Sitka sits on the open Gulf of Alaska, not the protected inside passages of most Southeast Alaska…read moreports. Strong tides move nutrient-rich water through volcanic island corridors. That creates dynamic feeding zones for humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, and seabirds. Just a 15-minute walk from downtown, Sitka National Historical Park is Alaska's smallest national historical park. What makes this park truly special is its unique blend of Tlingit heritage and Russian history. The park is home to beautifully crafted totem poles, scenic trails, and historical sites that tell the story of the region's Indigenous peoples and the Russian influence that shaped Sitka. The totems themselves were stunning and far more impressive in person than my partner and I expected. The combination of the well-maintained forest trail, the sound of nature around us, and these huge carved totems appearing along the path makes this place one of the highlights of our trip. Alaska in the summertime is well worth a visit!

Sitka National Historical Park Review We visited Sitka…read moreNational Historical Park on an Alaska cruise excursion, and the park itself is wonderful. The bus just dropped us off and picked us up an hour later, which wasn't enough time. The visitor center has beautiful totem poles, interesting exhibits, and a great 15‑minute documentary about Sitka's Russian and U.S. history. We also met Nena, a watercolor artist who showed us her work, and watched a woodcarver demonstrate how he turns raw wood into art -- both were highlights. There are several easy trails (10, 15, and 30 minutes), but with only an hour we couldn't enjoy them fully. Next time, we'll take public transportation and explore at our own pace. The park is absolutely worth visiting -- just skip the overpriced excursion.

Probably the most-hiked trail in Sitka, for a couple reasons…read more - like many trails in Sitka, access from downtown is easy, you don't even need a car. - it's relatively flat This trail takes you in 4.5 miles on relatively flat terrain, through a rainforest, to a waterfall. It's similar to many of the trails you'd find in the Columbia River Gorge near Portland, or to the rainforests of Olympic National Park in Washington. As you get close to the waterfall, it's very likely that sections of the trail will be flooded. This may require some route finding on your part. You may get wet!

The trail was gorgeous. The pamphlets, everything, and everyone says the hike takes 2-3 hrs one way…read morebut maybe in the warmer weather. We hiked when the snow was still there and let me tell you it'll take about 4-5hrs to get to the waterfall. There's a nice detour along the way to see the beautiful mountain. Great place to take epic pictures. The trail was very peaceful and brings you closer to nature.

Another delightful trail in Sitka!…read more Like the others it's: 1) Insanely well-maintained: not rocky, lots of boardwalks. 2) Easy to access from downtown: the trail quite literally starts in town, no car necessary. When I went on Memorial Day, there was still lots of snow at higher elevations. I went up to the shelter and turned around. Next time I hope to do the loop!

fun trail. Even more fun in the winter with snow if you know what you're doing. not a beginner…read moretrail.

We had the most epic day with Guide Garrett! The weather…read morewas gorgeous and the sites were stunning. Captain Conner kindly shuttled us to the dock location (a very generous exception when I misunderstood the instructions). Guide Garrett, powerful waterman of the Sitka Sound (think a younger more approachable King Triton of The Little Mermaid), created the most wonderful day. He knew pretty much everything about anything oceanic or Alaska history and ALMOST all the bird species (it was a Pigeon Guillemot, Garrett). We will never forget the memorable day (our deltoids are still living it). Thank you Adventure Sitka!

Whether you are an experienced paddler or a newbie, you will enjoy this outing. The guides are…read moreextremely friendly and helpful, and they point out the magnificent natural features of Baranof Island. The waters are generally pretty calm on the west side of the island where this tour takes place, so you can get in really close to some amazing rock formations and see all the sea urchins, starfish, eagles, moon jellies, mussels, sea lions, and other wildlife. We did not spot any whales or bears on this trip, but we didn't miss them. It was most enjoyable. You can come as you are, they have all the gear you will need.

My wife and I had a lovely time with the sea otter tour. We managed to see a group of sea otters,…read more a gray whale and a humpback whale. The boat was large with lots of room to maneuver, the bathrooms were clean and the bar/snack area was fully stocked. Really loved how knowledgeable the staff were about the wildlife. would totally recommend

First off, I need that hot chocolate recipe. That was divine, like it really competed with the…read morewhales for my attention. Wow! We saw orcas and bubble netting humpbacks and gorgeous mountain views. Even though it was a huge boat, due to the diligence of the crew and a bit of teamwork from everyone on board, there was always something to see. And Captain Greg was phenomenal at bringing us closer to the action, that was some impressive maneuvering.

