depart they box it all up in a freezer box for you to bring home. All of this is included in your sailing fare.
How to Plan a Boat Company Sailing
Since this experience is very different from a standard cruise that you would book, you actually have the opportunity to expand your experience and time in Alaska. The Boat Company operates just within the Tongass National Forest and its passages, but there is more to see in Southeast Alaska. Because your ship will depart from either Sitka or Juneau and then end in the other port, you can easily add two or three days on both ends of your journey.
Your time onboard lasts a week, so if you have the time and budget to continue exploring, do it. Sitka is a cool, small city and you can easily spend two or three days here enjoying the Tlingit culture and nature, and you won’t even need a car! Juneau is bigger and is the capital of Alaska. It needs a little more time I think, especially because it’s the whale watching capital of the world are there are some incredible wildlife sightings to be had. Yes, you’ll see whales on your Boat Company sailing trip, but can you really ever get enough of humpbacks breaching and orcas hunting? No.
Additionally, you can go from Juneau to a variety of other spots. Doing the Inside Passage on your own after your sailing is a great idea. It’s very easy to add Haines or Ketchikan to your trip either via boat (Alaska Marine Highway or Alaska Fjordlines to Haines) or you can fly to Ketchikan. Ultimately, give yourself a little cushion on either side of your trip and add on if you can.
What We Loved Most About Our Boat Company Experience
I wanted to share the highlights that made this trip truly exceptional for us, because of course it was cool and beautiful, but it was also very different from past trips through the Inside Passage. Keep in mind that everyone finds value in a variety of elements and experiences, but for us the remote access, unique sights and closeness with the fellow passengers all had an impact on us.
Being a World Away
The access to remote areas is a part of small ship cruising that just can’t be beat. Each day the captain and expedition leader chose new places to visit based on weather, tides, and the journey so far. Sometimes we’d go an entire day without seeing another boat of any kind because we could navigate to nearly anywhere. It felt like we had the waters of Southeast Alaska completely to ourselves, and that kind of solitude and access is priceless.
Very Small Travel Groups
The tight-knit experience was a very special element of sailing with the Boat Company that I didn’t expect to enjoy. Spending a week with like-minded travelers visiting remote islands and kayaking through quiet waterways was incredibly recharging. The communal dining in the fantail of the ship made me nervous at first, but finding the people we really connected with made the whole trip extra memorable. Getting to know crew members like Jess, our expedition leader who was such an incredible spokesperson for the Tongass, and Ben, our repeat fishing guide who was full of knowledge and fun, had quite the impact on the entire experience. And then the closing night photo and video presentation was such a heartwarming way to wrap up the week together. I loved our small group.
Unique sights – Waterfalls, Lighthouses, Sea Caves
Maybe it’s the mountain kid in me, but I just love getting up close with unique geologic features. And lighthouses (that’s the coastal kids in me). Sailing on the Mist Cove with the Boat Company brought us to some beautiful spots, several of which there’s no way a big cruise ship could ever dream of getting to. The waterfalls in hidden coves and the sea caves in the limestone island edges were so cool to see and explore. Also, during our sailing we got to go by the Five Finger Lighthouse, which is a really cool one. We didn’t get to visit it due to the swell, but it was on the plans.
Low Impact Tourism
As somebody who spends a lot of time all around Alaska, there are so many areas where tourism’s impact is visible, but the smaller ship made our destinations unlike what most people can experience, and then in visiting with a gentle approach we left each place the same as we found it. The strong environmental mission kept impressing us the more we learned. Taking profits from luxury expedition trips and reinvesting them into legal protections and conservation work is extraordinary. As they put it on their website: “Every dollar beyond operating expenses is reinvested into conservation, advocacy, and long-term stewardship of the Tongass National Forest.” The care is absolutely clear when you’re onboard.
So Much Wildlife
And the wildlife encounters were just phenomenal. The remote access and small group sizes meant we could get closer to wildlife viewing areas while always maintaining respectful distances. Every single day brought new and thrilling sightings. Yes, I get excited about any and all wildlife in Alaska at all times, but that doesn’t discount how much wildlife we saw over the course of a week. From sea otters to orca whales, everyday brought something new.
What’s Life Actually Like Onboard the Mist Cove?
Most people who know about Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage picture the typical port-to-port big cruise ship experience, and they don’t quite understand the small ship sailing style where you’re not really visiting port towns. Instead of pulling into a small town to shop and eat crab legs, cruising with the Boat Company means dropping anchor in a calm, undeveloped harbor and heading ashore via skiff or kayaking through rocky coves. Instead of cute boutiques and fudge shops, you’re watching bears stroll along the beach and dining in the fantail of the ship while surrounded by wilderness. It’s a completely different world.
The Cabins on the Mist Cove
The accommodations are really nice, comfortable and thoughtfully designed without being over the top, in that they’re well maintained and spacious but not ridiculous. The rooms prioritize function and coziness because the real focus is getting you out there exploring Alaska, not keeping you cooped up in your cabin.
We had a cabin with a queen bed and a twin above, and it was plenty of space to relax, fully unpack into the armoire and drawers, and stash our luggage out of the way. The bathroom was actually a great size, and actuall bigger than other small ship bathrooms we’ve had on other sailings. Everything was very clean, and the bathroom was stocked with Aveda products, which was a nice touch. The memory foam beds paired with the gentle rocking of the boat made for solid sleep every night. Cabin servicing happened daily while we were out adventuring, and it was always thorough and yet non-intrusive.
Food and Dining
So many people who do a lot of cruises have concerns over cruise dining, and I get it if that’s one of the high points of travel for you. What makes the Boat Company different from the big boats is that every meal is either plated or served family-style from a set menu, and everything is freshly prepared from scratch. The menu frequently features local seafood, sometimes even fish caught during the trip, along with regional ingredients and Alaska food products (we love Barnacle Foods).
Dining is a group thing, meaning everyone eats together in the fantail, and the vibe is social rather than formal. There’s no fancy dress night, and you’ll probably be wearing whatever’s most comfortable and warm even if that means that you’re still wearing whatever you were fishing in. I loved that we could choose who to sit next to for each meal, and on days when I wasn’t feeling super chatty, I could just look out the back of the fantail at the water.
Something that was important to me as someone with tons of food allergies was how thoughtful the kitchen and stewards were. I submitted all my dietary restrictions in advance, and once onboard I met with the crew to go over everything. At every single meal they made sure nothing on my plate would cause me problems, even preparing alternative meals when needed. That’s very important, especially if you’re at sea, far from medical care.
Note: each day there was also a continental breakfast available for early risers and appetizers during happy hour. There is always something available, and if you need something different, the kitchen and stewards are really accommodating.
Daily Activities and Adventures with the Boat Company
Being on an expedition boat with the Boat Company is wildly different from a major cruise when it comes to daily activities. Excursions are exciting and always in small groups, option at all times and decided on in the present instead of booked in advance. Here’s what’s typically available throughout the week, keeping in mind that everything depends on location and sometimes weather:
- Kayaking can be guided or independent
- Hiking ranges from established trails to full-on bushwhacking through the wilderness
- Fishing covers saltwater from a skiff, fly fishing onshore, or spincasting from the big boat, plus crabbing and shrimping when conditions allow
- Skiff tours, which are like mini water safaris
Each afternoon or evening, the expedition director chats with everyone at mealtime about where the boat’s heading next and what activities will be available. The crew is really thoughtful about recommending activities based on weather patterns, wildlife behavior, and which fish species are currently open. Also, the crew will give their opinions on what they would pick, which is sometimes helpful when you’re just excited to be there and can’t make a decision.
With usually two big activities each day, you can mix things up to vary your activity level and feed all your interests. One of my absolute favorite days was when we had an incredible morning of saltwater fishing followed by a “mystery activity” in the afternoon. The mystery turned out to be a hike to a half-frozen lake for a polar plunge followed by a soak in the Baranof Warm Springs. It was a full day of pure fun and beauty. And on the flip side, if you just want to stay onboard reading or lounging on the top deck watching for birds and whales, that’s totally fine too with zero judgment, zero pressure from the crew.
Wildlife Encounters
A huge draw of small ship sailing in Southeast Alaska is spotting wildlife in all kinds of places, way closer than you’d ever get from a cruise ship. Every day while sailing the Inside Passage or around Baranof Island, we saw humpback whales, sea otters, seals, bald eagles, and even bears. The captain would sometimes trawl through areas where humpback whales are most active, and those curious creatures would come remarkably close to the boat. Literally, we would just hang out with the whale around us.
