Your half-day of adventure by paddle begins with a fun and informative kayak skills and safety orientation, where your knowledgeable private guide will walk you through the ins and outs of paddling techniques, boat boarding and disembarking and safety tips. You will have time to get comfortable in your kayak in the clear shallows before setting out to explore the rest of Sitka Sound.
While paddling through mazes of reef and kelp forest – areas accessible only by kayak – your guide will help identify the colorful marine life visible below, including crab, sea stars, anemones, sea urchins, jellyfish and more. Keep your eyes open for playful otters, as well as harbor seals, sea lions, and a variety of marine birds.
Step ashore on a seldom-visited island to stretch your legs, do a little beach combing, and enjoy a hearty snack while soaking in the amazing views of the Sound. Your guide will educate you on the local ecology of the area, and also tell you about Alaska’s Tlingit people, who still harvest the ocean’s bounty using knowledge passed down from the last Ice Age. Your half-day wilderness exploration concludes with an scenic 30-minute boat cruise back to Sitka.