Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition
Ketchikan, USA
Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Ketchikan, USA
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Maximize your chances of seeing wildlife around Ketchikan by heading out onto the waters surrounding the Tongass National Forest. This small-group tour takes you searching for wildlife including humpbacks, orca, sea lions, seals and eagles aboard a quiet and unobtrusive Zodiac expedition craft with a naturalist as your guide. Feel like an explorer and adventurer as you navigate narrow channels, rocky coastlines, forested islands and black sandy beaches.
- Marine wildlife-watching adventure aboard a Zodiac expedition craft
- Great opportunities to spot whales, eagles, sea lions and more
- Learn about marine wildlife habitat from your naturalist guide
- Small-group expedition (maximum twelve people): A personalized experience
What's Included
Meeting and Pickup
Itinerary
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 226 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Eric and Delaney provide an excellent tour for all ages. Jenny, the naturalist on board , is both knowledgeable and interesting. They provided us with a great time!
Eric and Delaney are passionate about what they do. Very knowledgeable. They guided us and educated us about the area, wildlife and history.
They saw things long before we did, making it very exciting for my wife and me.
One of the ships was delayed so we basically had a private excursion. They could have cancelled but they took us out, that alone shows how dedicated they are to make sure you have an awesome experience.
Couldn’t be nicer guides. Extremely knowledgeable “Science Mom” explained everything. Saw a whale, bald eagles, sea otters plus others I can’t remember. Beautiful scenery. Also, regarding the check-in place: very clean, clean well-stocked bathrooms, extremely organized gear. Highly recommend this excursion!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for joining us!
This is a great whale watching experience! It’s well organized. Clean rain coats, gloves, hats & wet gear is provided. Layer up before you go & the extra items they provide will keep you warm & dry! We saw several bald Eagles including a baby, many whales including “Bubbles” and some coming up from the water with their mouth open. That was such a nice surprise !! We also saw sea lions, starfish, sea urchins and occasionally the fish/salmon jumping in the water. Eric & Delaney are so friendly and knowledgeable. You will not only enjoy the scenery but learning about the whales, etc is interesting also!! Side note: though you are in an open Zodiac & sit on the edge you will NOT get wet from the ride ( that was my concern) it was a pleasant, safe ride that is 100% recommended!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are so glad you enjoyed your nature & wildlife experience in Ketchikan! It was a beautiful day on the water
What an amazing trip! Like many of the other reviews have said, this tour is incredible. Yes, we saw wildlife: eagles, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, star fish, salmon, and yes, a whale! BUT this was so much more than the wildlife. The operators, run by Delaney and Eric were incredibly knowledgeable about literally everything on our tour. I'm not talking about 'let me look it up on my phone' knowledge. From the depth of the water in the area, to which trees are extremely rot resistant, to the temperament of Steller sea lions versus Harbor seals, why starfish are core species in this ecosystem, do eagles 'swim'... You get the idea. And just being on the water in the small (super safe), open air, Zodiac was an awesome experience. Even before the hot chocolate and snacks, this eco-tour is a definite recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for joining us! We are so happy to hear you fully appreciated the magic of exploring via Zodiac. It really is our favorite way to experience the area and we love sharing it with our guests.
The crew is well-seasoned, pleasant, and very knowledgeable. They definitely get passengers prepared for the environment and experience . It was one of the best excursions we've ever participated in. The wildlife, the Zodiac, the naturalist, the boat captain, and the beautiful scenery were just perfect. I would absolutely recommend this excursion to folks who want to participate in a fun, educational adventure.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review! Thank you for joining us :)
We enjoyed our small group bost tour so much! Our guides were so knowledgeable and had great eyes to spot wildlife. We saw a bald eagle nest with 3 eagles! We saw lots of starfish and urchins that were so coole .we saw harbor seals and even saw a boat pulling up a load of salmon. But Bubbles the humpback 🐋 whale was the best! We saw her come up to feed several times and even got photos of her moth open. So amazing. 100% would recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for joining us! The three eaglets were such a fun surprise for us this season. So glad you got to meet Bubbles!
Outstanding tour guides. Very knowledgeable about the ecosystems. Perfect for this time of the year. Hands down and up closing personal view nature.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thanks for joining us!
