Our top three for Diane
If we only read one page
Sitka's rescued bears and eagles are the stars. All three are easy and leave time for a stroll through town.
Wild Sitka: Alaska Raptor Center & Fortress of the Bear
Bald eagles and owls being rehabilitated at the Raptor Center, then rescued brown bears up close at the Fortress of the Bear.
Why for Diane: easy, close-up wildlife, and back in town by lunchtime.
Details & booking ↗Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors & Bears
Everything above, plus a boat trip looking for sea otters, whales and eagles in Sitka Sound.
Why for Diane: the best of Sitka in one easy package.
Details & booking ↗Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest
A comfortable boat trip in Sitka Sound for sea otters, humpbacks, puffins and eagles.
Why for Diane: seated, scenic and short.
Details & booking ↗Every option
All Sitka excursions, by type
Holland America's 2026 prices per adult (2027 prices aren't out yet). Easy means mostly seated or level walking; Moderate means some uneven ground or climbing in and out; Strenuous means real exertion. The Diane tag is our read for a 70-year-old with average mobility.
Bears & eagles
Sitka's signature wildlife · 2 optionsBald-eagle rehabilitation center, then rescued brown bears.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗Combines the wildlife boat trip with Wild Sitka.
The best-value combo.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗On the water
Sea otters, islands and the waterfront · 3 optionsBoat trip looking for otters, whales and eagles.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗Visit a floating home and cruise the historic waterfront.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗Boat to a remote island lodge, with a meal included.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗Food & culture
Russian and Tlingit Sitka · 1 optionActive adventures
Biking, kayaking and more · 4 optionsAbout 4 miles of biking and 1 mile of hiking.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗Boat out, then about 90 minutes of paddling.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗Up to 6 guests. A strenuous multi-activity day.
Details & booking on Holland America ↗At a glance
The price ladder
Every excursion from least to most expensive, per person. Gold bars are our picks.
Three ways to spend the day
Sample Sitka plans
The ship is in port 8 am – 4 pm, so there's time for a tour and a stroll through town. Prices are for all four of us.
Wildlife + town
≈ $596 for four
- 8:45Wild Sitka (3½ hrs)
- 12:30Lunch downtown, at the Harry Race soda fountain
- 1:30St. Michael's Cathedral, Castle Hill and the totem trail
- 3:15Shuttle back to the ship
The full day
≈ $1,076 for four
- 8:30Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors & Bears (5 hrs)
- 1:45Quick look at St. Michael's Cathedral
- 3:15Shuttle back
Otters & history
≈ $716 for four
- 9:00Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest (2½ hrs)
- 12:00Lunch in town
- 1:00Totem trail, Russian Bishop's House and the New Archangel Dancers (when performing)
- 3:15Shuttle back
On our own, for free (or close to it)
Downtown Sitka is compact and walkable from the shuttle stop at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
St. Michael's Cathedral · Jrozwado, CC BY-SA 4.0The onion-domed Russian Orthodox cathedral with its icons.
Where Alaska passed from Russia to the US in 1867.
A flat, easy totem trail through the rainforest.
Restored 1843 building run by the National Park Service.
A superb collection of Alaska Native art and artifacts.
Russian folk dance, only when ships are in.
Touch tanks and a salmon hatchery.
An old-fashioned soda fountain.
Good to know
Before we book
Docking. Eurodam normally docks at the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal about 5–6 miles from town, with a free shuttle. Check the Visit Sitka cruise calendar closer to the date in case it's a tender day.
Allow time. Leave 30 minutes for the shuttle back before all aboard.
Prices. Holland America refunds in full if it cancels a tour, and its Best Price Guarantee gives 110% of the difference as onboard credit if you find the identical tour cheaper.