Alaska › Inside Passage › Haines
Haines, Alaska, USA
A quieter, less-touristed stop at the head of Lynn Canal — come for bald eagles by the hundred, a historic Army fort turned arts village, and mountain scenery with almost no crowds.
A quieter, less-touristed stop at the head of Lynn Canal — come for bald eagles by the hundred, a historic Army fort turned arts village, and mountain scenery with almost no crowds.
Haines is a small-ship port with a modest dock at Lutak Inlet; the town itself sits about 2 miles south at Fort Seward / downtown.
💡 Pro move: Haines is one of few Inside Passage stops accessible by road (Haines Highway to Canada/Alaska). Rental cars sell out fast on ship days — book ahead if you want to self-drive the valley.
Haines has a small commercial dock at Lutak Inlet; ships dock directly with no tender required.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small cruise ships (Un-Cruise, Lindblad, etc.) | Lutak Inlet / Port Chilkoot Dock📍 | Docked |
| Occasional larger vessels | Lutak Inlet (limited berth size — not all large ships call here)📍 | Docked |
Haines rewards hikers, wildlife lovers, and history buffs — keep excursions small-scale to match the port's relaxed pace.
Guided van or float trip into the Chilkat River valley, home to the world's largest concentration of bald eagles — up to 3,000 gather in late fall, but eagles are present year-round. Guides explain the salmon-rich 'council grounds' that keep eagles here long after rivers elsewhere freeze.
Find Chilkat eagle tours →Stroll the grounds of the first permanent U.S. Army post in Alaska (1904–1947), now a National Historic Landmark. Totem poles, original officer's quarters, and the Alaska Indian Arts cultural center sit within a single walkable campus — no tour needed, but guided walks add context.
Find Fort Seward guided tours →Float gentle Class I–II sections of the Chilkat River through braided channels flanked by cottonwoods and mountains. Good chance of spotting eagles, bears along the banks, and spawning salmon depending on season.
Find Chilkat river rafting →Mount Riley (1,760 ft) offers panoramic views over Lynn Canal and the Chilkat Range on a well-marked trail from town. Battery Point is an easier, flatter out-and-back along the waterfront with good views — both trailheads are reachable on foot from the dock area.
Find Haines hiking tours →The Sheldon Museum on Main Street covers Haines and Tlingit history with artifacts and photographs. A short walk away, Alaska Indian Arts in Fort Seward is a working cultural center where Tlingit artists carve totem poles and create traditional art — visitors welcome.
Explore Haines cultural tours →Haines is flat and uncrowded near the waterfront — easy to explore Fort Seward and Main Street on your own two feet.
Walk from the dock area down to Fort Seward's parade ground, past the totem poles and the Alaska Indian Arts building, then continue to Main Street for the Sheldon Museum, local shops, and the Small Boat Harbor waterfront.
A level trail along the shore of Lynn Canal with views of the water and surrounding peaks. The path starts near the Haines Small Boat Harbor and ends at a rocky beach point — good for birdwatching and photography.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Haines, Alaska, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F / -2°C | 22°F / -6°C | 19 | 8:43 AM | 3:40 PM |
| Feb | 26°F / -3°C | 17°F / -8°C | 15 | 7:36 AM | 4:56 PM |
| Mar | 33°F / 1°C | 24°F / -4°C | 17 | 7:16 AM | 7:05 PM |
| Apr | 42°F / 6°C | 33°F / 1°C | 17 | 5:46 AM | 8:18 PM |
| May | 53°F / 12°C | 41°F / 5°C | 15 | 4:28 AM | 9:29 PM |
| Jun | 61°F / 16°C | 51°F / 11°C | 17 | 3:46 AM | 10:18 PM |
| Jul | 66°F / 19°C | 56°F / 13°C | 16 | 4:13 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Aug | 64°F / 18°C | 54°F / 12°C | 20 | 5:21 AM | 8:49 PM |
| Sep | 57°F / 14°C | 47°F / 8°C | 20 | 6:31 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Oct | 45°F / 7°C | 37°F / 3°C | 21 | 7:41 AM | 5:52 PM |
| Nov | 33°F / 1°C | 25°F / -4°C | 20 | 7:56 AM | 3:35 PM |
| Dec | 29°F / -2°C | 21°F / -6°C | 21 | 8:53 AM | 3:01 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The cruise dock at Port Chilkoot is only about 0.5 miles from downtown Haines — a flat, scenic 10–15 minute walk. Most passengers walk it easily.
A local shuttle operates when cruise ships are in port, stopping at the dock, Fort Seward, the American Bald Eagle Foundation, the Visitor Center, and downtown.
Local taxis (Haines Shuttle, A B Taxi, Anytime Taxi and Tours) operate in town. Confirm fare before boarding; no published standard rates.
Several local agencies rent vehicles, giving flexibility to explore Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve and surrounding wilderness at your own pace.
Upcoming cruises that call at Haines, Alaska, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.