About Us
Connecting visitors with the wonders of Sitka, Alaska
Sitka Wonders is a company dedicated to showcasing the beauty of Sitka, Alaska, through immersive media and experiential tourism. We create life-changing experiences that educate visitors about the region's unique ecosystems. A portion of our revenue supports local conservation efforts, reinforcing our commitment to preserving Sitka's natural wonders and fostering a lifelong appreciation for this remarkable place.
Our Mission
At Sitka Wonders, our mission is spark curiosity, respect, and admiration in the hearts and minds of tourists as they experience the natural wonders of Sitka Sound. We aim to foster a deep connection to Sitka's unique landscapes and wildlife, encouraging a commitment to conservation through storytelling and adventure.
Our Vision
Our vision is a Sitka that remains wild, vibrant, and resilient for generations to come. Through sustainable tourism and innovative, low-impact experiences, we aim to inspire visitors to connect deeply with this extraordinary place while actively contributing to its preservation. By fostering a tourism model that prioritizes education, respect for nature, and tangible support for local ecosystems and communities, we envision a future where Sitka’s wonders are not just admired, but safeguarded for all who follow.
Meet Our Team
Ben Hamilton
Founder / Guide / Filmmaker
Ben Hamilton is a filmmaker and storyteller who has spent nearly two decades capturing the wild heart of Alaska. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, he first came north in 2007 to work with the Sitka Conservation Society and never truly left. What began as a summer film project became a lifelong pursuit to reveal the beauty, fragility, and interconnectedness of wild places.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Geography and Radio Television Film, Ben brings both a deep curiosity for landscapes and a filmmaker’s eye for story. Through his company Pioneer Studios, he has filmed across six continents for National Geographic, BBC, Smithsonian, and leading conservation organizations working to protect the planet’s last wild ecosystems.
His work has received the Wilderness Legacy Award, the Daniel Housberg Award for Excellence in Video, and a Primetime Emmy for cinematography.Beyond filmmaking, Ben has spent years hiking Alaska’s remote coastlines, kayaking hidden inlets, and managing logistics for scientific and film expeditions in some of the most challenging conditions on earth. That field experience now shapes the way he guides — with an eye for safety, storytelling, and the quiet details that most people miss.
In 2025 Ben launched Sitka Wonders to bring that same sense of awe home and to help visitors experience Sitka’s ecosystems with the depth and respect they deserve. The project blends film, guided experiences, and local partnerships to connect people with Alaska’s natural world beyond the crowds.
When he is not behind a camera, Ben can often be found exploring Sitka Sound with his wife and two kids, reminding them and himself that wonder is something you have to keep choosing every day.
To see more of Ben's film work visit: www.pioneerstudios.org.
Ellena Griffiths
Naturalist / Field Guide / Captain
Ellena is a USCG licensed captain and expedition guide who plays a key leadership role at Sitka Wonders. With four years guiding in Sitka and across Southeast Alaska, she combines a naturalist field science, storytelling, and steady seamanship to help guests experience this coast with depth and clarity.
Raised in Oklahoma and later Texas, she never expected her path would lead to where the mountains meet the sea. After high school, a family trip to Alaska and her first whale watching experience changed everything. Inspired by childhood adventures in national parks and a father who loved identifying every species they encountered, Ellena went on to earn a degree in Ecology from the University of North Texas, contributing to bird research and building a strong foundation in field science.
After several years in research roles, she shifted toward a more people centered approach and became a naturalist in Sitka. She later spent two seasons as an expedition leader aboard a small vessel in Southeast Alaska, expanding her knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and geology. Her guiding experience also includes Maui and the Turks and Caicos, all driven by her passion for helping guests form meaningful connections with wildlife and wild places.
A self described bird nerd, Ellena has a special love for seabirds and counts St. Lazaria as one of her favorite places in Alaska. She almost always has a camera in hand and, when off the water, can often be found bird watching somewhere around Sitka.
Brandon Belestra
Boat Captain / Guide
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Brandon is a USCG licensed captain and Sitka Wonders’ trusted leader on the water. Sitka sits exposed to the open Pacific, where experience matters. With hundreds of days navigating in varied conditions, he brings steady judgment and proven seamanship to every trip. Raised in Southern California, he grew up surfing, swimming, fishing, and playing water polo.
While earning his Marketing degree at Chico State, Brandon took a summer job at a cannery in Larsen Bay on Kodiak Island and returned the following summer. After graduating, he entered the maritime industry in 2016 and earned his USCG 100 Ton Master license in 2019. He also holds STCW Basic Training and Open Water Dive certifications.
He began running boats in San Diego, working in yacht management, charters, and deliveries along the Pacific coast. In 2023 he stepped away from yachts and returned to Alaska, guiding out of Sitka. Working in small group wildlife tours shifted his perspective. Instead of simply moving boats, he was helping guests slow down and experience a place.
He later worked aboard week long expedition vessels throughout Southeast Alaska, navigating glacial ice, kayaking into hidden inlets, and hiking the waterfall coast. After two years exploring the region, he returned to Sitka to join Sitka Wonders and help create meaningful experiences that connect guests to Alaska’s wild coast.
When he is off the water, you will likely find him surfing at Sandy Beach, hiking local trails, playing pool, or scanning the shoreline for whales.
We're Hiring
Join the Sitka Wonders team and help shape unforgettable tourism experiences while supporting sustainability in Alaska—apply today!