Things to do in Sitka
The unmissables
Most booked
Sitka Scenic Tour: Three Top Sites in a 10-Passenger Van★ 4.77 (509) · 2h 30m
Top rated
Sitka Land Tour: Bears, Raptors, Totems with Local Guide★ 4.79 (381) · 2h 30m–3h
Best value
Sitka: Fortress of the Bear, Raptor Center & Totems Small Group Tour★ 4.61 (465) · 2h 30m
Recommended (7)
Sitka: Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour Small Boat Pickup★ 4.94 (248) · 2hUS$ 199View ›
Sitka whale watching tour: Humpback, gray & killer whales★ 4.85 (179) · 2hUS$ 200View ›
Sitka Private Tour: Bears, Raptor Center & Castle Hill Views★ 4.98 (138) · 3hUS$ 429View ›
Sitka Sound: Snorkel Tour Magic Island with Gear & Pickup★ 4.89 (131) · 3hUS$ 299View ›
Sitka: Tongass Forest Hike & Eagle Spotting with Local Guide★ 4.87 (130) · 2hUS$ 119View ›
Sitka Downtown Walking Tour: Russian Cathedral & Gold Rush History★ 4.66 (129) · 1hUS$ 49View ›
Sitka: Small Group Boat Tour with Wildlife & Waterfalls★ 4.96 (126) · 2h 30mUS$ 225View ›Lowest price (8)
Sitka Bears & Totems Historical TourA two-hour historical and wildlife tour of Sitka by passenger van with a live English-speaking guide. You visit Fortress of the Bear to see rehabilitated bears, then Sitka National Historical Park to walk among Tlingit and Haida totem poles and the restored Russian Bishop's House, learning about the battle between Russian traders and indigenous Kiks.ádi Tlingit that shaped the city. Admission fees and live commentary are included; the tour departs from Old Sitka Dock.Is it for me?The live English guide delivers commentary as you travel, so you follow the history and wildlife without needing to read a map or plan stops yourself. This works well if you're visiting Sitka for a short time and want to see both the Russian colonial sites and the bears in one morning or afternoon.
Sitka Sightseeing Tour: Totem Poles & Brown BearsA 2-hour guided tour of Sitka by 10-passenger van with a local guide, covering Fortress of the Bear, Sitka National Historical Park's totem poles, Japonski Island, and surrounding landmarks. The small-group format keeps the van under 10 people, and the guide shares expertise on local wildlife and cultural sites. All tours depart from Harrigan Centennial Hall downtown and operate in all weather.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving by cruise ship or staying in Sitka and want a guided route through the main sights in two hours—the van stays under 10 people and moves at one pace, so there's no planning or navigating on your own.
Sitka Whale Watch and Sea Otter Quest: 2-hour cruiseA 2-hour whale watching cruise in Sitka led by a live English-speaking guide, departing from Sitka harbor to search for whales, sea otters, sea lions, porpoises, harbor seals, brown bears, deer and bald eagles. The tour prioritizes wildlife viewing in a condensed timeframe, so you get an action-packed morning or afternoon without the full-day commitment. Snacks and hot beverages are included.Is it for me?You'll share a boat with other travelers and see wildlife in a few hours rather than a full day—pick this if your ship schedule or time in Sitka is tight.
Sitka Whale Watching Tour: Small Group & Marine WildlifeYou’ll set out from Sitka with a local captain for two hours of whale watching around Baranof Island—spotting humpbacks, sea lions, maybe even playful otters. With live commentary and space for just six guests, you’ll have time to soak in those wild Alaskan moments that stick with you long after you’re back on shore.
Sitka kayaking with sightseeing cruise and wildlife guideSitka 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.Is it for me?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.
Sitka whale watching tour: Humpbacks, orcas & wildlifeA whale watching tour in Sitka aboard the Goleta, a working fishing boat, takes you through Sitka Sound and past Baranof and Kruzof Islands to spot humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, puffins and brown bears. The guide is a commercial fisherman and surfer who personalizes each tour to the day's weather and your goals, keeping the group to six guests. Wildlife sightings depend on season and conditions, with no guarantee of specific animals.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying downtown or arriving by cruise ship—the boat departs from Crescent Harbor within walking distance, so you can spend a morning on the water without needing a car.
Metal Art Class in Sitka: Make Your Own Alaskan CreatureA 2.5-hour metal art class in Sitka where you design and finish a custom steel animal—salmon, halibut, crab, eagle, bear or whale—using a plasma cutter, die grinder, mallet and propane torch. Mike, a third-generation shop teacher, guides the class from blank to finished piece, and the workshop picks you up from the cruise ship terminal. Minimum age 12; shipping of your finished work is available for an additional fee.Is it for me?This class suits anyone who wants to make something tangible and take it home—the 2.5-hour pace keeps it tight for cruise passengers, and the hands-on work with heat and tools means you'll remember the sparks and the weight of the mallet long after you leave Sitka.
Private Taxi Tour Sitka: Local Gems & Hidden StopsA private taxi tour of Sitka puts you and up to five others in a comfortable minivan with a knowledgeable English-speaking driver who takes you to the Fortress of the Bear, St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka Sound Science Center, Alaska Raptor Center, and a local lookout point. The tour runs 2 to 4 hours depending on which option you book, and you can customize the stops and timing to fit your schedule. Pickup is included; infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.Is it for me?Book the 2-hour option if you're docked for a short port call and want to hit the main sights without rushing; the 3-hour or 4-hour versions give you time to linger at the museums and the raptor center or explore neighborhoods a driver knows.
