Things to do in Ketchikan
The unmissables
Most booked
Ketchikan Duck Tour: Amphibious bus and boat combined★ 4.71 (2,970) · 1h 30m
Top rated
Ketchikan Photo Safari: 3-Hour Guided Tour with Totem Park★ 4.89 (1,064) · 3h
Best value
Ketchikan: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise with Eagle Sightings★ 4.80 (1,041) · 2h 30m
Recommended (7)
Ketchikan: Clover Pass Kayak Eco-Tour & Wildlife Sighting★ 4.95 (982) · 4hUS$ 100View ›
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from Ketchikan★ 4.85 (880) · 3hUS$ 249View ›
Ketchikan Electric Bike and Rain Forest Hike: Small-Group Ecotour★ 4.83 (680) · 4hUS$ 161View ›
ATV riding in Ketchikan: George Inlet Fjords & Mahoney Lake★ 4.79 (593) · 3h 45mUS$ 255View ›
3hr Private Custom Excursion in Ketchikan: Your Itinerary★ 4.83 (506) · 3hUS$ 680View ›
Wilderness Picnics Ketchikan: Catch & Cook Your Meal★ 4.99 (478) · 4h 30mUS$ 436View ›
Ketchikan Zipline & Canopy Ropes Course: Rainforest Adventure★ 4.90 (476) · 3h 30mUS$ 150View ›Top rated (10)
Halibut Fishing & Wildlife Viewing in Ketchikan: Private CharterA private halibut fishing excursion in Ketchikan includes a professionally guided 4-hour fishing adventure with pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship docks downtown. You fish for halibut, cod, rockfish and sharks in calm scenic waters while watching for breaching whales, feeding eagles and harbor seals. All tackle, bait, fishing equipment and snacks are provided; a fishing license is optional at checkout.Is it for me?Four hours is long enough to fish the productive waters and watch the wildlife cycle through, but short enough to fit a port call without cutting other plans. The fixed return time means you do not have to calculate the buffer back to your ship.
Ketchikan: Private '67 VW Van Tour with Beach & WaterfallYou’ll ride in a classic ‘67 VW van through Ketchikan’s winding roads with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect salty air at Rotary Beach, wildlife spotting at Herring Cove (if luck’s on your side), and rainforest mist by a hidden waterfall—all with flexible stops tailored to your pace.
Ketchikan: Alaska Snorkeling Tour & Marine Life at Mountain PointYou’ll squeeze into a thick wetsuit and wade right into Alaska’s chilly waters near Ketchikan for a guided snorkeling tour at Mountain Point. Spot bright starfish, curious harbor seals, and colorful marine life while floating above rocky reefs—then warm up with hot drinks before heading back to town. It’s not your typical snorkeling trip, but you might just love it.
Zodiac boat tour Ketchikan: Inside Passage wildlife, 2.5 hoursAn 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.Is it for me?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.
Private tour Ketchikan: Just your group in the vanYou ride in a private van with just your group, stopping at a wildlife viewing field, a rainforest waterfall, tide pools along the coast, and the Native Totem Park and blacksmith shop at Herring Bay Village. The guide adjusts the pace to what interests you, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed but the scenery is constant, and entry fees to Herring Bay are paid on arrival.Is it for me?Book this if your group wants to explore Ketchikan's rainforest, coast and wildlife without sharing a van with strangers or following a fixed itinerary — the private vehicle and flexible pace let you spend time on what matters to you instead of keeping to a schedule.
Ketchikan Totem Poles & Wildlife Private Van TourYou’ll meet real locals in Ketchikan, walk among towering totem poles at Totem Bight State Historical Park, spot eagles and maybe even salmon at Herring Cove, and wander Creek Street’s historic boardwalks—all with flexible stops and stories you won’t get anywhere else.
