Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour worth booking?
Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour is a 3-hour experience in Sitka, United States, from $1118 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $1118 per person
You select your start-time, any time between: 6:00am - 5:00pm. 3 hours are included, however you can shorten or extend your private tour you'd like. Your tour guide, a Merchant Marine Captain with over 30-years on the w
What you get
About this experience
You select your start-time, any time between: 6:00am - 5:00pm. 3 hours are included, however you can shorten or extend your private tour you'd like. Your tour guide, a Merchant Marine Captain with over 30-years on the water will tour you around Sitka Sound, Saint Lazaria Islands and Mt. Edgecumbe Volcano for active wildlife sightings. We are based out of Sitka on the western side of Baranof Island, in beautiful Southeast Alaska. We are owned and operated by a year round resident and adventure outfitter. He states, "There's no place I'd rather be or explore than Southeast Alaska. Here we have the bounty of the Pacific Ocean at our doorstep with over 17,000 miles of coastline encompassing the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact temperate rain forest in the world. Our mission is to provide our guests with the rarest of Maritime and Coastal Adventures, while providing an element of added safety as we explore one of the most beautiful places on the edges of the earth."
What's included
Included
- Private, Fully Equipped, Coast Guard Approved Captained Boat, Snacks, Sodas, Water, all Fees+Taxes
- Heated Cabin
Not included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Sitka
We will provide a private seabird and wildlife scenic boat tour. Our custom adventures all benefit from the comfort and safety of our Suzy-Q Stabicraft. Built in New Zealand, Suzy-Q is a double-hulled aluminum Stabicraft 2500 Ultracab XL safety boat. Each tour is custom designed depending on the weather and seas, and where wildlife might best be seen each day. If seas allow it, we will travel to the Saint Lazaira Islands. Alternatively, we will cruise Sitka Sound and its endless array of islands and coves to provide your party with the best adventure possible. Your private charter will focus on the best locations for scenic and wildlife and photography focusing on Eagles, Puffins, assorted Seabirds, as well as Humpback and Grey Whales, Sea Otters, Sea Lions, Dolphins, Harbor Seals, Orcas, Baranof Brown Bears and amazing Volcano, Mountain and Ocean Views.
120 minutes here
St. Lazaria Island is a nesting bird colony located twenty miles (32 km) west of Sitka, Alaska. Its is a part of the Gulf of Alaska unit of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and as additional protections as the Saint Lazaria Wilderness. St. Lazaria is a very rugged island with land access only for research. Its isolation and direct exposure to the Pacific Ocean makes it an ideal seabird habitat. Wildlife on St. Lazaria is most exclusively limited to birds. On the island there are: 250,000 breeding pairs of fork-tailed storm-petrels and Leach's storm-petrels. 4-5,000 common and thick-billed murres. 1,500-2,000 breeding pairs of tufted puffins. 1,000 breeding pairs of rhinoceros auklets. Nesting bird density reaches 7000 birds per acre. Other less populous species include: pigeon guillemots, glaucous-winged gulls, ancient murrelets, Cassin's auklets, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and black oystercatchers.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sitka
At cruise terminal, take free shuttle to town. After you exit the bus, walk towards the water/Crescent Harbor. Take the blue covered gangway down to the harbor/boats. Walk main row to end, then take a right(Row 6, Slip 27). Suzy-Q sits close to the end of Row 6. A 5 to 10 minute walk.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
At cruise terminal, take free shuttle to town. After you exit the bus, walk towards the water/Crescent Harbor. Take the blue covered gangway down to the harbor/boats. Walk main row to end, then take a right(Row 6, Slip 27). Suzy-Q sits close to the end of Row 6. A 5 to 10 minute walk.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Outer Coast Charters
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Viator will default all tickets to "Adult", but rest assured we are very kid friendly!
- If anyone in your party has mobility issues, we can prearrange to reposition Suzy-Q closer. Just let us know prior to your arrival in Sitka.
- We guarantee return to your shuttle or directly to cruise ship prior to your ship’s departure from Sitka.
