Inside Passage
One of Earth’s Best Cruising Routes
Explore the wildlife and spectacular natural world—whales, bears, seabirds, rainforests, and other wildlife, with our expert, local naturalists and guides.
View Itineraries
The Inside Passage
Along the Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington Coast
The Inside Passage, also called the Inland Passage or the Inner Passage, is a stretch of protected ocean approx. 1,500 km long, that runs from Puget Sound in Washington State, USA, along the British Columbia, Canada coastline, to Skagway, Alaska, USA.
It is a popular cruising area and marine transportation route, due to its absence of open ocean swells and its relatively flat and calm waters.
On Inside Passage cruises with Maple Leaf, you’ll sail on a 138-foot catamaran, an 88-foot converted tugboat, or a 92-foot classic schooner, with just 8 to 24 guests.
Tour the Inside Passage
This incredible stretch of coastline has several distinct areas. Each is worth a separate tour, which is why we have divided it up this way.
Activities
Our small ship tours allow you to experience the best of the Inside Passage.
- Marine mammal viewing (whales, sea lions)
- Guided bear viewing
- Rainforest hikes
- Island-hopping
- Cultural exploration
- Hot spring relaxation
- Kayaking and fishing (optional)
- Birdwatching
- Sailing
- Bird watching
- Historical site visits
- Wildlife photography
What People Say
See what our guests have to say about our Inside Passage tours.
Featured Highlights
Where Mountainous Coast Meets the Pacific Ocean
The combination of the thousands of islands and the upwelling at the continent’s edge creates a rich coastal environment.
Teeming with Marine Life
From humpback whales, killer whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, and other large animals to countless fish, seabirds and invertebrates.
Bears and Wolves Roam the Shores
Coastal rainforest provides habitat for grizzly/brown bears, and black bears including the rare spirit bear, wolves, and many other mammals.
Ancient and Natural Geography
There are some cities and towns along it too, including Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Juneau.
Emerging Expedition Cruise Industry
Mostly operated by local Canadian and American companies, lets visitors experience the wonder of this natural world by becoming part of it.
A Brief History of the Inside Passage
The Inside Passage boasts a rich history. Ice covered much of it during the last ice age, forming navigable fjords as glaciers receded. People have inhabited this region for millennia, attracted by abundant resources and waterways. Due to the fluctuations in sea level over this time, likely much record of human habitation is under water.
Coastal First Nations have skillfully traversed these waters in seagoing canoes for generations. In 2015, footprints dating back 13,200 years were discovered on Calvert Island, which could be the oldest to date in North America.
In Europe’s age of exploration, Russians, Spanish and English explorers sailed into the area and began charting it. In the late 18th century, Captain George Vancouver, extensively mapped the area. The United States’ purchase of Alaska in 1867 spurred exploration and marked the beginning of Alaskan cruises.
Recently, as people started to demand high-quality, experiential trips, the diversity of cruise ships has increased. Now, in addition to the large 2,000-passenger ships traditionally associated with cruise tours, you can enjoy active, small ship cruises like those that we offer at Maple Leaf Adventures.
And while much of the area is in its natural state, citizens are working hard to protect it by law from destruction—protecting the rainforests, the marine life, the bears and whales and remote beaches.
The Inside Passage Today
Today, the Inside Passage thrives as a marine route for cargo and passenger cruises between Seattle, Alaska, and points in between. It’s also a playground for private boaters and commercial cruises.
Recently, as people started to demand high-quality, experiential trips, the diversity of cruise ships has increased. Now, in addition to the large 2,000-passenger ships traditionally associated with cruise tours, you can enjoy active, small-ship cruises like those that we offer at Maple Leaf Adventures.
And while much of the area is in its natural state, citizens are working hard to protect it by law from destruction—protecting the rainforests, the marine life, the bears and whales and remote beaches.
Cruising by Expedition Ship
What’s your style?
Compare Alaskan and Inside Passage cruises here:
Expedition Cruises by Small Ship: These are the trips that we at Maple Leaf Adventures have offered for over 25 years. On these inside passage cruises, you are part of a group of 24 or fewer guests, who experience the wonder of the coastline, its wildlife, its rainforests, beaches and cultures. You’ll go ashore frequently to experience the coastal world, as well as sailing the inside passage.
Inside Passage by Ferry: Both the Alaskan and British Columbian government ferry systems operate a transport network between coastal towns. Some people who wish to see the landscape but not spend time exploring it also choose to travel the inside passage this way.
Big Ship Cruises: These are the cruises most people think of when they hear the words “Alaska cruise tour”. The ships are about 950 feet long and carry about 2,000 passengers. Unlike small Alaskan cruise ships, these big ships stop only at port towns. The experience is completely different from expedition cruises by sailing ship and is for people who don’t wish to experience the nature of Alaska as their top priority.
Experience the Inside Passage
See the Inside Passage through the eyes of our guests.
Inside Passage Itineraries
Expedition cruises by small ships that explore the scenic routes of the Inside Passage.
