Top Ketchikan Outdoor Activities - page 2

Create beautiful memories of Ketchikan with this small-group photography tour. Your guide will lead you to all of the best photo spots in the area, including historical, cultural and natural attractions, and provide helpful tips and instruction on composition, exposure and more for all types of camera, from a DSLR to a point and shoot or cell phone.

For many, Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and so is this. You’ll start on the water in a heated vessel, cruising for sneak peeks at whales, eagles, and seals. You’ll land in a remote corner of the Tongass National Forest, where a boardwalk floats you above the mossy floor. When you’re finished exploring, you'll head to the onsite lodge for an Alaskan seafood boil, all your senses in extravaganza mode.

Experience a 1.5-hour Misty Fjords flightseeing tour with Seawind Aviation aboard our classic DeHavilland Otter or Beaver seaplanes. Just a short flight from Ketchikan, you’ll soar above towering 3,000-foot granite walls, deep fjords carved by ancient glaciers, misty peaks, waterfalls, and lush forested slopes. We’ll touch down on a remote mountain lake or calm saltwater inlet for a 20-minute stop, giving you the chance to step out onto the floats and take in the stillness of this pristine wilderness up close. After returning to Ketchikan, we’ll bring you back to the downtown cruise ship docks in plenty of time to board. Norwegian Cruise Line guests who are docked at Ward Cove (20 min outside Ketchikan) will be dropped at the free shuttle stop for easy transport back to their ship.

Make the most of your time in port in Ketchikan and discover Alaska’s natural wonders and cultural heritage on this half-day small-group tour. Enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest, stopping to admire a waterfall and native flora. And visit a Totem Park: learn about the ancient Alaskan tradition, the cultural heritage of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people, and explore a magnificently carved clan house.

Wilderness areas near Ketchikan are ideal locations to see the wildlife and old growth rain forests of south eastern Alaska. With this tour, take a short boat ride to the Orcas Cove launch point, get in a kayak, and spend a few hours exploring the shoreline and spotting wildlife—bears, whales, eagles, and more—waterside. Finish the tour with a snack of local smoked salmon.

Embark on an unforgettable private tour of Ketchikan that is customizable to suit your preferences. Uncover the beauty of Alaska's stunning landscapes while traveling in the lap of luxury with a private transportation service that ensures your comfort. Learn about Native Alaskan cultures at Potlatch Totem Park, spot local wildlife such as seals, eagles, and bears at Herring Cove, and get a local perspective on the town while enjoying spectacular views.

Get acquainted with Ketchikan on a tour on a state-of-the-art amphibious vehicle that goes on land and water. This excursion combines a vehicle and boat tour to reveal the city from two perspectives. Take a tour of Ketchikan's rustic streets before splashing into the harbor for a different perspective of "Alaska's First City." Stop often to marvel at the beauty of it all, including the many gorgeous totem poles.

Navigate a Zodiac boat in the Alaskan wilderness on this small-group tour limited to just four people. Cruise through rain-forest islands, into remote bays and inlets, and watch for wildlife including eagles, seals, whales and bears. Soak up the sights as each member of your group takes a turn at the boat’s console steering. This 3-hour guided tour includes a beachside snack, a boatman souvenir certificate and hotel transport from Ketchikan.

Misty Fjords National Monument is a remote, road-less wilderness area that can only be reached by air and sea. This floatplane flightseeing tour takes you into the heart of the park where you can see untouched areas of Alaska far from the hoards of cruise ship passengers that flock to more accessible areas. The tour includes a water landing—a unique experience only a floatplane can provide.

Experience the thrill of Ketchikan with this lively shore excursion that blends local flavor, rich history, and adrenaline-pumping entertainment. Walk through historic Creek Street, then head to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show to watch world-class athletes compete in axe-throwing, log-rolling, and more. With heated seating and nonstop action, this high-energy performance captures the rugged spirit of Alaska.

While your ship is docked in Ketchikan, kayak around Eagle Island, part of Tongass National Forest, on this shore excursion. Enter the protected waters of Clover Pass and increase your chances of spotting wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, salmon, and even whales as you explore in a quiet, eco-friendly vessel. The tranquil waters provide a perfect opportunity for beginning kayakers and the more experienced alike to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness.

Fishing in Ketchikan offers a unique adventure with Fathom Charter Fishing, where you can customize your trip to fit your style. Whether you prefer a private charter or a shared experience, the options are endless. Set sail for an unforgettable day on the water, surrounded by Alaska’s stunning scenery. Target prized catches and create lasting memories as you explore the rich fishing grounds. Specialized trips, including crab fishing, allow you to dive deeper into the local marine life and enhance your fishing journey.

This private tour is fully customizable, with a flat rate of $900 for 1-4 people; $1100 for 5; and $1300 for 6. Captain Jack is eager to give you the best day that he can on the water, and there's no fixed route for this tour: just tell him what interests you most, and he'll do what he can to deliver, whether you're hoping to see humpbacks or bears; totem poles or a lighthouse; harbor seals or hidden coastal treasures. Our custom boat was built right here in Ketchikan, and it's fully wheelchair-accessible. There is a large forward deck for viewing scenery and wildlife; another deck to the rear; and a spacious, enclosed cabin with huge windows, for comfortable viewing from indoors. Captain Jack is a year-round Ketchikan resident with 13 years of ocean guiding experience. He also has a deep knowledge of this place and its people that he his excited to share with you. . We are also certified through IBCCES and Autism Double-Checked.