Ok, First time to…read moreAlaska and have been mind blown by scenery. The natural beauty of this state is almost overwhelming in its grandeur. What really made the trip special was getting out on the ocean with a local guide that not only knew the ins and outs of the waterways but was also truly dedicated to his craft as a guide. Captain Dave is passionate about his home town of Sitka and an absolute wealth of information. On the way out of the harbor he fired off a plethora of awesome facts that rivaled anything Wikipedia might have to say about this majestic seaside port. Safety was always on his mind and that played a huge roll in our comfort considering we had a 5 and 7 year-old with us. At all times, including when we disembarked on a remote island for a quick hike, he was sure to let us know he had our back (he had a bear deterrent on the form of a shotgun). Dave also provided us with a killer breakfast and lunch which were both accompanied by spectacular views at unique locations on the water that were second to none. Bottom line, if you want to see AND learn about Sitka and it's wonderful culture/history/ecology then Captain Dave and his vessel the Esther are the premiere choice for anyone who wants to see the real deal Alaska!

We had the most amazing day with Davey! We saw whales, puffin, sea otters, and more! The homemade…read morecookies were the best I had ever eaten and most importantly, Davey made sure that we got to do exactly what we had dreamed of doing. He was a pleasure to deal with and my whole family continued to rave about our day on Esther G Sea taxi.

OUTSTANDING Whale Watching Experience! If you're visiting…read moreSitka and want to see whales and other marine life up close, book with Gallant Adventures! Captain Paul is incredible -- he knows the area inside and out, understands wildlife behavior, and shares fascinating insights throughout the trip. Our group of five had the perfect setup: a comfortable, well-kept boat with plenty of room. We asked Capt. Paul all manner of questions and he shared so much information about the marine life and the geology. We got to see Up close whales, and otters and seals, and we went into a great cave to see birds. The views were beautiful, it was a magical tour. Everything about the experience was top-notch. Highly recommend! Once in a life time kind of thing!

We joined Captain Paul Davis and this personable tour exceeded our dreams! The whales were out in…read moregroups and the captain knew where to find them- what to look for, and we had the best experience I've ever had on a wildlife tour! Highly recommend!

Pretty well oiled machine, everything met my expectations, fishing, food, accommodations, great…read moreguides, owner was cool, Nicole, who ran the crew, is epic. This is my fourth year fishing Alaska in five years at all inclusives. Guess I've been lucky, haven't had a bad experience yet. This place is at the top.

My family and I did not stay at the Dove Island Lodge, but instead went for dinner. The service was…read moreimpeccable from the very start. We were picked up at the main dock in town, and took a very short boat ride to the island. We were greeted by two waiters who had hot towels and cocktails ready for us as we pulled in and escorted us to the dining cabin. The executive chef came out to greet us, all by name, and asked us if we had any dietary restrictions. He was prepared to make anything from raw, palio, vegan, vegeterian, etc. The dinner was delicious! The whole experience was very personalized and relaxing. I would highly recommend to treat yourself to a dinner or stay for a special occasion!

I had the honor of hunting brown bear with Parker Guide Service in the fall of 2023. Captain Bruce…read moreParker is the real deal, a true master at many crafts. As a passionate hunter, it surprises me to say the hunt itself was just the cherry on top of this wonderful Alaskan experience. I loved Parker's yacht, the Alaskan Harvest, a floating palace that's as comfortable as the finest hotel on earth. Food was beyond delicious. From humpback and killer whales to goats and bears and birds, wildlife viewing was top notch on the trip. Overall, I can't imagine a better way to experience the beauty and isolation of Southeast Alaska. If you're considering a trip, don't hesitate. I promise that it will the experience of your lifetime.

This was my first hunting trip to Alaska and it couldn't have turned out better! Bruce and the…read moreguides were experienced, knowledgeable easy to get along with. Your every needs are met on the boat with 5-star meals and comfortable sleeping arrangements. Look forward to my next trip with them! Jon Reardon