Zodiac boat tour Ketchikan: Inside Passage wildlife, 2.5 hours

Open Zodiac, narrow channels, whatever the ocean brings that day

An Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition is a 2.5-hour guided Zodiac boat tour departing from downtown Ketchikan that explores the Inside Passage and Tongass Narrows in search of wildlife—Bald Eagles, sea otters, seals, whales, and intertidal creatures—with a captain and naturalist who adjust the route based on tides, weather and animal sightings rather than following a fixed itinerary. Full rain gear, life jacket, dry bag and a light snack are included; children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ketchikan and Inside Passage

• Meet Captain and Naturalist
• Get outfitted with rain gear and life jacket
• Receive safety briefing
• Board Zodiac vessel
• Learn about Ketchikan history
• Explore Tongass Narrows waters
• View wildlife and intertidal zone
• Search for marine mammals and birds
• Return to Ketchikan waterfront
• Ask crew for local recommendations

The Experience

Two and a half hours on the water means you leave the cruise ship crowds of downtown Ketchikan and move into the protected waters of the Inside Passage with a captain and naturalist who know the tides, the currents and where the animals are. You meet them at 124 Thomas Street in downtown Ketchikan (a 10–15 minute walk from Berths 1–3, longer from Berth 4), get outfitted in rain bibs, jacket, overboots and a USCG-approved life jacket, and then climb into an open Zodiac that sits low enough on the water that you feel the ocean breeze and taste the salt air as you move through the narrows.

The boat has no fixed destination by design. Instead, your captain reads the tides, the weather and the wildlife activity and steers toward whatever is moving that day—rocky shorelines where Sitka Black-tailed Deer and river otters forage, channels where Bald Eagles perch in the evergreens, or deeper water where Harbor Seals, Steller Sea Lions, Humpback Whales and Killer Whales hunt. At lower tides, the crew can slow down and show you the intertidal zone up close: Sea Stars, Giant Green Anemones, Sea Urchins and other creatures that live in the rocks. You watch for resident and migratory birds, scan the water for fins, and keep your eyes on the forested islands and black sand beaches as they pass. The naturalist explains what you're seeing and why this stretch of Southeast Alaska supports so much life.

On the return to Thomas Basin Boat Harbor, you pass the working waterfront of Ketchikan and hear the history of the island community. Coffee, tea and a light snack come with the tour. The crew are year-round locals and will give you recommendations for restaurants, shops and other things to do in town before you leave.

What’s included

• Full rain gear (bibs and jacket), waterproof overboots, USCG-approved life jacket and dry bag for your belongings.
• coffee and tea.
• a light snack.
• the captain and naturalist guide who adjust the route based on tides, weather and wildlife activity.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Out to Sea Expedition Company

Is this one for you?The open Zodiac and flexible route mean you're not watching wildlife from a distance or following a schedule—you're moving through narrow channels and shallow waters where the captain can respond to what's actually happening that day, which is what makes a 2.5-hour trip feel like a real expedition rather than a scenic loop.

Traveler reviews

4.98★★★★★★★★★★

223 verified traveler reviews

5 ★219

4 ★3

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What wildlife might I see on the Inside Passage Zodiac tour from Ketchikan?

The Inside Passage tour searches for Bald Eagles, Sitka Black-tailed Deer, river otters, mink, Harbor Seals, Steller Sea Lions, porpoises, Humpback Whales and Killer Whales, plus resident and migratory birds. At lower tides you can also see intertidal creatures like Sea Stars, Giant Green Anemones and Sea Urchins in the rocks. The captain and naturalist adjust the route based on where animals are active that day, so sightings vary.

How does the route change if the weather or tides shift?

The tour is destination-free by design, meaning your captain does not follow a fixed itinerary. Instead, the route adapts to the tides, weather conditions and where wildlife is most active. This flexibility lets you explore the waters south of Ketchikan in whatever way gives the best chance of seeing animals and experiencing the ecosystem that day.

What gear and safety equipment do I get for the Zodiac tour?

The tour includes full rain gear (bibs and jacket), waterproof overboots, a USCG-approved life jacket and a dry bag for your belongings. You meet at the hospitality space on Thomas Street 15 minutes before departure to be outfitted, and the captain gives a safety briefing before you board the boat.

Is the Zodiac boat open or enclosed, and how does that affect the experience?

The Zodiac is an open expedition craft, which means you sit exposed to the ocean breeze and salt air as you move through the narrows. This open design lets you experience Alaska with all your senses and gives you an unobstructed view of the shorelines, islands, wildlife and forest as you cruise the Inside Passage.

How far is the meeting point from the cruise ship berths in Ketchikan?

The tour meets at 124 Thomas Street in downtown Ketchikan, which is about a 10–15 minute walk from Berths 1–3 and about a 20-minute walk from Berth 4. The operator has ship-specific transportation instructions for guests arriving at Ward Cove.

Can children join the Zodiac tour, and is there a minimum age?

Children are welcome on the tour from age 5 and up. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.