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
Put on your hiking boots, fill your lungs with fresh air, and experience a day of world-class hiking in the Tongass National Rainforest. The pace...
A smaller group makes for a larger wilderness experience! Gastineau Guiding offers travelers fully guided, small group tours to one or more of...
As a small Alaskan company, ATC creates customized Alaska vacations for independent travelers, couples, families, and small groups. From our home...
NorthStar Helicopters offers a diverse range of personalized flightseeing and glacier experiences tailored to each guest's abilities and...
Meet Alaska’s best travel style, small ship cruising, and the veteran experts ready to match you with a small, active and authentic wildlife...
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...
Discover the difference renting an RV from Great Alaskan Holidays can make on your next Alaskan adventure. We offer a relaxed vacation in the...
Waterfall Resort Alaska is known the world over for the astounding number of king and silver salmon, halibut, lingcod, and other sport fish...
Alaska Wildland Adventures operates vacation packages and wilderness lodges on the Kenai Peninsula and in Denali National Park. Our Alaska...
Steamboat Bay Fishing Club is the elite luxury Alaska sport-fishing experience presented by the Waterfall Group. The luxury lodge closest to the...
Step into Alaska with a small-group, fully-guided Photo Safari adventure. Your certified Naturalist Photography guide will lead you to local...
Join us on a sweeping exploration of southeast Alaska, from Sitka's outer coast in the northwest, to Ketchikan in the southeast. Discover worlds...
Get more from your tour experience on this small group, fully guided citizen science adventure. Play an active role in ongoing data collection...
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...
Spirit Walker Expeditions is a locally guide-owned and operated company with over 35 years of experience leading sea kayaking trips throughout...
The ultimate trip planning tool, it unfolds to 27 x 36 inches and is packed with great information on Alaska's top destinations, activities...
Sitka is an island community boldly living between the mountains and sea, where the arts flourish and an ancient native culture still thrives...
Built in 1898 to open the Klondike to gold seekers, this narrow gauge railway, originally stretching from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon...
History, beauty and adventure meet in Alaska's first incorporated city. Nestled at the northernmost reaches of the Inside Passage, North Americas...
We are the premier commuter airline based in Juneau AK serving 13 communities in SE Alaska all year long with seasonal summer service connecting...
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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