# Inside Passage, Alaska Scenic Cruising *By James Hills, cruisewestcoast.com — Updated March 2024* Written by: [James Hills](https://cruisewestcoast.com/james-hills.html) Published: 12 March 2024 Last Updated: 12 March 2024 TrendingHits: 1116Reading time: 01:11 The Inside Passage stands as Alaska's quintessential waterway experience, a labyrinthine network of channels where forested islands rise from mirror-calm waters and mountains surge from the sea in an unbroken wall of granite and spruce. Unlike the dramatic glacier-dominated landscapes elsewhere in Alaska, the Inside Passage offers a more intimate communion with the coastal wilderness, where the boundary between land and sea blurs beneath the wings of eagles and the spray of surfacing humpbacks. - **Frederick Sound** - Visitors enchanted by the Inside Passage's marine life will be awestruck by Frederick Sound's summer congregation of humpback whales, where these magnificent creatures feed, breach, and bubble-net feed against a backdrop of the Coast Mountains and Petersburg's nearby wilderness. - **Misty Fjords National Monument** - Those who appreciate the Inside Passage's forested shores and protected waterways will be mesmerized by this 2.3-million-acre wilderness area near Ketchikan, featuring 3,000-foot cliffs, waterfalls cascading into saltwater fjords, and pristine wilderness viewed from the comfort of your ship. - **Lynn Canal** - Travelers drawn to the Inside Passage's mountain-lined channels will marvel at North America's deepest fjord, where snowcapped peaks and glaciers form a spectacular backdrop on the water route between Juneau and Skagway. - **Icy Strait Point** - Passengers who value the Inside Passage's wildlife viewing opportunities will find similar experiences in these nutrient-rich waters, known for exceptional whale watching, particularly in summer months when humpbacks and orcas feed in the area. - **Glacier Bay National Park** - While more famous for its glaciers, this UNESCO World Heritage site also offers Inside Passage enthusiasts a pristine wilderness experience with abundant marine life, dramatic mountain backdrops, and protected waterways teeming with wildlife. 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Expert cruise reviews, port guides, and personalized trip planning. *Source: [Inside Passage, Alaska Scenic Cruising ](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-ports/inside-passage-alaska.html) — cruisewestcoast.com* **Related content you may find useful:** - [Cruise ship reviews and comparisons](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-ships/) - [West Coast cruise port guides](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-ports/) - [Plan your trip with our cruise specialist](https://cruisewestcoast.com/book-with-heather?ref=agent)