Us
Our tours are a family affair. Gary drives the boat; Koali the van. It’s how we like to work and we think it makes the best tour for you. Between us we can show you the best Sitka has to offer on land and sea.
We take out small groups so we can keep it personalized, authentic and fun. We’re not the generic, 40-people-in-a-bus, follow-the-sign tour. We’re more like the this-is-where-most-tourists-go-but-let-us-show-you-where-we-locals-go kind of guides.
We enjoy getting to know you and love how our guests make each tour unique. We’re constantly reminded how at the end of the day, no matter what we’ve seen on tour, it’s the human connection that makes the adventure epic.
Here’s a little bit about us …
CPT.GARY
- Marine Wildlife Tour Guide
- USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master
- Whale Enthusiast
A born and raised Sitkan and 4th generation Alaskan, Gary has spent a lifetime exploring Southeast Alaskan waters and honing his inner “wildlife radar.” If someone can find the whales out there, it’s him.
Starting out learning to fish with his pioneering Alaska woman, Grandma Susie, he went on to work in commercial fishing and tour guiding, earning his captain’s license in 2003.
It’s been full steam ahead ever since, working as a wildlife guide in Sitka during the busy summers and adventuring off the island in the winters. In 2016 he had the opportunity to purchase his own boat, the M/V Blue Dawg, and venture out on his own. Cpt.Gary’s Sitka Adventures was born.
Being the ‘captain of his own ship’ has allowed him to create the tour experience for his guests that he gets excited about—making it epic—and to share his love and knowledge of Sitka with people from around the world. As he says, “livin’ the dream.”
KOALI
- Land Tour Guide
- Office Lady
- Sitka Fun Fact Collector
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Koali is a long way from her original home but her long-running love affair with Alaska makes her an excellent tour guide.
First coming to Alaska in 2001 to work at a remote cannery on Kodiak Island, she has since traveled all around the state finally landing and choosing Sitka as home in 2011.
She opened up a spa and boutique on Sitka’s main street and set about her work, creating local connections and making tourists smile. Along the way she met a handsome captain and together they decided to build a life and business they’d love. Cpt.Gary’s Sitka Adventures was born.
Koali is our self-proclaimed office lady, keeping the less glamorous, back workings of our epic tour business going and in 2018 she became our land tour driver and guide, a side gig to the spa that she relishes.
She embodies her role as tour guide with full gusto—having learned more about Sitka than most locals—and loves telling the Sitka story to all who care to listen. Her daily attitude is there’s always something new and neat to learn and see. As she says, “we’re all tourists here.”
NIKO
- “FUR”st Mate
- Welcome Committee
- Squeaky Toy Aficionado
A born and raised Sitkan, Niko has his rightful place as Cpt.Gary’s FURst Mate. Although we can’t say much about his navigational abilities, he’s extremely sweet and friendly, makes a most excellent lap warmer on chilly days and is sure to be a unique part of your Sitka adventure.
He’s very photogenic and has appeared in many of our guest’s photos in his majestic white fluffiness. Of course, he has his own album. His life motto is “I’m happy when I’m with you.”
All of our tours are family friendly!