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
Experience a better way to stay! Forget typical hotels & crowded spaces. Instead, imagine returning each evening to your own beautiful home...
A smaller group makes for a larger wilderness experience! Gastineau Guiding offers travelers fully guided, small group tours to one or more of...
Alaskan winters provide a whole new set of unique experiences for visitors from around the world and as an Alaskan owned and operated company...
Come see Alaska's "Big 5" from bears to moose, caribou to wolf, and Dall sheep! At Alaska Tours, we offer the widest range of wildlife tours...
Talon Lodge and Spa is No Ordinary Alaska Fishing LodgeLocated on an exclusive private island, Talon Lodge & Spa is a haven for those seeking the...
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...
Get more from your tour experience on this small group, fully guided citizen science adventure. Play an active role in ongoing data collection...
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...
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...
Built in 1898 to open the Klondike to gold seekers, this narrow gauge railway, originally stretching from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon...
Scenic, diverse Ketchikan is a coastal island located within Alaska's Inside Passage and surrounded by the magnificent Tongass National Forest...
THE BEST OF ALASKA AND THE YUKON.
Holland America Line gives you two incredible ways to experience Alaska's incredible interior. Choose one of...
The Alaska Marine Highway operates a fleet of vessels along a route so special it has been designated as a National Scenic Byway and All-American...
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...
With short travel times from Anchorage and Seattle, Sitka is closer than you think while still feeling like a true getaway. Meeting spaces...
Experience Alaska's highest sportfishing catch rates of King salmon & Silver salmon in beautiful Sitka. The highly rated fishing charters are...
Combine a cruise to Alaska with a land-package or add day tours in your ports of call! Visit Denali National Park, take a ride on the Alaska...
Located in the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) building, the Alaska State Museum is a great way to experience the history, art, and culture of...
The best of Alaska's glaciers and ports are yours on the ultimate Alaska cruise, with perfectly sized ships that get you closer to all the wonder...
Start your day with a fantastic scenic flight over the Alaskan backcountry and fly directly into the heart of bear viewing country. Once there...
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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