USA · KETCHIKAN TOURS
The 13 ketchikan tours below are the ones worth your free day, each with its price, its running time and the detail that decides it. The top entry is top for a reason.
Ride an amphibious vehicle through Ketchikan and into its protected harbor on this 90-minute tour. Guides such as Emma, Reed, Vesna, and Angela combine local stories, geology, humor, and wildlife spotting. You may see bald eagles or sea otters, while the covered vehicle keeps you mostly dry in rainy weather.
“Reed was an exceptional tour guide with Captain Bill. Reed was so funny and informative. Everyone left with good memories!”
Join Seaside Tours for a 2.5-hour Ketchikan loop covering salmon at Creek and Falls, tidepool life at Rotary Beach, wildlife at Herring Cove, and Saxman Native Village’s totem poles. Guides such as Shane, Ava, and Kayla are praised for local insight and persistence with wildlife. The tour meets downtown and returns there.
“Our confirmation & voucher were emailed after we set sail. I arrived at 8:04 and the merchant was very aggressive and rude. He berated me and my 69 year old mother for being late. We began reaching out to him at 7:23am. Our first conversation he did not tell us we weren't looking for a shuttle or that the pick up location wasn't in front of the ship. He seemed very unfulfilled with his job there resulting in his less than positive demeanor. He abruptly told us we weren't coming on the excursion.”
Explore Ketchikan with a guide such as Angela, Tori, or Gatlin on a three-hour photo tour for up to nine people. Visit Creek Street, salmon runs, totem parks, Thomas Basin, and scenic overlooks. You’ll get practical advice for an iPhone, point-and-shoot, or DSLR, plus coffee and a cookie.
“Angela was the perfect tour guide. She was pleasant & knowledgeable and kept us interested with facts and information about the history of the town, the indigenous people, and the wildlife in the area. Not only was the day so much fun, but my photos were the best of our entire trip. The bus was comfortable and the sites we visited were beautiful and tailored to our preferences. I highly recommend this tour!”
Paddle tandem kayaks through Clover Pass with guides such as Dana, Zach, Chris, or AJ. You’ll spend 2 to 2.5 hours on the water, watching for whales, sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and tide-pool life. Pickup, rain gear, instruction, refreshments, and smoked salmon are included. No kayaking experience is needed.
“Kayak for two hours mostly around a few islands. Spent way too much time waiting for whales. Guide picked up a starfish and handed it around Kept it out of the water way too long. Not much to see and busy waterway.”
Join Eagle One Enterprises for a 2.5-hour wildlife cruise from downtown Ketchikan. Guides such as Leanne, Jake, Theo, and Captain Brad search Tongass Narrows for humpbacks, orcas, eagles, seals, and seabirds. You get indoor and outdoor seats, binoculars, blankets, hot drinks, and snacks on a smaller boat capped at 66 people.
“We had a great time. We were able to see some Orcas a few hundred feet away and a couple humpback whales as well as a bald eagle. The crew were nice and offered hot chocolate and had chips and other snacks and drinks available. They can't guarantee you will see anything, but I would recommend this tour as they made every effort to locate the whales and to see what we could.”
Board the 107-foot Aleutian Ballad in Ketchikan for a three-hour cruise through protected Inside Passage waters. Captain David, Captain Ron, Big D, and the crew show you how crab pots work, haul up king crab and other sea life, and share stories from commercial fishing and Deadliest Catch.
“Great presentation on crabbing with plenty of live crabs to touch and hold along with other live sea creatures.”
You’ll pedal a step-through electric bike from Ketchikan toward the end of its paved road system, then hike the Tongass National Forest to a salmon stream, waterfall, and beach. Guides such as Chandler, Sophie, Raven, and Koda lead the outing, explain local plants and wildlife, and provide smoked salmon, vegan snacks, drinks, and some rain gear.
“We enjoyed the electric bikes and easy hike through the rain forest. Chandler and Raven were great guides and knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. It was nice to get off the ship and be on beautiful land. It is worth the time and money. Got us back in time for ship departure. Well organized. Thank you Chandler and Raven.”
