Things to do in Ketchikan
Sort
Ketchikan Duck Tour: Amphibious bus and boat combinedThe Ketchikan Duck Tour is a 90-minute amphibious bus and boat tour that takes you through the rustic streets of Ketchikan, then splashes into the calm, protected waters of the harbor. A live guide narrates the route with entertainment and trivia; you stay seated throughout, and the tour stays in the Inside Passage without venturing into open ocean.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see both Ketchikan's downtown and its harbor without switching between two separate vehicles or managing multiple departure times—the amphibious format handles both in one continuous ride with a single guide.
Ketchikan Photo Safari: 3-Hour Guided Tour with Totem ParkThe Ketchikan Photo Safari is a 3-hour guided tour for small groups of 2–9 travelers that combines photography instruction with Southeast Alaska Native culture and local history. You'll visit Creek Street, the Totem Heritage Center, Potlatch Park and Thomas Basin with a professional guide who shares easy camera tips alongside stories about traditional carving, totem symbolism and Ketchikan's fishing heritage. The guide meets you at the cruise ship berth or arranges pickup from Ward Cove, and the itinerary shifts with weather and light, so no two departures are quite the same.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to come away with better photos and a real understanding of what you're looking at—the guide teaches you both at once, and the small group size means you're not rushing through. If you're traveling with children from age 1, they're welcome; infants sit on an adult's lap and the moderate pace works for families who want to move at a steady clip without scrambling.
Ketchikan: Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruise with Eagle SightingsYou board a small-group whale-watching boat in Ketchikan and cruise through the Tongass National Forest, watching for humpback whales, bald eagles, and harbor seals. The tour includes live narration, a stop to watch eagles feed near Metlakatla Island, time at Walden Rocks to see seals, snacks, coffee, tea, binoculars, and blankets. Meet 30 minutes before departure at the Berth 2 Visitors Center downtown.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to see Alaska's marine wildlife without arranging your own boat or timing—the fixed departure time and 90% whale sighting rate mean you spend your port hours on the water instead of planning logistics.
Ketchikan: Clover Pass Kayak Eco-Tour & Wildlife SightingYou’ll paddle through calm waters north of Ketchikan with a local guide, spotting sea lions, bald eagles, and tidepool creatures along rainforest shores. Enjoy small-group company, learn about Tongass Forest life, and finish with smoked salmon snacks before heading back—still damp but grinning.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from KetchikanThe Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from Ketchikan is a three-hour cruise aboard the Aleutian Ballad, the vessel featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, where you observe commercial fishermen at work in the calm waters of the Inside Passage. A live guide walks you through what the crew catches—king crab, box crab, octopus, rockfish and prawns—held briefly in a tank for observation before release; sea lions, porpoise and wild eagles often appear along the route. Raincoats and ponchos are provided; children from age 5 are welcome, and the tour stays in protected waters with no rough seas.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see commercial fishing in action without the open ocean—the calm Inside Passage waters and the working crew make it accessible for families with young children and anyone who prefers to stay out of rough seas.
Ketchikan Electric Bike and Rain Forest Hike: Small-Group EcotourThis 4-hour ecotour combines an electric bike ride along the "road to nowhere" with a guided hike through Tongass National Forest in Ketchikan. You pedal to the trailhead on a scenic coastal route, then walk a maintained trail beside an active salmon stream, past a waterfall and beach overlooks where black bears and marine mammals sometimes appear. The tour stays under 10 people, includes roundtrip transport from the cruise docks, and ends with smoked salmon and vegan snacks at the marina.Is it for me?You have a few hours between ship arrival and departure and want to see the rainforest without renting a car or building an itinerary yourself. The small group, included transport and fixed route mean the day holds together without negotiation—you show up, ride, hike and eat, and the guide handles the rest.
ATV riding in Ketchikan: George Inlet Fjords & Mahoney LakeATV riding in Ketchikan takes you behind the wheel of a UTV on off-road trails through the George Inlet Fjords and Tongass National Forest, ending at Mahoney Lake with several stops for scenery and wildlife along the way. The activity runs roughly four hours and includes a guide, lunch (smokin' reindeer link or vegan chili), and the chance to trade off driving with your group. Children from age 8 are welcome, and you'll need moderate fitness for the terrain and the physical demands of operating the vehicle.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drive the UTV yourself rather than ride as a passenger—you'll take turns at the wheel with your group.
