The Inside Passage is the sheltered coastal route threading through southeast Alaska's archipelago of islands, fjords, and old-growth forest. Carved by glaciers and draped in hemlock and spruce, it's one of the most dramatic seascapes in North America — bald eagles perch on every headland, humpback whales breach in the channels, and sea lions haul out on the rocks. The main towns along the route — Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Skagway — each have their own character, from Tlingit heritage sites to gold rush relics.
Most travellers experience the passage by ferry (the Alaska Marine Highway) or cruise ship. The state ferry is the slower, cheaper, and more interesting option — it lets you stop where you want and travel alongside locals rather than tourists.