Ketchikan is a small Alaska port with a very big list of things to do. You can fly over granite cliffs in a floatplane, pull up crab pots, paddle through rainforest waters, or watch black bears hunt for salmon.
This list covers 13 excursions that show off the town’s fishing roots, Native culture, wildlife, and wild scenery. Some trips take a full morning, while others fit into a short port day.
Season, weather, and wildlife all play a part, so a little planning goes a long way. Read on to find the outing that fits your travel style and save the list for later.
Misty Fjords National Monument Floatplane Tour
Few views in Southeast Alaska match the one from a floatplane window. Misty Fjords Air flies De Havilland seaplanes over steep granite walls, forested mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and narrow waterways.
The standard flightseeing experience lasts about 90 minutes including transportation, with roughly an hour spent in the air. That makes it a smart pick when your day in port has a tight schedule.
Round-trip ground transportation is provided from the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau area, so there is no need to figure out how to reach the dock on your own. Having one less thing to plan is always nice.
Weather in Southeast Alaska can change quickly, and flightseeing always depends on it. Keep your schedule a little flexible if you can, and book early in the day when possible.
The reward is a bird’s-eye look at a huge stretch of wilderness that is hard to reach any other way.
Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer Cruise
Prefer to keep your feet closer to the water? Allen Marine Tours runs its Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer on high-speed sightseeing vessels that travel the waterways around the national monument.
The view is nothing like the one from the air. Instead of looking down, passengers cruise beneath towering cliffs and pass waterfalls, forested shorelines, and remote wilderness.
Wildlife sightings may include eagles, seals, porpoises, and occasionally whales. Wild animals are never guaranteed, so treat each sighting as a happy bonus.
This excursion continues to appear among current Ketchikan cruise-line offerings, which makes it easy to find through a ship’s shore-excursion desk. A boat tour is a good option for travelers who feel uneasy about small planes or simply like the feel of being on the water.
Bring a warm layer, since the air near the cliffs can be cool even in summer.
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour
Deadliest Catch fans, here is your boat. The Aleutian Ballad is a former commercial fishing vessel, and it now carries guests on a popular Ketchikan excursion.
During the three-hour Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour, the crew demonstrates commercial fishing techniques. They pull up gear holding crab and other local sea life, and guests can see some of the animals up close before they are released.
Do not expect the rough seas the show is known for. This outing stays in the calmer protected waters around Ketchikan, which makes it a comfortable choice for most travelers.
The operator ran from April 17 through October 10 in 2026 and is already taking reservations for the 2027 Alaska season. If you plan to visit next year, booking early is a sensible move.
It is a hands-on way to learn how a working fishing boat operates.
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
A 50-foot speed climb up a pole is just one of the stunts waiting here. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is one of Ketchikan’s easiest excursions, since you do not need to spend hours traveling outside town.
Professional lumberjacks compete in more than a dozen events. Expect chopping, sawing, axe throwing, relay races, and log rolling, along with stories tied to Alaska’s historic timber industry.
The venue sits close to Ketchikan’s cruise docks, which helps if your ship has an early departure. Seating is covered and heated, so a rainy day will not spoil the fun.
Shows typically run several times a day, seven days a week, from May through September. That flexibility makes it simple to fit between other plans.
It is a lively choice when you want something entertaining that does not take up your whole day.
Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast at George Inlet Lodge
Crab lovers, this four-hour outing is built around one of the region’s best-known foods. It blends Southeast Alaska scenery with a sit-down seafood meal.
Visitors travel into the Tongass National Forest area before heading out on the waters around Revillagigedo Island. During the boating portion, guests can help pull Dungeness crab pots while guides explain the area’s environment and history.
The trip ends at George Inlet Lodge with a Dungeness crab feast. Pulling the pots yourself makes the meal feel earned.
The lodge continues to operate its crab dining and wilderness experiences. The Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast is generally reserved through participating cruise lines or their shore-excursion desks, so check there first.
If seafood is high on your Alaska wish list, this tour pairs the catch with the scenery where it comes from.
Saxman Native Village, Ketchikan & Wildlife Tour
Photographing a totem pole is easy. Understanding it takes a guide.
Ketchikan is known for its extraordinary collection of totem poles, and a guided visit to Saxman Native Village adds cultural context that pictures alone cannot give.
Current tours combine Saxman with a narrated drive through Ketchikan and wildlife viewing around Herring Cove. Guides discuss the stories and cultural significance connected with the poles while introducing visitors to Alaska Native heritage.
Herring Cove can also offer chances to see bald eagles, salmon, seals, and, during salmon season, black bears.
Tours operate seasonally from May through September. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the combination of culture and nature gives this trip two strong reasons to book.
