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.

Misty Fjords National Monument is a 930,000-hectare wilderness in Southeast Alaska, where sheer granite cliffs rise from mirror-still fjords through perpetual veils of mist and cloud. Must-dos include kayaking through silent fjord arms, zodiac cruising past waterfalls and the volcanic New Eddystone Rock, and watching for bears, eagles, and orcas in the pristine channels. May through September offers the visiting season, with rain adding to the monument's ethereal atmosphere.

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.

Saint George Island, Alaska, 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.

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.

College Fjord in Prince William Sound contains the world's highest concentration of tidewater glaciers—twenty-six named glaciers visible from its waters, including the advancing Harvard Glacier. Must-dos include watching glacier calving from the ship's deck, spotting harbor seals on ice floes, and listening to the ethereal crackle of dissolving glacial ice. Cruise season runs May–September, with June–July offering the best light and visibility.

Seward, Alaska, is a captivating port known for its stunning landscapes and rich history as a gold rush supply town. Must-do experiences include visiting Kenai Fjords National Park and sampling local delicacies like halibut tacos and akutaq. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the natural beauty is at its peak and outdoor activities abound.