The daily skiff excursions are where things get really magical though, since it’s much easier for the captains to maneuver and position them quickly. These small boats can navigate tiny coves and narrow channels that big ships could never access. Whether your skiff captain is drifting down current from a pod of orcas (they can’t legally approach them, but they can let the orcas come to them) or showing you a sea cave covered in colorful sea stars, the wildlife watching is uniquely flexible based on what the animals are doing. We were incredibly lucky during our trip because it was early season and the bears were just emerging.
Our list of mammal sightings after a week was impressive, and then if you consider the beautiful birds and fish, we were pretty happy. Here is a short list of wildlife we saw from the Mist Cove or out on a skiff:
- humpback whales
- orcas whales
- Dall’s porpoises
- harbor porpoises
- harbor seals
- sea otters
- river otter
- beaver
- sea lions
- mink
The Onboard Atmosphere
When you choose a small ship expedition sailing, you know you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people, and that was absolutely the case with the Boat Company. The overall feel is quiet, educational, and nature-focused, with lots of great conversation about conservation. There are no casinos, shows, or nightlife, so downtime is spent relaxing, socializing, or learning from the naturalists. I like that many people who are deeply interested in wildlife or that are drawn to the sea don’t really want to chat all the time, but you have to know that there will always be a passenger or two that’s down for a chat. And the crew likes to talk and hangout a bit sometimes also. There’s plenty of space to spread out beyond your cabin. You can hang out in the bridge chatting with the captain, or find a quiet corner in the salon or observation room to read. It’s wonderfully lowkey.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
I want to be real with you about a few things so your expectations are properly set. This is luxury, not lavish. The ships are beautiful and well maintained but built for Southeast Alaska expeditions, not the Caribbean. There’s no turn-down service, hot tubs, luxury loungers, or in-cabin massages. It’s comfortable and experience-driven, and that’s exactly what it should be.
Amenities are limited by design. There’s one dining setup rather than multiple restaurants, and one dining time for each meal instead of different seatings. There are no fitness facilities as your workouts are hiking, kayaking, and reeling in fish. No beauty boutique or spa because you’re wearing long underwear and stocking caps for most activities. And there’s no wifi onboard (as of 2026) and cell service is minimal to non-existent in most places you’ll visit. It’s a chance to disconnect, and it’s kind of wonderful.
Weather can change plans, even with a crew that’s so adaptable. Southeast Alaska weather is unpredictable even in summer. The crew is incredibly smart about navigating around weather systems, but some days your hoped-for fishing trip might become a hiking adventure or naturalist talk instead due to windy conditions or just lots of rain. Flexibility is key to not letting a day like that make you feel bummed out.
The price is higher than mainstream cruises. The fare is definitely more on the surface, but when you factor in all the inclusions, especially the fishing and fish processing, plus the tiny passenger count and tailored experience, the value equation shifts significantly. And knowing that your dollars beyond operating expenses go directly to conservation is something to feel genuinely good about.
Is Sailing with the Boat Company Worth It?
If you can afford this level of travel experience, absolutely yes. The time, the journey to Alaska, and the cost are all completely worth it for the overall product and the non-profit mission your passage supports. If you want a party cruise with DJs and van tours, look elsewhere. But if you want a unique, bespoke adventure with wonderful people and a crew that truly cares, this is your trip. Also, if you want to go fishing and also have the cruise experience, THIS is definitely the trip for you. Really, there isn’t another option like sailing with the boat company for fishing and the overall experience.
When Should You Book?
Now that you know if you want to consider doing a sailing with the Boat Company you need to take that first steps. Like any trip to Alaska, plan well in advance. With such small ships and limited space, you’ll want to book at least six months out, and some sailing dates may require booking a full year ahead. If you want to hold your spot but can’t fully commit yet, you can put down a deposit for your preferred dates and complete payment when you’re ready. Don’t wait too long though because these sailings fill up for good reason.
If you have any questions about our Boat Company experience on the Mist Cove or if you need additional recommendations for ways to explore Southeast Alaska, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and get into the details of traveling through this beautiful place.
