Private Sitka Tours & Ground Transportation

Tidal Taxi and Tours LLC · Sitka, Alaska

Call or Text 907‑623‑2646 (COHO)

Pickup Anywhere

Cruise dock, airport, hotel, downtown shuttle drop-off, or roadside. We come to you.

Local Guides

A 45-year southeast Alaska commercial fishing family — 30 of those years right here in Sitka — who know every trail and viewpoint in town.

Your Schedule

No lines, no crowded buses. Just you and a local guide, at your own pace.

Private & Personal

Every tour is private and built around your group. Tell us what you'd like to see and we'll tailor the day — your route, your pace. Call or text to start planning.

Your Ride Through Sitka

Tidal Taxi is a local, family-run tour and ground transportation service based in Sitka. We run two vehicles — a Kia Sorento and a Honda HR-V — from April through October, serving cruise passengers, airport arrivals, and anyone looking to explore southeast Alaska's most scenic 14 miles of road.

Every Tidal Taxi tour is private — just you, your group, and a guide who actually lives here. Tell us what you'd like to see, and we'll build the day around you. No fixed routes, no rushing, no clock-watching.

Tidal Taxi fleet — Kia Sorento and Honda HR-V with taxi lights, ready for tours

Discover Sitka

Fishing boat at golden hour near Sitka

History everywhere you look

Sitka sits at the crossroads of Tlingit, Russian, and American history. Landmarks, totem poles, Castle Hill, and historic architecture — you'll see it all from the road, and your guide can fill in the stories behind what catches your eye.

Whale spout near the Sitka coastline

More wildlife than you'd expect

From bald eagles at the Raptor Center to rescued brown bears at Fortress of the Bear, plus whales, sea otters, and salmon in the waters all around — some days you'll spot more on the drive than you came for.

Aerial view of Sitka, Alaska

The whole drive is the view

Rainforest, mountains, waterfalls, and ocean — all within 14 miles of road. On a clear day Mt. Edgecumbe, Sitka's own volcano, is in view for much of the drive. It's the shot everyone stops for.

Tour Stops

Each tour is private and runs on your clock. Mix destinations, combine stops, or build something custom — just call and tell us what sounds good. New to town? Read our Sitka in a Day guide.

Alaska Raptor Center building

Alaska Raptor Center

Wildlife~30 min

Get up close with bald eagles, owls, and hawks at Alaska's best-known raptor rehabilitation center. A quick stop — about 30 minutes — and a favorite with kids and photographers.

Brown bear at Fortress of the Bear sanctuary

Fortress of the Bear

WildlifeTicketed

Visit Sitka's famous bear rescue sanctuary. Watch brown bears play, fish, and roam in a spacious natural habitat. Tours run in 40-minute time slots from 10 AM to 4 PM — a hit with kids of all ages.

ⓘ Advance tickets encouraged — buy tickets on their website to guarantee your entry time.

A fishing boat in the waters off Sitka, Alaska

Sitka National Historical Park

HistoryTotem poles

Alaska's oldest federally designated park — site of the 1804 Battle of Sitka between the Tlingit and Russians. Totem poles line the road through the park, visible from the vehicle as we pass.

Wide view of Sitka, Alaska and its surrounding waters

Castle Hill

HistoryViewpoint

The site of the 1867 Alaska Purchase transfer ceremony — where the Russian flag came down and the American one went up. A short stop with sweeping views of downtown Sitka, the harbor, and Mt. Edgecumbe.

The Sitka, Alaska coastline

Sitka Sound Science Center

WildlifeFamily

A working salmon hatchery and aquarium right on the waterfront. Touch tanks, marine life exhibits, and a chance to see what's swimming in the waters around Sitka.

Sitka, Alaska harbor at sunset

St. Michael's Cathedral

HistoryLandmark

The iconic Russian Orthodox cathedral in the heart of downtown Sitka. Originally built in the 1840s, rebuilt after a 1966 fire, and still an active parish — its onion dome is one of Sitka's most recognizable landmarks.

Waterfall along the road near Sitka, Alaska

Waterfalls Along the Drive

SceneryPhoto stop

Sitka's 14 miles of road wind past stunning waterfalls and lush temperate rainforest. What's flowing depends on recent rainfall — and Sitka gets plenty — but on a wet week the cliffsides are alive with cascades. We'll stop at the best viewpoints along the way.

Aerial view of Japonski Island bridge and Sitka harbor

Japonski Island

HistoryScenery

Cross the bridge to Japonski Island for WWII history, tide pools, coastal scenery, and panoramic views of Sitka Sound and Mt. Edgecumbe.

What Recent Guests Have Said

Excerpts from emails and texts after recent tours.

Best way to see Sitka! Our driver knew every spot — eagles, bears, waterfalls. Felt like getting a tour from a friend, not a bus company. Highly recommend for anyone visiting.

Sarah M.

We got off the cruise ship with zero plans and called Tidal Taxi. Within 20 minutes we were at Fortress of the Bear watching brown bears play. Made our whole Alaska trip.

David & Kim R.

Personal, flexible, and genuinely passionate about Sitka. They adjusted the tour to fit our schedule and showed us spots we never would have found on our own. Five stars isn't enough.

Amanda T.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about touring Sitka with Tidal Taxi. If you don't see your question here, just call or text us — we're happy to help.

