# Lynn Canal, 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: 1358Reading time: 01:11 Though bearing the name "canal," Lynn Canal stands as North America's deepest fjord—a 90-mile marine highway where gold rush history and natural grandeur converge between the coastal mountains of the Alaskan panhandle. Unlike purely wilderness waterways, Lynn Canal connects Alaska's present to its gold-fevered past, the same route that carried thousands of prospectors toward the Klondike in 1898. Here, cruise ships trace the path of steamers that once transported fortune-seekers, while the canal's extraordinary depth—over 2,000 feet in places—creates a uniquely sheltered passage where the maritime and mountain worlds collide beneath some of Southeast Alaska's most imposing peaks. - **Inside Passage** - Visitors impressed by Lynn Canal's protected waterway will appreciate the broader Inside Passage experience, where similar mountain-framed channels extend throughout Southeast Alaska, offering expanded versions of the fjord experience. - **Tracy Arm Fjord** - Those drawn to Lynn Canal's steep-sided passage will be equally impressed by this narrow fjord, where ships navigate between sheer cliff walls that sometimes narrow to just 1/4 mile wide on the approach to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. - **Misty Fjords National Monument** - Nature enthusiasts who value Lynn Canal's dramatic topography will be mesmerized by this wilderness area's 3,000-foot vertical granite walls rising directly from the water, creating similarly imposing passages through the Coast Mountains. - **Endicott Arm** - Adventure seekers who appreciate Lynn Canal's enclosed waterway will enjoy this less-visited alternative to Tracy Arm, featuring similar steep-sided passages leading to the impressive Dawes Glacier. - **Frederick Sound** - Travelers who enjoy Lynn Canal's mountain-lined waters will find this sound offers similar scenic grandeur with the added attraction of exceptional marine wildlife viewing, particularly humpback whales during summer feeding season. --- ***Thanks for reading. 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Expert cruise reviews, port guides, and personalized trip planning. *Source: [Lynn Canal, Alaska Scenic Cruising ](https://cruisewestcoast.com/lynn-canal-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)