Things to do in Ketchikan
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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.
Ketchikan Salmon & Rockfish Fishing: 5-Hour Adaptable AdventureA 5-hour combination fishing trip from Ketchikan where you and a licensed guide pursue whatever species offers the best action that day—salmon trolling with downriggers, jigging for rockfish in kelp forests, or dropping for bottom fish. The guide's choice of location and technique shifts with seasonal runs and conditions, so you're fishing multiple ways inside one trip. All tackle, rain gear, boots and snacks are provided; children from age 3 are welcome, and an Alaska fishing license is your choice at checkout.Is it for me?The guide speaks English throughout, so anyone comfortable following instructions and conversation on the water can fish here—no special language skills needed. The five-hour window and flexible technique mean you're not locked into one style of fishing or one location, so if the first approach isn't producing, the day pivots without wasted time.
Private Ketchikan tour: Customize your own itineraryA private guided tour in Ketchikan designed around your interests, with a local guide who knows the special places and a 4-hour itinerary you shape together. The tour includes a walk through rainforest to Totem Bight State Historical Park, where you see a clan house and totem poles, plus wildlife viewing for black bears, harbor seals, salmon and bald eagles depending on what shows up. Hotel pickup is included; bottled water comes along.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to steer the day toward what actually interests you instead of following a set itinerary—the guide builds the route around your priorities, so you're not paying for stops you don't care about or rushing past the ones that matter.
Ketchikan: Zodiac Boat Tour & Wildlife Spotting, Small GroupYou 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.Is it for me?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.
Ketchikan Salmon Fishing: Private Charter & All GearYou fish for four salmon species on a private boat with no other anglers, all gear and tackle included. The crew adjusts the day to your schedule and skill level, and the boat has a cabin, marine toilet, and snacks on board. You're fishing in Ketchikan's productive waters with experienced crew who know where the salmon are running.Is it for me?Book this if you want to fish Ketchikan's salmon without coordinating gear, timing, or sharing the boat—the private charter format is what makes a flexible, focused day on the water possible.
Ketchikan: Jeep Safari & Canoe Lake Tour with GuideYou’ll drive your own Jeep through Tongass National Forest’s winding trails before paddling a traditional canoe across Lake Harriet Hunt. Share laughs (and snacks) at camp by the water, then follow your guide into deep green forest for a short nature walk. Expect surprises—sometimes small ones stay with you longer than you’d think.
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: 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.
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 Salmon & Halibut Fishing: Private 5-Hour CharterA private 5-hour salmon and halibut fishing charter in Ketchikan includes pickup and drop-off from downtown cruise ship ports, all fishing tackle and bait, whale watching and wildlife viewing along the scenic coastline. No fishing experience is required, and the boat stays in protected waters suitable for all ages and fitness levels. A fishing license is available as an add-on at checkout.Is it for me?Book this private charter if your cruise docks in Ketchikan and you want a dedicated boat for your group rather than sharing with other anglers—pickup and drop-off sync with your ship schedule.
Ketchikan: Private Van Tour Downtown, Totem Bight & Creek StreetYou’ll ride in a comfy private van through Ketchikan with a local guide who knows every story behind those crooked boardwalks and towering totems. Watch salmon leap on Creek Street, spot eagles or maybe even bears at Herring Cove, and explore Indigenous history at Totem Bight State Park and the Discovery Center. It’s relaxed, personal—and you’ll leave with more than just photos.
Ketchikan Rainforest Canoe & Nature Walk TourYou paddle a traditional Alaska Native canoe across a mountain lake in the Tongass National Forest while your guide points out wildlife and forest ecology, then walk the rainforest to see carnivorous plants and learn about the area's natural history. Transportation, snacks, and a professional guide are included, and you're back at the cruise port within 3.5 hours.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Ketchikan and want to paddle and explore the rainforest without arranging your own transport or guide — the fixed 3.5-hour schedule is built around cruise ship timing, so you're back at the port with time to spare.
Ketchikan: Private Group Tour with Totem Parks & Wildlife StopsYou’ll pile into a van with your group in Ketchikan and shape your own day—totem parks rich with stories, Creek Street’s quirky charm, salmon ladders alive with fish (in season), and maybe even wildlife sightings if luck’s on your side. Expect laughter, local tales from your guide, and moments that stick long after the rain dries.
