
Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 131 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka worth booking?
Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka is a 2.5-hour experience in Sitka, United States, from $225 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 131 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (131)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $225 per person
Local Veteran owned and operated. Join our Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka on a 2.5 hour voyage and explore the rugged coastline of the Tongass National Rain Forest. You can expect to see Sea Lions, Sea Otters, Bald Eagles, Various Sea and Coastal Shore Birds, and very good chances of seeing Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, to include the occasional Orca Whale. You will also have a chance of seeing Deer, Seals, and later in the summer (end of July - October) very good chances of viewing Brown Bears feeding on salmon. When time permits, I will take you to one of two different waterfalls where you may be able to witness salmon attempting to jump up the falls. At the conclusion of your tour, you will be dropped off at the departure point. The last tour of the day will be dropped off at the cruise ship terminal at the captains discretion.
What you get
About this experience
Local Veteran owned and operated. Join our Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka on a 2.5 hour voyage and explore the rugged coastline of the Tongass National Rain Forest. You can expect to see Sea Lions, Sea Otters, Bald Eagles, Various Sea and Coastal Shore Birds, and very good chances of seeing Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, to include the occasional Orca Whale. You will also have a chance of seeing Deer, Seals, and later in the summer (end of July - October) very good chances of viewing Brown Bears feeding on salmon. When time permits, I will take you to one of two different waterfalls where you may be able to witness salmon attempting to jump up the falls. At the conclusion of your tour, you will be dropped off at the departure point. The last tour of the day will be dropped off at the cruise ship terminal at the captains discretion.
What's included
Included
- All U.S. Coast Guard required safety equipment.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- English-Speaking Licensed Guide/ Driver
- Use of Binoculars
Not included
- Gratuity
What you'll see and do
Sitka
From our meeting point I will walk you to the boat and embark on our tour to see what type of wildlife and sea life Sitka Sound has to offer. At the conclusion of our tour you will be dropped off at our departure location; however, the last tour of the day guests will have the option of being dropped off at the cruise ship terminal.
150 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sitka
Take free courtesy shuttle from cruise ship terminal to town (10 minute ride). All cruise ship passengers are dropped off and picked up in front of the listed address. Look for my sandwich board or handheld sign displaying my business name.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
All tours end back at departure location except last tour of the day may end at the cruise ship terminal based on Captain's discretion.
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 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Sitka Nautical Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 130 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
130 verified traveler reviews for Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Book this excursion!
Book this excursion. The best time. Whales, bears, sea lions, otters, waterfall. Exceeded all expectations.
via Viator
Unforgettable Wildlife Tour with Capt Brad – A Must in Sitka!
We booked a small group boat tour with Captain Brad of Sitka Nautical Tours, and it exceeded every expectation. With only 6 people on board, it felt like a private tour — Brad took his time with us, pointed out things we would've completely missed on our own, and made sure everyone had a great view whenever we spotted wildlife. And the wildlife was incredible — bears, sea lions, otters, and whale after whale. Honestly, we lost count of how many whales we saw! Combine that with the jaw-dropping scenery around the island, and it was just a magical few hours out on the water. What really made the tour though was Brad himself. His knowledge of the local wildlife and waters is next level, and you can tell he genuinely loves what he does. It didn't feel like a typical tourist boat tour — more like getting a personal, expert-guided tour of Sitka's coastline. If you're visiting Sitka and want an authentic, small-group experience with amazing wildlife sightings, book with Brad and Sitka Nautical Tours. We can't recommend it enough!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much Monica for taking the time to leave me an amazing and thoughtful review. I hope to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour, everything advertised and more
A great tour. Saw 3 families of grizzly bears, humpback whales, sea lions, see otters, and ended with a rainbow as we wear heading into the dock. Captains Brad knew just where to take us. Small group is definitely the way to go.
Response from the operator: Thank you Elizabeth for the wonderful review.
via Viator
One of the best experiences ever!
Captain Brad Wheeler of Sitka Nautical Tours went above and beyond to provide a fantastic tour. Our cruise ship was delayed in docking at Sitka by more than an hour on a short stop in Sitka - Captain Brad waited for us right by our dock so we could make our excursion. His well equipped boat hosts ups to 6 passengers which made it extra special. He took us to four different spots to view wildlife. We saw the cutest group of otters just floating about, stopped at a place where we were surrounded by a pod of about 8 humpback whales - a couple came so close to our boat we could have reached out and touched them. Got to see a nice group of lazy sea lions and many bald eagles. If you visit Sitka around end of July/beginning August captain said we would have had a better chance of seeing bears by the salmon hatchery he took us to. We asked for a good lunch spot suggestion, he did not steer us wrong by sending us to the Mean Queen - great pizza and bar food - nice view of the harbor - busy spot so expect to wait awhile for food.
Response from the operator: Thank you Silvia for taking the time to leave me an incredible review. I’m so happy you enjoyed my tour.
via Viator
Best excursion of our trip!
Our favorite tour of the trip to Alaska. Our guide was very friendly, and knew exactly where to go to see bears and whales. Even though it started to rain, he kept the fun going!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the great review Meg. I hope to see you again.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 46
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sitka.
How much does Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka cost?
+
Prices start at $225 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 Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka take?
+
Plan for about 2.5 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 Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 131 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 Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka?
+
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 Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka?
+
Around 46 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?
+
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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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, Sitka Whale Watching & Wildlife Adventure. 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
What is included in Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka?
+
Included: All U.S. Coast Guard required safety equipment; Non-Alcoholic Beverages; English-Speaking Licensed Guide/ Driver; and Use of Binoculars. Not included: Gratuity. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka?
+
Take free courtesy shuttle from cruise ship terminal to town (10 minute ride). All cruise ship passengers are dropped off and picked up in front of the listed address. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka offered in?
+
It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka if the weather is bad?
+
This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka?
+
Across 131 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Small Group Boat Tour of Sitka.
Pick your date