It works well for travelers who want variety in a single morning.
Totem Bight State Historical Park Tour
Just north of downtown Ketchikan, a quiet forest setting holds a row of carved poles and a traditional clan house. That is Totem Bight State Historical Park, and it is a strong pick for anyone curious about Alaska Native culture.
Guided tours introduce visitors to the carved totem poles and the clan house. Guides explain elements of Tlingit and Haida culture and the stories represented by the carvings.
Several active Ketchikan tour companies include Totem Bight on their itineraries. Many pair it with scenic stops or wildlife viewing, so you can choose the mix that suits you.
It is an especially good choice for visitors who want a culturally focused excursion without giving up an entire day away from town. Walking the park with a knowledgeable guide makes each carving easier to understand.
Neets Bay Black Bear Viewing Tour
Watching a wild bear search for salmon ranks high on many Alaska wish lists. Neets Bay, about 40 miles north of Ketchikan, is one of the region’s major black bear viewing destinations.
Current excursions combine transportation by land and boat with a guided visit to viewing areas near salmon habitat. The trip takes more effort than a downtown outing, but it is built for wildlife fans.
Timing matters here. Bear activity is closely linked to salmon runs, with the strongest viewing generally from late July into September.
These are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed. Still, Neets Bay is one of the more specialized wildlife excursions available from Ketchikan.
If bears are your main goal, plan your visit for late summer and book ahead.
Clover Pass Kayaking Eco Tour
Ketchikan Kayak Company runs a four-hour paddling trip through the protected waters around Clover Pass. You will not be battling open ocean waves on this one.
Participants travel along rainforest shorelines and around small islands while guides discuss the area’s marine environment. The sheltered setting also gives you chances to watch for bald eagles and other coastal wildlife.
The tour is designed as a slow-paced experience rather than an extreme kayaking expedition. First-timers can feel comfortable signing up.
Downtown and Ward Cove pickups are available, which is handy for cruise passengers. The company currently lists the tour as bookable for ages five and older, so families can often paddle together.
Dress for rain, since this is a rainforest after all.
Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary & Totem Park
Ketchikan sits within the Tongass National Forest, so a rainforest walk belongs on almost any first-time itinerary.
The Rainforest Sanctuary excursion takes visitors away from downtown into the lush temperate rainforest south of Ketchikan. Depending on the specific tour, guests walk forest trails and boardwalks while learning about local plants and wildlife.
The experience is commonly combined with cultural elements and totem poles. That gives the outing a mix of nature and history in one stop.
The Rainforest Sanctuary & Totem Park remains among the Ketchikan excursions currently offered by major Alaska cruise lines. Wildlife is possible, but treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
Comfortable shoes and a rain jacket are smart choices.
Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure
Snorkeling is not the first activity most people link with Alaska, and that is exactly why it sticks in the memory.
Snorkel Alaska runs guided trips at Mountain Point. Participants explore the rocky underwater landscape and look for sea stars, sea cucumbers, fish, anemones, and other marine life.
Wetsuits and necessary equipment are provided, along with transportation. The experience lasts about three hours and includes access to hot showers and warm drinks afterward.
The operator has been providing snorkeling experiences in Southeast Alaska for more than 20 years and continues to take reservations for its Mountain Point adventure. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to be curious, but check the company’s guidelines before booking.
It is a very different way to meet the Inside Passage.
Ketchikan Duck Tour
Land and water in a single ride is the whole idea here. The Ketchikan Duck Tour is one of the easiest ways to see the town without planning a long outing.
The 90-minute trip begins on Ketchikan’s streets, passing historic neighborhoods and notable local sights. Then the amphibious vehicle splashes into the water at Bar Harbor.
From there, passengers cruise Tongass Narrows for views of the waterfront, fishing vessels, canneries, floatplanes, and possible wildlife.
The company has operated in Ketchikan since 2001 and currently runs a fleet of amphibious vehicles. Tours operate during the main visitor season from May through September.
It suits travelers who want a relaxed orientation to the town on their first day.
Ketchikan Salmon & Halibut Fishing Charter
Ketchikan has a deep connection with fishing, so a charter is one of the most authentic ways to spend a port day.
Local operators offer trips targeting salmon, halibut, and other species. What you can catch depends on the season, regulations, trip length, and fishing conditions.
Excursions range from shorter three- or four-hour salmon trips to longer combination charters. One active Ketchikan operator lists three- to four-hour salmon charters, four- to five-hour halibut trips, and longer salmon-and-halibut combinations.
Equipment is supplied, and fish processing and shipping are available, so you can send your catch home. The company was actively advertising select summer 2026 dates, confirming ongoing operations.
Match the trip length to your schedule and ask about the target species before you book.
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