Top Ketchikan Sightseeing Tours

Explore the bays and islands of Alaska on a whale- and wildlife-watching excursion off the coast of Ketchikan. Locally owned and family-run, this company prides itself on knowing the best up-to-date whale watching locations in the area. This ensures the greatest chances of spotting whales on your outing (though sightings are not always guaranteed), as well as other wildlife like bald eagles, harbor seals, and a wide variety of seabirds.

Discover the best of Ketchikan on this full-day tour, featuring stunning wildlife and cultural highlights. Visit the salmon-filled Ketchikan Creek, explore Rotary Beach for sea creatures and potential whale sightings, and spot seals, eagles, and bears at Herring Cove. Conclude with a visit to Saxman Native Village to admire one of Alaska's largest totem pole collections and learn about indigenous traditions.

Explore the sights of Ketchikan aboard a San Francisco–style cable car trolley. Traveling on this open-air vehicle, you'll see attractions such as the Fish Ladder and the Native American totem poles of Saxman Native Village, plus look for wildlife such as bears, seals, salmon, and bald eagles at the Herring Cove viewing area. This is a fully narrated and guided tour.

Enjoy an experience most tourists miss and step off your cruise ship into a floatplane to admire the glassy blue lakes, waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks of Misty Fjords National Monument on this shore excursion from Ketchikan. Capture bird’s-eye views of varied landscapes and try your luck spotting eagles, bears, and plenty of other wildlife during the flight that includes a guaranteed window seat. It’s an ideal experience for nature-lovers.

Get an overview of Ketchikan's local wildlife and culture even if you're short on time on this efficient tour. Learn about black bears, bald eagles, and more in a more personalized small group setting where you can ask questions. Get a more authentic glimpse into the city's art and culture with insights from your local guide. The stops are customized depending on the season to maximize your experience.

Experience Ketchikan through the lens of its wildlife and native cultures on this local-led tour. Meet your Haida guide and begin your experience with three stops to spot Ketchikan wildlife. Then delve into the history and culture of the local Haida and Tlingit peoples with a visit to the Totem Heritage Center. Learn about the history and significance of totem poles and the legends of these two cultures.

Discover the wild side of Ketchikan! Step off the beaten path and experience the natural beauty of Alaska’s rainforest, beaches, and wildlife on this unforgettable 3-hour small-group adventure. Our locally guided tour takes you deep into the lush Tongass National Rainforest, along remote beaches, and to hidden spots where eagles soar, salmon swim, and wildlife thrives. With a maximum of 10 guests per tour, you’ll enjoy a personal, flexible experience where you can ask questions, take amazing photos, and connect with the landscape in an authentic way. We specialize in small groups to give you a richer, more meaningful connection to the land, wildlife, and culture. We’ll meet you right at your cruise dock — including Ward Cove — and whisk you away for a one-of-a-kind adventure. This is more than a sightseeing tour — it’s an immersive, locally guided Alaskan experience you’ll never forget. Let’s go explore Ketchikan’s wild beauty together! Tender Boat Disembarking (Private Tours Only)

Ride an electric bike to the end of Ketchikan's 'road to nowhere' and then hike thorough a wildlife-rich rain forest on this combo eco-tour. Pedal from the marina to the end of the island's paved road system on a battery-powered bike, and then dismount to trek through the wilderness of the Tongass National Forest, following a trail that passes an active salmon-spawning stream, a waterfall, beach views, and dense foliage that's home to an array of native Alaskan wildlife.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Navigate the waterways and islands of Clover Pass on a small-group kayak eco-tour from Ketchikan. Along the way, spot native Alaskan wildlife that inhabit this protected region where the thick foliage of the Tongass National Forest meets the sea, from sea lions and migratory humpback whales to eagles' nests and exposed starfish colonies. Paddle with two guides and a small group for a more personalized wildlife-watching journey.

