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Beyond Sitka

A Comfortable Sitka Whale Watching Wildlife Shore Excursion

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Sitka, USA
Great choice
5+ bookings last month.
  • 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Discover Alaska’s natural beauty from the water—and take the guesswork out of where to find its native wildlife—on this small-group scenic cruise from Sitka, designed to maximize the likelihood of spotting whales. Explore with a local fisherman, follow a route tailored to that day’s weather conditions, and look out for creatures including humpback whales, orcas, and sea otters while enjoying plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
  • Avoid the crowds on a small-group scenic cruise around Sitka
  • Maximize your chances of spotting a whale and other native wildlife
  • Go beyond sightseeing with insights and stories from your local guide
  • For additional comfort, there is onboard heating and access to a bathroom

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Snacks
  • youth and adult lifejackets

    Meeting and Pickup

    Meeting point

    • Coastal Tours Sitka
      330 Harbor Dr, Sitka, AK 99835, USA

      Please meet me under the covered shelter at the top of the Crescent Harbor Dock, located next to Harrigan Centennial Hall in downtown Sitka. Keep an eye out for my CTS logo. You can find the covered shelter location on Google Maps by searching for "Coastal Tours Sitka."

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Itinerary

    1

    Sitka Sound

    2 hours 30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Most travelers can participate
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Featured review

    Andrzej_B
    This is really _as_we_wanted_ trip. The captain - Rick is young, but experienced and very friendly. We got what we wanted and even more. At the end Rick brought us to the cruise port and not the town, what saved us unnecessary shuttle travel. Highly recommended! A private boat for the family of 5 - 6 without the crowds. Go for it!

    Reviews

    4.9
    based on 41 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Like Riding on a Friend’s Boat

    LeoH, Jun 2026
    A far more rewarding experience than using a cruise ship excursion. This is what private touring is all about.

    Response from Host, Jul 2026

    Bingo!!! Thank you.

    Sitka water wildlife experience

    Andy_W, Jun 2026
    We met our local guide (Rick) and deckhand (Stevie) at the local pier area and were escorted to the boat. Both were great, giving our family a rundown on the boat and what we could expect. The boat was well-accommodated with inside seating and outside standing area for viewing wildlife. It was great to have a local team with knowledge of Sitka and Alaska. Deckhand Stevie was a confident young lady who our kids immediately connected with. We were able to see humpback whales, Bald Eagles, otters, and seals. It was a great opportunity to get on the water, learn from a local team and experience Sitka. Highly recommend this excursion.

    Response from Host, Jun 2026

    Happy to have your family on the boat. Thank you!

    Excellent Adventure!!!

    Jerome_B, Jun 2026
    Rich has a beautiful boat. He was timely in arriving and his knowledge of the area is vast. It was easy to find the pick up location. He gave the safety information and then a wonderful overview of commercial fishing in Alaska. He provided drinks and snacks and great commentary of what we were seeing. We enjoyed otters, eagles, grey whales, orcas and sea lions. The ride was very comfortable and when we stopped we could move around. We loved this adventure into the wild to view animals in their habitat. Wear comfortable clothing and bring your camera you won’t be disappointed. It was fantastic - highly recommend!!

    Response from Host, Jun 2026

    I like fantastic. Thank you!!!

    Our whale watching tour...

    Fred_R, Jun 2026
    Our whale watching tour with Rick in Sitka was incredible! From the moment we stepped on the boat, Rick and his daughter Stevie made us feel welcomed! They were kind, friendly, and truly passionate about what they do. They took us all around the waters of Sitka and got us amazingly close to the whales and otters, giving us views we will never forget. It was such a breathtaking and memorable experience. Their knowledge and hospitality made this tour the highlight of our trip. If you're visiting Sitka and looking for a whale watching tour, I cannot recommend Rick enough. This was hands down the best tour we experienced in Alaska. Thank you, Rick and Stevie, for an unforgettable adventure!

    Response from Host, Jun 2026

    Wow. Thank you!

    Rick was an awesome...

    JANET_K, May 2026
    Rick was an awesome captain and guide who demonstrated friendliness and confidence. The boat was clean, comfortable, new and sturdy. He made everyone feel welcome and had considerable knowledge of the waters and local area. An excellent choice!

    Response from Host, May 2026

    Thanks for the excellent choice!

    Book this whale tour in Sitka!

    Elaine_F, May 2026
    Ease in booking and had excellent communication with our guide. Rick led us to the perfect places to enable us to find whales, seals, and otters. His boat was comfortable and he supplied lots of snacks and sparkling water. We booked with Rick using Coastal Tours Sitka.

    Fun in Sitka

    carla_r, Aug 2025
    This was a absolutely great time. Small group. Rick is friendly and he enjoys what he does. Best time on the water

    Response from Host, Aug 2025

    Thank you Carla!

    Highly recommended - a private tour with whales, sea otters, eagles...

    Andrzej_B, Jul 2025
    This is really _as_we_wanted_ trip. The captain - Rick is young, but experienced and very friendly. We got what we wanted and even more. At the end Rick brought us to the cruise port and not the town, what saved us unnecessary shuttle travel. Highly recommended! A private boat for the family of 5 - 6 without the crowds. Go for it!

    Response from Host, Jul 2025

    Thank you!

    Amazing tour for our family of 4

    desirayco, Jul 2025
    Amazing tour! Rick has a spotless boat. My family was very comfortable and loved that he had heat and snacks. We saw whales, otters, sea lions and eagles. It absolutely met all of our expectations and more.

    Response from Host, Jul 2025

    Thank you !

    Best for Nature / Whale Watching!!

    LUIS_M, Jun 2025
    Absolutely the best tour of our Alaska trip! The Sitka Whale Watching Expedition was unforgettable — we saw humpback whales, gray whales, bald eagles, and playful sea otters. The boat was comfortable, the crew was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Truly a world-class experience. Highly recommended!

    Response from Host, Jun 2025

    Thanks Luis!
    Likely to Sell Out

    From $225.00

    per person

    -You will not receive a refund if you cancel.

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 110 days in advance.

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