Ketchikans Best Wildlife, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest

Please plan to check in 30 minutes before your tour start time. If your cruise ship docks downtown (Berths 1–4), you’re in luck, we’re just a short walk away! Meeting Point: Berth 2 Visitors Center, 131 Front Street. From Berth 2, it’s about a 1-minute walk from your ship’s gangway. From Berths 1, 3, or 4, it’s an easy 5–12 minute walk, depending on your pace. If your ship docks at Ward Cove, you’ll need to take the free shuttle provided by your cruise line. Allow at least one hour before your tour to travel. The shuttle ride takes 20–30 minutes and will drop you off at Berth 4 downtown. From there, it’s an 8–12 minute walk to our meeting location at the Berth 2 Visitors Center. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard for an unforgettable Ketchikan adventure!

Your journey begins in Thomas Basin, a lively harbor where working fishing boats and local skiffs share the water. Surrounded by historic boardwalks and the hum of Ketchikan’s waterfront, we cast off from this charming port and head into the open waterways to begin your Wildlife and Whale Quest.

Cruise along the scenic shores of Revillagigedo Island, home to the City of Ketchikan, known as the Salmon Capital of the World. This island is blanketed by the lush Tongass National Forest, where towering spruce, hemlock, and cedar frame rugged coastlines and reflect beautifully on calm waters. Keep your camera ready for bald eagles perched in the treetops and the occasional deer or black bear along the shoreline. Once salmon season begins, you’ll notice fish leaping from the water... locals call them “jumpers.” Discover why they leap and learn about the salmon’s incredible life cycle during your tour! Fun fact: Ketchikan receives over 140 inches of rain each year, earning it the nickname “The Rain Capital of Alaska.” Be sure to check the weather before your tour and dress accordingly.... while we have indoor and outdoor seating, it’s always great to see guests embracing the rain like true Alaskans, taking in the beauty of the Tongass mist and magic from the deck.

Cruising through the waterways of the Tongass National Forest feels like gliding through a world untouched by time. Towering spruce, cedar, and hemlock trees rise from the shoreline, their reflections shimmering in the calm, misty waters. Stretching over 16 million acres, the Tongass is the largest temperate rainforest on Earth and teems with life. As we travel through this breathtaking wilderness, it’s common to spot bald eagles soaring above, harbor seals lounging near rocky outcrops, and Humpback whales feeding or swimming along, or Orcas putting on a show and feeding. On rare occasions, deer or Black bear can be seen along the shoreline, adding to the thrill of discovery. While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, the adventure of exploring Alaska’s wild heart is always unforgettable.

Our journey often includes a stop at Metlakatla Island, home to one of the area’s active bald eagle nests. During peak season, you’ll experience something truly special, we’ll pause here to feed the eagles, watching in awe as these powerful birds soar overhead and dive with incredible precision to snatch fish from the water beside the boat. It’s one of those unforgettable “only in Alaska” moments. Afterward, we cruise over to Walden Rocks, a favorite resting spot for spotted harbor seals. When the tide is low, these sleek marine mammals haul out onto the rocks, soaking up the sun or curiously watching our boat drift nearby. We typically spend a few minutes here, giving you time to take in the scenery, snap photos, and hear a touch of local history tied to these very rocks... a story that connects wildlife, people, and the timeless spirit of Ketchikan’s coast.