Slow Travel in the Inside Passage

Recently many travelers are talking about “slow travel.” So, what is slow travel and how do you do it? This post is one part of a series of blog posts that will explore the what, how, and why of slow travel. The slow travel philosophy encourages travelers to immerse themselves more deeply in their destinations, prioritize quality over quantity, and savor the journey rather than rushing through it. HOW you travel through Southeast Alaska is one aspect of slow travel.

Juneau is home to some of the most magnificent views throughout Alaska’s Inside Passage. The Inside Passage is a National Scenic Byway – a 3,500-mile stretch of coastline that runs from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia north to Skagway. Travelers see azure glacier views, steep fjords, islands too numerous to count, and dramatic mountains rising from the water.

One relaxing way to view the grandeur of this stretch of coastline in Southeast Alaska is by riding the Alaska Marine Highway ferries or local day ferries run by Alaska Fjordlines. Four to six-hour sailings from Juneau via Lynn Canal  will take you to our friends in Haines and Skagway. Lynn Canal, the deepest fjord in North America, is known as one of the most breathtaking stretches of the Inside Passage. Passengers enjoy many types of marine life—humpback whales, sea lions, orcas, Dall's porpoise, and seals. You may not see all of them, but you are sure to see some and the rest of the views won’t disappoint either.

For those of us that live here, ferries are both a way of life and a lifeline. While traveling, you may run into locals that are ferrying to Juneau for a grocery run, commuting to another community for medical appointments or visiting family, or heading to an area where they can fill their freezer for the winter by hunting or fishing. There will be families and friends playing cards while alternately searching for bears on the beach or whales off the bow. It’s a method of slow travel that is built into our way of life. It stitches a patchwork of remote communities together with a common thread of marine travel in one of the greatest and most scenic places on earth. It’s a little slower pace, but we embrace it, even crave it sometimes. It’s an excuse to slow down and reconnect with where we live.

Don’t let “slow travel” just be a buzzword on Instagram. Come slow down with us and take in the diverse wonders of Southeast Alaska. Stay a little longer and adventure a little more while you are here. We will still dazzle you at every turn. Just breathe. Drink in the views. Slow down. Come adventure with us.