Private Ketchikan wildlife tour: Customize your day on the water

Build your own route through Ketchikan's wildlife and coastline

A private wildlife tour in Ketchikan where you and Captain Jack decide what to pursue (humpbacks, bears, eagles, totem poles, lighthouses) aboard a custom boat built locally and fully wheelchair-accessible. The boat carries a large forward deck for viewing and an enclosed cabin with panoramic windows. Captain Jack, a 13-year Ketchikan resident and ocean guide, shares knowledge of the place, its wildlife and its people as you explore the broken coastlines surrounding the town.

The experience

You arrive at the boat with no fixed itinerary. Tell Captain Jack what draws you (whales, bears, bald eagles, harbor seals, totem poles, a lighthouse, hidden coves), and he steers toward it. The waters around Ketchikan hold humpbacks, orcas, porpoises, sea lions and seals; the shorelines host bears, deer and mink; the skies fill with kingfishers, cormorants and migratory birds. What shows up depends on the season and the day, but the boat goes where the wildlife is most likely to be.

The boat itself was built right here in Ketchikan and designed for comfort in variable weather. A large forward deck lets you stand close to the water and the views; a rear deck offers another vantage; an enclosed cabin with huge windows keeps you warm and dry while you watch. Binoculars and bottled water are on board, along with snacks. If you need a wheelchair or mobility device, the boat is fully accessible: all areas and surfaces accommodate them, and Captain Jack is certified as an autism specialist through IBCCES, so the tour is built to welcome neurodivergent travelers as well.

Three hours on the water gives you real time to search, not a rushed dash past landmarks. Captain Jack has 13 years guiding these waters and a deep knowledge of Ketchikan's history, its people and the land itself. He shares as much or as little as you want to hear: some travelers want constant narration. Others prefer to watch in quiet. That choice is yours.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• binoculars.
• snacks.
• live guide commentary in English.
• pickup included.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 25 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Fishability Alaska

Is this one for you?Captain Jack speaks English and tailors how much information he shares, so whether you want constant narration or prefer to watch quietly, the day works at your pace. The boat's enclosed cabin and open decks let you choose where to watch depending on weather and your comfort.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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 wildlife actually shows up in Ketchikan waters?

Humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, harbor seals and sea lions are frequent visitors; bald eagles, kingfishers and cormorants rule the skies; bears, deer and mink sometimes appear on the shoreline. What you see depends on the season and conditions on the day you go.

Can I really choose what we look for, or is there a set route?

There's no fixed route. You tell Captain Jack what interests you most (whales, bears, totem poles, a lighthouse, remote cabins, coastal scenery), and he'll navigate toward it and do what he can to deliver.

What if the weather turns bad?

The boat has an enclosed cabin with large windows, so you can watch the scenery and wildlife from inside if conditions aren't favorable for the open decks.

Is the boat accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the boat is fully wheelchair-accessible. All areas and surfaces accommodate mobility devices. Captain Jack is also certified as an autism specialist through IBCCES, and the company is Autism Double-Checked certified.

How much does this tour cost?

The price is $900 for 1–4 people; $1,100 for 5 people; $1,300 for 6 people. The rate covers the entire boat, not per person.