Tidal Taxi and Tours LLC

Sitka Tours & Ground Transportation

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.

Pricing

City-regulated taxi fares for in-town transfers. Per-vehicle flat rate for tours — same price whether you're two or five.

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.

Skip the long lines and cattle-car buses. Every Tidal Taxi tour is private — just you, your group, and a guide who actually lives here. You tell us what you want to see, and we'll handle the rest. No fixed routes, no crowds, 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

Layers of History

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

Incredible Wildlife

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 — Sitka is a nature lover's dream.

Aerial view of Sitka, Alaska

Stunning Landscapes

Rainforest, mountains, waterfalls, and ocean — all within 14 miles of road. Every turn reveals something postcard-worthy. Your phone's camera roll will thank you.

Tour Sites to Visit

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.

Alaska Raptor Center building

Alaska Raptor Center

Get up close with bald eagles, owls, and hawks at one of Alaska's premier raptor rehabilitation centers. A quick stop — about 30 minutes — and absolutely unforgettable.

Brown bear at Fortress of the Bear sanctuary

Fortress of the Bear

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.

Totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park

Sitka National Historical Park

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.

View from Castle Hill in downtown Sitka

Castle Hill

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.

Sitka Sound Science Center on the waterfront

Sitka Sound Science Center

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.

St. Michael's Cathedral in downtown Sitka

St. Michael's Cathedral

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

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

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

What Visitors Say

★★★★★

"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 $150 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?
Tours are $150 per hour per vehicle — not per person. A family of four pays the same as a couple. We require a $150 deposit at booking, which 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.
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 run two comfortable vehicles — both run daily through the season. Each comfortably seats a small group, and for larger parties we can run both together. Contact us to discuss your group size.

Contact Us

Ready to explore Sitka? Call, text, or drop us a line below.

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Private Tour, One Simple Rate

At $150/hr per vehicle, everyone in your group is covered. A family of four on a 2-hour tour works out to just $75 per person — and you get the whole vehicle to yourselves with a local guide.

* Tour pricing does 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 it feels like drinking water.

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: Where History Meets the Sea

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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