Misty Fjords Floatplane Tour: Granite Walls View

Fly over granite walls and glacial fjords without leaving the ground behind

A floatplane tour from Ketchikan takes you over Misty Fjords National Monument and the Tongass National Forest on a two-hour flight with a guaranteed window seat and live narration. You lift off directly from Tongass Narrows, climb over 3,000-foot granite walls and cascading waterfalls, and circle remote lakes and untouched rainforest. The operator guarantees you'll make your ship's all-aboard time and handles all ground transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Floatplane tour over Misty Fjords

• Depart from Tongass Narrows waterfront
• Ascend over Tongass National Forest
• View aerial landscapes of lakes and rainforest
• Fly over 3,000-foot granite walls and waterfalls
• See volcanic spire in Behm Canal
• Return to Tongass Narrows waterfront

The experience

You arrive in Ketchikan on a cruise or a short stay and have a morning or afternoon free. The floatplane departs from the historic waterfront base right on Tongass Narrows, so there's no drive to an airport. The operator picks you up from your ship or hotel, handles the check-in, and gets you to the water. The flight itself covers two hours and stays low enough that you see detail: granite walls rising 3,000 feet, waterfalls spilling from hanging valleys, the deep blue of Rudyerd Bay, and the remote lakes scattered across the Tongass National Forest's 17 million acres of temperate rainforest.

A live guide narrates as you fly, pointing out the landscape's geology and the wildlife that lives in it: mountain goats on the ridges, bears, otters, eagles. The window seat is guaranteed, so you're not craning across someone else to see. The floatplane itself takes off and lands on the water, which means no runway delays and a different angle on the terrain than you'd get from a land-based airport.

The operator has 45 years in business and partnerships with all the major cruise lines, which is why they promise in writing that you will not miss your ship's all-aboard. They confirm your departure time by phone before the day and build in the buffer. Private van transport picks you up and drops you back, so you don't need to arrange a taxi or figure out the local shuttle.

What’s included

• Private van pickup and drop-off from your ship or hotel.
• window seat guaranteed on the floatplane.
• live guide narration with insights about the scenery and wildlife.
• 100% guarantee you won't miss your cruise ship all-aboard time.

Information

Lasts 2h, from US$ 349 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: 25 Apr 20276 departing soon ›

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.2 with pickup ›

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2): free

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Taquan Air

Is this one for you?Book a morning departure if you want the flight early and the rest of your port day free, or an afternoon slot if you're exploring Ketchikan first. Either way, the private van pickup means you don't need a rental car or have to find a taxi. The operator handles the timing so you're back in plenty of time for your ship.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2): free.

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.

What do you actually see on the floatplane flight over Misty Fjords?

Misty Fjords National Monument shows you 3,000-foot granite walls, waterfalls cascading from hanging valleys, glacially carved fjords, and the deep blue waters of Rudyerd Bay. The flight also passes over remote lakes and ridgelines across the Tongass National Forest, and you'll spot wildlife like mountain goats, bears, otters, and eagles if conditions allow.

How does the floatplane departure work if you're on a cruise ship?

The operator picks you up from your ship or hotel and takes you to the waterfront base on Tongass Narrows, where the floatplane takes off directly from the water. They confirm your departure time by phone before the day and guarantee in writing that you'll make your ship's all-aboard. The two-hour flight is timed so you're back with a buffer.

Is the window seat really guaranteed on this tour?

Yes, every passenger gets a window seat, so you're not sitting in the middle or on the aisle during the flight over the fjords and waterfalls.

What's included in the price of the floatplane tour?

Private van pickup and drop-off from your ship or hotel, the floatplane flight with a window seat, and live narration from the guide are all included. Gratuities and food and drinks are not included.

How long is the floatplane tour, and when do flights depart?

The flight is two hours. Morning departures run from 7am to 12pm, and afternoon departures from 12pm to 7pm. You'll confirm your exact departure time with the operator by phone before your tour day.