Top Sitka Shore Excursions

Best of Sitka Land Tour / Bears, Raptors, Totems

4.8

(187)

2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $130

Get closer to nature during an intimate, small-group adventure around Sitka Sound, home to majestic whales, brown bears, eagles, and sea otters. Create lasting memories of seeing these animals in their natural habitats while learning more about them from experts. Whether you’re calling at Sitka during your cruise or staying in town, this activity is an ideal introduction to the area for wildlife enthusiasts.

Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour

(118)

from $190

Experience Alaska through the eyes of a local with this Sights of Sitka tour, which stops at three of the area's top destinations. Start at the Fortress of the Bear, a rescue facility where you can see rescued Black and Brown bears. From there, head to the Alaskan Raptor Center to view birds of prey before visiting the Sitka National Historical Park. The park is home to Tlingit and Haida Totem poles, as well as a cultural center where you can learn about Indigenous history.

Simply Amazing Sitka Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Alaska Raptor, & Totems

4.6

(353)

2 hours 30 minutes

from $124

Sitka Whale Watch and Sea Otter Quest

(8)

Escape the Alaska visitor crowds—and take the guesswork out of finding the most picturesque spots—on this small-group photography tour of Sitka, which includes pickup and drop-off from the cruise terminal. Take in panoramic mountain views, visit top scenic highlights like Silver Bay and Halibut Point State Recreation Site, and look out for native wildlife, including sea lions and bald eagles, along the way.

from $159

Small-Group Scenic Tour | SITKA SIGHTSEEING

(21)

Discover Sitka’s colonial architecture, splendid wildlife, and rich history with ease on this private half-day adventure. Soak up the stunning mountain scenery during the drive between Sitka’s top landmarks and natural attractions, including Starrigavan Recreation Area to spot wildlife both big and small, and Baranof Castle, where more epic views await. In Sitka itself, tell your guide what interests you most and they’ll tailor the itinerary accordingly.

from $159

Explore Beyond the Dock: Unforgettable Private Tour in Sitka

(76)

3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $429

Per group

Sitka is abundant in wildlife, from humpback whales to sea lions and brown bears to bold eagles. Having somebody who knows where to look by your side will dramatically boost your chances of sighting the local fauna. This whale watching and wildlife tour takes you around Sitka Sound, the outer coast of the Baranof Islands and Tongass National Rainforest, each just as rich in epic scenery as they are wildlife.

Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in Sitka

(104)

2 hours 30 minutes

from $225

This Pacific White Sided Dolphin swam and played around our boat for an hour!

4.8

(129)

Sitka’s Best Local Whale Watching & Marine Wildlife Tour

Skip the impersonal, large-group bus tour and explore Sitka on a small-group day trip to the city’s top landmarks, with a range of departure times offered to fit your schedule. Your guide, who navigates for you, brings you to four highly-rated attractions, including Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park. All entrance fees are included for your convenience.

from $200

PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour

4.8

(423)

Take in the sights and learn about the history of the former capital of Russian America with this guided Sitka walking tour. Hear stories of the town’s past as you admire Russian and Gold Rush architecture in the historic downtown, plus learn about the local Tlingit culture. Touch on top sights like Crescent Harbor, St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Sitka Pioneers' Home, and Castle Hill in just an hour.

from $110

Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

4.7

(98)

1 hourFree Cancellation

from $49

Experience Incredible Marine Wildlife Tour

(47)

Set out in search for Sitka’s famous wildlife, including sea otters, whales, coastal brown bears, and more. This tour has a 99.9% – wildlife viewing success rate. Enjoy a delicious feast of Alaska crab, fresh caught fish, and prime rib. Enjoy the warm hospitality of the staff at the exclusive Fin Island Lodge. Explore the beautiful beaches and grounds of the private island, relax next to the cozy beach fire while enjoying s’mores, and take in the stunning sights of Sitka Sound. Sit back and relax in the warm and comfortable main cabin, surrounded by large windows or step outside onto the outside observation deck for maximum wildlife viewing. Tour operator has over 50 years of experience exploring region.

from $210

Special Offer

Wildlife Quest and Fin Island Lodge from Sitka

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Snorkel Tour at Magic Island

3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $265

Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST

(97)

from $119

Discover Alaska’s natural beauty—and take the guesswork out of exploring—on this hike around Beaver Lake in Sitka, designed for wildlife-spotting. Spend time in the wilderness, hike along a route rarely followed by visitors, and see picturesque scenery along the way. Learn about nature, pass by areas known for eagles, salmon, and other wildlife, and pick berries with your naturalist guide.

Adventure Hike | ALASKAN WILDERNESS TRAIL

(28)

3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $180

Get to know Alaska’s historic city of Sitka on this small-group shore excursion limited to just 10 people. Aboard a comfortable van, cross the O’Connell Bridge to Japonski Island. See Sheldon Jackson Museum, Alaska Pioneer Home, and St. Michael’s Cathedral, and hear informative commentary on the sites from seasoned guides. Meet the rescued bears of Fortress of the Bear, and take in the marvelous scenery of Sitka National Historical Park.

