Kayaking Siginaka Islands, Sitka: 90 minutes paddling

Your guide paddles with you, pointing out eagles, sea otters and what lives in the intertidal zone.

Kayak the Siginaka Islands near Sitka in a 2-person sea kayak with a live English guide, departing by sightseeing vessel from the pier. You paddle for 90 minutes in the pristine waters around the islands while your guide teaches you about the natural history and wildlife of the area; the boat transports you to the private paddle base, waits while you kayak, and returns you to shore. The full outing runs three hours and includes kayak instruction, outfitting, a light snack and hot chocolate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Siginaka Islands cruise and kayak adventure

• Board sightseeing vessel
• Cruise to private island
• Receive kayak instruction and outfitting
• Launch 2-person sea kayak
• Explore Siginaka Islands by kayak
• Enjoy light snack at paddle base
• Reboard expedition boat
• Cruise back to pier

The Experience

The day starts with a 15-minute sightseeing cruise on a specialized expedition boat to a private island paddle base in a remote wilderness setting. Once you arrive, your guide spends 30 minutes fitting you into a tandem sea kayak and teaching you the basics of paddling. Then you launch into the water for 90 minutes of guided kayaking around the Siginaka Islands, exploring the pristine waters while your guide points out sights above and below the surface — colorful marine life in the intertidal zone, and the possibility of eagles, sea otters, porpoise and other wildlife.

After you paddle back to the base, you have 15 minutes to rest and catch your breath. The boat then carries you back to the pier with a light snack and hot chocolate, giving you time to share stories of what you saw on the water. The entire experience — boat rides, paddling, instruction and the snack — takes three hours.

What’s included

• The guide paddles with you in the tandem kayak and teaches you about the natural history and wildlife.
• both boat rides to and from the paddle base.
• kayak instruction and all outfitting.
• a light snack and hot chocolate after you paddle.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventure Sitka

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to paddle on your own but with a guide in the kayak steering and teaching — the tandem setup means you get the experience of paddling without navigating or managing the boat alone. Small groups keep the paddle base uncrowded and the wildlife viewing personal.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How much of the three hours is actual kayaking?

Ninety minutes of paddling makes up the core of the outing. The remaining time covers the 15-minute cruise to the paddle base, 30 minutes of kayak instruction and outfitting, 15 minutes at the base to rest, and 30 minutes of boat time returning to the pier.

What wildlife might I see while kayaking the Siginaka Islands?

The Siginaka Islands are home to colorful marine life in the intertidal zone, plus eagles, sea otters, porpoise and other species. Your guide points out what is visible above and below the water and teaches you about the natural history of the area.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this?

No experience is required. Your guide provides 30 minutes of instruction and outfitting before you paddle, teaching you the basics of handling a tandem sea kayak.

Is this a private kayak or do I share it?

You paddle a 2-person tandem sea kayak with your guide, who sits in the back and steers while teaching you about the water and wildlife around you.

What is included in the price?

The outing includes the English-speaking guide, the tandem kayak with all outfitting, instruction, both boat rides, and a light snack with hot chocolate at the end.