Get off the beaten path on this utility-task vehicle (UTV) tour to Mahoney Lake. Ride mountainous off-road trails along the George Inlet Fjords, Tongass National Forest, and Mahoney Lake, a small lake north of Beaver Falls. Along the way, stop to soak up views spot wildlife, and lunch on smoked reindeer links on a bun with hot chocolate and coffee.

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.

Discover Ketchikan through the eyes of the Tlingit people on a private, family-friendly tour. Learn about local history and current events while visiting prime wildlife viewing spots, scenic beaches, and cultural landmarks. From eagles and whales to bears and totem poles, every stop offers something special. With spacious, accessible vehicles, comfort for all travelers is guaranteed, including those with mobility needs.

Explore Ketchikan with a private tour designed for all ages, where your family and friends are the only guests in the tour van! Offering ease, comfort, flexibility, and a relaxed pace. Explore without rigid time constraints at each stop. Your group can decide how much time to spend at each location, allowing you to focus on the areas that interest you the most. Destinations for wildlife viewing, stunning waterfalls, lush rainforests, the coastal inner passage to spot marine life, totem poles, and knowledgeable, friendly tour guides. Why blend in with a large tourist bus when you can be the star of your own show? With us, your group receives all the attention, ensuring your interests are prioritized throughout the journey. Because there are no other travelers to consider, your guide can concentrate entirely on your group, providing a more personalized adventure during this private tour. Our goal is to create an experience that is fun, friendly, authentic, and unscripted!

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.

Ketchikan Custom Tours does exactly what is says. You will be privately hiring a 14 Passenger Van with private tour guide and driver. Each tour can be custom built prior to your arrival but as with all trip some times things change (The Weather) and we can change th tour itinerary even on the day. Doesn't matter what you want to se and do, We will make it happen. Things to see : Historical sights, Totem Poles, Black Bear viewing, Black Tail Sitka Deer, Wold, Mountain Lion, Hump Back Whales, Orca, Mountain Goats/Sheep, Bald Eagles, Salmon. Hike in Tongass National Forest. Beach Walks, Waterfalls and scenery second to none.

Explore Ketchikan in our '67 Volkswagen van. You can enjoy learning about Ketchikan's colorful past, rich Native history, and the flora and fauna that make Southeast Alaska such a wonderful place. Our stops include but are not limited to a local Alaskan beach for intertidal exploration (tidal dependent), photo stops along Nichols Passage, a dazzling waterfall, and a stop at scenic Herring Cove for the possibility to spot wildlife (not guaranteed). Substituting the Saxman Totem Park or a short hike for any of the options above is also available. This tour can be completely customized to fit your itinerary. Just let our guide know; he will use his local knowledge to create an adventure you won't soon forget! This tour is an excellent option for all ages and guests who enjoy exploring with local guides! *Please keep in mind that each tour is different and tour stops may be changed by our guides due to tides, traffic, road construction, and weather.

Hop into a military-grade inflatable boat for the ride of your life and take the wheel if you dare. You’ll follow a lead boat captained by a guide who’ll take you to some of the best places in the water for wildlife spotting, from seals and sea lions to bald eagle nests and humpback whales. Speed along island coastlines on a 3-hour excursion you’ll never forget.

The Alaskan city of Ketchikan is an urban setting against a backdrop of idyllic wilderness. Learn about native Alaskan culture while visiting traditional totem parks, soft sandy beaches, and thundering waterfalls on this half-day private tour of Ketchikan and the surrounding countryside that can be customized to the specific tastes of your party.

If you’re a fan of the Discovery Channel’s hit TV show 'Deadliest Catch,' you saw the Aleutian Ballad, a commercial fishing boat, escape a rogue wave in the Bering Sea. On this fisherman’s tour from Ketchikan, hop aboard the Aleutian Ballad and navigate through the waterways of the Inside Passage with a seasoned fishing crew. Touch some of the catch, take photos, and listen to entertaining sea lore.