- Not recommended for toddlers/infants/frailty.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Gotta do it
Can we give a 6th star? Captain Chris was awesome. We set out on a rainy, foggy, cloudy day with the expectations of seeing fog, rain and clouds, but Captain Chris found everything we went to see. Bear with 3 cubs, sea otter, sea lions, bald eagles and humpback whales!!!
via Viator
Incredible experience 🐳🦅🦦
Our family chartered with Captain Chris, we had an amazing day. Chris is very knowledgeable, he went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience ensuring that we saw plenty of wildlife. He was thorough on safety and ensured a smooth trip, extremely accommodating. An unforgettable experience!
via Tripadvisor
Our Puffin Adventure was out of this world AWESOME
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Unforgettable, World-Class Adventure with Captain Chris! If you are looking for a charter captain in Sitka who is deeply dedicated to fulfilling your dream adventure, look no further than Captain Chris. We booked a private tour with a specific vision in mind which was to see the local wildlife and experience the magic of St. Lazaria Island. Captain Chris went above and beyond to make it happen! The ocean threw some serious elements at us, requiring Chris to navigate through significant 10-to-15-foot rolling waves. While that might sound intimidating, his thoroughness with safety and expert boat handling kept us feeling completely secure and comfortable the entire time. Because of his determination, we made it out to Saint Lazaria Island, and it felt like stepping into Avatar's Pandora. It is a stunning, otherworldly place. Not only did we circle the beautiful island, but we were lucky enough to spot the very first puffins of the season! Look up into the trees, and bald eagles were looming high above the canopy. It was breathtaking. From there, the wildlife just kept coming. We spotted a sea otter floating along tightly holding its baby. To top off an already perfect day, Captain Chris took us into a quiet bay where we encountered 4 to 5 Gray whales. They were so close to the boat it was absolutely beautiful, a memory our family will cherish forever. Beyond being an elite captain, Chris is just a phenomenal host. He kept us stocked with great snacks and drinks, and he was incredibly kind, patient, and attentive to my elderly in-laws, ensuring they had the trip of a lifetime without any stress. Thank you, Captain Chris, for your dedication, your expertise, and a flawless day on the water. We cannot recommend him highly enough!
via Viator
A Magical Whale Tour of Sitka and He Proposed and She Said Yes.
Marco asked and Kelly said yes . Captain Chris accommodated Marco’s marriage proposal request on this beautiful trip. The only thing that could top the proposal and my daughter’s total surprise was Captain Chris’s ability to seek and find spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife. We simply floated at one point with engines off and trimmed up and a 40ft grey whale was spotted. The whole family loved our encounter. Great spring weather on a very stable boat with a warm cabin on this special family day . I highly recommend Captain Chris’s cruise eco trip. He has tremendous knowledge of the area and the birds, sea lions and whales . This was a once in a lifetime experience and the absolute highlight of our Alaska trip . If we ever saw a whale off the large cruise boat we would just state that nothing would compare to Captain Chris trip . Captain Chris also has tremendous knowledge and a great sense of humor. This keeps his “crew” highly entertained . Thank you Outer Coast Charters for a magical experience . The trip was the best charter I have ever been on in my 71 years of travel through many national parks and areas - none nicer than Sitka . It was magic - my daughter and her children will tell the story of a whale of a trip in Sitka Alaska May 2025. A curious crew met a curious whale . A truly special day - thank you Chris Paul Jones . You will always be connected with our family and our friend Frank.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $1118 to $1300
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sitka.
How much does Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour cost?
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Prices start at $1118 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sitka usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sitka is not rushed.
Is Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sitka, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sitka can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sitka and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sitka Scenic Marine Life & Seabirds Private Charter Eco-Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sitka within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sitka?
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Sitka runs sea otter and whale quest boats, bear and raptor rescue centre visits, Tongass rainforest hikes, kayak paddles through the islands and Russian colonial history walks. On Outty we rank every Sitka experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour, Best of Sitka Land Tour / Bears, Raptors, Totems, Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sitka?
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May to September. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sitka?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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