Ketchikan rainforest walk: Lunch Creek Falls & wildlifeA 3-hour small-group rainforest walk in Ketchikan takes you by van to Lunch Creek Falls Trailhead, then through a mile of Tongass National Rainforest to a coastal cove where marine wildlife congregates. The tour stays under 10 guests, includes a local guide, van transport, ponchos, hiking poles, water and snacks, and picks you up at your cruise dock. Children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?Cruise passengers with a few hours between dock time and departure get picked up at the ship, driven straight to the trailhead, and returned on schedule—no rental car, no navigation, no guessing whether you'll make it back in time.
Melbourne: Distillery Tour & Signature Bottle Infusion ClassYou’ll explore Melbourne’s historic fire station-turned-distillery with a local guide, taste house-made spirits, then craft your own custom-infused bottle using native botanicals. Expect laughter, hands-on blending (label included), and a keepsake spirit to share—or keep for yourself—long after you leave.
Ziplining in Ketchikan: 8 lines through rainforest canopyZipline through eight lines and suspension bridges across Tongass National Forest canopy near Ketchikan, suspended 135 feet above ground among spruce, hemlock and cedar trees. Groups stay under nine people so guides can watch each participant closely. The activity runs 3.5 hours and includes all equipment and an air-conditioned vehicle to the site; closed-toe shoes are required and you must weigh between 70 and 250 pounds and stand at least 57 inches tall.Is it for me?You operate the ziplines yourself across eight lines and suspension bridges—this is not a ride where a guide does the work for you. It suits anyone comfortable with heights and with the physical effort of zipping, crossing bridges and rappelling, and who wants to move through the rainforest canopy rather than observe it from the ground.
Hump Island Oyster Farm Tour: Taste Fresh Alaska OystersA tour from Ketchikan to Hump Island Oyster Farm combines a 30-minute coastal drive through Tongass National Forest with a boat cruise through the North Tongass waterways and a guided oyster tasting at the farm's floating bar. You'll sample three fresh Hump Island oysters, learn how the state's largest oyster producer cultivates them, and watch for whales, seals, eagles and deer en route. The boat, the Bottom Time, has heated indoor seating and 360-degree views. Children from age 5 are welcome; a live English-speaking guide leads the tour.Is it for me?The tour picks you up by vehicle from Ketchikan, so you don't need a car or local knowledge to reach the farm—the drive itself is part of the experience, with a guide narrating the forest and the town. If you're arriving by cruise ship or staying without transportation, this handles the logistics and gets you out on the water and to the oysters in one outing.
Lowest price (10)
Ketchikan: Wildlife & Totem Heritage Small Group Van TourYou’ll ride with a local guide through Ketchikan’s lush island scenery, watch for wildlife at Herring Cove (maybe even spot a bear or eagle), see centuries-old totem poles at the heritage center, and pass through Saxman Native Village where tradition feels alive. Expect unexpected quiet moments—and maybe leave with more questions than answers.
Lumberjack Show and Axe Throw Challenge in Southeast AlaskaLearn to throw a double bit axe and compete against other participants in southeast Alaska's Lumberjack Show and Axe Throw Challenge, which pairs live entertainment with hands-on instruction. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show features world champion athletes from Alaska and British Columbia competing in chopping, sawing, axe throwing, log rolling and a 50-foot tree climb, followed by your own axe throwing practice and competition. A licensed English-speaking guide leads the instruction; children are welcome from age 10.Is it for me?At two and a half hours, this fits into a half-day itinerary without consuming your whole afternoon, leaving room for other activities in southeast Alaska. The show and the throwing are both live and hands-on—you are not watching a video or a demonstration, and you are not sitting through a long lecture before you throw.
Ketchikan: Native Culture & Wildlife Tour with Totem HeritageYou’ll walk along Creek Street watching salmon leap upstream, listen to Haida legends beside weathered totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center, and maybe spot black bears or eagles fishing in the rain-soaked forest. A local guide shares stories you won’t find in guidebooks—and you’ll leave with more than just snapshots.
