What’s the best way to travel to Alaska? The best way to see Alaska and its wilderness and wildlife? My number-one tip (as a travel expert who’s been guiding and selling trips here since 1995) is to go by small ship. Read on to find out why—and for 5 more ways to ensure you get the best experience visiting for the first time.
Key Takeaways
- Go by small ship for the most efficient, immersive access to wilderness & wildlife.
- You will need more than a week to see the best of Alaska (USA’s biggest state at 665,384 square miles).
- Get off the ship as much as possible & be prepared for any weather.
- Slow down: The solitude in Alaska is unmatched; don’t miss it.
ON THIS PAGE – The Best Way to See Alaska:
1. Choose a Small Ship Cruise
2. If You Travel by Land, Don’t Miss the Coast
3. Get Outside—in Any Weather
4. Enjoy the Solitude
5. Relax, You Will See Wildlife
6. Don’t Keep the Great Land to Yourself
FAQs
More Alaska Resources
Traveler Reviews & Real Insights
Find Your Own Best Way to Visit Alaska
I’ve compiled this list since we’ve had so many travelers come to AdventureSmith after being aboard a big cruise ship in Alaska saying that they want to return to really experience Alaska. There’s so much more to Alaska than just seeing it from a ship deck in passing, and that’s where we come in. Let us help you plan and book the best Alaska trip.
1) Choose a Small Ship Cruise
Alaska is a place you must experience by sea. Some of the state’s most iconic features (glaciers, fjords and whales in Alaska) are best accessed by ship, and many towns are only accessible by ship—for example, the Inside Passage’s many island- or mountain-bound towns.
What the average traveler doesn’t realize is that the cruise experience can be shortchanged by the wrong ship or itinerary for your interests. Here are some key considerations around ship size if you want to see the best of Alaska:
- Big ships have been known to cruise some 700 nautical miles in one day—while small ship Alaska cruises take a more immersive week to sail such a stretch.
- Larger cruise ships can also only peek into the inlets and small bays while small ships can sail deeper and overnight at secluded anchorages.
- Aboard a small ship, most your time will be spent off ship in remote areas, exploring by guided hikes & kayaking.
- Compare side by side in our comprehensive post on Alaska cruise ship size comparisons.
If getting away from the crowds and truly seeing Alaska in an active, immersive way is the experience you seek, you simply must choose a small ship cruise.
I love what some of our past passengers wrote about their Glacier Bay cruise aboard the 12-guest Sea Wolf: “We saw the large cruise vessels poke their noses in the general direction of some of the Bay’s treasures. But at no time did any of us wish we were anywhere but with the crew of the Sea Wolf.”
Most travelers do not go to Alaska for midnight buffets or time in busy port towns; they go to be immersed in the wilderness.
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2) If You Go by Land, Don’t Miss the Coast
While the best way to visit Alaska is by boat for efficiency in a week, lodge-based stays are ideal to see even more. Combining a small ship Alaska cruise with an Alaska land tour is ideal if you have the time and budget to visit Alaska for more than a week.
But if you simply prefer to overnight on land, don’t miss exploring Alaska’s iconic coastlines and tidewater glaciers by boat.
On our Glacier Bay Backcountry Explorer, for example, you can take day boats into Glacier Bay National Park. And our unique options that utilize Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge all take a boat to get to this isolated lodge deep in the park. The journey is truly the reward here! Many of our travelers combine a weeklong cruise with another week at lodges.
3) Think Outside the Boat – In Any Weather
The best way to see Alaska is to be outside, in any weather. If you choose a small ship, it’s a given you’re going to spend a lot of time outside, off the boat.
At AdventureSmith, we encourage our travelers to “think outside the boat” to be best prepared for their trip. Small ships are set up to include many off-ship activity options, but the key to enjoying this adventure in Alaska is that you can’t be afraid of a little fog and rain. Oftentimes the weather changes fast, so those who are ready to experience this varied weather can be treated to beautiful moments like rainbows, sunbows and fast-moving fog.
The likelihood of rain on your trip to Alaska at any time in the sailing season is high (you’re in a temperate rainforest after all), but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s truly fun to experience the elements of Alaska, as long as you are ready for it (hint: read our Alaska climate guide & what to pack for an Alaska cruise). The more prepared you are mentally and physically, the more enjoyment you will have.
4) Take a Moment to Enjoy the Solitude
Something many travelers crave, but don’t always pinpoint, is their need for remoteness and solitude. Alaska is the perfect destination to unplug as it offers vast expanses of wilderness. Thus, the best way to travel to Alaska is to ensure you’re not among the crowds.
