Sitka kayaking with sightseeing cruise and wildlife guide

Motorized cruise to a floating base camp, then paddle two-person kayaks through protected bays

Sitka kayaking combines a sightseeing boat ride with a guided paddle through Sitka Sound, part of the Gulf of Alaska. You board a custom-built inflatable vessel at the cruise port dock, cruise to a floating base camp while the captain scans for whales and wildlife, then receive instruction on ocean-going two-person kayaks and paddle in groups of up to six kayaks through protected bays and inlets. The tour runs 3 hours total and includes all equipment, rain gear, life jackets, a snack, and a professional guide who leads the paddle and identifies marine life along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sitka sightseeing and kayaking adventure

• Board motorized inflatable vessel
• Enjoy 30-minute sightseeing cruise
• Arrive at floating base camp
• Receive kayak safety instruction
• Join 1.5-hour guided kayak tour

The Experience

The tour starts right at the Sitka cruise port dock, so there's no transport to arrange. You climb aboard a motorized custom-built inflatable vessel with your captain, who scans the water for whales and points out landmarks and wildlife on the way to the floating base camp. This first leg is the sightseeing portion—you're watching and learning while the boat moves through the sound.

At the base camp, an experienced guide walks you through the safe use of ocean-going two-person kayaks. These are stable yet maneuverable, built for the protected bays and inlets near Sitka. The guide is well versed in paddling techniques and the marine environment, and leads groups of up to six kayaks. Each waterway holds different attractions—colorful intertidal invertebrates in the shallows, an eagle swooping from the treetops, the lush rainforest pressing down to the water's edge. You may see brown bears, harbor seals, or Sitka black-tailed deer from the kayak.

The paddle portion lasts 1.5 hours. All necessary equipment is provided—kayak, paddle, life jacket, and rain gear—along with a snack during the tour. The whole excursion is 3 hours from dock to return, timed to work with cruise ship schedules. No prior kayaking experience is needed; the guide handles instruction and pacing.

What’s included

• The tour includes all kayaking equipment and rain gear.
• a professional guide who leads the paddle and identifies wildlife.
• a snack during the excursion.
• and the Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee.

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by Alaska Travel Adventures Inc.

Is this one for you?You paddle the kayaks yourself in a small shared group (up to six kayaks), led by a guide who handles pacing and instruction—this suits anyone wanting to be on the water doing the paddling rather than watching from a boat, with no experience required and all gear provided.

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Top questions

What wildlife might I see while kayaking in Sitka Sound?

Bald eagles, harbor seals, and Sitka black-tailed deer are common sights from the kayak. Brown bears and whales are also possible, especially during the motorized cruise portion to the base camp.

Do I need kayaking experience to join this tour?

No prior experience is necessary. The guide provides instruction on paddling techniques and safe kayak use at the floating base camp before the paddle begins.

How long is the actual kayaking part of the tour?

The kayaking portion lasts 1.5 hours. The full tour, including the motorized sightseeing cruise to the base camp, is 3 hours total.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the motorized sightseeing cruise, all kayaking equipment (kayak, paddle, life jacket, rain gear), professional guide, and a snack. Everything needed to paddle is provided.

Can children participate in this kayaking tour?

Children are welcome from age 3. Children must weigh at least 40 pounds to fit the required life jacket. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult; those 13–17 need a signed parental consent form if a parent or guardian is not present.