Four hours exploring Sitka's wild coast with a remote beach landing.
Duration
4 Hours
Group Size
Max 6 Guests
Starting At
$300
Explore the Wild Side of Sitka, Alaska
The islands along Sitka's outer coast are some of our favorite places on earth. They're where we go on our days off, the places that remind us why we live here. This tour is our chance to share that with you.
With just 6 guests aboard and four hours to explore, we have the time to reach places most tours never get to. We may cruise past St. Lazaria Island, a protected wilderness rookery where nearly half a million seabirds nest on volcanic cliffs. Humpback whales surface in kelp-lined channels. Sea otters raft in the shallows. Steller sea lions watch from rocky haul-outs.
But the heart of this trip is something no other tour in Sitka offers: a beach landing on a remote island most people will never set foot on. Our custom landing craft noses onto shore, drops the bow ramp, and you walk straight onto a wild beach to explore tidepools, wander the driftwood line, and take in a coastline that feels untouched. We set out local smoked salmon while I share what's happening in the ecosystem around us.
No crowds. No dock. Just the wild coast, up close and on foot.
All tours depart from Crescent Harbor, steps from the cruise shuttle drop-off at Centennial Hall. Dress in layers and bring a camera. We provide everything else.
Meet your crew on the northeast side of Centennial Hall, facing Crescent Harbor. Look for the bright gold Sitka Wonders jackets. We're just steps from the cruise shuttle drop-off. Quick safety briefing, and we're underway into Sitka Sound.
Your guide reads the conditions and takes us where the wildlife is active. Some days that means open water with feeding humpbacks. Other days we follow sea lions through island channels or spot bears working the shoreline. When conditions allow, we push toward the outer islands near St. Lazaria, where more than 500,000 seabirds, including tufted puffins, nest on volcanic cliffs. The route is never the same twice.
The bow drops onto a remote beach. No dock, no trail, no footprints but yours. Local smoked salmon on driftwood while eagles circle overhead. Walk the tideline, explore tidepools, or just sit and take in the quiet. We share what the tide has revealed and what's happening in the ecosystem around us. This is the part of the coast most visitors never see.
Heading back, the pace eases. We cruise close along island edges, through kelp beds and sheltered coves. More wildlife often shows itself on the return. Otters floating in calm water. Eagles watching from the treeline. Back to Crescent Harbor with time to spare before your ship departs.
Every trip is shaped by tide, weather, and wildlife. No two are exactly the same.
Who We Are
Sitka Wonders is a family owned wildlife tourism company founded by Emmy-winning wildlife filmmaker Ben Hamilton. After nearly two decades filming Alaska's coast for National Geographic, BBC, Smithonian and more, Ben built a company to share the magical experiences that made him fall in love with this wild coast. A business that doesn't focus on bucket lists, but about connecting visitors with a truly healthy ecosystem and inspiring wonder in curiosity in our lives.
The Sitka Wonders staff and crew bring real ecological knowledge, years of field experience, and a deep connection to these islands and waters. They know where wildlife gathers, how tides shape behavior, and which quiet coves hold something worth slowing down for. But more than knowledge, they bring a way of paying attention that changes what you notice and how you feel on the water.
Pack your sense of wonder and come experience the wild edge of this magical coast.
Full refund with 48 hours notice. At 5 guests, private costs the same per person as joining a group. At 6, private is the better deal. Tours on larger cruise ship days fill quickly, so reserve early.
Every day is different. Depending on the season and conditions, we often encounter humpback whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, puffins, and other seabirds. On longer tours, we reach more remote waters where encounters are often quieter and closer. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but Sitka Sound is one of the richest marine environments in North America.
Yes. We provide light snacks, water, and hot drinks (coffee, tea, cocoa) on every trip. Edge of Alaska guests receive a full picnic lunch on a wild beach.
Yes. All of our tours are available as private experiences for up to 6 guests. Private tours can be customized to your interests and schedule. Edge of Alaska and Lens of Wonder are private-only experiences.
A maximum of 6 guests per trip, with a 2-person crew (USCG-licensed captain and trained naturalist guide). Small groups mean more space, more personal attention, and better wildlife viewing for everyone.
We run rain or shine. Some of the best wildlife encounters happen on overcast days. The boat has a warm enclosed cabin with panoramic windows, so you stay dry and comfortable. If conditions are ever unsafe for travel, we will cancel the trip and offer a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Dress in warm layers with a waterproof outer shell. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are important. Bring your camera if you have one. We provide binoculars, snacks, hot drinks, and all safety equipment. Conditions on the water can shift quickly, so layers are your best friend.
You can cancel up to 48 hours before your tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. If we cancel due to unsafe weather, you receive a full refund or the option to reschedule. We recommend booking early as tours fill up quickly during cruise season.
Meet your crew at Crescent Harbor on the northeast side of Centennial Hall, facing the harbor. This is steps from the free cruise shuttle drop-off. Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Look for the Sitka Wonders crew near the dock ramp.
Yes. We build every tour around your ship's schedule with at least a 90-minute buffer before departure. In over 1,000 tours, we have never had a guest miss their ship. Our meeting point at Crescent Harbor is a 1-minute walk from the cruise shuttle drop-off, making the return quick and easy.
Call, text, or email. If we don't answer, we're out on the water, lost in a little wonder ourselves. We'll call back as soon as we're back in signal range.
Call or Text Us
(907) 759-5034Or email us at info@sitkawonders.com
