Hike Sitka’s beaches and rainforest trails with a local guide
3hrs
Up to 10 people
Guide, transport, snacks
Trade crowded stops for easy-to-moderate short hikes across Sitka’s beaches, forest trails, and scenic viewpoints. Ride between locations in a small group and explore at a relaxed pace with time for photos.
Minimum age is 7; guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. You must be steady on your feet and able to walk on uneven trails, sand, and gravel, and step in and out of the van. Strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers are not permitted.
Cancellations 1 month+ prior to tour date will be refunded. Full refund if there is an operator cancellation due to weather or ship cancellation.
Check your confirmation email for your exact meeting point. The day before your tour, you will get a text or WhatsApp message (if international) with detailed meeting instructions, so keep your cell phone charged.
Yes. If your meeting point is in downtown Sitka, you must book shuttle tickets in advance for the free 10–12 minute ride.
Look for a guide holding a black and white "Captain Gary's Sitka Adventures" sign.
Captain Gary clearly knows these waters inside and out, and his genuine passion for sharing Sitka's wildlife makes every trip special. Guests consistently rave about spotting humpback whales (often multiple sightings), plus sea lions, otters, eagles, and occasionally bears. His guides Ryan, Riley, and Abigail get equally enthusiastic praise for their knowledge and friendly approach. What stands out is how personable the experience feels—Captain Gary treats guests like family, frequently checks in on everyone's comfort, and takes time to answer questions. His small group tours on the Morning Glory create an intimate atmosphere that feels worlds apart from being herded around on larger cruise excursions. The full-day "Best of Sitka" tour combines morning whale watching with afternoon land excursions to places like the raptor center, bear rescue, and totem poles at the state park. Communication is reportedly excellent, with detailed information provided before tours. The boat itself gets consistent compliments for being clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. Families particularly appreciate how accommodating Captain Gary is with different ages and abilities, making everyone feel safe and included throughout the adventure.
We had an incredible day out on the water with Gary for his first outing of the season in early March. He was very communicative throughout the week leading up to our outing to check in with us regarding weather and wind, as we had some snowstorms and high winds blow through and nobody else had their boats on the water this early. We made it out, and ended up having a great day—we saw around 10 humpback whales or so, maybe more. It seemed like there were spouts popping up in every direction! We got to see a few half breaches and lots of flukes. Gary helped us to ID one of the whales from her tail scars. His deep knowledge of the area and passion for the water and local wildlife made for a really enjoyable experience. The boat was cozy and warm which was lovely on such a cold and snowy day. Would choose his company again in a heartbeat. Highly recommend!
Danielle Kuykendall
March 10, 2026
We had an incredible day out on the water with Gary for his first outing of the season in early March. He was very communicative throughout the week leading up to our outing to check in with us regarding weather and wind, as we had some snowstorms and high winds blow through and nobody else had their boats on the water this early. We made it out, and ended up having a great day—we saw around 10 humpback whales or so, maybe more. It seemed like there were spouts popping up in every direction! We got to see a few half breaches and lots of flukes. Gary helped us to ID one of the whales from her tail scars. His deep knowledge of the area and passion for the water and local wildlife made for a really enjoyable experience. The boat was cozy and warm which was lovely on such a cold and snowy day. Would choose his company again in a heartbeat. Highly recommend!
Danielle Kuykendall
March 10, 2026