Beautiful zodiac boat ride w/ a fabulous knowledgeable fun naturalist. We saw countless eagles, incl big baby in huge nest & one trying to steal a sea lion’s salmon he was throwing around in water. Also, harbor seals, rare dolphin type, stunning tide pool critters, and many unusual birds.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thanks for joining us! Sometimes the best experiences are the unexpected moments like a very brave eagle or a harbor porpoise sighting :D
We LOVED this excursion out of all ours that we tried in Alaska. The boat experience was exciting and exhilarating. We saw gorgeous scenery, eagles, jumping fish, starfish, and even saw a hunchback whale up close. This place went ABOVE AND BEYOND to make sure we got from our cruise ship to their location and back without any stress. So professional and kind! We HIGHLY recommend!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are so glad you enjoyed your time on the water, thanks again for joining us!
We had such a fun time and loved that we had the chance to do some thing so adventurous in Ketchikan! Eric, Jenny and Delaney were so knowledgeable and friendly. The gear they provided was so clean and organized. We saw humpback whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, jellyfish, and even held starfish. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for joining us!
Took my 18 year old daughter on this excursion and it great! Very educational and we saw so many things - eagles, whales, seals, tons of birds and even some marine life. Great adventure!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are so glad you chose to go out on the water with us while the guys were fishing, thanks again!
They provide you the waterproof pants and coat and gloves, and they are super friendly and very knowledgeable. We were very lucky as we had a beautiful day and saw two whales that came very close to our boat and we got a lot of good pictures.!! Everybody was awesome and very friendly and made it a lot of fun!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you all for joining us! It was a gorgeous day on the water
It was incredible! Very professional, excellent equipment and extremely friendly staff. Highly recommend!!!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you!
Wonderful crew. Customer service was phenomenal. Their team was very welcoming and helpful. The crew was knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the area. Thanks to Eric, Delany & Jenny!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for joining us! Your eagle photo is such a neat comparison of the different stages.
They are extremely knowledgeable about the area and super friendly! I highly recommend Eric and Jenny.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you!
First and foremost, I was very impressed with the precautions that were taken to keep all of us safe on the water! That was obviously of prime concern to the team. Second, our ship had to anchor, and so a van met us at the cruise dock and transported us to the shop. Not having to walk to the shop enabled us to get our full time on the water (and kept us dry) . The waterproof bibs and jacket were in great condition, and we were offered gloves and waterproof booties, so we stayed toasty warm and dry. The hot beverages and fruit bars that were provided were a nice welcome touch. And, despite (or maybe because of?) the drizzly weather Ketchikan is known for, it was a wonderful experience - we saw seals, eagles, even a humpback that showed us some tail. Thanks to all the team - the Science Mom (Jenny) and the boat pilot (I think his name is Eric?) And of course, Delaney. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable, and they obviously have a great love for their town and their work! I highly recommend this excursion to anyone wanting an informative, and safe, time on the water.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
It was great to meet you guys and share some Ketchikan memories! We really had all of the weather options that day, but we are lucky to live in such a beautiful place rain or shine. Come back and visit soon!
Eric and Delaney were such great guides and hosts. They clearly know there stuff and during the course of our trip we were able to see so many animals, including humpback whales. They taught us all about the animals and the landscape. Turkey spectacular outing and we will remember it our lifetime. I would recommend you spend some time on the water with this group.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for joining us!
Guides were so knowledgeable and kind!!! A great choice!
Saw tons of wildlife and learned so much from local guides!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Love the photos! Thank you for joining us :)
Eric and Jenny were our guides, and they were exceptional! The amount of knowledge and information they provided of the wildlife and the area was incredible! But the icing on the cake was seeing 4 humpbacks in their natural habitat! Once in a lifetime experience! My husband and I would recommend this excursion 100%! Thank you for a perfect ending to our Alaskan vacation!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for joining us!
Wonderful opportunity to view whales and other sea creatures. Loved that it was a small group. The naturalist onboard provided enough information for us to understand the habitat of the sea creatures, but not overwhelming.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water
Truly incredible experience! Jenny and Eric were remarkable guides! Very knowledgeable and very friendly! Jenny even had snacks and hot drinks for us on the boat!! They even let us stay longer than our scheduled time because we were seeing SO MUCH WHALE ACTIVITY! We also saw lots of seals and bald eagles, and sea life on the reef! It was my favorite Alaska excursion! We weren’t packed like sardines in those big tour boats- it was just my group of four and the two tour guides! Best experience ever!! 1000% recommend using them next time you are in Ketchikan!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! It is always a great day when there is an abundance of activity on the water :)
It is an intimate experience with small groups and the people running it are very attentive and very informing and let you ask any questions and give you a good and concise answer. Even though it was raining and cold we had a wonderful experience and well worth it. They provide all the rain gear and we didn't really get wet.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write a review! It was definitely a wet day on the water, but still so beautiful.
