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? Then you will love our award-winning small ship cruises and wilderness adventures. When...
Equinox offers private adventure cruises based out of historic Sitka, Alaska. Owner/operators Cameo and Brooks invite you and 5 friends to join...
Infinite Adventures is a small family owned business offering active small group adventures in a converted American school bus throughout Alaska...
Expedition Hiking Tour with Tongass Treks Explore the wilds of the Tongass National Forest on a private 4 to 5-day yacht-supported hiking...
Adventure Sitka is Alaskan owned and operated with headquarters in Sitka, Alaska. We offer a variety of activities to visiting guests including...
Welcome to Tongass Teague LLC’s guided backcountry hiking and driving tours! We are a summer shore excursion that offers driving tours and...
We invite you to visit Alaskatours.com where you will find great wildlife viewing opportunities. Our trip options include all modes of...
Get more from your tour experience on this small group, fully guided citizen science adventure. Play an active role in ongoing data collection...
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...
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...
No visit to Sitka is complete without exploring the breathtaking trails of the Tongass National Forest! Tongass Treks has you covered for a...
Experience a unique an exclusive experience unique to Wild Coast Excursions in Juneau! Imagine being whisked from sea level straight into the...
Founded in 2019, Out to Sea is an outdoor adventure company specializing in small group, wildlife eco-tours and custom expeditions aboard fully...
Alaska Charters & Adventures specializes in guiding small groups on full day excursions including: world class Bear viewing, Whale & sea otter...
Northern Epics was founded to be different. While most vacationers end up on conveyor-belt-style tours getting herded along like cattle, a select...
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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