Sitka Sound Tours

Joshua Wright

10 months ago

Was visiting with family from the UK. Had such an amazing day. Saw some whales and other wildlife. Rick was great. Very knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. A great experience and cannot recommend enough. Perfect for small groups or families wanting a private experience. There were five of us and we had the boat to ourselves. Ages between 6 and 81! So caters for all. Thanks rick, from across the pond :)

Brooke Forsell-Bell

10 months ago

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Our Go-To Tour in Sitka—Even Better the Second Time This was our second trip with Sitka Sound Tours, and just like the first, it was a fantastic experience. Captain Ricky is knowledgeable, welcoming, and clearly passionate about the local wildlife and waters. His commentary throughout the trip added a lot to what we were seeing. We saw sea otters, Steller sea lions, and even a gray whale, which was incredible to witness up close. Captain Ricky also made sure everyone felt comfortable onboard, including passengers with ADA needs, which we really appreciated. We love supporting local Sitka businesses, and this one stands out for its professionalism, friendliness, and the quality of the experience. If you're visiting Sitka, this tour is absolutely worth your time.

Patty A

11 months ago

Excellent experience with Captain Rick. From communication to knowledge of the area and people. We saw many whales and loved our excursion. The best part was the intimacy of having only one other couple and the ability to see more. He even dropped us off at our ship dock. We would definitely do it again!

sara bee

10 months ago

My mom and I had a wonderful time on this tour. The boat was small so we were able to be close to the water and animals (keeping a safe distance of course). We got amazing views of otters, bald eagles, and humpback whales. Captain Ricky was such a great guide. He was very knowledgeable of the land and different animals species in the area. We learned a lot while we were on the tour. He made sure to provide snacks and had supplies for anyone who was motion sick. I highly recommend this tour over the ones in the bigger boats with crowds of people. Although the boat was on the smaller side we never felt unsafe and it was so much easier to spot wildlife. This will be a very special experience for anyone who books this tour!

Anjali Madeira

8 months ago

Rick and Sadie are wonderful and easy to work with. The boat is cozy and Rick is incredibly knowledgeable about the waters and wildlife around Sitka. We saw sea lions, humpbacks (including a mama and brand new baby), brown bears swimming along the shore for salmon, bald eagle nests, and more. We had a fabulous time! Would definitely book again, thanks Rick and Sadie!

Lily Decker

10 months ago

We’ve gone out with Captain Ricky a few times, and every single time he blows our minds!! His boat is always clean and organized with multiple seating options. It is obvious Captain Ricky loves what he does and Sitka in general. He is always more than happy to share his knowledge, experiences and expertise!!

Tracie Pate

a year ago

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of going on an unforgettable whale-watching excursion, and I cannot recommend it highly enough! From start to finish, the experience was well-organized and exceeded all my expectations. Captain Rick was knowledgeable and passionate, providing fascinating insights into the behavior and habitat of the whales we were about to see. Our captain, Rick, skillfully positioned the boat, giving us front-row views without disturbing the whales. Throughout the trip, we were lucky enough to witness a playful calf & mother that seemed to enjoy putting on a show for us. What really stood out to me was the respect Sitka Sound Tours showed for the marine environment. In addition to the whales, we were treated to sightings of sea otters, sea lions and a bear along the edge of the water where salmon were getting ready to spawn making the day a true marine adventure. The boat was comfortable and the company of Captain Rick was enjoyable and informative. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience that brings you up close and personal with these majestic creatures, this whale-watching excursion is a must-do. It's a memory that will stay with me forever!

Jacqueline Hawk-Cotten

a year ago

This was an amazing experience! We saw whales, sea lions and otters. It was a small group so it was very personalized. Captain Rick was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and where to go to see them. He also respected the wildlife and didn’t get too close or disturb their natural environment. I would highly recommend this tour.

Auxerre Adore

a year ago

The tour guide at Sitka Sound Tours, Rick, had a charming personality and was delightfully humorous! He really knew where all the local wildlife hangs out and we were able to see the wildlife in their natural habitats. He handled the boat super well and had options for inside or outside viewing. Snacks & refreshments were available and I appreciated that. Thanks for the wonderful tour!

Tirius Flynn

11 months ago

I LOVED this tour! There were four passengers total, although the max is 6, not counting Captain Rick (who expressed a preference for "Rickie") and there was plenty of room for us to sit comfortably inside the cabin (and optionally open windows to see quickly if we wanted to photograph something outside). I can't begin to express how amazing it was to be in a smaller boat where, after being herded in large groups everywhere else - into food lines, onto gang planks, and into busses or shuttles - I actually felt I was a real person again with a guide who was legitimately interested in and listening to what I cared about for the tour. My biggest hope for the tour was actually to see sea otters, as opportunities to see sea otters in the wild are rarer than whale opportunities, and Rickie stopped for the first otters we saw even though he knew (and told us) there would be more in a better spot a little way from there. (He was right, of course, but I REALLY appreciated his regard for our excitement to see the first ones as well and also for his good communication on his reasons for not wanting to delay too long with them.) When we got to the kelp forest with a whole raft of otters he stopped for a long time and made sure we had plenty of time to try to photograph and enjoy watching them play and swim (unlike other tours I'd read about that either go right past the otters or only stop for a few minutes in their rush to get to the whale spots). After we had drifted as close to the otters as they felt comfortable with without wanting to move away, we headed directly to a spot about 15 minutes further out where there were whales feeding. As with the otters, Rickie was very considerate both of the whales and of our desire to see them, not engaging the engine while it might disturb them but still maneuvering us closer or to a better angle for viewing when possible. Time flew but I would not be surprised if we spent a solid hour watching the whales! (On that note, I was