Drive a spacious UTV through Ketchikan’s Tongass National Forest toward George Inlet and Mahoney Lake. You can trade driving duties with your companion, stop for photos, watch for wildlife, and eat reindeer sausage or vegan chili. Guides such as Nico, Cole, and Fete are known for adding humor and local detail.
“Great pick up arrangements from the cruise port on 1st June ‘25. Our guides Nico and Cole were great guys and really engaging with their guests. Once at the venue and after the safety briefing, we headed out for approximately 5 miles to Mahoney Lake. The ATV’s are great fun to drive and whilst you’re only reaching speeds of just over 20th, it feels much faster due to the rough terrain. Great fun! Spectacular scenery all the way with photo opportunities. We weren’t lovers of the Reindeer Dog but “when in Rome and all that” we tried it! Overall, highly recommend the company/experience. Phil and Suzy, Newcastle England.”
You’ll ride seven ziplines, tackle eight canopy ropes, cross suspended bridges, and climb a 50-foot tower at Southeast Exposure. Guides such as Frank, Eli, Shea, Mallory, and Cade have led groups with calm safety coaching and local nature tips. Port pickup, gear, and return transport are included.
“Blindly book n go. You will not be disappointed. We as a family all of us enjoyed this every bit n highly would recommend”
Spend about five hours on a private boat from Ketchikan, fishing for salmon or halibut with guides such as Joey and Alex. The calm, island-protected water suits families and beginners, while included tackle, snacks, water, and sodas keep the day simple. Bring money for your fishing license, king salmon stamp, and tip.
“We felt good about our trip because Captain Mike had 5 Stars, but when we got to the dock it wasn’t Captain Mike it was someone else. Our Captain that day was very kind with great manners but he did not know where the fish was located that day. We did try three different places he thought maybe they were located. For the money we paid this wasn’t good. I’m thinking, maybe Captain Mike didn’t care enough about us catching to share this information with the captain who took us out that day. Just not sure to be honest. But for sure, their excuse of TIDE issues just wasn’t the…”
Meet your captain at the Ketchikan cruise dock, board a private fishing boat, and spend 4 to 6 hours pursuing salmon and halibut. Gear, bait, soft drinks, and dock pickup are provided. Captains such as Reggie, Mike, Kevin, Jeremiah, and William have been praised for hands-on help, while rough seas can affect the day.
“This trip was a disaster from the beginning. Captain Tim was expecting 3 not 4 people in our confirmed reservation. He was prepared to take us on a 6 hour halibut trip instead of the 4 hour salmon trip we had booked. Tim attempted to take us 4-5 miles off shore, but the seas were VERY rough and he kept saying, "I've never seen it like this before". Our boat was being tossed around to the point that I feared if it got much worse Tim would not be able to get us back safely. I asked to turn around and stay closer to the bay. With four lines in…”
You’ll ride from Ketchikan port to Clover Pass, learn tandem kayaking with guides such as Eli, Sarah, Katie, or Mallory, then paddle toward Eagle Island in Tongass National Forest. Expect about 90 minutes on the water, calm protected conditions, and chances to see eagles, seals, sea lions, starfish, salmon, and perhaps whales. Rain gear is wise.
“It was great to be on the water, enjoy a little exercise, and see lots of wildlife in one experience! We saw 5 eagles (3 adults & 2 juveniles) and lots of starfish. The owner (mom) was awesome in taking us back to Ketchikan and very engaged in conversation with us. The two young ladies who drove us to the location, were too quiet despite us trying to engage them. Otherwise, great excursion with this company!”
You’ll cruise from downtown Ketchikan toward Ward Cove, Totem Bight, Guard Island Lighthouse, and remote forested islands. Guides such as Dan and Dylan add local stories, while fog-proof binoculars help you search for bald eagles, seals, otters, and possibly humpback whales. Snacks, hot drinks, indoor seating, and outdoor viewing are included.
“We had a wonderful experience finding eagles, seeing totems and the lighthouse, and as a bonus got to see a pod of whales bubble- net fishing”
Start with a shoreline, a rim or a river.
