Top Ketchikan Shore Excursions

Experience the beautiful harbors of Ketchikan’s dynamic waterfront and take in breathtaking wilderness surroundings while cruising aboard a deluxe, Alaskan-built expedition vessel in search of wildlife. Enjoy your relaxing wildlife quest in search of harbor seals, eagles, humpback whales, porpoise and more while learning about Ketchikan’s unique history. Every excursion is unique; custom-designed by your experienced Alaskan captain and crew. Throughout your journey prepared to be wowed by tales of this remote oasis as our lively local guides and Expedition team share fascinating insights into its rich history, both natural and human. Sit back and relax in the warm and comfortable main cabin, surrounded by large windows or step outside onto the outside observation deck for maximum wildlife viewing. This family and Alaska Native tour operator has offered excursions in region for over 50 years!

Max out your time in Ketchikan and experience an authentic part of the local culture away from the crowds. Climb aboard and enjoy live commentary from your captain as you make your way to one of the world’s best salmon fishing waters. Not only are you guaranteed to make a catch, you’ll enjoy other special wildlife encounters such as whale watching and feeding eagles.

Get ready to explore Ketchikan like never before with our guided sightseeing tour. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Ketchikan in a comfortable and pristine minibus that seats up to 20 people. This includes a custom tour of Downtown Ketchikan, along with 4 to 5 other stops of your choice. We recommend checking out Rotary Beach, Totem Bight State Park, the George Inlet Cannery, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Herring Cove Wildlife Viewing area or the Historic Creek Street area for some shopping. Don't miss out on this opportunity to have a fun-filled and informative tour of Ketchikan. Book your tour now!

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.

Experience a unique Ketchikan wildlife cruise that combines breathtaking scenery, Alaska wildlife, and authentic local storytelling. Departing from Clover Pass Resort aboard our comfortable enclosed vessel, you'll cruise the protected waterways of the Inside Passage in search of whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises, and other wildlife. As you travel through Southeast Alaska's stunning coastal landscapes, enjoy captivating stories from local Alaskans sharing tales of wildlife encounters, commercial fishing adventures, local legends, and life in the Last Frontier. Unlike traditional wildlife tours, Tales & Tides offers a deeper connection to Alaska's culture and people while providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and sightseeing. This unforgettable Ketchikan shore excursion combines wildlife, scenery, and authentic Alaska stories into one memorable experience.

Get out on the water in Ketchikan for a sportfishing charter, which is private for you and your party alone. The water is calm and protected, so you’ll feel safe and secure on the water. This is a great activity for the whole family. All of the fishing equipment is provided for you, so you just need to show up at the boat and be ready for some adventure on the water.

Experience the best Alaska halibut fishing! Private excursion includes halibut fishing, whale watching, and wildlife viewing. Catch your trophy halibut in Ketchikan, Alaska. We offer a guaranteed on time pickup and drop off from downtown Ketchikan cruise ship ports. Making this fishing charter the best way to maximize your time in port. Private Ketchikan halibut fishing excursion is great for all ages and skill levels. We provide everything needed for an authentic Alaskan fishing adventure! Halibut fishing in scenic waters along the Ketchikan coastline. This private fishing excursion gives you a hands on experience. The best halibut fishing waters on your Alaskan cruise.

This combination trip gives your guide the freedom to pursue the best fishing opportunities available on the day you arrive. Whether it’s highly technical salmon trolling with downriggers, jigging pinnacles and kelp forests for rockfish and lingcod, or plumbing the depths for halibut, this trip highlights the diversity of species and fishing techniques Southeast Alaska is famous for! The guides who take these trips out are chosen for their versatile skill set, to run a trip like this you have to be rigged up with multiple sets of rods to facilitate completely different types of fishing rapidly within the course of a half-day trip. They’re ready to run far, pivot rapidly between locations and styles of fishing, and lean into the best seasonal opportunities on the day of your trip!

Observe bears in their natural habitat on a half-day tour by air from Ketchikan. Your pilot shares commentary via radio headset during the 40-minute scenic flight as you go over the Inside Passage to Prince of Wales Island. Land at Polk Inlet and visit the United States Forest Service bear-viewing platform, where your guide helps you get a close look at wild bears as they hunt for salmon along the creek. Includes scenic flight, guide, and pickup and drop-off from central Ketchikan.

This tour is off the beaten path and leaves the pavement and tourists behind for the more rugged mountain dirt roads in the backcountry of the Tongass National Forest, a local favorite drive. The tour is very rural and gains some scenic elevated views depending on weather conditions. We drive through some former logging sites as we explore the need for further conservation of our old-growth forests if we want to continue to breath clean air and if we want to fight climate change and protect one of the United States largest carbon sinks--the Tongass.

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.

There are many unusual and intriguing sights to see in Ketchikan. We showcase the finest of it for you! Among the wildlife are seals, eagles, bears and salmon at Herring Cove (though we can’t guarantee the wildlife we certainly try our best. And we’ll go see a beautiful waterfall and if the tide is right, we can go beachcombing.

When people go to Ketchikan, these are the sites most people go to see: old town Ketchikan, Creek Street, fish ladder, Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, Herring Cove and more! By the end of the tour, visitors will have a real feel for Ketchikan and what life is like on this beautiful Alaskan island. The tour guide has lived in Ketchikan for many years and has given many tours.

