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
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 small ship...
Immerse yourself in Southeast Alaska's breathtaking underwater world as you snorkel the calm and clear waters of Mountain Point.
You'll stay...
Salmon Falls Resort is an intimate full-service resort in Ketchikan, Alaska, situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s iconic Inside...
Nestled along the Tongass Narrows, minutes from downtown, The Ketch embodies the spirit of Ketchikan - where fishing is a way of life, the food...
Adventure Sitka is Alaskan owned and operated with headquarters in Sitka, Alaska. We offer a variety of activities to visiting guests including...
Experience a better way to stay! Forget typical hotels & crowded spaces. Instead, imagine returning each evening to your own beautiful home...
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...
Alaskan owned and operated, Alaska Private Touring specializes in custom, guided Alaska programs for groups and families of all sizes. Our...
Salmon Falls Resort is an intimate full-service resort in Ketchikan, Alaska, situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s iconic Inside...
Need an experienced travel agent to help you plan your trip to Alaska? Our Alaskan team
has been helping visitors plan exciting and enriching...
Discovery Voyages is Alaska's original small ship cruise. We offer the finest guided small group sea and land tours, featuring photography...
The Alaska Campground Owners Association (ACOA) represents campgrounds throughout Alaska and is a member owned non-profit. Our vision is to...
Start your day with a fantastic scenic flight over the Alaskan backcountry and fly directly into the heart of bear viewing country. Once there...
See more of the real Alaska! Alaska is big, beautiful and logistically challenging! Make sure you have someone that knows the intricacies of...
"Welcome to Alaska Charters and Adventures, your gateway to the pristine wilderness of the Inside Passage, Alaska. We specialize in bear viewing...
Sitka is an island community boldly living between the mountains and sea, where the arts flourish and an ancient native culture still thrives...
Tour with a small group for a larger wilderness experience! Board a custom designed safari vessel as you search for wildlife, including Humpback...
Authentic Alaska is just waiting for you to discover it, by land. Our Alaska vacations take you into the heart of our National Parks, Native...
Alaska vacations require a lot of planning in advance. When you travel to Alaska, you may want to find the best Alaska fishing, sightseeing...
Steamboat Bay Fishing Club is the elite luxury Alaska sport-fishing experience presented by the Waterfall Group. The luxury lodge closest to the...
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.
Travel Inspiration
#TravelAlaska
#TravelAlaska