Ketchikan: Misty Fjords Flightseeing Tour with Window Seats

Summary

Floatplane adventure over Misty Fjords with local pilot stories

You’ll feel Alaska’s wild spirit as you soar above Misty Fjords National Monument with a seasoned local pilot guiding your small group by floatplane. Every passenger gets a window seat and headset for real conversation mid-flight. Expect close-up views of waterfalls and ancient forests—and maybe even spot wildlife—before touching down with your heart still racing.

What’s the experience like?

Right before we climbed into the little Dehavilland Beaver, our pilot—Tom, I think, or maybe it was Todd?—grinned at us and said, “You ready to see why they call it misty?” He handed me this chunky headset and showed me how to talk back if I wanted. I could smell the engine oil mixed with sea air, and honestly, my hands were a bit sweaty just thinking about taking off from water. The other couple on board looked just as nervous-excited as me. I asked Tom if he ever gets tired of flying over Misty Fjords National Monument. He just laughed and said, “Not once.”

The floatplane rattled a little as we lifted off—nothing scary, but you definitely feel every bump in these old bush planes. There’s something about watching Ketchikan drop away behind you that makes your heart thump in your chest. We all pressed our faces to the windows (everyone gets one), trying to catch sight of waterfalls streaming down those mossy cliffs. Tom pointed out a spot where mountain goats sometimes hang out—no luck for us today, but I swear I saw something move in the trees. The fjords really do look like they’re breathing when the clouds roll through them.

I kept forgetting to take photos because I was too busy staring out at everything—the way the light hits the water is different every minute. At one point Tom told a story about his dad flying these same routes decades ago, which made me weirdly emotional for reasons I can’t explain. It’s only an hour up there but it feels longer somehow, like time stretches out over all that green and grey and silver water. When we landed again, someone joked that their legs were jelly (mine too). And then it was back on land, but my head was still somewhere above those cliffs.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Misty Fjords 1-hour flight tour

• Board Dehavilland Beaver or Otter plane
• Receive voice-activated headset
• Enjoy live narration from pilot
• View cascading waterfalls and cliffs
• Take photos of untouched wilderness
• Communicate with pilot via headset
• Spot possible wildlife sightings
• Complete 1-hour flight tour

Top questions

How long is the Misty Fjords flightseeing tour?

The flightseeing tour lasts approximately 1 hour from takeoff to landing.

Does everyone get a window seat on the plane?

Yes, every passenger has their own window seat for clear views during the tour.

Is there live narration or communication with the pilot?

Yes, you’ll have a voice-activated headset for two-way conversation with your pilot and other passengers.

Are wildlife sightings possible during the flight?

Wildlife sightings are possible but not guaranteed; sometimes mountain goats or other animals can be seen.

Is pickup included for this Misty Fjords flight tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included in your booking.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Infants and small children can join; specialized seats are available and infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Can strollers be brought along for the tour?

You can bring strollers to the operator’s office; they’ll be kept safely during your flight.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The operator does their best to accommodate handicapped passengers; contact them directly for assistance.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from select meeting points in Ketchikan, professional narration by your local pilot via aviation headsets (so you can chat or listen as you like), bottled water onboard, all taxes and fees covered—and yes, everyone gets their own window seat before returning safely after an hour of flightseeing above Misty Fjords National Monument.