There are many salmon charters out there, we are different: 1) We don’t worry about burning fuel to find fish: Whether they’re schooled up in front of the hatchery in Ketchikan or swarming on the ocean waters of Dixon Entrance, our guides have the freedom to find the shiny fish 2) We run cutting-edge boats: Your entire fleet is made up of modern aluminum Raiders. Every vessel in the fleet is running multi-beam sonar with electric downriggers. We give your guides the tools they need to have the best possible shot at the fish 3) Salmon fishing in season offers the best action, best opportunity, and hardest fights of the fish we have in Ketchikan. The quiet serenity of a slow troll can be shattered the instant one of these fish hits, and suddenly it’s all hands on deck to land that fish. The excitement of an active troll bite is the sportfishing that made Ketchikan famous the world over. Book today to experience the rich tradition of Alaskan salmon fishing!

Explore the dramatic wilderness of the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary and learn about the local ecosystem and the wildlife it supports on this small-group tour. Walk through a beautiful mountain forest, home to bears, bald eagles, and deer. Learn about the dynamic nature and abundant wildlife of a scenic marine estuary and gain first-hand insight that you won’t find in guidebooks.

This trip puts a rod in every guest’s hand and gives you a crack at whatever species catch the scent trail your guide sets up on the bottom. This is an intimate fishing experience with 5 or 6 guests and a guide tucked into a hardtop aluminum cabin cruiser out on the halibut flats. Weather can be unpredictable, but a major advantage of fishing the Inside Passage is that there’s almost always a place we can hide behind an island, sheltering us from weather blowing in from the open sea. At our company, we don’t worry about fuel burn. We want our guides to go where guests have the best chance at the most active fishing. Compared to most half-day charters in Alaska, these trips will carry guests farther into more distant and productive waters. That means a better chance at the fish, more coastal scenery, and a better chance at spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and porpoises!

Enjoy a quintessential Alaskan experience and feel the adrenaline pumping on this thrilling Ketchikan Zodiac adventure, led by a seasoned wildlife guide. You’ll travel by road to Beaver Falls on the shores of dazzling George Inlet, hike through the rainforest to your Zodiac, bundle up in waterproofs, take the wheel, and follow your guide. After spotting Alaska’s rich wildlife, return to base for snacks and a hot drink.

Trade in a mellow shore excursion for a thrilling alternative in Ketchikan. Steer or ride in a 4WD Jeep Wrangler® deep in Tongass National Forest. Then, at Lake Harriet Hunt, paddle with your group a Native American–style canoe. Keep watch for deer, moose, eagles and even bears along the way. Reward your outdoor activities with a delicious snack.

The summer is the best time to see bears in the Alaskan wilderness and this excursion takes you to the best spots. Join a small group and fly from Ketchikan to Tongass National Forest, landing at Traitors Cove Bear Viewing Observatory. Then, hike through the forest to see bears feeding and living in their natural habitat, a great opportunity for budding wildlife photographers to capture amazing photos.

Spend time out on the Alaskan waters and cast your line for salmon aboard your own charter. Join your captain and board your vessel for a ride in the salmon capital of the world. Cast your line for five different species of salmon—chinook, coho, red, pink, and chum. While you’re fishing, admire the rugged scenery that Alaska has to offer.

Embark on a thrilling 2.5-hour escapade with Alaska Bigfoot Adventures. This one-of-a-kind experience guarantees an authentic Alaskan adventure, led by a local guide. Explore our brand-new trail through the enchanting deep woods of Alaska. Get ready for a town tour, an exhilarating ATV ride, and an immersive trek into the wild. Perfect for Bigfoot enthusiasts, environmentalists, and anyone with a curious spirit. Join now and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Enjoy world-class sport fishing off the coast of Ketchikan during a fishing charter with an experienced captain. Drop your line in the deep waters offshore with the possibility of catching Pacific halibut and four different types of Alaskan salmon. Your captain can suggest stops and assist you with baiting the line or reeling in your catch. Plus, round-trip transport from the cruise ship dock or your hotel is included.

A great pick for nature lovers, this Ketchikan Snorkeling Shore Excursion picks you right up at the cruise ship docks and takes you on an underwater Alaskan adventure. Get suited up in your snorkel equipment and listen to an instruction before you hit the water with a guide who knows the best spots to spot sea life. Hot beverages and water are also provided for convenience during your Ketchikan Snorkeling Shore Excursion.

This tour departs from the Ketchikan Visitors Center and returns to Ward Cove! Express Boarding: Eliminate the usual wait times associated with traditional transportation methods and make the most of your port day in town, without the stress. Ketchikan’s picturesque waterfront and scenic landscapes will be your backdrop as you make your way back to your cruise ship. Souvenir shopping is available for guests to enjoy onboard if you did not get your fill on Creek Street! The carefully curated galley gift shop highlights locally sourced items and Alaskan artists.