https://sitkatimes.com/The independent guide for Sitka, Alaska cruise visitors.en-usWed, 21 Oct 2026 19:58:26 +0000 https://sitkatimes.com/plan/4-hours/https://sitkatimes.com/plan/4-hours/Russian Sitka on foot from the shuttle stop: the cathedral, Castle Hill and the Bishop's House. Start at Harrigan Centennial Hall, St.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/plan/8-hours/https://sitkatimes.com/plan/8-hours/A long port day: a small whale boat in the morning, then the totem trail and the bird hospital on foot.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/plan/overnight/https://sitkatimes.com/plan/overnight/For visitors who stay the night: the first Russian fort site, the bears, dinner on Katlian Street and an early coffee.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/The best-reviewed Sitka shore excursions ranked from highest to lowest rated across Viator, Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/best-of-sitka-land-tour/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/best-of-sitka-land-tour/A small-group van loop that strings together the three stops most first-timers want: the totem trail at Sitka National Historical Park, the rescued bears at…Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-expeditions-whale-watching/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-expeditions-whale-watching/Two hours on Sitka Sound looking for whales and other marine wildlife, on a boat with a toilet on board. Operated by Sitka Expeditions. Top rated by travelers.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/explore-beyond-the-dock-private/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/explore-beyond-the-dock-private/A private van and guide for your own party, covering Starrigavan, Fortress of the Bear, the Raptor Center, Castle Hill, downtown and the national historical…Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/selkie-snorkel-magic-island/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/selkie-snorkel-magic-island/A guided cold-water snorkel at a small island near town, with a thick 7 mm wetsuit supplied. Operated by Selkie Snorkels Sitka. Top rated by travelers.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-nautical-small-group-boat/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-nautical-small-group-boat/Captain Brad Wheeler takes six people at a time out among the islands for whales and otters, and from late July into September adds bays where bears come down…Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-tongass-guided-hike/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-tongass-guided-hike/An easy-paced walk of roughly 3.7 miles on gravel forest trail. Operated by Sitka Walking Tours. Top rated by travelers.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitkas-best-local-whale-watching/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitkas-best-local-whale-watching/A 24-foot boat that takes no more than six passengers, so everyone is close to the rail when a whale surfaces. Operated by Sitka Sea Level Adventures.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-historic-downtown-walk/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-historic-downtown-walk/A one-hour stroll from Crescent Harbor past the science center, the fine arts campus, St. Operated by Sitka Walking Tours. Highly rated by travelers.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/kings-e-bike-rental/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/kings-e-bike-rental/Self-guided e-bike hire collected at the cruise terminal, which makes the five-to-six-mile run into town and the trail network easy without waiting for the…Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sea-piper-marine-wildlife/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sea-piper-marine-wildlife/A wildlife cruise on a boat with a heated cabin and restroom, aimed at whales, otters, sea lions and seabirds in the sound. Operated by Sea Piper Tours.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/baranof-whale-watching/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/baranof-whale-watching/A small 24-foot boat out to the whale grounds in Sitka Sound. Operated by Baranof Tours. Highly rated by travelers.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/alpenglow-beaver-lake-hike/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/alpenglow-beaver-lake-hike/A four-hour small-group hike to Beaver Lake with transport from the cruise terminal; a longer version ends at a local brewery..Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-sightseeing-scenic/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-sightseeing-scenic/A drive out to the quieter end of the road system: Silver Bay, the university campus, the Halibut Point recreation site and Old Sitka State Historical Park…Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-tundra-historical-highlight/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/sitka-tundra-historical-highlight/A guided loop to Fortress of the Bear and the national historical park, meeting at Harrigan Centennial Hall downtown.. Operated by Sitka Tundra Tours.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/beaver-lake-adventure-hike/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/beaver-lake-adventure-hike/A guided outing to Beaver Lake by way of Forest Service Road 7577, departing from the cruise terminal.. Operated by Sitka Walking Tours.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/new-archangel-dancers/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/new-archangel-dancers/A half-hour stage show of Russian and Ukrainian folk dances by an all-volunteer local troupe in Harrigan Centennial Hall, steps from the shuttle stop.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/harbor-air-private-seaplane/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/harbor-air-private-seaplane/An hour-long private floatplane flight over the sound, islands and mountains, leaving from the cruise terminal itself. Operated by Harbor Air Services.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/simply-amazing-sitka-tour/https://sitkatimes.com/top-excursions/simply-amazing-sitka-tour/A small-group tour that covers the Raptor Center and Fortress of the Bear, with admissions paid, plus a walk through the totem park. Operated by Baranof Tours.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/walking-map/https://sitkatimes.com/walking-map/A map of downtown Sitka with walking times from the cruise docks to the museums, saloons, restaurants, shops and inns we cover.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/guides/cruise-port/https://sitkatimes.com/guides/cruise-port/Where big ships dock north of town, how the free shuttle and its reservations work, the downtown tender landings and getting back on board.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/guides/russian-sitka/https://sitkatimes.com/guides/russian-sitka/One loop from the shuttle stop past the Bishop's House, St. Michael's Cathedral, Castle Hill and Katlian Street, with the totem trail as an add-on.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/guides/bears-and-raptors/https://sitkatimes.com/guides/bears-and-raptors/The Alaska Raptor Center, Fortress of the Bear and the Sitka Sound Science Center side by side: how to get there, hours, prices and what you see.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800 https://sitkatimes.com/guides/rainy-day/https://sitkatimes.com/guides/rainy-day/Museums, a cathedral, dance shows, warm cafés and a heated-cabin boat for a wet Sitka port day. Sitka is a rainforest town.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0800