A Comfortable Sitka Whale Watching Wildlife Shore Excursion
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Sitka, USA
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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 Sitka330 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 minutes • Admission 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
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
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
5.0
based on 89 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
If you want a knowledgeable guide, choose this excursion. Rick is very knowledgeable and extremely friendly!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you Denise!
This was the best experience ever!!! We saw more than 20 whales and Rick took us to just the right place where we saw a mama bear and 2 cubs. He is very, very knowledgeable and we all learned a lot from him. I will recommend him to all my clients and friends going to Sitka!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you Katrina!
Rick is the Bomb. Great host, very friendly, and got us up and personal with the Alaskan wildlife. Highly recommend this to couples or small families. Really feels like a private VIP tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
booooom! Thank you....
UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!! Our experience was unlike anything we ever expected. Rick was an amazing tour guide. We saw a brown momma bear with 3 small(ish) cubs. She grabbed a salmon right out of the water (3 times) and feed herself and cubs. We also saw sea otters and he told us about the history behind the relationship between them and Alaska/Russia. We also saw about 13-15 whales too! The boat ride was smooth and enjoyable. He told us his own personal history with boating/fishing and how he came to do his job. We had a great time and would do it all over again in a heart beat!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
perfect. Thank you!
It was a great experience. Our guide Rick gave us a lot of information on the things we saw along the way to see the whales.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you!!!
Rick was a great guy knew right where to take us to see the animals. Would recommend this tour to all.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you!!
Captain Rick at Coastal Tours was the BEST! He gave just the most wonderful tour that not only included Whales, but also puffins, seals, eagles, and even starfish. We all were thrilled. Captain Rick has lived in Sitka since 4 years of age and knew everything there is to know about the area. We felt so lucky to be on his immaculate boat.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
BEST. Thank you!!
Absolutely worth it! Rick showed us the best spots for whale sightings which was incredible. We also saw sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles and more. A very memorable experience!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you!
Rick was great guide and made sure we seen whales, otters, eagles, and sea lions. He took us to see bears but they did not show up! He was very informative and polite. He made the day perfect!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
I like perfect. Thank you!
This was one of the highlights of our Alaska trip! We were fortunate enough to see multiple whales, puffins, sea lions, bald eagles and the experience was unforgettable. What really made the tour exceptional, though, was our captain Rick. He was incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and clearly passionate about both the wildlife and making sure everyone had a great experience. He took the time to position the boat for excellent views while always respecting the animals, and his commentary throughout the tour made us appreciate the area even more. If you're in Sitka, this tour is absolutely worth booking.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you!!
We couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Our guide Rick was very pleasant and informative while navigating us through Sitka Sound. The boat was charming and comfortable. My sister and I have walking limitations and that was easily accommodated. We saw more humpbacks and orcas closeup than we could count! Plus otters, sea lions and Harper seals. An exceptionally active day.
Another big plus, was having the local fishing boat our son worked on for a summer, pointed out and then talking to that captain across the water. Above and beyond! Thanks Rick!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Your welcome!
Awesome excursion. Father/daughter duo did an amazing job. Would highly recommend. Smaller boat was perfect.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you!
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.
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!
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 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 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!
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.
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!
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! 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 !
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!
Member Pricing
From
$213.75
per personWas $225.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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