Sitka Sound Marine Wildlife Tour: Whales, Otters & Eagles

See whales and otters without leaving the sound

A two and a half hour marine wildlife tour around Sitka Sound departs from Centennial Hall with a maximum of six passengers aboard a heated Hewescraft. You'll watch for humpback and gray whales, sea lions, otters and eagles in their natural habitat, with binoculars provided and a guide explaining the area's Tlingit heritage and Russian colonial history. The small group size keeps the experience personalized and lets you move at a pace that works for wildlife sightings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sitka Sound marine wildlife tour

• Meet captain at Centennial Hall
• Board the Hewescraft boat
• Learn about Sitka and Baranof Island
• Discover Tlingit and Russian history
• Spot sea lions, otters, whales, eagles
• Watch for bears feeding on salmon
• Enjoy heated cabin and snacks

The experience

You meet the captain at Centennial Hall, where you board a 250 Alaskan Hewescraft built for these waters. The boat has a heated cabin, which matters in Southeast Alaska, and the tour runs two and a half hours: long enough to reach the feeding grounds and shallow coves where the animals congregate, short enough to fit an afternoon. The guide teaches you about the Tlingit people who have lived here for centuries and the Russian settlers who made Sitka the territorial capital, so the wildlife sightings come with context instead of just names.

The Sound holds humpback and gray whales, sea lions hauled out on rocks, otters working the shallows, and bald eagles overhead. As the season progresses, bears show up along the shore feeding on salmon runs. You get binoculars for a closer look, and the small group, never more than six, means you're not jostling for position or waiting for someone else's photo. The captain adjusts course for where the animals are that day, so the itinerary shifts with what's actually moving.

Complimentary snacks and bottled water come aboard, and the heated cabin gives you a place to step inside if the weather turns. Children from age one can ride along, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Binoculars for wildlife viewing.
• complimentary snacks and bottled water.
• heated cabin aboard the boat.
• live guide in English sharing the area's Tlingit and Russian history.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 29 May 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (6 to 12 years) · Child (1 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sitka Safari

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Centennial Hall in downtown Sitka, so you don't need a car or arrange separate transport to reach the boat. It's walkable from most hotels and cruise ship docks. The two and a half hour length fits an afternoon without eating your whole day, and the small group of six means you move at the pace the animals set rather than the pace a larger tour demands.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 12 years); Child (1 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of whales and marine animals will I see on the Sitka Sound tour?

Humpback and gray whales are the main draw, along with sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. As the season progresses, bears often appear along the shore feeding on salmon runs, though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day.

How long is the Sitka Sound wildlife tour and when does it depart?

The tour runs two and a half hours and departs from Centennial Hall. The captain meets you there to board the boat. Check your confirmation for the specific departure time.

What's included in the marine wildlife tour price?

Binoculars for wildlife viewing, complimentary snacks, bottled water, and a heated cabin aboard the boat are included. A live guide in English teaches you about the area's natural and cultural history throughout the trip.

How many people go on each tour, and will I be in a large group?

The tour is limited to six passengers maximum, keeping the group small and personalized so everyone gets a good view and the boat can move flexibly to follow the wildlife.