Ketchikan Wildlife Tour with Seafood Feast and Whales

The largest red cedar in the Tongass rainforest stands at the end of the boardwalk trail.

This wildlife and rainforest tour from Ketchikan combines a three-hour boat cruise through Southeast Alaska waterways, a walk through the world's largest temperate rainforest on an elevated boardwalk, and a seafood feast at a remote lodge. The boat is enclosed and heated, and whales are often sighted May through September. A live English-speaking guide narrates the route, and the tour includes bottled water, coffee or tea, and a full seafood boil with Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, sausage, corn, garlic, pearl onions and french bread.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife cruise, rainforest walk, seafood feast

• Meet captain and board enclosed jet boat
• Cruise through bays and inlets spotting wildlife
• Walk elevated boardwalk in Tongass rainforest
• See largest red cedar tree
• Return to lodge for traditional seafood boil

The experience

The day starts at Clover Pass, where you board the Miss Cindy, an enclosed jet boat with a captain and first mate. As the boat navigates through bays and inlets around Ketchikan, the narrator points out what moves in the water and sky: eagles, porpoises, seals, and from May through September, whales often appear along the route. The enclosed cabin keeps you warm and dry while you watch.

You then step ashore at a remote lodge and walk into the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest, on Silverking's elevated boardwalk trail. The raised path lets you move through terrain that would otherwise be impassable, surrounded by towering trees and lush moss. Along the way you'll see Old Man's Beard lichen and nursery trees, young trees growing on fallen logs, and the trail ends at the largest known red cedar in the forest, a moment worth having your camera ready for.

Back at the lodge, the seafood boil arrives: Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels and sausage cooked with garlic, potatoes, corn on the cob and pearl onions, served with french bread and melted butter. Bottled water, coffee and tea are included throughout.

What’s included

• Enclosed, heated boat cruise through Ketchikan waterways with a live English-speaking guide.
• elevated boardwalk walk through the Tongass National Forest.
• the seafood boil with Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, sausage, corn, garlic, pearl onions and french bread.
• bottled water, coffee and tea.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 25 Apr 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 46

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Adventure Ketchikan Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with a small group or family and want wildlife viewing, rainforest walking and a meal all in one outing: the boat's enclosed cabin and the raised boardwalk mean you don't need special gear or fitness beyond a moderate level to see everything.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife might I see on the boat around Ketchikan?

Eagles, porpoises and seals are common sightings. From May through September, whales are often spotted along the tour route through the bays and inlets surrounding the port.

What is the Tongass National Forest boardwalk like?

The elevated boardwalk is a raised trail that lets you walk through the world's largest temperate rainforest without needing to navigate difficult terrain. You'll move through towering trees and lush moss, see lichen and nursery trees, and end at the largest known red cedar in the forest.

What exactly is in the seafood boil?

The seafood feast includes Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels and sausage cooked with garlic, potatoes, corn on the cob and pearl onions, served with french bread and melted butter on the side.

Is the boat heated and enclosed?

Yes, the Miss Cindy is an enclosed, heated jet boat, so you stay warm and dry while cruising through the waterways and watching for wildlife.

Is there anything I should know before booking?

Low tide creates a steep ramp to and from the dock, so travelers with limited mobility should not join. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, and you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.