When I was working as an expedition leader in Alaska, I would always ask my guests to sit in silence for a few minutes when out hiking on a trail. At the end of the trip, many remarked this time experiencing the vast Alaskan solitude was one of the most powerful experiences of their whole trip.
While enjoying the silence is something any Alaska traveler can include on their trip, guided or not, small ship cruises create daily opportunities for this, as well as nights anchored in dark, silent coves instead of crowded ports.
If you choose to travel by land, seek solitude by skipping the well-trodden hotel route and stay at a place that shows you remote Alaska at its best. Stay at a wilderness lodge deep in the mountains, out on a remote coast or at the base of Denali for the best views. View all of our Alaska land tours, curated by our team to deliver such an experience, or learn more in our How to Visit Denali National Park guide.
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5) Relax, You Will See Wildlife
Many travelers heading to Alaska have big name bucket-list wildlife that they want to see: bears, moose, eagles, whales… This is great, but so often we can get stuck on seeing one or two big things and then end up disappointed that it didn’t happen. This can then dim down all the other incredible wildlife sightings that happen almost constantly.
People are amazed by coastal Alaska and the diversity of wildlife on land and in the water. Many think Alaska’s all Arctic icescapes and are then astonished it’s so rich and full of life. They can be taken aback with the amount of wildlife seen.
Consult our popular Best Time to Visit Alaska post to learn about some of the seasonal nuances if you have a bucket list. But we always say the best way to visit Alaska is to let go of your expectations and enjoy each surprising moment.
The likelihood of seeing the wildlife you are looking for is high, but if your big-ticket item doesn’t happen, think of it as a perfect opportunity to return.
6) Don’t Keep the Great Land to Yourself
Alaska is a place you will make memories to last a lifetime. Make it better by experiencing this epic destination with friends and family. Travelers can greatly benefit from reduced rates generated by a group. Some ships offer savings for a certain number of travelers booking together, and for smaller vessels, your group can save significantly by chartering the whole ship to design your own experience.
Learn more about the best Alaska cruises for families and Alaska charters to bring the whole gang! Sharing the journey is truly is the best way to travel Alaska I’ve found after returning here with my own children.
The Best Way to See Alaska FAQs
We field a lot of questions on the best way to visit Alaska. Find yours here or ask us in the comments below.
An Alaska small‑ship cruise is ideal—offering closer access to glaciers, wildlife and secluded coastlines that larger ships miss. Paired with an active itinerary, it’s your best bet for authentic immersion.
Yes. Guided Alaska land tours and wilderness lodges offer immersive interior experiences. For the most complete trip, combine both cruise and land options.
Plan for at least 7–10 days. This timeframe allows you to cover key regions comfortably, combining coastal and inland highlights.
Don’t underestimate travel distances, rush your itinerary or expect predictable wildlife or weather.
Get off the ship frequently for hikes and kayaking, embrace solitude and be prepared for any weather by going outside—even in rain.
Absolutely. If you have the time, combining cruise and land touring gives you access to Alaska’s coastal wildlife and interior landscapes, offering the most well-rounded and fulfilling experience. This is truly the best way to see Alaska but many travelers have time limitations.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Todd Smith
• Founder & President of AdventureSmith Explorations
• Alaska guide, naturalist & program manager
• Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist
• Award-winning author, photographer, entrepreneur
• Alaska travel expert since 1995
MORE ALASKA RESOURCES:
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Alaska Big Ship vs Small Ship
Best Time to Visit Alaska
Alaska Travel Guide
The Best Small Alaska Cruises & Cruise Lines
Glacier Bay Cruises & Tours
Alaska Inside Passage Cruises
Alaska Whale Watching Cruises
Alaska Yacht Charters
Luxury Alaska Cruises
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Alaska Cruise Deals
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Alaska National Park Tours
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We’ve traveled to Alaska three times on small ships (Uncruise Adventures) that we booked through Andrew. This article is right on the money. Small ships are the best way to see Southeast Alaska. We’ve seen weather ranging from 70’s to mid-30’s and from clear to snowing. Being ready for the environment is the secret to enjoying the small boat experience.
Dave, thank you so much for sharing your first-hand expertise. Feedback from AdventureSmith travelers like you is priceless. And we are so glad to hear you enjoyed your time in Alaska and working with our Adventure Specialist Andrew. The fact that you’ve visited Alaska three times by small ship is a testament to how unique the adventure cruise experience is each time!