Of all the trips we run, Private Charters run the farthest, spend the most time on the grounds, and provide the greatest flexibility to guests and guides. We send our most experienced captains on these trips because they demand high levels of creativity in targeting a combination of different species. Booking this trip gives you the freedom to define the experience. You may choose from a variety of vessels, target halibut, salmon, lingcod, rockfish, pacific cod, Dungeness crab, or chase sightseeing opportunities and wildlife. We also love to combine this fishing excursion with dining experiences featuring your fresh catch; either at our rustic fish camp deep in the National Forest; or a chef-prepared meal at our restaurant at the harbor after your return. This trip is about crafting an experience that will fit your unique needs and interests. When you book the boat, we look forward to working with you to build an unforgettable Alaskan adventure. You may have up to 6 anglers onboard.

Upon arrival to the platform, you will be at a prime vantage point to see Alaska’s REAL fisherman! Watch the true champions of the tour – the 5 species of salmon battling in the last part of their life, to arrive upstream to spawn. They are fighting not just the swift current but also the bears. See the black bears fattening up for winter, plunge into the rushing water with jaws wide, to eat the wild salmon heading upstream to spawn. Besides bears feeding, you are also likely to see Bald Eagles feeding on salmon scraps left over by the bears. The Highlights - Visit a World Class bear viewing facility. - A round trip floatplane flight over the Tongass National Forest is included. - Listen to a personalized flight narration – no recorded tracks - There is a high likelihood of seeing black bears, eagles and salmon. - Enjoy a nature walk of approximately ¼ mile round trip. - Be accompanied by an experienced Alaska Bear Guide. -Tour length is 3 hours with up to 45 minutes of flightseeing.

This is a private, custom boat tour led by a lifelong Ketchikan resident who has spent decades boating in Misty Fjords. The tour typically includes New Eddystone Rock and numerous sites in Rudyerd Bay. Rudyerd Bay is a stunning fjord known for its massive granite cliffs and breathtaking waterfalls that drop thousands of feet. The tour also covers the history of Misty Fjords. We often see ancient pictographs and wildlife such as bears, birds, seals, Humpback Whales, and Orcas. As mentioned above, this is a custom tour. If your group wants to spend more time viewing something (like a pod of Killer Whales), we can do that. Your guide will keep you updated on any adjustments to the tour and its timing. The tour narrative will cover key highlights but will be more conversational in style. We aim to avoid overwhelming passengers with a constant stream of information. That said, guests are encouraged to ask as many questions as they like. You will find the Explorer to be very comfortable

Enjoy a true Alaskan fishing experience on this private charter from Ketchikan. Head out onto the water to secret fishing destinations filled with unpressured fish, from trophy chinook, coho, and pink salmon, to huge halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Your captain runs far and fast to stay out ahead of the fleet and provide a great day on the water.

First-time visitors to Tongass National Forest may find it intimidating to explore alone as it’s one of the United States’ largest national forests. Prebook this small-group hiking experience from Ketchikan and follow a 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) trail with a guide navigating the way. Along the way, see old-growth Sitka spruce trees and a forested lake nestled amidst the surrounding mountains.

Experience more than just a walk- Ward Creek Trail Nature Hike offers a unique blend of adventure and connection. With SE Alaska vibes, engaging conversations, and mindful moments, our guided hike immerses you in the beauty and history of Ward Creek. Small group sizes ensure a personalized experience, while our thoughtfully curated route leads you to the most scenic spots, perfect for reflection or stunning photos. Whether you are seeking peaceful nature or meaningful exploration, this hike promises unforgettable memories.

Enjoy a unique, private, and comfortable excursion courtesy of local guides who are passionate about their hometown. You’ll learn all about Ketchikan, its surrounding area, and the wildlife that calls it their home too. The tour will be tailored to your interests, but make sure you keep your eyes peeled for black bears, seals, bald eagles, and more.

Take a 3-hour shore excursion to explore Alaska’s Rainforest Sanctuary. See numerous native animals such as black bears, bald eagles, seals, and a number of marine birds in their native habitats. Learn about the area’s ecosystem from your informative guide as you walk along the trails of the sanctuary. Enjoy light refreshments and a fresh smoked salmon snack during your tour.

Experience the best Ketchikan salmon and halibut fishing! Private tour includes salmon and halibut fishing with whale watching, and wildlife viewing included. We offer a guaranteed on time pickup and drop off from downtown Ketchikan cruise ship ports. Making this fishing charter the best way to maximize your time in port. Ketchikan offers the best salmon and halibut fishing. This exclusive private fishing tour is great for families and groups of all ages. We provide everything needed for an authentic Alaskan fishing adventure! Salmon and halibut fishing in protected scenic waters along the Ketchikan coastline. Your private fishing tour gives you a hands on experience. Offering the best salmon and halibut fishing on your Alaska cruise. We offer services to have your fresh Alaska catch shipped home.

Embark upon a traditional fishing tour of the waters of Ketchikan, Alaska. Try your hand at angling salmon, halibut or both in a small-group setting of 3-6 people. Invite the whole family and experience the action regardless of skill level. The captain will provide all required equipment for fishing and guide you through the marine waters to where you'll start catching fish on a 4- or 6-hour tour.

Discover the old-growth forests of Tongass National Forest on this small-group trek that includes hotel pickup in Ketchikan. Go with a guide to avoid getting lost and hike through an Alaska State Park. Trek past old-growth rainforests of Sitka spruce and western red cedar, walk along a river, and catch sight of a few waterfalls in the area.