The Inside Passage, a breathtaking maritime route along the Pacific Northwest coast of North America, offers a sheltered waterway that stretches from southeastern Alaska in the United States through western British Columbia in Canada, extending to northwestern Washington state. This network of waterways allows vessels to navigate safely away from the harsher weather conditions of the open ocean, and it serves as a crucial conduit for various types of maritime traffic including cruise ships, freighters, fishing boats, and pleasure crafts.

The route is also an essential part of the Alaska Marine Highway, BC Ferries, and Washington State Ferries systems, with Coast Guard units from both Canada and the United States regularly patrolling the area. Formed millions of years ago by the immense forces of glaciers, the Inside Passage spans approximately 500 miles along the Pacific Ocean. It is renowned for its wildlife-rich fjords, tidewater glaciers, and verdant island landscapes. The Passage is largely encompassed by the Tongass National Forest, the United States’ largest national forest and the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest. The area is rich in cultural history, home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Alaska Native peoples. Their heritage is evident in the towering totem poles that dot the landscape, and their traditions continue to thrive in local art, song, and dance. Russian influences remain visible in the region’s unique onion-domed churches adorned with iconic imagery.
In her 1961 book, “The Curve of Time,” Canadian travel writer M. Wylie Blanchet recounts her explorations of the Inside Passage with her five children during the 1920s and 1930s, navigating the waters between Vancouver Island and the mainland by boat. Her biographer praises the work as a seminal account of cruising this majestic coastal route from the southeast coast of Vancouver Island to Cape Caution. Today, the Inside Passage remains a favored choice for both large and small cruise ships, particularly during the peak travel months from May through September, with departures from cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, B.C. Additionally, the Alaska Marine Highway System offers an alternative for travelers seeking to explore at their own pace, providing ferry service to 35 ports of call from Bellingham, Washington, to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.
Visitors to the Inside Passage never run out of activities, with options ranging from kayaking and hiking to fishing and experiencing the rich Alaska Native culture. Iconic destinations within the Passage include Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway, Wrangell, and the Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Whether it’s viewing glaciers, seeking out wildlife like whales, bears, and eagles, or simply soaking in the lush scenery, the Inside Passage offers an unparalleled adventure.

Photos courtesy of greenglobaltravel.com, The Telegraph, Travel Alaska, Alaska Tours, Love & Olive Oil, and Princess Cruises