Our premiere salmon fishing charter in Sitka, Alaska, is designed to give you an unforgettable adventure right from the start. Imagine stepping off your ship or dock and onto our comfortable fishing vessel. For up to 6 hours, you'll be guided by our expert crew who knows the local waters inside and out. We target all available salmon species depending on the season—be it King, Coho, Pink, or Sockeye or Chum. Whether you’re an experienced angler or new to fishing, we tailor the experience to suit your needs. After an exciting day on the water, we’ll take you back to your port or dock, making the whole process seamless and stress-free. And don’t worry about what to do with your catch—we can arrange for your fish to be expertly processed and shipped home.

from $100

Private Charter Fishing For Cruise Ship Guests

6 hoursFree Cancellation

from $554

Explore Sitka without the hassle of navigating on your own on a half–day tour to the city’s top landmarks, including the Fortress of Bears, National Historic Park, and Raptor Center. No need to plan logistics: Entrance fees are included for all stops on the itinerary. In addition to round–trip transportation from the Sitka cruise port, your guide provides live commentary about landmarks passed along the way.

Sitka Up Close: Bears, Eagles & Totem Forest Walk (Small Group)

4.1

(67)

Embark on a breathtaking flightseeing tour in Sitka, Alaska, where you'll soar above majestic mountains and pristine landscapes. This aerial adventure offers a unique perspective of the towering peaks, lush forests, and tranquil waters of Sitka Sound. As you glide through the sky, you'll be treated to panoramic views of rugged coastlines and the wildlife-rich waters below. The tour highlights the stunning natural beauty of Southeast Alaska, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the region’s awe-inspiring landscapes from a bird's eye view. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or a photography lover, this flightseeing experience is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories of Alaska's untouched wilderness.

from $211

Sitka Sound Private Seaplane Tour Experience

(6)

1 hourFree Cancellation

from $439

Price varies by group size

Metal Art Class Experience in Sitka

(63)

Come join us on a 2.5 hour experience of Sitka's highlights, history and breathtaking views! One of Sitka's highlights that we'll take you to is the Fortress of the Bear. A non-profit bear rescue sanctuary for orphaned bear cubs. You will have the opportuntity to see five Coastal Brown Bear and three Black Bear! Another highlight included in the tour is Sitka National Historical Park. This stop dives into Sitka's Russian and Alaskan Native history depicted from the totem poles. The guide takes you to see multiple totem poles while sharing some of Sitka's history along the way. This is a great stop for photos of Sitka's forest, history and shore line view of our rocky beaches. This is a mild walking stop on the tour. Gentle reminder that we are not ADA accessible. Our last stop is on Japonski Island, a small island that connects to our main island by bridge. Japonski Island has our WW2 history, Rocky Gutierrez airport, Coast Guard Air Station/boat station and scenic photo stops.

from $235

from $350

Sitka Historical Highlight Tour

from $130

Sitka Boat and Sea Kayaking Adventure

4.0

(35)

3 hours

from $219

Explore the captivating sights of Sitka on this comprehensive sightseeing tour. Traverse from the lush Starrigavan Recreation Area to the scenic Herring Cove, experiencing both well-known attractions and hidden gems. Highlights include a drive across O’Connell Bridge to Japonski Island, rich in World War II history, and visits to the Fortress of the Bear, a rescue center for orphaned bears, and Sitka National Historical Park, where Tlingit and Russian history come alive. Enjoy informative commentary from your guide as you uncover the stories that shape Sitka. - Convenient pickup from the cruise ship dock and downtown Sitka. - Visit Fortress of the Bear featuring rescued black and brown bears. - Discover the cultural heritage at Sitka National Historical Park. - Learn about Sitka's history from a knowledgeable local guide.

Small Group Shore Excursion in Sitka end to end

Experience Incredible Marine Wildlife Tour

from $164

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Top Attractions in Sitka

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What are people saying about Sitka

Linda_C, May 2026

Great experience!

Wonderful experience. The boat is smaller (though very sea worthy) and there were only 5 passengers so we didn’t have to worry about not being able to get to the railing to view the abundant wildlife. We saw numerous grey whales, sea otters, bald eagles and sea lions. The boat was well designed with covered areas and small enough to be able to get into areas where the larger, crowded boats couldn’t go. The crew was knowledgeable and friendly. It was a wonderful experience that we would highly recommend.

PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour

Vicki_F, Oct 2025

Worthwhile Experience

This was a really fun afternoon going to visit the animals in their rescue settings. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and kind. I especially like the rainforest walk and the totem poles. Or tour guide gave us opportunities to take pictures along the water and spot marine life. I would do this again.

Guided Hike in Sitka, Alaska

Julie_E, Oct 2025

Stunning views everywhere you look!

Great experience. There was a small hiccup with the meeting time, but it all worked out. We met with Lilli for our guided hike, and I had an amazing time. Beautiful area with top notch scenery, even with the rain! Definitely would recommend this excursion but also ensure you're relatively fit because most all of the area is going to have you doing some climbing/hiking UP! ;)

Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife Tour

Padraig_m, Sep 2025

Fantastic experience

Parker provided us with the highlights of our week long cruise in the fantastic 2 hours we spent with him on his boat. He gave us a very informative and personal experience with just one other couple on our trip. We were fortunate enough to see brown bears numerous Whales ,sea lions and otters. We would highly recommend Parker and his company.

Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST

Ronald_D, Sep 2025

An easy way to get to know the US’s largest National Forest

This experience was just what we wanted to do. Hike an easy path through Tongas. Brie was very friendly and an expert of the forest. Surprise snacks were included. This hike is not difficult. Yes, get out into the largest US National Forest. Thenks, Brie

Best of Sitka Land Tour / Bears, Raptors, Totems

Heidi_C, Sep 2025

Fabulous tour

Meeting at cruise terminal went smoothly and it was a small group of 13. Raptor Centre was great. Loved seeing the eagles being rehabilitated before being released into the wild. Resident raptors were easy to see and looked well cared for. The bears at fortress of the bears were awesome. Loved seeing them playing and inquisitive. Totem park was good but you need to do visitor centre first to get information sheets as there was very little information as bout the totems on the loop. Would have liked more time at the bears but would definitely recommend, Ryan our driver/guide was excellent

Explore Beyond the Dock: Unforgettable Private Tour in Sitka

Jessica_W, Sep 2025

Authentic Sitka experience with a local gem!

We had the absolute best time on our private tour of Sitka, despite the rain! Met our guide, Kealoha, a local resident at the pier, right from the ship. We were escorted to her vehicle, which was comfortable and had a booster for our young son. Kealoha made the tour feel more personal and relaxed compared to the big bus tours. She shared stories about Sitka’s history, culture, and everyday life that we would not have likely learned otherwise, and also provided lunch recommendations which proved to be delicious. Highlights included breathtaking views along the shoreline, Bear Fortress, Raptor center, Totem museum and downtown. She was with us inside most centers and gave us detailed info on the animals and organizations. The coolest thing I recall was seeing a bear use sign language to communicate with one of the care rpoviders. There was plenty of flexibility to adjust the pace for our family, and the weather. I appreciated her giving us a heads up the day before of how to dress for comfort. Kealoha was warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely proud to share her family's hometown with us. This tour gave us a deeper appreciation of Sitka, enough to consider work here. She was just the sweetest, showing us off-tour sites based on our discussions. We highly recommend this private tour to anyone looking for an authentic and kid-friendly way to explore Sitka!

Sitka’s Best Local Whale Watching & Marine Wildlife Tour

Nathanael_C, Sep 2025

Great small group tour...

Great small group tour and tour guide! Capn Mike was funny and empathetic and was receptive to what we wanted to see! Great to have a local who could offer realistic and expert opinions on things. We got lucky, even though it was rainy and wet, we saw humpbacks and sea otters in ways we hadn't before!

Sitka Scenic Tour

Marc_W, Sep 2025

The Best

Larry was so much fun and gave us a great history lesson about the area. I really liked the forest and how much he knew about why the trees grew the way they did. He and Liz went above and beyond for us. We accidently left the little bears for our grandkids on the bus. Larry took them to our ship after his shift. Liz was a driver for the same company. She took my husband back to the bus barn, Larry had already left. When she came back to the port she inquired at the security check points and we exchanged numbers. They had made their way to the guest services, so I was able to let her know we had them and how much we appreciated their efforts. SO Rob and Ashley, your customers highly recommend your tour operators. Thank you

Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in Sitka

Dave_S, Sep 2025

Truly the”Best”!!!!

Very knowledgable local young man who really knew how to find the humpbacks. He only takes 6 on a boat that could easily handle 10. Inside or outside seating and the ability to move around easily. When out amongst the whales he would shut down the engine which was better for the whales and enhanced our experience as we could clearly hear them blow all around us. Great local knowledge from someone who grew up in Sitka on the water. I don’t know what he could have done more to improve our trip.

Simply Amazing Sitka Tour: Fortress of the Bear, Alaska Raptor, & Totems

Maribeth_M, Aug 2025

Traveling Sitka, Alaska with Syd!

Our excursion was wonderful. We were greeted by our tour guide, Syd, His van held eight passengers and very comfortable. His knowledge of Sitka was fantastic . It was a true plus having a guide that grew up in Sitka. My husband has mobility issues and Syd zoomed in on him immediately. He made the tour very easy for him. The bears, adorable. The eagles so stately and the history of salmon was fascinating. The town of Stika was very welcoming and we hope to return in the future. Super excursion. Highly recommend.

Snorkel Tour at Magic Island

Yolanda_H, Aug 2025

Snorking Alaska Style!

When I saw this excursion, I knew I had to sign up for it as it is truly one of a kind. The wetsuit was warm and the temperature of the water did not penetrate through the suit. The pictures do not give any justice to the actual experience. Ethan was very knowledgeable and a great tour guide. I was in awe in the amount of creatures we saw. The brilliance in color and vast variety of sea creatures was remarkable. I will always treasure this experience. Thank you Selkie Snorkels and Ethan for a great time!