Ketchikan Trolley Tour: Totems, Falls & Wildlife in 2.5 HoursThe Tongass Trolley is a 2.5-hour guided tour of Ketchikan aboard a replica 1800s cable car, with stops at Saxman Native Village, Rainbow Falls, the Totem Heritage Center and a wildlife cove. A live guide in English shares the city's history and the cultural heritage of local Tlingit and Haida tribes while you ride. Children from age 2 are welcome, and the tour ends at your starting point near Front Street or at Creek Street for shopping.Is it for me?Most Ketchikan tours ask you to arrange your own transport between stops and piece together the history yourself. This one moves you through four key sites in a trolley while a guide connects them—the trolley does the driving, the guide does the explaining, and you get the full story without building the day.
Ketchikan: Pub Crawl with Local Stories & DrinksYou’ll join a real Ketchikan pub crawl led by a local who knows every story behind those weathered bar stools. Sip top-selling drinks at three unique pubs, swap laughs with bartenders, see vintage photos, and end up feeling like part of this rainy Alaskan town for an afternoon.
2-Hour Rainforest Walk & Totem Park Tour in KetchikanA 2-hour guided tour in Ketchikan combines a rainforest walk in the Tongass National Forest with a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park, where you'll see Alaska Native totem poles and step inside a historic clan house. Groups stay under 11 people. Cruise ship dock pickup and drop-off are included, along with bottled water and a smoked salmon dip snack.Is it for me?Most rainforest tours in Ketchikan focus on the walk alone; this one pairs the forest with the totem poles and clan house, so you see both the land and the culture that shaped it in a single morning, with your ship's schedule already built in.
Ketchikan Bar Tour: 90 Minutes of History and DrinksThis 90-minute guided walking tour visits three historic bars in Ketchikan—including the only dockside bar in town—where you sample a drink at each stop and hear local stories about the town's past, Creek Street's red-light district days, and the fishing culture that shaped Alaska's First City. The tour is wheelchair accessible, suitable for all fitness levels, and includes a local guide who doubles as your photographer.Is it for me?At 90 minutes, this tour leaves your afternoon free for other activities—you're done by early lunch and can explore the rest of Ketchikan or head back to your ship without feeling rushed. The flat, accessible route works for all fitness levels, so you don't need to be an experienced hiker or worry about steep terrain to enjoy the history and the drinks.
Ketchikan Highlights Tour: Wildlife, Salmon Ladder & WaterfallYou’ll feel Ketchikan’s wild heart up close: watch salmon fight upstream at the ladder, scan for eagles and seals on black sand beaches, hear stories from locals who’ve lived every season here. With pickup right on Dock 2 and binoculars ready for wildlife spotting, every stop gives you something real to hold onto.
Ketchikan Rainforest & Totem Park: Guided walkA 2.75-hour walking tour of the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary near Ketchikan, led by a naturalist guide through mountain forest and marine estuary habitat, followed by a visit to the first Tsimshian totem pole park in the country with 17 poles and a 40-foot centerpiece carved by one carver. The tour operates in all weather and includes an air-conditioned vehicle for transport; moderate fitness is needed for the forest sections.Is it for me?Most rainforest tours in Ketchikan skip the totem poles or rush through them as an afterthought. This one builds the whole day around both—you get the forest and the wildlife, then you spend real time among 17 poles carved by one artist, so the carving itself becomes part of what you understand, not just a photo stop on the way out.
Ketchikan Sea Kayaking: Eagle Island from PortSea kayak tour from Ketchikan port to Eagle Island in Tongass National Forest, with van pickup, guide, equipment and safety briefing included. The paddle takes three and a half hours through protected waters where bald eagles, humpback whales, orca whales and starfish are common. Children from age 8 are welcome; maximum height 6'6" and weight 230 pounds.Is it for me?Paddle through Clover Pass's protected waters where wildlife actually appears—tandem kayaks keep you moving without fighting the ocean, so you spend your port hours exploring instead of watching from a boat.
