Inside Passage Region
Shaped by the staggering force of massive glaciers millions of years ago, Alaska’s Inside Passage stretches 500 miles along the Pacific Ocean and boasts wildlife-filled fjords, tidewater glaciers, and lush island scenery. The Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the United States and the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world — covers the vast majority of the Inside Passage.
The Inside Passage is home to Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Alaska Native peoples whose history is reflected in towering totem poles and whose vibrant culture can be seen today through art, song, and dance. Russian settlers left their legacy through onion-domed churches gleaming with icons.
Today, the Inside Passage is the most popular route for large and small cruise ships departing from the Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, B.C. from May through September. For those that want to travel at their own pace, the Inside Passage is also accessible on the state ferry along the Alaska Marine Highway System, which stops in 35 ports of call from Bellingham, WA to Dutch Harbor in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
Both cruisers and independent travelers are awed by the lush beauty of top Inside Passage destinations including Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway, Wrangell, and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. There’s no shortage of adventures to be had, including kayaking, hiking, fishing, experiencing Alaska Native culture, glacier viewing, and searching for wildlife including whales, bears, and eagles.
Map of Inside Passage Alaska
Plan Your Trip
Purchased by the State of Alaska in 1985, the Sheldon Jackson Museum was founded in 1888 to house an exceptional collection of Alaska Native...
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Our premier summer offerings are our bear viewing tours at Lake Clark National Park or Katmai National Park. We leave Homer in the mornings and...
Unforgettable Voyages Aboard Our 90' Private Luxury Charter YachtExperience luxury with our 90' private charter yacht, inviting you to indulge in...
All-Inclusive Luxury Accommodation for up to 6 people.Private Boat with Captain and DeckhandAlaska Salmon & Halibut Fishing (Included)Freshwater...
NorthStar Helicopters offers a diverse range of personalized flightseeing and glacier experiences tailored to each guest's abilities and...
Get more from your tour experience on this small group, fully guided citizen science adventure. Play an active role in ongoing data collection...
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Salmon Falls Resort is an intimate full-service resort in Ketchikan, Alaska, situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s iconic Inside...
A journey on a Cunard® ship will deliver you to untold possibilities. As you sail on the spacious deck of Queen Elizabeth® toward the horizon...
Get active and experience the real Alaska on one of our 'Active, Informative, Fun!' (c), Alaska multi-sport/hiking or family adventure tours...
Are you ready to explore Alaska up close and in style? Want to go where the big ships can’t? Then you will love our award-winning Alaska small...
We've hand-picked the participating vendors. Frankly, most of them are personal friends--and we have a vested interest in making sure you have a...
We invite you to visit Alaskatours.com where you will find great wildlife viewing opportunities. Our trip options include all modes of...
Imagine yourself standing on the runners of a dogsled with a team of Alaskan huskies loping across the ancient snowfields nestled among the peaks...
Local Climate & Weather
For Alaska's day-to-day weather, it’s best to plan for a bit of everything. Learn more about weather in this area.
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