How do I book a tour?
Just call or text us! We keep things simple. Let us know when you're arriving, how many people, and what you want to see. We'll handle the rest. A deposit secures your reservation. Same-day booking is fine, but availability isn't guaranteed once cruise ships have arrived — earlier is better.
What are your hours?
Our regular hours are 7 AM – 7 PM. Reservations outside those hours depend on driver availability — call or text and we'll do our best to make it work.
How long can a tour be?
There's no maximum. Half-day, full-day, or anything in between — we'll customize the length to whatever fits your visit. Tell us what you want to see and how much time you have, and we'll build it around you.
How much does a tour cost?
Every tour is private and customized to your group, so the cost depends on how long you go and what you'd like to see. Call or text us and we'll put together a quote just for you. A deposit secures your reservation and goes toward your total.
What's your cancellation policy?
We keep it simple. Cancel any time before the day of your tour and you get a full refund on your deposit — no questions asked. Plans change, especially in Alaska, and we get it.
Can you pick us up from the cruise ship dock?
Absolutely! We pick up at the cruise ship terminal, the airport, hotels, and anywhere in town. Just tell us where you are and we'll be there.
We're only in port for a few hours — can you get us back to the ship in time?
Yes — just tell us your ship's all-aboard time when you book, and we'll plan the tour to get you back with time to spare. Getting you back on schedule is our top priority.
What should we bring?
Dress in layers and bring a rain jacket — Sitka weather changes fast, even in summer. Comfortable shoes, a camera, and any cash you'd like for attraction entry fees. We'll take care of the rest.
Are your tours wheelchair or mobility accessible?
Our vehicles are standard SUVs, so let us know about any mobility needs when you book and we'll talk through what works for you. Many of Sitka's best sights are viewable right from the vehicle.
When is tour season?
We operate from April through October, which covers the full Sitka cruise and tourism season. The best wildlife viewing is typically May through September.
How many people can fit in a vehicle?
We can take up to 7 passengers. We have two vehicles on the road daily through the season, so for larger groups we can run both together — contact us and we'll set you up.

Contact Us

Ready to explore Sitka? We specialize in private, custom tours — call, text, or drop us a line below and we'll help plan your day.

Call Text Tours Contact

Private Tours, Made for Your Group

Every tour is private and built around you — you get the whole vehicle to yourselves with a local guide. Call or text and we'll put together a quote and reserve your spot.

⚓ Only two vehicles — cruise-day slots fill fast. Call or text to reserve yours.

* Tours do not include entry fees at attractions. Admission is paid directly to each venue.

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The Tongass: America's Rainforest

Sitka sits inside the Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the United States at nearly 17 million acres. It's one of the last intact temperate rainforests on Earth.

Annual rainfall in Sitka averages over 86 inches, feeding countless waterfalls that cascade down mossy granite cliffs and through old-growth spruce and hemlock forests. The result is an ecosystem unlike anywhere else in North America — dense canopy, fern-covered forest floors, and air so clean you can taste it.

On this drive you'll see waterfalls fed by snowmelt and rain, surrounded by some of the most biodiverse landscape in Alaska. Sitka blacktail deer, bald eagles, brown bears, salmon, and sea otters all call this rainforest home. Every season brings a different show — wildflowers in spring, salmon runs in summer, golden muskeg in fall.

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Japonski Island: A Short Bridge, a Lot of History

Connected to Sitka by the O'Connell Bridge, Japonski Island holds layers of history most visitors never discover. The name itself — "Japanese Island" — dates back to the early 1800s, when Japanese sailors shipwrecked in the region were brought here by the Tlingit people.

During World War II, the island became a major U.S. Naval Air Station, part of the Alaska defense network after the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor and occupation of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians. Remnants of that era — bunkers, old runways, and military infrastructure — are still scattered across the island.

Today Japonski Island is home to Sitka's airport, the University of Alaska Southeast campus, the Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The shoreline offers incredible tide pools, coastal trails, and unobstructed views of Sitka Sound and the volcanic peak of Mt. Edgecumbe rising across the water.

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Alaska Raptor Center

The Alaska Raptor Center is Sitka's bird hospital — a rehabilitation center that treats injured bald eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons, and returns as many as possible to the wild.

The highlight is the flight-training center, where you can watch recovering eagles rebuild their strength. Birds that can't safely return to the wild stay on as resident ambassadors, so you'll get closer to a bald eagle here than you ever will in the wild.

It's a quick stop — about 30 minutes — and an easy add to any tour.

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Fortress of the Bear

Fortress of the Bear is a rescue sanctuary that gives orphaned brown bears a home. From raised walkways you'll watch the bears play, wrestle, fish, and nap just below you — close enough to hear them.

Tours run in 40-minute time slots from 10 AM to 4 PM, and it's a hit with kids of all ages. Advance tickets are encouraged during cruise season to guarantee your entry time; admission is paid to the sanctuary directly.

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Sitka National Historical Park

Alaska's oldest federally designated park preserves the site of the 1804 Battle of Sitka, fought between the Kiks.ádi Tlingit and Russian traders — a turning point in Alaska's history.

Totem poles stand along the park's roadway and forested paths. We'll roll through slowly so you can take them in from the vehicle, with stops for photos where the view calls for it.

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Castle Hill

On October 18, 1867, the Russian flag came down and the American flag went up right here — the spot where Alaska officially changed hands. Long before that, the hill was a fortified Tlingit settlement.

Today it's a short stop with sweeping views of downtown Sitka, the harbor, and — on a clear day — Mt. Edgecumbe rising across the sound.

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Sitka Sound Science Center

A working salmon hatchery and aquarium right on the waterfront. Touch tanks let kids (and adults) get hands-on with sea stars, anemones, and the other locals of Sitka Sound.

In season, you can watch salmon returning to the hatchery — a close-up look at the fish that built this town.

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St. Michael's Cathedral

St. Michael's Cathedral is the heart of downtown Sitka — a Russian Orthodox cathedral first completed in the 1840s, when Sitka was the capital of Russian America.

When a 1966 fire destroyed the original, townspeople rushed in to save its icons and treasures, and the cathedral was rebuilt to match. Its onion dome is still Sitka's most recognizable landmark, and the parish is active to this day.

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