PS we were later able to confirm that the small shorebird we saw was a Pacific Golden Plover which is more rare for our area!
This family run business knows so much about the marine and wildlife. We were lucky enough to see so much on our adventure, including an Orca pod. I cannot say enough positive comments about the whole experience!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you! We certainly got lucky with that rare encounter
Delaney and Eric were exceptional guides on our tour. Very knowledgeable about the area. We saw abundant marine life, including a sea lion and hump back whale. It was a great experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We appreciate you taking the time to write a review! Thanks again for joining us :)
It was was wonderful. It was nice to get away from the town on a small boat to learn about the local ecology. Loved being close to water and the peacefulness.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you! We are so glad you enjoyed your experience
Flexible with our delay shuttling over from our off shore anchored cruise ship. Offered refund/cancellation due to poor weather but we decided to continue. Very patient with my children. Great education and attitude. Even walked us into town to connect with our next excursion. Couldn't be a nicer group of folks. Wonderful experience! Had plenty of gear to keep us as dry as possible in the rain given the open boat. We saw lots of seals, bald eagles, a humpback, crabs and held a starfish. Very accommodating.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write a review! We are glad your family enjoyed the experience, your kids did great with all of the “liquid sunshine” we had that day :)
We took a zodiac boat out to see what we could find. And boy did Delaney and Eric find us some fun stuff! This is a small group excursion. It was us and one other couple. Very personal experience. Eric and Delaney were super nice! Our highlights were humpback whales bubble feeding and a bald eagle sitting over its nest with an eaglet looking out too. The day was beautiful, but had it been cooler or raining, Eric and Delaney had us all outfitted up for any weather. I would definitely recommend this excursion, and as a matter of fact, we are coming back next year and going to do it again.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you! We are so glad your family enjoyed the trip and look forward to seeing you next year :)
Delaney and Eric are local business owners. They captain the ship, and from the beginning, you could see they were focused on safety and also care for the environment, including the animals. The trip was part educational, and part experience. Both Delaney and Eric are extremely knowledgeable about the waters And about the wildlife around it. We saw humpback whales, Eagles, sea lions, and sea otters, and also crabs and fish as part of a volunteer project they are doing for a national environmental organization. The boat was clean., And Well maintained. We were provided with plenty of waterproof gear.. we had a wonderful afternoon and would recommend this tour Highly to other groups. Thank you Delaney and Eric!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We appreciate you taking the time to write a review! Happy to hear you enjoyed your time on the water :)
Eric and Daphne (the owners) were very friendly and accommodating. With only a dozen of us including Eric and Jenny, the marine biologist, on board,, they had time to give everyone special attention and we’re able to answer all of our questions. Daphne‘s father who lives on the water related to us that there were 4 orcas sighted and their location and we were able to see them within minutes of leaving land. We saw Harbor Seals, starfish, moon jellyfish, a father eagle feeding fish to twoyoung eagles in the nest and even held and tasted this huge strange sea kelp which is used in making pickles! The highlight for me was seeing several groups of fisherman with their nets and watching the process of net salmon fishing. They literally had hundreds if not more, in their nets. It was quite a process. As they were drawing in the nets, hundreds, literally hundreds of moon jellyfish were falling off the nets back into the water. My friend and I felt totally safe and were comfortably warm with the outer gear.that was provided to put over our clothing. They also included a cup of hot beverage of your choice and a fig type snack bar. It was a delightful excursion and both the owners and Jenny made it very special and informative! We do it again in a heartbeat!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share about your experience, we are so glad you enjoyed your trip!
Attractions in Ketchikan, USA
- Dolly's House Museum Tours & Tickets
- Creek Street Tours & Tickets
- Totem Heritage Center Tours & Tickets
- Ward Cove Tours & Tickets
- Inside Passage Tours & Tickets
- Misty Fjords National Monument Tours & Tickets
- Southeast Alaska Discovery Center Tours & Tickets
- Totem Bight State Historical Park Tours & Tickets
- Tongass Historical Museum Tours & Tickets
- Saxman Native Village Tours & Tickets
- Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary Tours & Tickets
- Tongass National Forest Tours & Tickets