Sitka Zodiac Adventure to Beautiful Fin Island Lodge
When you travel to Alaska on a cruise and want to book the ultimate shore excursion during your stop in Sitka, look no further than the Zodiac Adventure to Fin Island Lodge. This excursion perfectly captures the essence of Alaska’s natural beauty and bounty.
You’ll start with a thrilling zodiac boat tour through the icy waters of Sitka Sound, getting up close to seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and even humpback whales if you’re lucky. Your naturalist guide will expertly navigate you through this wildlife wonderland before arriving at the remote and rustic Fin Island Lodge.
Here, you’ll feast on an unbelievable spread of fresh Alaskan seafood. It’s a foodie’s dream and the perfect way to refuel after an exhilarating morning on the water.
This Fin Island Lodge excursion should top your list for a true taste of Alaska. You won’t find a better or more authentic Alaskan experience in Sitka. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed if you book this shore excursion!
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Preparing for the Zodiac Adventure
When you disembark the cruise ship, your tour guides from Allen Marine will wait for your group at the dock. They usher your group to an outdoor shed to prepare for the tour.
An employee will hand you each a waterproof drysuit of pants and a heavy jacket to slip on over your clothes. The outfits are similar material to a wetsuit but not as form-fitting.
The protective gear keeps you dry from the weather and any water splashes from the zodiac boat as you make your way to Fin Island Lodge.
TRIP TIP: You won’t be able to use the bathroom for the first two hours of the trip, so go BEFORE you get all the gear on.
You will still want to dress warmly and in a waterproof layer. Use my Alaska cruise printable packing list to help you bring the proper clothing.
Next, you will be given life jackets to wear.
Safety Instructions for the Zodiac Adventure
Your group will head toward the extended deck to the water’s edge, where two military-style zodiac boats with motors await you.
The guides split your group in half and load you onto the boats. By the way, the boats have NO seats!
You literally sit on the edge of the boat.
The two guides introduce themselves; we had Cory, an Alaskan naturalist, and Grace, our driver, and biologist.
As the boat takes off from the dock, you learn how to hang on to the rope dangling along the outside and how to keep one of your feet hooked in the rope strung along the bottom of the boat.
The guides give you further safety instructions, including what to do should one of you fall overboard.
Are you kidding me?
The guides quickly inform you that this has never happened before.
The Wildlife Quest to Fin Island Lodge
Much to my delight, the Zodiac adventure tour is terrific! The boat ride is not scary; luckily, no one fell overboard.
Your zodiac boat travels through the most beautiful parts of Alaska. Giant trees fill uninhabited islands, and peacefulness exudes from the calmness of the water.
As you drift through the stunning, scenic archipelagos of Southeast Alaska, you will learn amazing facts about the cruise port of Sitka, such as it is the oldest city in Alaska and began as a Russian port.
Did you know that Sitka is the largest city in the United States? It has over 2,800 square miles of land, even though only about 9,000 people live there.
You will meander around the barrier islands protecting Sitka from the Pacific Ocean, including tsunamis.
The guides point out amazing sights, including Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano until just recently, when in May 2022, it became active volcano again.
As the guides share interesting stories about the unforgettable landscape and wildlife throughout your trip, keep an eye out for wildlife.
Wildlife on the Zodiac Adventure
Each zodiac adventure is different because wildlife is unpredictable.
During the tour, sea animals like starfish, anemones, and other sea creatures might be seen. The zodiac boat turns slowly, so everyone can see the wildlife up close and take pictures.
Honestly, the weather wasn’t great on our tour, and neither are my pictures, but trust me when I tell you, the experience is fantastic in person.
Other wildlife you might encounter includes harbor seals. Whatever you see, the guides approach cautiously so as not to disturb their natural habitat.
Along the way, you may see adorable otters floating on their backs; the otters I saw even had babies with them. I was surprised by how giant otters are.
Unfortunately, our guide shared that someone illegally shot and killed an otter the previous week. Since then, the otters, normally found in large rafts, have been skittish of marine vessels and didn’t get too close to us.
Depending on the time of the year for your tour, you might encounter whales on your zodiac tour.
We saw a minke whale a distance away. Again, the boat slowed as we waited to see where the whale would appear next.
To our surprise, a water spout shot up beside the boat. The minke whale was almost within touching distance. It’s a little frightening to think this large animal was so close to us in this small boat, but I guess that is why it is called a zodiac adventure.
Finally, you might also see sea lions on your zodiac tour to Fin Island Lodge.