Salmon Fishing in Ketchikan: Private 4-Hour CharterA private 4-hour salmon fishing charter in Ketchikan includes a professional captain, all fishing tackle and bait, and whale and wildlife viewing along the Ketchikan coastline. Pickup and drop-off happen at the downtown cruise ship visitor center at berth 3, making it built for cruise passengers with limited time in port. A fishing license is available as an add-on at checkout.Is it for me?Book this charter if you're docked in Ketchikan with 4 hours to spend on the water—the guaranteed pickup and drop-off from the cruise ship visitor center means you fish without worrying about getting back to your ship on time. The private boat keeps it just your group, and the captain handles the positioning and timing so you're fishing in the best waters during the salmon run instead of arranging logistics yourself.
Salmon Fishing Charter in Ketchikan: 4-Hour Fishing ExperienceA four-hour salmon fishing charter in Ketchikan puts you on a 28-foot boat equipped with a large fishing platform, roomy cabin and private marine toilet, where you fish for King, Coho, Chum and Pink Salmon under the guidance of a live English-speaking guide. Rain gear is provided; a fishing license is available for purchase at the boat in cash. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the boat is fully wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Four hours is long enough to work multiple fishing grounds and hit the tides when they move salmon, but short enough to fit into a cruise port morning or leave the afternoon free for other Ketchikan plans. If you want a full-day fishing experience or a halibut-only charter, combination options are available at booking.
Ketchikan Halibut Fishing Charters: Private Boat for Your GroupA four-hour private fishing charter in Ketchikan where you fish for halibut, King salmon, Coho, Pink and Chum salmon on a boat equipped with top-line electronics and a comfortable cabin. All fishing gear, soda, water and snacks are included; the crew works within your timeline so the trip fits your group's pace and experience level.Is it for me?Book this charter if your group wants to fish together without sharing the boat with strangers—the private setup means you control the pace and the crew adapts to whether you're learning or chasing a specific catch.
Private Halibut and Salmon Fishing Charter in KetchikanA private fishing charter in Ketchikan pairs you with an experienced captain and a fully equipped boat to fish for halibut and salmon in the waters surrounding Alaska's Salmon Capital. The captain meets you at the cruise ship dock, explains USCG safety procedures, and takes you to the fishing grounds with all tackle and poles provided; you choose between a 4-hour salmon charter, a 5-hour halibut trip, or a 6-hour combination of both. Fishing licenses are your choice to purchase beforehand or add at checkout.Is it for me?Choose the 4-hour salmon charter if you're short on time between ship departures; the 5-hour halibut trip if you want to focus on one species and have a full morning; or the 6-hour option if you want to fish for both and don't need to rush back to the dock. The captain times the return around your ship's schedule, so confirm your all-aboard time when you book.
Ketchikan ocean kayak tour: 3 hours on remote Alaskan waterA boat-launched kayak tour in Ketchikan where you paddle tandem kayaks on remote Alaskan water for three hours with a local guide, Tim, who adjusts the route daily based on conditions and wildlife. The boat transports you to the kayaking site, supplies all gear, and returns you to town with time to catch your cruise ship. Snacks and a weather layer are included; the tour runs rain or shine and welcomes paddlers of all experience levels.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to paddle actual Alaskan coastline instead of following a fixed route—Tim changes where you go each day based on the water, wind and wildlife, which is what makes the paddling feel like exploring rather than checking off a list.
Ketchikan Halibut and Salmon Private Fishing CharterA private fishing charter in Ketchikan puts you and up to five other anglers on your own vessel with a licensed captain for five hours, targeting halibut, salmon, lingcod, rockfish, Pacific cod or Dungeness crab depending on what you want to pursue. You choose the focus—fishing only, wildlife sightseeing, or a combination—and the captain adjusts the route and technique to match. Fishing gear, rain jackets, bibs, boots and gloves are provided; an Alaska fishing license is optional at checkout.Is it for me?The boat departs from Ketchikan harbor with pickup included, so you don't need a car or a ride arranged—the captain meets you at the dock. If you're staying in town without transportation, this settles the logistics and gives you five hours to focus on fishing instead of getting there.
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.
