Ketchikan: Zodiac Boat Tour & Wildlife Spotting, Small Group

You Pilot the Boat Through Ketchikan's Bays and Hunt for Whales

You captain a four-person Zodiac through Southeast Alaska's bays and inlets, spotting whales, eagles and bears with a professional guide. The tour includes all gear, a beach snack break, and a boatman certificate. Small groups and hands-on control make this different from a standard wildlife cruise.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zodiac boat adventure from Ketchikan

• Depart from Port of Ketchikan
• Join small-group Zodiac wilderness tour
• Explore bays, islands, and inlets
• Watch for whales, eagles, and bears
• Stop at beach for warm snack
• Receive Alaskan boatman certificate

The experience

You're at the helm of a Zodiac skiff, throttle in hand, cutting across the water toward a narrow inlet where your guide spotted movement near the tree line. The boat responds instantly: no tour bus, no crowded deck, just you and three other people, the engine hum, and the Alaska wilderness opening up in front of you. The guide briefs you on the route before departure from Ketchikan Port, then hands over control. You're not just riding. You're driving, which changes everything about how you see the place.

The day moves between motion and stops. You glide past lush islands thick with spruce and hemlock, scanning the water for dorsal fins and the shoreline for bears or eagles. The guide knows the bays well, where whales tend to surface, which inlets hold the best light, where the currents slow down. When something moves, you cut the engine and drift, binoculars up, waiting. The small-group limit of four passengers means the guide can actually hear you when you point something out, and you're not competing for space or a decent view. After a couple of hours of cruising and spotting, you pull into a beach where the guide sets out a warm snack and drinks. It's the kind of break that feels earned, not rushed.

Everything you need is provided (skiff suit, dry bags, boots, socks, gloves, life jacket), so you show up in regular clothes and step into the gear. The suit keeps you dry when spray comes over the bow. The boots grip the deck. You leave with a boatman certificate, which is a small thing, but it marks that you actually piloted the boat, not just sat in it. The whole experience runs subject to weather, so if the forecast turns, you can reschedule or take a refund. Minimum age is 8, and the boat can carry people up to 350 pounds per person: weight needs to be declared at booking so the guide can balance the load.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a professional guide who stays with you the entire time, all Zodiac safety and weather gear (waterproof skiff suit, boots, socks, gloves, life jacket, and dry bags), warm snacks and drinks during a beach break, and an Alaskan boatman certificate to take home. Hotel pickup is not mentioned.
• you depart from Ketchikan Port.

Information

Lasts 3h 30m, from US$ 179 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 3 May 20275 departing soon ›

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcome

Operated by Southeast Exposure Zipline & Kayaks

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to actually pilot a boat through Alaskan wilderness instead of watching from a passenger seat: the hands-on control and four-person limit are what make the wildlife spotting feel immediate and personal rather than distant.

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Top questions

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.

Do I need boating experience to pilot the Zodiac?

No. The guide provides instruction and stays with you throughout. The boat is designed for beginners, and the guide handles navigation and safety.

What wildlife might I see?

Whales, eagles, and bears are common in the bays around Ketchikan. Sightings depend on season and weather, but the guide knows where to look.

What's included in the price?

Professional guide, all Zodiac gear (suit, boots, gloves, life jacket, dry bags), snacks and drinks, and the boatman certificate.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Contact the operator about specific boarding and onboard arrangements.

What if the weather is bad?

Tours are subject to favorable weather. If canceled due to poor conditions, you can reschedule for another date or receive a full refund.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes, minimum age is 8 years old.

What's the weight limit?

Maximum 350 pounds per person. You must declare your weight at booking so the guide can balance the boat properly.