I was hoping to see at least 1 humpback whale and we ended up seeing over 10 in multiple areas. Everything else was an added bonus. Neil was a wonderful guide and gave us lots of information on animals we saw and about the city of Sitka.
Certified Naturalist Guide
2/3/4 and 8 hour options
Completely Customizable Itinerary
ON THIS PRIVATE TOUR, YOU'LL HAVE THE ENTIRE BOAT TO YOURSELF, ENSURING A PERSONALIZED AND INTIMATE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.
Sitka Sound is a wildlife lover’s paradise, teeming with marine life and diverse habitats. Embark on a private boat charter and get ready for an unforgettable wildlife adventure. From humpback whales breaching and otters and seals playing in the water to bald eagles soaring through the sky and bears foraging along the shorelines, you’ll be immersed in a world of natural beauty and wonder. With your own private boat, you’ll have an up-close and personalized experience like no other, and every moment will leave you feeling exhilarated and amazed. Don’t wait any longer to book your private charter and experience the incredible wildlife of Sitka Sound firsthand!
Highlights
Get out on the water during the golden hours to capture wildlife in the best light.
Have the chance to spot orcas, porpoises, humpback, minke, and gray whales.
Observe seals, sea lions, sea otters, and colorful marine birds.
Explore the spectacular landscapes of Sitka Sound.
Enjoy commentary from a certified naturalist guide and witness fascinating wildlife behaviors.
Learn about each creature you see and gain insights into local history.
2-Hour Private Tour
2-Hour Private Tour
Price
$999 per boat
Departure time
Varies by date and cruise ship port times, availability will be displayed after choosing a date.
Meeting point
Unless you’ve made special arrangements for a different meeting location, we kindly ask all passengers to gather at Harrigan Centennial Hall, conveniently situated at 330 Harbor Drive. Once you arrive, be sure to check in with one of our friendly team members, easily recognizable in their bright yellow jackets and holding a handheld sign displaying our business name. From there, your journey continues down the gangway, where you’ll find our vessel waiting in the harbor, just next to the hall.
Important Note for Cruise Ship Passengers: 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 Harrigan Centennial Hall (welcome center). Look for one of our team members in a yellow jacket with a handheld sign displaying our business name.
Availability
Monday to Sunday, year-round.
Duration
2 hours
Group size
Maximum 6 people
Included
- Access to a state-of-the-art amplified hydrophone system to hear the whales’ calls and songs.
- Detailed booklets for the wildlife we often see on this tour.
- Access to Coast-Guard recommended marine binoculars for all guests while onboard.
- Beverages and snacks including coffee, hot chocolate, tea, water.
- Bathroom
Not included
- Flights to and from Sitka
- Lodging
- Transport to and from the meeting point
- City and Borough of Sitka sales tax
- Staff gratuities
***Meals -Avoid Crowded Restaurants! – Sitka’s restaurants get swamped during cruise ship season often leaving no seats open for enjoying meals while in port
Our Solution – Expedition Cuisine Menu – When booking look for the Optional Meal Add-Ons to have freshly prepared breakfast items, Sandwiches and Salads safely waiting for you to come aboard.
What to bring
- Camera or cell phone with well-charged batteries – we have a limited number of USB outlets.
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe, rubber-sole, flat shoes. Boat (or non-marking) shoes are not necessary.
- To reduce the number of items in the waste stream, personal water bottles are recommended.
- Rain gear – just in case as Sitka is surrounded by temperate rainforest.
- Temperatures on the water are cooler, come prepared and dress in layers.
About your guide
- US Coast Guard 25GT Masters licensed Captain / Certified Naturalist
3-Hour Private Tour
Price
$1419 per boat
Departure time
Varies by date and cruise ship port times, availability will be displayed after choosing a date.
Meeting point
Unless you’ve made special arrangements for a different meeting location, we kindly ask all passengers to gather at Harrigan Centennial Hall, conveniently situated at 330 Harbor Drive. Once you arrive, be sure to check in with one of our friendly team members, easily recognizable in their bright yellow jackets and holding a handheld sign displaying our business name. From there, your journey continues down the gangway, where you’ll find our vessel waiting in the harbor, just next to the hall.
Important Note for Cruise Ship Passengers: 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 Harrigan Centennial Hall (welcome center). Look for one of our team members in a yellow jacket with a handheld sign displaying our business name.
Availability
Monday to Sunday, year-round.
Duration
3 hours
Group size
Maximum 6 people
Included
- Access to a state-of-the-art amplified hydrophone system to hear the whales’ calls and songs.
- Detailed booklets for the wildlife we often see on this tour.
- Access to Coast-Guard recommended marine binoculars for all guests while onboard.
- Beverages and snacks including coffee, hot chocolate, tea, water.
- Bathroom
Not included
- Flights to and from Sitka
- Lodging
- Transport to and from the meeting point
- City and Borough of Sitka sales tax
- Staff gratuities
***Meals -Avoid Crowded Restaurants! – Sitka’s restaurants get swamped during cruise ship season often leaving no seats open for enjoying meals while in port
Our Solution – Expedition Cuisine Menu – When booking look for the Optional Meal Add-Ons to have freshly prepared breakfast items, Sandwiches and Salads safely waiting for you to come aboard.
What to bring
- Camera or cell phone with well-charged batteries – we have a limited number of USB outlets.
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe, rubber-sole, flat shoes. Boat (or non-marking) shoes are not necessary.
- To reduce the number of items in the waste stream, personal water bottles are recommended.
- Rain gear – just in case as Sitka is surrounded by temperate rainforest.
- Temperatures on the water are cooler, come prepared and dress in layers.
