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At the northern reaches of the Alaska Inside Passage are the small towns of Skagway and Haines located up the Lynn Canal. These two towns are not the most commonly visited on Alaska Inside Passage cruise routes, so be sure to look for them in an itinerary if you wish to visit these historic places. All Alaska cruises are "Inside Passage" to varying degrees, as that's where most of the SE Alaska cruise ports are. Vancouver departures get much more "Inside Passage" than do Seattle departures, as Seattles sail in the open ocean west of Vancouver Island. Marine life has been a highlight of all the Alaska cruises I’ve ever taken. From Kenai Fjords and Glacier Bay National Park to the many Sounds and Straits of the Inside Passage, watching wildlife in the waters of Alaska has always proven rewarding.
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Marine Life: Whales, Dolphins, and Sea Lions
There were a few days in quiet bays that were not as exciting as the other days. We saw a large pod of orcas, sea otters, humpback whales, bears, jelly fish, sea lions, eagles, jumping salmon and more. Just to the east of Lynn Canal on the northernmost end of the Inside Passage Alaska is the famed Glacier Bay National Park. To experience the park, you need to technically sail out of the Inside Passage coastal route, and into Glacier Bay. Many Inside Passage cruise itineraries will explore both Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, spending two to three out of eight days within the national park.
Where Is Alaska’s Inside Passage?
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In fact, many ports along the Inside Passage, such as Sitka, Wrangell, and Petersburg, are inaccessible by road, making a scenic cruise the ideal way to explore these hidden gems. The Inside Passage is a mesmerizing coastal route spanning over 500 miles, weaving through the Pacific Northwest from Washington State, Canada, and Alaska. This labyrinthine waterway is a complex network of fjords, bays, and lush islands—over 1,000 of them, to be exact. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Once the gateway to Alaska's Gold Rush, Skagway strikes a dramatic image nestled between the water's edge and mountains. Follow in the footsteps of miners with a ride on a scenic train along the famous White Pass route through coastal mountains.
Day by Day
Whether you’re an avid bird water or more interested in the creatures big and small that live in a watery home, there is no shortage of chances to be wowed. The icy waters are ecologically diverse, from enormous hales to small fish and everything in between. Myriad animals roam dry land, from bears, wolves, and deer to smaller creatures like weasels, ermine, and rodents. Misty Fjords - A sublime wilderness area and a national monument, be awed by the gigantic glacial cliffs as your Inside Passage Cruise makes its way through Misty Fjords. A smaller cruise ship might pass close enough to the many waterfalls for you to feel the spray from the powerful water. You can see the volcanic Eddystone Rock and listen to the calls of seabirds that musically fill the air.
Juneau
However, even Alaska cruises that depart early in the season can offer surprising wildlife sightings. The hike takes you through gorgeous maritime forest and pristine rainforest, which has thankfully been protected from deforestation. Along the way you’ll find stunning river reflections; wildlife such as birds, Sitka Deer, and Black Bears (during Salmon season); and several great fishing spots.
These islands are visually stunning and serve as popular haul-out sites for harbor seals. One of the most awe-inspiring experiences of cruising the Inside Passage is the opportunity to witness marine life in their natural habitat. Humpback whales are commonly seen breaching and tail-slapping, especially in areas like Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, and Icy Strait Point. Known as “Little Norway,” Petersburg is famous for its Scandinavian heritage. Highlights include the LeConte Glacier, one of Alaska’s most active glaciers, and excellent whale-watching opportunities. One of the most compelling reasons to choose this cruise is its affordability and easy access to remote locations.
In Sitka, you can learn about the Tlingit culture and Russian history through guided tours of historical sites. Icy Strait Point is an exclusively Alaskan port with native-owned shops and a private passenger dock. It’s a great place for adventure activities like zip-lining and wildlife tours. An Alaska Inside Passage Cruise is your ticket to exploring this awe-inspiring region.
We saw massive Ravens, Black Oystercatchers, Semi-Palmated Plovers, and several American Bald Eagles in Juneau before we even set foot on the Admiralty Dream. It was an invigorating way to wind down our 8-day adventure with Alaskan Dream Cruises. Located near the northeast coast of Baranof Island, the Lake Eva trail leads 1.5 miles, from picturesque Hanus Bay to the south end of the lake.
Traveler Advice
Wilderness Bay/Kake hike to rainbow falls and totem viewing was nice. Plan ahead and book your cruise of the Inside Passage for the relevant months that best fit the things you are most interested in seeing and doing. The best time to visit both Alaska’s Inside Passage and Canada’s Inside Passage is from spring to the end of summer.
Kayaking is another popular shore excursion that allows you to get up close and personal with Alaska’s natural beauty. In Glacier Bay National Park, guided kayak tours take you through calm waters, offering a chance to see marine life like seals and sea otters. We also consider taking the Goldbelt tram to sunset as a must-see. And be sure to see the unique whale fountain in Juneau – a modern work of art. Typically, a standard 7-night cruise itinerary will include 4 to 5 ports of call, each offering its own unique attractions and activities.
Here’s everything you need to know about Alaska cruises to the famed Inside Passage, from where the passage is to how to pack for the weather. Feel the pioneer spirit of Alaska, from First Nations tribes to early Russian settlers to Gold Rush prospectors. These waters are also home to a huge population of whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises and puffins. Bald eagles and seabirds often fly overhead— and Admiralty Island is the best spot for glimpsing bears. During a two-year expedition through uncharted territory, Captain George Vancouver sailed into the still waters of what came to be known as the Inside Passage. Passing by luminous glaciers artfully carved by Mother Nature’s beaming summers and numbing winters, Captain Vancouver and his team charted over 1,000 miles from 1792 to 1794.
Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, a rather unusual sight at such lower elevations, and watch birds bobbing on the waters and soaring overhead as you kayak through the clear waters. During the best Inside Passage cruise, the summertime sunshine offers plentiful photo opportunities. You might see orcas and humpback whales from your stateroom on your way to destinations like Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point. Marvel at the remote, untouched wilderness where you can breathe in the mountain air and truly think.
In Juneau, guided treks take you to the ice fields of the Mendenhall Glacier, where you can explore ice caves and crevasses under the guidance of experienced mountaineers. The Inside Passage is a fisherman’s paradise, offering some of the best deep-sea fishing opportunities in the world. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, ports like Ketchikan and Sitka offer fishing excursions where you can catch salmon, halibut, and even king crab. For those who love to explore on foot, the Inside Passage offers a plethora of hiking opportunities. In Juneau, the trails leading to the Mendenhall Glacier provide varying difficulty levels, catering to both novice and experienced trekkers. Tracy Arm Fjord offers the twin Sawyer Glaciers, set against steep granite cliffs.
The meal choices were varied and always found something that we liked - even if was the optional salad with the fish of the day. The bartender would mix fun drinks of the day, one day it was called a mudslide (after a muddy hike!).
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