Top Ketchikan How to Get Around in 2026

Explore Ketchikan in an unforgettable way with our self-guided e-bike rentals. Choose between a half-day or full-day rental and ride at your own pace on a premium Denago e-bike. Perfect for all skill levels, our bikes allow you to navigate the scenic routes without the hassle of a guided tour. With our convenient downtown location just steps from the cruise docks, there’s no waiting or transfers necessary. - Half-day (3 hours) for just $75 or full-day (6 hours) for $120 - Intuitive e-bikes suitable for everyone, regardless of experience - Freedom to explore without a fixed itinerary or forced stops - Enjoy breathtaking views along Tongass Highway

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.

Top rated tour. Experience the highlights of Ketchikan on a thoughtfully curated Two hour tour showcase scene the regions, natural beauty and wildlife. Observe salmon navigating a local fish ladder, offering a striking view of the seasonal migration. Throughout the journey, guests may encounter a variety of night native wildlife, Including bald eagles, seals, and deer with the exciting possibility of spotting black bears along the shoreline or whales in the ocean. Enjoy a peaceful walk along a scenic beach where driftwood line Shores and crisp ocean air capture the essence South east Alaska’s coastal charm. The experience concludes With a visit to a breathtaking waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest, providing a serene and memorable final to your tour.

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.

Embark on the ultimate Alaska wildlife adventure in Ketchikan! Discover top attractions like the mesmerizing salmon ladder, thrilling bear sightings at Herring Cove, and fascinating marine life at Rotary Beach, including whales and intertidal creatures. Dive into Alaska’s rich cultural heritage with a visit to the iconic totem poles at Saxman Native Village, where Tlingit and Haida traditions come to life. Additionally, check out Creek Street-one of Alaska’s most iconic destinations—a picturesque boardwalk perched on stilts above flowing waters, rich in history, culture, and charm. In summer, the creek comes alive with the spectacle of the salmon run, as thousands of fish swim upstream. Complete your unforgettable experience with a savory smoked salmon or reindeer sausage lunchable. Our small group tours allow you to see Ketchikan like a local! Book your all-in-one Ketchikan wildlife adventure today and make memories to last a lifetime!

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 an authentic Ketchikan adventure crafted by expert local guides with years of industry experience and consistent five-star ratings. This flexible excursion is available as either a shared small-group experience or a private tour, bringing travelers closer to Alaska's rich culture and stunning great outdoors with a personal touch. Set out on an unforgettable journey to explore iconic boardwalks, historic totem sites, and lush rainforest landscapes tailored to your preferred group setting. Along the way, immerse yourself in local maritime history, keep watch for wild animals, and enjoy a captivating sightseeing experience designed to showcase the best of the region.

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.

Venture into the stunning Tongass National Rainforest, where ancient trees, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant wildlife abound. This tour offers an immersive look at Ketchikan's natural beauty, showcasing black bears, bald eagles, and spawning salmon in their natural habitats. A knowledgeable guide will lead the way, providing insights into the local ecosystem and ensuring a memorable experience tailored to the day's conditions. Ideal for couples, solo travelers, and small families, enjoy this intimate tour limited to 12 guests for personalized attention. - Explore the breathtaking Tongass National Rainforest with a local guide - Spot wildlife including bears, eagles, seals, and whales - Enjoy a small group experience with a maximum of 12 participants - Operates rain or shine; dress comfortably for the weather

Venture to three nature spots around Ketchikan in just a couple hours to search for wildlife with a local guide and small group. This easy tour requires only the ability to take about 30 steps and includes visits to Herring Cove, a roadside waterfall, and Rotary Beach Park tide pools. Leave all the driving to someone else as you look for animals ranging from bears to eagles to salmon.

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.

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.

There are few options for public transportation in Ketchikan, Alaska—but this efficient sightseeing tour makes it easy to explore the area. Meet your guide at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau near the ship docks and head out to see area highlights such as Ketchikan Creek, Herring Cove and we go to a walk to Rotary Beach

Walk from Ketchikan’s downtown docks to historic Creek Street on a self-guided audio tour that plays automatically through a GPS app as you explore. Follow Ketchikan Creek to discover how this waterfront town was shaped by fishing, timber, and Tlingit culture. Along the way, you will pass salmon viewing areas, traditional totem poles, forested paths, and harbor views. Uncover the town's history as a Native fish camp, a multicultural working port, and the Salmon Capital of the World, alongside tales of the historic red-light district. Explore at your own pace—pause to watch the salmon runs or take in the harbor views. The audio resumes whenever you’re ready, so you can move freely without keeping up with a group. This is a self-guided experience (no in-person guide). Download the tour in advance and use it anytime. It works offline and follows your location along the route.

Explore the breathtaking waters of Ketchikan on this intimate whale watching tour. With a small group led by knowledgeable locals, enjoy personalized service as you search for humpback whales, orcas, seals, and more. This 3 to 3 and a half-hour adventure aboard a stable catamaran features heated indoor seating and panoramic views, ensuring comfort in any weather. Savor a complimentary locally sourced lunch of your choosing between five different options, while taking in the stunning Alaskan scenery. If no marine mammals are spotted, a $100 cash guarantee awaits you at the end of the tour. - Small-group tours led by local experts for an authentic experience - 3-3.5-hour duration on a high-speed vessel reaching prime wildlife hotspots - Complimentary lunch included - Marine mammal sighting guarantee with cash refund if no sightings occur - On time for cruise ship departure guarantee

Both the US and Canada have a rich history of logging and lumberjacking. Cheer on your favorite team as you watch Alaskan and British Columbian woodsmen chop, saw, roll logs, and throw axes as they compete in the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Then, join in the fun as you learn how to throw a double-bit axe for yourself, trying to best your fellow attendees.

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.

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.

Your experience will start with a scenic coastal drive to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. The only drive to bear viewing areas in Southeast Alaska…. This experience is curated strictly for seeing black bears in their natural habitat. When you arrive at the sanctuary, naturalist guides will join you, bringing the rich forest to life as you walk along an improved trail. You’ll be surrounded by magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar trees. And soon you’ll be watching for wild bears in search of spawning salmon and ample berries. These are safe, protected raised boardwalks, exclusively for bear tours only. Your guide will lead you along another boardwalk system perched over the grassy wetlands alongside Herring Creek. You’ll have the chance to observe a rich run of spawning salmon and the bears and seals that come to fish for them, along with bald eagles and other birds that wait for scraps in the tidal estuary nearby.

Combine a tour of Ketchikan with a night on the town with this small-group guided walking tour of the Old Town waterfront, Creek Street and three of Ketchikan's favorite watering holes. Learn all about the colorful events that have shaped Ketchikan, Alaska's First City as you sip on drinks at its historic bars.

Focus on the scenery of Tongass National Forest and Totem Park on this eco tour from Ketchikan. Traveling with a small group of just 11 people or fewer means you'll get personalized attention and plenty of time to ask questions of your guide. Follow your guide on a walk through the Alaskan rain forest and Totem Park, where you'll get views and photo ops of pristine creeks, ancient trees, and moss-covered ground. There's even a geo-caching scavenger hunt to keep kids interested and occupied.

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.

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.