Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land

Pressed between the Pacific and the Coast Mountains, Vancouver is the natural gateway to Alaska's Inside Passage — a city where temperate rainforest meets glass towers and where Dungeness crab and wild sockeye salmon define a Pacific Rim cuisine that rivals any in North America. Walk the 22-kilometre Stanley Park seawall, lose yourself in the Granville Island market, then ferry across to Victoria's Edwardian splendour. Alaska cruise season peaks from May through September, making Vancouver an ideal starting point for one of the world's great ocean journeys.

Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, sits dramatically between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, serving as the gateway to Denali, Kenai Fjords, and the Inside Passage. Must-dos include the Anchorage Museum's Alaska Native collections, the Seward Highway's fjord-like scenery, and sampling king crab and wild-caught salmon. Mid-May through mid-September offers the best conditions, with June and July bringing twenty hours of daylight.

Klawock is one of Alaska's oldest Tlingit settlements on Prince of Wales Island, where twenty-one totem poles in a community park narrate clan histories predating European contact by centuries. Visit May through September via Regent Seven Seas or Silversea for genuine Tlingit cultural encounters, Alaska's longest cave system, and the intimate experience of a remote island community where wilderness is neighbor, not commodity.

Chatham Strait, United States is a spectacular maritime passage celebrated for its dramatic natural scenery and wildlife encounters, featured on expedition itineraries by HX Expeditions. Travelers should position themselves on open decks with quality binoculars for the best viewing experience, and take advantage of Zodiac excursions when conditions permit. The optimal season is June through August, when summer months bring the warmest temperatures and longest days.

Icy Strait Point is a stunning Alaskan port known for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich Native Tlingit culture. Must-do experiences include savoring fresh local seafood and embarking on wildlife excursions in Glacier Bay National Park. The best season to visit is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and wildlife is abundant.

Tsaa Fjord is a remote arm of Icy Bay on Alaska's south-central coast, where the Tyndall Glacier calves icebergs against a backdrop of the towering Saint Elias Mountains—the highest coastal range on Earth. Must-dos include Zodiac cruises along the actively calving glacier face, watching harbor seals on ice floes, and taking in the raw wilderness of this rarely visited landscape. July–August offers the best access and most dramatic calving activity.

Valdez sits at the head of a fjord in Prince William Sound, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and tidewater glaciers that make it one of Alaska's most scenically dramatic ports. Must-do experiences include cruising to the Columbia Glacier, walking up to the Worthington Glacier, and tasting fresh-caught halibut at harbour-front restaurants. May through September is the season, with July-August bringing salmon runs and the warmest weather.

Prince William Sound, United States, offers an authentic North American experience where stunning natural landscapes meet communities of genuine character. Visitors should explore the surrounding wilderness and sample the honest, locally sourced cuisine that defines the region. The ideal visiting period is June through September, when long northern days and mild temperatures make exploration a pleasure. Cruise lines including HX Expeditions feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Whittier, Alaska, is a unique port town characterized by its remarkable architecture and rich history, nestled along the stunning Prince William Sound. Don't miss the chance to savor fresh halibut fish and chips and explore the breathtaking glaciers nearby. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing.