Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition in Ketchikan by Zodiac Boat - 2.5 Hours
by Out to Sea Expedition Company
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$419.90Overview
This 2.5-hour Alaska ocean wilderness expedition departs from Thomas Basin Boat Harbor in downtown Ketchikan. Guests meet the captain and naturalist at a hospitality space on historic Thomas Street, where they receive full rain gear, waterproof overboots, a dry bag for personal items, and a USCG-approved life jacket. After a safety briefing, passengers board a rugged Zodiac boat designed for exploring the island-studded sea passages of Southeast Alaska. The trip moves into the Tongass Narrows, leaving behind the busy cruise ship area to explore the surrounding wilderness waters south of Ketchikan. The route varies depending on tides, weather, and wildlife activity, with no fixed destination. Along the way, the boat navigates narrow channels, rocky coastlines, forested islands, and black sandy beaches within the Tongass National Forest. Wildlife sightings may include Sitka Black-tailed Deer, River Otters, Mink, and Bald Eagles on land and in the forest. At low tide, the intertidal zones reveal sea stars, giant green anemones, sea urchins, and other marine life. While traveling through the protected Inside Passage waters, guests can look for marine mammals such as harbor seals, Steller sea lions, porpoises, humpback whales, and killer whales (orcas). Various resident and migratory birds are also common in these nutrient-rich waters. On the return to Ketchikan, the boat passes the working waterfront, where the captain shares information about the town’s history and community. Tea, coffee, and snacks are included during the tour. The crew, all local residents, provide recommendations for other activities, shops, and dining options in Ketchikan to help visitors plan the rest of their stay.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Tour Start at Thomas Street Hospitality Space
Guests meet the captain and naturalist at a hospitality space on historic Thomas Street in downtown Ketchikan. Here, participants are outfitted with rain gear (bibs and jacket), waterproof overboots, a dry bag for belongings, and a USCG-approved life jacket. Arrival 15 minutes before departure is recommended. The location is a 10-15 minute walk from cruise ship Berths 1-3 and 20 minutes from Berth 4 and the Ward Cove shuttle. Transportation from downtown cruise docks can be arranged with 48 hours notice. All tours depart from and return to Thomas Basin Boat Harbor. Before boarding the Zodiac, a safety briefing is given by the captain.
1 min
Tongass National Forest
Leaving the busy cruise ship area, the boat enters the Tongass Narrows. The captain shares the history of Ketchikan as the trip begins. The tour does not have a fixed endpoint; instead, it explores local waters based on tides, weather, and wildlife presence. Trips usually cover waters south of Ketchikan, allowing flexibility to experience the natural environment of Southeast Alaska.
Inside Passage
During the 2.5-hour trip on the water, participants travel in an open Zodiac boat that allows for close contact with the environment. Wildlife sightings may include Sitka Black-tailed Deer, River Otters, Mink, and Bald Eagles along the Tongass National Forest shorelines. At low tides, the intertidal zone shows sea life such as Sea Stars, Giant Green Anemones, and Sea Urchins. The trip continues through protected waters of the Inside Passage, where marine mammals like Harbor Seals, Steller Sea Lions, Porpoises, Humpback Whales, and Killer Whales (Orca) can be observed. Multiple bird species also frequent the area.
140 min
Ketchikan
On the return trip, the boat passes Ketchikan’s working waterfront. The captain provides information about the town’s history and culture. The area’s diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife, though specific sightings are not guaranteed. The quiet Zodiac vessel and experienced crew maximize chances to see wildlife and natural features.
Post-Tour Recommendations
After the tour, guests can talk with the local crew for advice on other activities, shops, and restaurants in Ketchikan. The crew members live year-round in the area and can provide helpful tips to make the most of the visit.
1 min
Meeting point
Our outfitting space is a 10-15 min walk from the cruise ship docks off of the waterfront promenade near Thomas Basin. Transportation from the downtown docks is available on request with 48 hrs notice. For guests arriving at Ward Cove, we have ship specific instructions sent via email after booking.
End point
Our outfitting space is a 10-15 min walk from the cruise ship docks off of the waterfront promenade near Thomas Basin. Transportation from the downtown docks is available on request with 48 hrs notice. For guests arriving at Ward Cove, we have ship specific instructions sent via email after booking.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition in Ketchikan by Zodiac Boat - 2.5 Hours
by Out to Sea Expedition Company
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$419.90Overview
This 2.5-hour Alaska ocean wilderness expedition departs from Thomas Basin Boat Harbor in downtown Ketchikan. Guests meet the captain and naturalist at a hospitality space on historic Thomas Street, where they receive full rain gear, waterproof overboots, a dry bag for personal items, and a USCG-approved life jacket. After a safety briefing, passengers board a rugged Zodiac boat designed for exploring the island-studded sea passages of Southeast Alaska. The trip moves into the Tongass Narrows, leaving behind the busy cruise ship area to explore the surrounding wilderness waters south of Ketchikan. The route varies depending on tides, weather, and wildlife activity, with no fixed destination. Along the way, the boat navigates narrow channels, rocky coastlines, forested islands, and black sandy beaches within the Tongass National Forest. Wildlife sightings may include Sitka Black-tailed Deer, River Otters, Mink, and Bald Eagles on land and in the forest. At low tide, the intertidal zones reveal sea stars, giant green anemones, sea urchins, and other marine life. While traveling through the protected Inside Passage waters, guests can look for marine mammals such as harbor seals, Steller sea lions, porpoises, humpback whales, and killer whales (orcas). Various resident and migratory birds are also common in these nutrient-rich waters. On the return to Ketchikan, the boat passes the working waterfront, where the captain shares information about the town’s history and community. Tea, coffee, and snacks are included during the tour. The crew, all local residents, provide recommendations for other activities, shops, and dining options in Ketchikan to help visitors plan the rest of their stay.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Tour Start at Thomas Street Hospitality Space
Guests meet the captain and naturalist at a hospitality space on historic Thomas Street in downtown Ketchikan. Here, participants are outfitted with rain gear (bibs and jacket), waterproof overboots, a dry bag for belongings, and a USCG-approved life jacket. Arrival 15 minutes before departure is recommended. The location is a 10-15 minute walk from cruise ship Berths 1-3 and 20 minutes from Berth 4 and the Ward Cove shuttle. Transportation from downtown cruise docks can be arranged with 48 hours notice. All tours depart from and return to Thomas Basin Boat Harbor. Before boarding the Zodiac, a safety briefing is given by the captain.
1 min
Tongass National Forest
Leaving the busy cruise ship area, the boat enters the Tongass Narrows. The captain shares the history of Ketchikan as the trip begins. The tour does not have a fixed endpoint; instead, it explores local waters based on tides, weather, and wildlife presence. Trips usually cover waters south of Ketchikan, allowing flexibility to experience the natural environment of Southeast Alaska.
Inside Passage
During the 2.5-hour trip on the water, participants travel in an open Zodiac boat that allows for close contact with the environment. Wildlife sightings may include Sitka Black-tailed Deer, River Otters, Mink, and Bald Eagles along the Tongass National Forest shorelines. At low tides, the intertidal zone shows sea life such as Sea Stars, Giant Green Anemones, and Sea Urchins. The trip continues through protected waters of the Inside Passage, where marine mammals like Harbor Seals, Steller Sea Lions, Porpoises, Humpback Whales, and Killer Whales (Orca) can be observed. Multiple bird species also frequent the area.
140 min
Ketchikan
On the return trip, the boat passes Ketchikan’s working waterfront. The captain provides information about the town’s history and culture. The area’s diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife, though specific sightings are not guaranteed. The quiet Zodiac vessel and experienced crew maximize chances to see wildlife and natural features.
Post-Tour Recommendations
After the tour, guests can talk with the local crew for advice on other activities, shops, and restaurants in Ketchikan. The crew members live year-round in the area and can provide helpful tips to make the most of the visit.
1 min
Meeting point
Our outfitting space is a 10-15 min walk from the cruise ship docks off of the waterfront promenade near Thomas Basin. Transportation from the downtown docks is available on request with 48 hrs notice. For guests arriving at Ward Cove, we have ship specific instructions sent via email after booking.
End point
Our outfitting space is a 10-15 min walk from the cruise ship docks off of the waterfront promenade near Thomas Basin. Transportation from the downtown docks is available on request with 48 hrs notice. For guests arriving at Ward Cove, we have ship specific instructions sent via email after booking.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.