About your guide
- US Coast Guard 25GT Masters licensed Captain / Certified Naturalist
4-Hour Private Tour
Price
$1,619 per boat
Departure time
Varies by date and cruise ship port times, availability will be displayed after choosing a date.
Meeting point
Unless you’ve made special arrangements for a different meeting location, we kindly ask all passengers to gather at Harrigan Centennial Hall, conveniently situated at 330 Harbor Drive. Once you arrive, be sure to check in with one of our friendly team members, easily recognizable in their bright yellow jackets and holding a handheld sign displaying our business name. From there, your journey continues down the gangway, where you’ll find our vessel waiting in the harbor, just next to the hall.
Important Note for Cruise Ship Passengers: 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 Harrigan Centennial Hall (welcome center). Look for one of our team members in a yellow jacket with a handheld sign displaying our business name.
Availability
Monday to Sunday, year-round.
Duration
4 hours
Group size
Maximum 6 people
Included
- Access to a state-of-the-art amplified hydrophone system to hear the whales’ calls and songs.
- Detailed booklets for the wildlife we often see on this tour.
- Access to Coast-Guard recommended marine binoculars for all guests while onboard.
- Beverages and snacks including coffee, hot chocolate, tea, water.
- Bathroom
Not included
- Flights to and from Sitka
- Lodging
- Transport to and from the meeting point
- City and Borough of Sitka sales tax
- Staff gratuities
***Meals -Avoid Crowded Restaurants! – Sitka’s restaurants get swamped during cruise ship season often leaving no seats open for enjoying meals while in port
Our Solution – Expedition Cuisine Menu – When booking look for the Optional Meal Add-Ons to have freshly prepared breakfast items, Sandwiches and Salads safely waiting for you to come aboard.
What to bring
- Camera or cell phone with well-charged batteries – we have a limited number of USB outlets.
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe, rubber-sole, flat shoes. Boat (or non-marking) shoes are not necessary.
- To reduce the number of items in the waste stream, personal water bottles are recommended.
- Rain gear – just in case as Sitka is surrounded by temperate rainforest.
- Temperatures on the water are cooler, come prepared and dress in layers.
About your guide
- US Coast Guard 25GT Masters licensed Captain / Certified Naturalist
8-Hour Private Tour
Price
$3,239 per boat
Fuel Surcharge:
Embracing transparency and service excellence, our dynamic fuel surcharge model correlates with Brent Crude Oil prices. With increased participation, expect a significant reduction in surcharges per additional traveler. The surcharge ranges between $3.50 and $10 per guest for every $5.00 rise in oil prices above $80 per gallon, ensuring competitive pricing and unparalleled travel experiences.
Departure time
8 AM
Meeting point
Unless you’ve made special arrangements for a different meeting location, we kindly ask all passengers to gather at Harrigan Centennial Hall, conveniently situated at 330 Harbor Drive. Once you arrive, be sure to check in with one of our friendly team members, easily recognizable in their bright yellow jackets and holding a handheld sign displaying our business name. From there, your journey continues down the gangway, where you’ll find our vessel waiting in the harbor, just next to the hall.
Availability
Monday to Sunday, year-round.
Duration
8 hours
Group size
Maximum 6 people
Included
- Access to a state-of-the-art amplified hydrophone system to hear the whales’ calls and songs.
- Detailed booklets for the wildlife we often see on this tour.
- Access to Coast-Guard recommended marine binoculars for all guests while onboard.
- Beverages and snacks including coffee, hot chocolate, tea, water.
- Bathroom
Not included
- Flights to and from Sitka
- Lodging
- Transport to and from the meeting point
- City and Borough of Sitka sales tax
- Staff gratuities
- Meals – Leave It To us Rather than shopping, preparing and packing your own food. When booking your tour look for the Optional Meal Add-Ons to have freshly prepared breakfast items, Sandwiches and Salads safely waiting for you to come aboard.
What to bring
- Camera or cell phone with well-charged batteries – we have a limited number of USB outlets.
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe, rubber-sole, flat shoes. Boat (or non-marking) shoes are not necessary.
- To reduce the number of items in the waste stream, personal water bottles are recommended.
- Rain gear – just in case as Sitka is surrounded by temperate rainforest.
- Temperatures on the water are cooler, come prepared and dress in layers.
About your guide
- US Coast Guard 25GT Masters licensed Captain / Certified Naturalist
Good to Know
As a part of our commitment to the environment, we negotiate rates for professional media productions and research activities on a case by case basis.
All our expeditions are subject to the realities of the natural world. A Whale’s Song Expeditions makes no guarantees of seeing any specific species. Although we will do everything in our power to find the species that are of interest to customers and stay on the itinerary, circumstances such as species location, weather, and ocean conditions may necessitate alteration of an itinerary. Payments are not refundable for any itinerary change.
Unfortunately, our vessel is not wheelchair accessible.
Features of our vessel:
- A spacious heated cabin
- Deluxe comfortable seats for all guests
- Restroom equipped
- Large wrap-around windows for unobstructed viewing
- Expansive deck space for multiple perspectives
- Great stability to ensure safety and comfort
Smoking and the consumption of alcohol or any illegal drug while aboard is prohibited.
If the captain determines that you may be under the influence or may pose a hazard to yourself, the vessel, the crew, or other guests you will not be permitted to board, and no refund will be given.
If you are motion sickness prone, take your remedies at least 1 hour in advance.
Please arrive at the vessel 15 minutes before departure.
Previous Guests Rave About A Whale's Song Expeditions
Our captain and naturalist were extremely professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Perfect intimate experience! It felt like I was out on the water with friends as opposed to being crammed into a large crowded tour boat.
Lione showed us all sorts of animal information and shared so much knowledge, incredible! I would recommend this tour and experience to anyone wanting to have a beautiful exploration of Sitka was an awesome crew.