Alaska Region

Alaska Marine Highway Interpreters

One of the best ways to visit Alaska's Inside Passage or Prince William Sound is on an Alaska State Ferry. The ride is easy and comfortable and the views seem to change every minute of the day.

To make a trip on the ferry even more memorable, the State of Alaska and the U.S. Forest Service are in partnership to staff many of the ferries with Forest Service interpreters. Each day interpreters give talks, show videos, point out passing sights, introduce the communities and answer questions about the passing scene. Depending upon the vessel and interpreter, you will discover different things about Alaska's glaciers, geology, marine mammals, history, Native culture, wildlife and forests.

Alaska has two national forests, the Tongass in Southeast Alaska and the Chugach in Southcentral Alaska. Tongass National Forest employees staff the ferries that travel the maze-like waters of Southeast Alaska, with connecting runs to Prince Rupert and Bellingham. Employees from the Chugach National Forest are on the ferries of Prince William Sound.