After doing extensive research about various tour companies out of Wrangell, AK we decided to book 2 separate excursions with Alaska Charters and Adventures ( alaskaupclose.com ) I’m so very glad we did! Ok- time for a little background, we are a family of four, kiddos age 12 and 10. We have been planning our trip to Alaska for awhile, wanting to get the most bang for our buck and traveling on the Alaska Marine Ferry. From our very first contact, the people at Alaska Charters and Adventures were so helpful and friendly! Offering to pick us up from the ferry terminal, drive us to our rental (outside of town), and offering advice and suggestions on local events, and restaurants.
Our first adventure was a trip to Anan to get “up close and personal” with the local bears. Brenda was our captain ( of the ‘Wild Side’) and tour guide for the day. First impression from my son- “Wow, Cool boat!”, first impression from me, “Wow, she really knows her stuff!” What an amazing day! We saw multiple black bears and even a brown bear- I’m talking a couple of feet away! We had a small group of 6 people and arrived hours before any other tour company and stayed as long as we wanted. The entire day Brenda was the ultimate tour guide, friendly, informative, answered all our questions, kept us safe, and made this an adventure our family will remember forever!
Our second adventure was a day of fishing on the ‘Timber Wolf’ with our captain John. It was just the 4 of us this time and what a beautiful and comfortable boat to spend the day on! John was personable, funny, and made us feel like family- not to mention knows where the BIG halibut are!!! I can’t explain appropriately how this one trip impacted us- seems silly, just a fishing trip, right??? No, my son caught his first Halibut- almost as big as him! Every other 5 comments that comes out of his mouth now start with “John said…..”, and he now wants to move to Wrangell. My daughter (girly-girl) just told me she might want to join the Coast Guard after school…..’You know, like John and his daughter’ she said.
It was amazing- John and Brenda are amazing. These adventures, I would describe as once in a life time must do’s, but I know our family will be back, and we will go with Alaska Charters and Adventures every time.