Region
Southeastern Alaska

The Inside Passage, glacial fjords, and temperate forests of the archipelago

Southeastern Alaska forms a long coastal strip dotted with islands, separated from the rest of the state by the coastal mountain range. This region, known as the Inside Passage, is best explored by sea, either on a cruise or by ferry. It is home to Juneau, the capital of Alaska—accessible only by boat or plane—as well as the Mendenhall Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park. The oceanic climate sustains a dense temperate rainforest there. Travelers can spot humpback whales, black bears, and bald eagles, and discover the totem art of the Tlingit and Haida peoples.

Must-See Attractions in Southeast Alaska

Glacier Bay: Glacial Fjords and Cruising
Juneau: Alaska's capital and Mendenhall Glacier
Humpback and Orca Whale Watching
Tlingit and Haida Culture: Totem Poles and Traditions

Learn more about Southeast Alaska

Ketchikan: Totem Poles, Misty Fjords, and Alaska’s Salmon Capital

Ketchikan, at the entrance to the Inside Passage, is the salmo...

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24 August 2026

<b>Sitka</b>: Former Russian Capital of Alaska and Tlingit Totem Poles

Sitka: Former Russian Capital of Alaska and Tlingit Totem Poles

Sitka, the former capital of Russian America, blends Orthodox

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22 August 2026

Inside Passage: Cruise and Fjords of Southeast Alaska

The Inside Passage is a maritime route approximately 500 miles...

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19 August 2026

<b>Wrangell-St. Elias National Park:</b> The Largest National Park in the United States

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: The Largest National Park in the United States

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest in the United ...

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19 August 2026

<b>Valdez and Prince William Sound: </b> Tidal Glaciers and Adventure in Alaska

Valdez and Prince William Sound: Tidal Glaciers and Adventure in Alaska

Valdez, located at the head of a fjord in Prince William Sound...

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19 August 2026

Skagway: The Alaskan Gold Rush and the White Pass Railroad

Skagway, at the northern end ofthe Inside Passage, se...

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19 August 2026

Juneau: Alaska’s capital and Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, lies onthe Inside Passage

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19 August 2026

Maritime Experiences in the Inside Passage

Whale Watching in Seward

Every summer, the nutrient-rich waters of southeastern Alaska attract humpback whales, which come to feed after migrating from Hawaii. Boat tours offer the chance to observe their group hunting techniques, a rare spectacle of animal coordination. Orcas, porpoises, and sea lions often round out these excursions, which are led by naturalists who explain the behavior of this marine wildlife.

Inside Passage
Marine Life

Plus d'infos

Cruising in Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay National Park protects a network of fjords where several tidewater glaciers calve directly into the ocean. The boat tour takes visitors right up close to these ice fronts, where the silence is broken only by the cracking of breaking ice. The site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to seals, sea otters, and seabirds, set against a backdrop of mountains and coastal forests.