Inside Passage, Sea lane between Alaska and British Columbia, United States and Canada.
The Inside Passage is a sea lane between Alaska and British Columbia that stretches roughly 500 miles through fjords and forested islands. This route follows a network of natural waterways sheltered from the open Pacific by island chains.
Glaciers created this waterway thousands of years ago as their movement carved deep channels into the bedrock. Indigenous peoples used the sheltered route for trade and travel long before Russian and European navigators arrived in the 18th century.
Coastal communities still display indigenous craftsmanship today, with carved wooden totems standing outside public buildings and gathering houses. Small fishing boats and skiffs shape the floating docks, which serve as central meeting points for residents.
Ferries connect dozens of coastal communities year-round, with journey times ranging from a few hours to several days depending on the section. Weather can shift quickly, so travelers should bring warm and waterproof clothing.
Orcas and humpback whales often surface in the channels between early summer and fall when salmon runs return to coastal waters. Some stretches of the route pass through narrows so tight that passengers can almost touch the treetops of nearby islands.
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