What is it really like visiting Sitka, Alaska, on a rainy cruise day? We take you along to explore Sitka!
Welcome back to the vlog! Eric, Beth, and Devin are continuing our incredible northbound Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.
Our latest stop brought us to the breathtaking coastal town of Sitka, Alaska—the oldest town in Alaska and the site where the territory was purchased from Russia in 1867. While Alaska's notorious liquid sunshine (a.k.a. rain!) caught up with us, we didn't let a little wet weather slow us down. Here is everything you need to know about exploring Sitka!
1. Getting Into Town: The Port Shuttle Situation
When docking in Sitka on a massive Quantum-class ship, you aren't right next to downtown—the pier is about a 15-minute (7-mile) drive away.
The Shuttle: The local shuttle buses take passengers right into town from the cruise terminal. While instructions often tell you to pre-book a specific time slot, the reality on the dock was a bit more fluid as everyone filtered into the same lines.
Port Tip: Give yourself plenty of time when heading back to the ship, especially if multiple large ships (like us and the Norwegian Bliss) are in port at the same time, as the return bus lines can get quite long in the afternoon!
2. Sitka National Historical Park & Majestic Totem Poles
Despite the chilly, 54-degree misty weather, one of our favorite walks of the day was heading down to Sitka National Historical Park.
Surrounded by a gorgeous, lush temperate rainforest filled with towering pine trees, the park features a stunning collection of authentic, towering Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Walking the winding trail feels like stepping straight into a movie. We also stopped by the indoor Totem Museum to watch local artists demonstrate traditional wood carving and silver jewelry crafting.
3. Trying Reindeer Sausage & Downtown Exploring
Before our afternoon excursion, we wandered around downtown Sitka to check out the local shops and grab some lunch.
The Food: We stopped at a local food spot near the bus depot and ordered reindeer sausage hot dogs loaded with chili and cheese. If you've never tried reindeer sausage, don't worry—it isn't overly gamey; it's savory, flavorful, and the ultimate comfort food on a chilly Alaskan day.
Souvenir Shopping: We hunted down some local artisan shops and picked up a miniature totem pole to commemorate our visit to the park.
4. The Absolute Highlight: Private Whale-Watching with Coastal Tours Sitka
If you book only one excursion in Sitka, make it a whale-watching tour. We booked a private boat tour with Coastal Tours Sitka (found via Viator), and it easily earned a 5-out-of-5-star rating from our entire family!
The Experience: Instead of being crammed onto a massive boat with 100 other tourists, our small group had a comfortable, heated cabin with a restroom, snacks, and a fantastic captain who knew local waters inside and out.
The Wildlife: We spotted playful sea lions basking on buoys, cute sea otters bobbing in the water, and bald eagles soaring overhead. But the absolute showstopper was when we tracked down a pod of humpback whales—getting treated to incredible bubble-net lunge feeding right alongside our boat!
The Final Verdict
Sitka has a unique, rugged charm that makes you feel miles away from civilization. While the rainy weather and the port bus logistics had a bit of a learning curve, the stunning totem poles and our world-class whale-watching excursion made it an unforgettable day in Alaska.
Have you ever visited Sitka, or seen humpback whales lunge-feeding in the wild? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to see the towering totem poles, our reindeer sausage lunch, and the breathtaking humpback whale encounters up close? Watch our full vlog on YouTube right here:
👉 What to Do in Sitka, Alaska: Totem Barks, Wildlife & Alaskan Charm
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