We visited a buoy in the water where two sea lions were just hanging out.
I have seen these animals in places like SeaWorld, but nothing prepares you for how spectacular it is to see them in the wild.
RELATED POST: For more details about the best binoculars for wildlife viewing, read Top 4 Best Binoculars for Whale Watching in Alaska.
Arriving at Fin Island Lodge
The two-hour zodiac adventure tour passes by quickly, thanks to all the wildlife you will spot along the way.
After the zodiac trip, the boats arrive at Fin Island Lodge, a private island with a long boat deck leading to a vast lodge, a beach, and spectacular scenery.
The Lodge’s friendly employees greet you as you disembark, remove your gear, and head up the walkway for lunch.
The Lodge has a huge outdoor deck with seating and a large dining area with a bar, restrooms, and a buffet service.
A Fin Island Feast is Served
Your wildlife quest and zodiac adventure tour includes a gourmet lunch in the tour price.
The host greets your group as you sit in the dining area. He explains the menu and then invites you each to the buffet.
Fin Island Lodge serves a true Alaskan feast.
Your meal begins with fresh tossed salad and delicious homemade reindeer chili.
Next, fresh wild salmon cooked over alder wood, Alaskan snow crab, and hand-carved prime rib are served buffet style.
Homemade sides like fresh green beans, bacon-wrapped asparagus, and new potatoes accompany them.
To top this all off, the meal ends with a scrumptious strawberry shortcake dessert.
If you need gluten-free options, let them know when you book your tour.
Beverages such as coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and lemonade are included. Alcohol and sodas are available to purchase as well.
The meal is absolutely delicious!
We booked our Alaska adventure for a mid-morning tour time, but if we arrived earlier, breakfast options would be substituted for some items.
TRIP TIP: Ask the waiters to show you how to crack the crab. They happily give tableside lessons.
Explore Fin Island Lodge
You are welcome to head outside to explore the island after lunch.
The island has a pebbled beach area with large rocks. The scenery is so peaceful.
Just off the shore, a small bonfire will be built.
The Lodge setup includes a cooler full of all the fixings for s’mores set out by the fire.
If you go, make sure to save room for s’mores.
Heading Back to Sitka
After about an hour and a half at Fin Island Lodge, your group returns to the boat for the end of your zodiac adventure.
The final part of your tour is a quick twenty-minute trip back to the docks in Sitka.
Once back on land at the Sitka port, you turn in the dry suits and head on your way to explore the town of Sitka, having had one of the best days on your Alaska cruise.
If you are lucky enough to have Sitka as a port city on your Alaskan itinerary, book the Wildlife Quest and Zodiac Adventure at Fin Island Lodge in partnership with Food & Wine Magazine for a trip you won’t soon forget.
How do I book the Zodiac Tour at Fin Island Lodge?
We booked the zodiac adventure tour through our Holland America Line Cruise excursions. Allen Marine Tours runs the tour. Check with your cruise line for its availability.
How much does the Zodiac tour at Fin Island Lodge Cost?
The tour costs can vary based on the season. In July, we paid $229 per person for the four-hour tour, including lunch at the exclusive island.
What else should I know about the Zodiac Adventure and Fin Island Lodge?
You should dress warmly for this tour. Read the cancellation policy for all your Alaska shore tours. This tour operates rain or shine, so be prepared for the weather.
Expect an exciting boat adventure with lots of wildlife viewing opportunities and a great meal.
What should I bring on the Zodiac Tour to Fin Island Lodge?
Even though you will be given a dry suit, dress warmly. I dressed in these waterproof hiking pants that I pulled over a pair of leggings, my waterproof jacket, a baseball cap, and wool socks. I was comfortable the entire trip.
Check out my Printable Packing List for more of what I packed for an Alaskan cruise.
There is little room on the zodiac boat, so I would take only the necessary things. We took a backpack that got damp. I should have packed our dry bag instead.
I did remember to bring our waterproof pouches for our iPhones. These came in very handy on this excursion. We wore our phones around our necks. The phones stayed dry and still snapped pictures in the pouch. If I bought these again, I would buy a bright color.
The last thing you may want to bring is money to tip your guides if you feel compelled to do so.
In Conclusion
The Wildlife Quest and Zodiac Adventure Tour to Fin Island Lodge offers an unforgettable experience, combining exhilarating zodiac rides and the chance to witness majestic Alaskan wildlife.
This unique adventure provides breathtaking scenery, delicious cuisine, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary journey!
