The part of the coast starting with Cape Spencer at the northern end of Southeast Alaska and the terminus of the Inside Passage and extending to Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay is the first leg of this journey. Starting points at the south end are the remote fishing villages of Pelican and Elfin Cove, and end point is the railroad and highway port city of Seward. Between, there are only two communities big enough to warrant an airport: Yakutat and Cordova, plus the tiny village of Chenega Bay a few miles up a channel in Prince William Sound. Sometimes called The Lost Coast or the Fairweather Coast, this challenging 500-mile shore includes part of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, the Yakutat Forelands, several large glaciers, part of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, parts of both the Tongass and Chugach National Forests, and concludes at the eastern edge of Kenai Fjords National Park. Most mariners making the voyage for the first time are likely traveling north. This narrative describes the route from south to north.
There are two approaches to doing it. One is to head offshore a safe distance and plan to avoid landfall, leaving open the option only in the event of unexpected severe weather. A sailboat or small displacement vessel in fair weather would require at least two days and one night at sea en route from Elfin Cove to Yakutat, and at least another two days and a night from Yakutat to Cordova, or three days to Seward. Most, however, would choose to anchor at Controller Bay, Cape Erlington, or inside Prince William Sound.
The other approach is to hug the coast and plan to anchor up for at least part of each night. This requires more careful planning and an element of good luck with the weather, as adverse winds and seas can slow progress enough to cause the boat to miss critical tides at points like the entrance to Lituya and Hinchinbrook Entrance. Still, this is a far more interesting and enjoyable option provided the operator allows plenty of time for the trip and is patient enough to work with the conditions.
In this case minimum voyaging times are Elfin Cove or Pelican to Graves Harbor, Torch Bay, or Dixon Harbor in one day, a second day to Lituya, one very long day from Lituya to Yakutat (or overnight at Cape Fairweather if conditions allow), a day from Yakutat to Icy Bay, a day from Icy Bay to Kayak Island or Wingham Island, and an additional day to Hinchinbrook or Cape Erlington. Add a day to Cordova or two more days to Seward.
At the sedate speeds of a sailboat or displacement motor boat, your days will be long and demanding, and layovers are highly recommended; besides, it’s the time spent in places like Lituya, Yakutat, Icy Bay, and Hinchinbrook that provide the greatest joys of the trip.