3hr Private Custom Excursion in Ketchikan: Your ItineraryA three-hour private guided tour in Ketchikan for up to 14 people, built around what you want to do—not a fixed itinerary. Your guide drives you to totem poles, museums, the rainforest, wildlife viewing spots, or local shops, and shares the history and ecology of the northern coastal landscape as you go. Hotel pickup and a local English-speaking guide are included; water, snacks, coffee and tea come along.Is it for me?Book this one if your group wants to steer the day instead of following a fixed route—the guide handles the driving and the local knowledge while you decide whether to chase eagles, hunt for wild plants, or spend the afternoon in galleries.
Wilderness Picnics Ketchikan: Catch & Cook Your MealYou fish a remote Ketchikan inlet in a stable open-air skiff, catch salmon or rockfish with professional gear, then cook your catch over a campfire in the rainforest. All gear, a gourmet meal with your fish, and a guide who moves you to where the fish are running—no waiting, no filler. Plan for a half-day of active fishing and eating outdoors.Is it for me?Right for anglers and food lovers who want to fish hard and eat what they catch, not spend a day waiting for bites. The fast pace and small group size mean you're always moving toward active fish, which is what makes a half-day feel complete.
Ketchikan Zipline & Canopy Ropes Course: Rainforest AdventureYou get picked up at the Port of Ketchikan, geared up in a forest pavilion, and sent into the canopy on eight ropes and seven ziplines strung between 650-year-old cedars. You swing, balance, and glide 45 feet above the ground, with one zipline taking you out over the water to a platform suspended above the inlet. All safety gear is included, and the schedule is timed so you're back at your ship before it leaves port.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Ketchikan with a few hours to spare and want something more active than a walking tour—the port pickup and fixed schedule mean you don't have to arrange transport or worry about missing your ship, which is what makes a full rainforest course possible in a short port day.
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.
Ketchikan: Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Boat Tour with SnacksYou’ll glide past Ketchikan’s weathered mills and forested islands by boat, hear legends behind Alaska Native totems at Totem Bight State Historical Park, spot eagles near Guard Island Lighthouse with binoculars in hand, and taste local alder-smoked salmon plus hot chocolate supreme. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter — it lingers long after you’re back on shore.
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.
Ketchikan salmon and halibut fishing charter: Small-group anglingA salmon and halibut fishing charter in Ketchikan puts you on a boat with 3–6 people, a captain who guides you to productive water, and all the tackle and bait you need to fish. The captain handles the navigation and instruction, so the day is about casting and reeling, not learning technique on your own. Pickup and drop-off from a designated meeting point are included; you choose between a 4-hour salmon trip, a 5-hour halibut charter, or a 6-hour combination of both. A fishing license is required in some options and included in others—confirm which applies to your booking.Is it for me?Salmon delivers constant action in a shorter window; halibut demands patience for trophy-sized catches; combination lets you experience both species in one outing.
Private Fishing Charter in Ketchikan: Salmon and HalibutA private fishing charter in Ketchikan puts you on calm, protected waters with a local guide targeting salmon, halibut or both, depending on the option you choose. The guide meets you at your cruise ship and provides all fishing tackle; the waters around Ketchikan are sheltered by islands, making them suitable for families and all skill levels. You pick the duration and species focus at checkout, and some options include a fishing license and king salmon stamp.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private boat where the itinerary and target species shift based on what you want to catch that day, rather than following a set schedule with other anglers.
Ketchikan Wildlife Tour with Seafood Feast and WhalesThis 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.Is it for me?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.
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 Rainforest Walk & Totem Park: Small group, local guideA 3-hour rainforest walk and Totem Park visit in Ketchikan led by a local guide with pickup at the cruise ship dock and groups of 11 or fewer. The nature trail climbs about 1.5 miles through moss-blanketed forest along a cascading creek to a waterfall viewing area, then moves to the Totem Park where the guide explains the carved poles and Alaska Native culture of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people. The trail has several sets of stairs and uphill and downhill sections; an easier 2-hour option without stairs is available.Is it for me?Most Ketchikan cruise tours pack you into larger groups and rush the stops; this one keeps the group to 11 or fewer and includes a local guide who shares the stories behind the totem poles and points out the forest resources as you walk, so you actually learn the place instead of just passing through it.
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.
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.
