Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Ketchikan, USA
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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
- Full Rain Gear, waterproof Overboots, and USCG approved Life Jackets
- Dry bags for personal items
- Coffee and/or Tea
- SnacksA light snack is provided
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 124 Thomas St, Ketchikan, AK 99901, USA
Our outfitting space is a 10-15 min walk from the cruise ship docks off of the waterfront promenade near Thomas Basin. Transportation from the downtown docks is available on request with 48 hrs notice. For guests arriving at Ward Cove, we have ship specific instructions sent via email after booking.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Out to Sea Expedition Company
1 minute • Admission Ticket Free
Tongass National Forest (Pass By)
2
Inside Passage
2 hours 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Ketchikan (Pass By)
3
Out to Sea Expedition Company
1 minute • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
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 213 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Jeffrey_F, Aug 2026
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.
Linda_L, Aug 2026
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!
Allen_P, Aug 2026
Outstanding tour guides. Very knowledgeable about the ecosystems. Perfect for this time of the year. Hands down and up closing personal view nature.
Diane_C, Aug 2026
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.
Kip_S, Jul 2026
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!!!
Jennifer_F, Jul 2026
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!
Sally_T, Jul 2026
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!
Barry_H, Jul 2026
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!!
Sarah_D, Jul 2026
It was incredible! Very professional, excellent equipment and extremely friendly staff. Highly recommend!!!!!
Brian_J, Jun 2026
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!!
James_M, Jun 2026
They are extremely knowledgeable about the area and super friendly! I highly recommend Eric and Jenny.
Denise_C, Jun 2026
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.
Ric_L, Jun 2026
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!
DeLeslyn_S, May 2026
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 :)
wendy_d, May 2026
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!
Suzanne_L, Sep 2025
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
Tracy_O, Sep 2025
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 :)
ANTHONY_K, Aug 2025
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!
Tiffany_R, Aug 2025
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
Debbie_W, Aug 2025
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 :)
Patricia_F, Aug 2025
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
jennifer_w, Aug 2025
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 :)
Julie_K, Jul 2025
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 :)
Steven_A, Jul 2025
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 :)
Barbara_B, Jul 2025
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!
Danielle_A, Jul 2025
Absolutely Incredible Experience!
We had the best time with Out to Sea Expedition Company! Delaney and Eric were fantastic—knowledgeable, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do. We saw whales, eagles, seals, sea stars, and so much incredible plant and wildlife. The guide gave thoughtful and fascinating details throughout the trip, making it feel like more than just sightseeing—it was truly educational and inspiring.
And the Kodiak boat? So fun! Smooth, comfortable, and just the right size for an up-close adventure without feeling crowded. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the area. It was the highlight of our trip!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write a review, we are so glad you enjoyed your time on the water!
Theresa_F, Jul 2025
It was a great experience! Jenny, Eric and Delaney were amazing from start to finish. Very organized, everything was new and clean. They provide you with everything you need to be warm. We saw whales, harbor seals, and eagles as we took an amazing cruise on the water. Even snacks and warm beverages were provided. Small group tour which was a blast!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for joining us and taking the time to leave a review! It was a pleasure meeting you both and we wish you the very best on your upcoming travels :)
Laura_H, Jul 2025
We loved our tour guides and felt very well equipped and prepared for the tour. Our guides were knowledgeable and patient. We learned a lot about the environment and wildlife.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you! We are glad to hear you enjoyed the tour. We only get to see Orcas on about 15% of our trips, so it is special every time!
Wayne_M, Jun 2025
A great family experience from locals who know the area very well. Always felt safe and love how they always cared about the comfort and experience of the 2.5 hr experience out on the water. We lucked out with great weather but always plan and pack well for the conditions to change as there is no control of that. Boat always felt safe and very personal. Would love to do this again if the possibility of being in the area again in the future.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
We’d love to welcome y’all back if you make it up to Ketchikan again in the future! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review :)
Rhonda_S, Jun 2025
This company is an extremely professional and well maintained company! They have all new equipment, overalls, and boat.
They were ultra safe, very knowledgeable, and very well educated about the biology, ecology, area, and sea animals.
They were also extremely nice, well-prepared, and professional. (They live here locally, and are both photographers and bird watchers.)
We saw whales feeding, thousands of mussels, many types of sea birds, a few eagles and sea lions, along with lots of jelly fish, starfish, etc.
The snack is a packet of fignutens, as well as the choice of either bottled water, a hot cup of coffee/hot chocolate, or tea. We hadn’t eaten lunch, and we suggest for you to either eat beforehand, or maybe bring an extra snack.
It is typically pretty cold out there, so do wear an extra layer of wool underwear if you can. [They provide nice waterproof clothing, but I’d have worn more layers in order to be comfortably warm!
All in all they were the most prepared, educated, professional, and thoughtful guides I’ve ever had, and I’ve had hundreds of excursions in my lifetime.
You cannot go wrong with them, but, do call them directly and book with them directly, if possible, as a third party got our times pretty confused repeatedly, and they almost made us miss this excursion, which would have ruined our entire Alaskan experience. Thank goodness for Delaney reaching out to me directly!!
These are some of the very best guides in the world, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. {Something I have never said before, and probably will never say again}.
Rhonda Scott
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write a review and share about your experience! We really appreciate your kinds words and tips for other travelers on how to enjoy our trips aboard an open Zodiac. We are so glad everything worked out and you were both able to join us for such a beautiful evening on the water! Wishing you all the best on your future adventures :)
From $209.95
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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