Alaska Regions: Southcentral
Lodges & Adventure Wildlife & Bear Viewing Alaska Cruise Tours Alaska Railroad Tour Packages Alaska In Winter Day Excursions & Activities Driving Packages Escorted Groups Arctic Cultural Fishing Alaska

Southeast

Alaska's famed Inside Passage!


Regional InformationTotem Pole in Sitka National Historic Park
Southeastern Alaska is also known as the Inside Passage, since the ocean channels are protected by islands, which you pass through on your way up the coast. The region is comprised of dozens of islands and a thin stretch of mainland divided from Canada by the Coast Mountain Range. Towns are nestled in valleys and along the coastline, backed by mountains and rainforest. Admiralty Island is known for having the highest concentration of brown bears in the world.

The most popular destinations are cruise ship ports, including Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Skagway, and Haines. Travelers looking for off-the-beaten-path destinations also visit Petersburg, Wrangell, Yakutat, and Gustavus. The region includes Glacier Bay National Park, famous for its glaciers and wildlife. Klondike National Historical Park, the most visited National Park in Alaska, is located in Skagway, while Sitka has the Sitka National Historical Park. Much of Southeast is part of Tongass National Forest. Misty Fjords National Park, with its sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife is another national jewel.

 

Southeast is heavily influenced by the Tlingit and Haida Indians. Their story-telling totem poles can be seen in many towns, especially in Ketchikan and Sitka. Tours of Native Alaskan villages are available in Ketchikan to Saxman Village, in Haines to Klukwan, and from Icy Strait Point to Hoonah.

 

The Gold Rush was also important in the region. Both Juneau and Skagway were founded by gold seekers. Gold mining remains an major industry, as well as tourism, fishing, and the capital of government in Juneau.

 

Accessibility A lone fishing boat rests under the sunset in Juneau.

Because of the islands and mountainous mainland that make up Southeast, there are very few roads. Visitors who wish to tour the Inside Passage by car can drive through Canada to Haines or Skagway. From here, state ferry service is available for both passengers and vehicles to almost every community in Southeast.

 

Most visitors arrive on either a large or small cruise ships. By cruising, travelers visit a towns during the day and cruise between them at night. Most cruises also tour spectacular wilderness areas that are completely inaccessible by road, such as Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Misty Fjords, or Tracy Arm.

 

Jet service is available to Juneau, Ketchikan, Gustavus, Yakutat, Petersburg, Wrangell. Floatplanes and bush planes are also used to reach smaller communities not serviced by Alaska Airlines.

 

Select ToursMassive glaciers continue to shape Southeast's landscape.

BEARS, WHALES AND GLACIERS Tour 148
6 Day / 5 Night roundtrip tour from Juneau including Mendenhall Glacier, bear viewing on Admiralty Island, and Glacier Bay National Park.

 

GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK EXPERIENCE - Tours 180, 181, & 182

3 Day / 2 Night tour to Glacier Bay National Park roundtrip from Juneau. The Park is famous for its tide water glaciers, deep fjords and wildlife, including eagles, seals, sea lions and brown bears.

 

HOLLAND AMERICA LUXURY LINER CRUISES

8 Day / 7 Night deluxe cruises through Alaska's Inside Passage from either Seattle or Vancouver. Or take a one way cruise between Vancouver, BC and Seward, AK.

 

CRUISE WEST SMALL SHIP CRUISES

4, 5, and 9 Day naturalist cruises through the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park from Juneau and Ketchikan. Experience the excitement of being close to nature and the intimacy of a 100-passenger ship!

 

Please contact us if you have any questions about visiting Southeastern Alaska or the services we offer.

 

Click to visit other regions of Alaska:

Far North - Interior - Southcentral - Southeast - Southwest

 

top