Top Ketchikan Half-day Tours

Alaska boasts astonishing biodiversity, and Ketchikan is a popular gateway to its rainforests, beaches, and wildlife—but with limited time on land, it can be tough to venture off the beaten track. Designed for cruise ship passengers, this private half-day tour takes you deep into Tongass National Forest—the largest national forest in the United States and home to salmon, bald eagles, and black and brown bears.

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.

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.

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.

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 with hotel pickup that can be customized to your party's interests.

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.

Experience the waters of Sitka Alaska. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and peaceful surroundings as we Paddle along the shoreline of Silver Bay keeping an eye out for wildlife. Eagles, seals, sea lions, Sitka black-tail deer, and bear are often spotted on this tour!

Explore Ketchikan with a private tour designed for all ages, where your family and friends are the only guests in the van. Enjoy comfort, flexibility, and a relaxed pace. Giving you the freedom to focus on what interests you most. Every stop on our tour is chosen for its genuine connection to Ketchikan’s rainforest, coastline, wildlife, and history. You’ll explore places shaped by nature, not created for show, giving you a clear sense of what makes this place special. Our goal is to create an experience that is fun, friendly, authentic, and unscripted—like exploring Alaska with a friend. As a BBB‑accredited business, our company meets the Better Business Bureau’s established standards for integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct, providing guests with confidence in our professionalism and accountability. Please note: Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Our routes focus on naturally scenic areas that offer the best potential for viewing wildlife.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ketchikan Custom Tours does exactly what is says. You will be privately hiring a 4 Passenger SUV 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.

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.

Get off your cruise ship, and get your adrenaline going, on this half-day shore excursion to a Ketchikan zipline adventure park. Soar through the Alaskan rainforest on seven ziplines and eight canopy ropes. This natural jungle gym includes suspended logs, rope bridges, a climbing tower and staircase, meaning thrill seekers of all experience levels can share in the excitement. Round-trip port transport included.

Search for bears in an area that’s normally closed to the public on a tour from Ketchikan. After being picked up from your cruise terminal, travel to Clover Pass Resort to board a boat for a water tour of Tongass National Forest. Arrive at Neets Bay Bear Observatory, with permits provided by the only company allowed to do so. Explore the forest and salmon-filled stream, hopefully spotting some bears.

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.

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.

Explore the wonders of Ketchikan with a fully customizable 3-hour private tour tailored to your interests. Whether you wish to observe wildlife like whales and bears, hike in the scenic Tongass National Forest, or delve into the local history, this tour adapts to your group’s preferences. Engage with the vibrant culture through totem poles or visit unique spots like the Gun Museum or local pubs. Enjoy the freedom to create your ideal Ketchikan experience. - Personalized 3-hour tour with a focus on your interests - Options include wildlife viewing, hiking, or cultural experiences - Visit iconic sites like totem poles or local museums - Ideal for families, groups, or anyone looking to explore Ketchikan's beauty

See Ketchikan’s cultural and scenic highlights on a private tour led by a Haida Alaska Native-owned and operated guide service. Visit the Salmon Ladder, Herring Cove, Rotary Beach, and the Totem Heritage Center, where admission is included. Learn about medicinal plants used by Tlingit and Haida peoples, hear the Raven Fog Woman totem-pole story, and look for salmon, eagles, bears, whales, seals, and sea lions. Flexible plans let your group choose preferred stops while visiting Ketchikan and the surrounding area.

Explore the stunning waters of Ketchikan on a private boat tour with an experienced local captain. Discover hidden coves and off-grid spots while observing the abundant wildlife that calls this region home. Jason, your U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and registered medevac nurse, brings over 22 years of experience navigating these waters, ensuring a safe and enriching adventure. Whether you're seeking a relaxing day on the water or a chance to connect with nature, this charter offers a unique opportunity to experience Ketchikan like a local. - Private boat charter tailored to your interests - Discover hidden coves and wildlife in Ketchikan - Guided by an experienced U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain - Safety-focused experience with local insights

Spend several hours exploring the highlights of one of Alaska’s southernmost cities on this immersive, multi-stop tour of Ketchikan. Meet your guide at your cruise ship dock. See city highlights, including historical Creek Street and a local salmon hatchery, before continuing out of town: you’ll visit totem parks, pretty tide pools and beaches, nature preserves, and more. As you go, learn all about the region’s indigenous heritage.

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.