Learn to photograph Alaska's incredible wildlife from an Emmy-winning filmmaker on a private 2.5 hour boat tour of Sitka Sound.
Duration
2.5 Hours
Group Size
max 6 Guests
Starting At
$1,200
Explore the Wild Side of Sitka, Alaska
Learn to photograph Alaska's wildlife from Emmy-winning filmmaker Ben Hamilton on this private 2.5-hour workshop on the water.
This is not a sightseeing tour with cameras. It's hands-on instruction in a working wildlife environment. You'll learn to anticipate animal behavior, read the light, and compose images that tell a story. Ben shares techniques drawn from nearly two decades of filming this coast for National Geographic, BBC, and Smithsonian.
Our route follows the rhythm of the tide and weather, often moving through areas like Silver Bay or the outer islands near St. Lazaria, where whales, sea lions, and puffins thrive. Whether you're shooting on an iPhone or a professional camera, you'll leave with stronger images and a new way of seeing. The workshop moves at your pace, shaped by your skill level and whatever wildlife the day reveals.
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 Ben Hamilton on the northeast side of Centennial Hall, facing Crescent Harbor. Look for the bright gold Sitka Wonders jackets. Quick intro to your gear, the light, and how to think about wildlife photography before we even leave the dock.
We head into Sitka Sound and start shooting immediately. Ben teaches you to read wildlife behavior, anticipate movement, and compose with intention. Sea otters, eagles, harbor seals. Whatever we find first becomes your classroom. The route follows the wildlife and the light, often moving through areas like Silver Bay or the outer islands near St. Lazaria. Ben works alongside you, adjusting his teaching to your skill level and your gear.
As we move through the sound, the subjects get bigger. Whale breaches, sea lion colonies, seabird swarms. Ben guides you through fast-action shooting. How to stay ready. How to be patient. How to let a moment build instead of chasing every splash. These are the shots that separate snapshots from images that tell a story.
On the return, we slow down near the islands for some final shots. Reflections, close-ups, the kind of quiet compositions that round out a gallery. Ben reviews a few of your key images on the water. You leave with new techniques, stronger images, and a deeper way of seeing this coast.
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.
Yes, but space on board is limited. Smaller tripods and monopods work best. Ben can also teach hand-held stabilization techniques that work well on a moving boat.
You will learn to read wildlife behavior and anticipate movement, use natural light creatively, compose images that tell a story rather than just document a scene, and work with whatever gear you have. Ben draws on nearly two decades of filming Alaska's coast for National Geographic, BBC, and Smithsonian.
Not at all. This workshop is designed for all skill levels. Ben tailors instruction to your experience, whether you have never touched a camera setting or you shoot professionally. The goal is helping you see differently, not memorize technical specs.
Any camera works. DSLR, mirrorless, compact, or smartphone. Ben teaches principles of light, composition, and storytelling that apply to any setup. If you have a zoom lens (something like 18-300mm), bring it. Otherwise, a wide lens and a telephoto give you the most flexibility for landscapes and wildlife.
This is a private experience for your group only, with a maximum of 6 guests. You are guided by Emmy-winning filmmaker Ben Hamilton personally, alongside a USCG-licensed captain. The workshop moves at your pace and is shaped by your skill level and interests.
Absolutely. Many guests join simply to experience Sitka's wildlife up close and learn how a professional filmmaker approaches the natural world. The slower, more intentional pace makes it rewarding even if you never pick up your camera.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. We build every tour around your ship's schedule with at least a 90-minute buffer before departure. 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
