Ketchikan Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching Quest by Boat
by Eagle One Enterprises LLC
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.$356Overview
This 2.5-hour boat tour in Ketchikan begins at the Berth 2 Visitors Center, where guests should arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in. The tour uses one of two vessels depending on group size: the Eagle One, which holds up to 22 passengers, or the Eagle One Express, which accommodates up to 44 passengers. The boat departs from Thomas Basin, a busy harbor filled with working fishing boats and local skiffs. From there, the boat travels through the Tongass Narrows along the shores of Revillagigedo Island, home to the City of Ketchikan and surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The guide provides live narration about the area’s history, wildlife, and environment during the trip. Passengers can watch for wildlife such as bald eagles perched in trees or soaring overhead, harbor seals resting on rocks, humpback whales and orcas swimming nearby, and occasionally deer or black bears along the shoreline. Salmon may be seen jumping during their season. The boat often stops at Metlakatla Island for about 20 minutes to observe bald eagles being fed near an active nest. Afterward, the tour visits Walden Rocks, where harbor seals rest at low tide. Snacks are included on board, and binoculars and blankets are available if needed. Guests are advised to wear weather-appropriate layered clothing, as wildlife sightings depend on animal activity and weather conditions. This tour offers a wildlife viewing and whale watching quest by boat through Ketchikan’s scenic waterways and forested shores.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Berth 2 Visitors Center
This is the official meeting point where guests should check in 30 minutes before the tour starts. It is a short walk from downtown cruise ship docks at Berths 1–4, with the closest being Berth 2, just a minute from the gangway. For ships docking at Ward Cove, a free shuttle drops passengers at Berth 4 downtown, followed by an 8–12 minute walk to the meeting location.
15 min
Thomas Basin
The tour begins in Thomas Basin, a busy harbor where fishing boats and local skiffs operate. The area is surrounded by historic boardwalks and marks the starting point for the wildlife and whale watching journey.
10 min
Ketchikan
The boat cruises along the shores of Revillagigedo Island, home to Ketchikan, known as the Salmon Capital of the World. The island is covered by the Tongass National Forest with large spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees framing rugged coastlines. Wildlife such as bald eagles, deer, and black bears can be seen along the shoreline. During salmon season, fish leap from the water, called “jumpers,” which guests can learn about during narration. Ketchikan receives over 140 inches of rain annually, so guests are advised to check the weather and dress accordingly, with indoor and outdoor seating available.
Tongass National Forest
The boat travels through waterways lined with towering spruce, cedar, and hemlock trees of the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest on Earth covering over 16 million acres. Wildlife sightings may include bald eagles, harbor seals, humpback whales, and orcas. Occasionally, deer or black bears can be spotted along the shore.
Metlakatla
The tour often pauses at Metlakatla Island, where guests can watch bald eagles feeding near an active nest during peak season. Following this, the boat moves to Walden Rocks, a favored resting place for spotted harbor seals that haul out on the rocks at low tide. Time is provided to observe the seals, take photos, and hear local history related to the area.
20 min
Meeting point
Check in 30 mins before your tour at Booth #16, Berth 2 Visitors Center (131 Front St). Ward Cove ship arrivals: plan to be on a shuttle to downtown Ketchikan 1 hour early to ensure timely check-in.
End point
Check in 30 mins before your tour at Booth #16, Berth 2 Visitors Center (131 Front St). Ward Cove ship arrivals: plan to be on a shuttle to downtown Ketchikan 1 hour early to ensure timely check-in.
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Ketchikan Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching Quest by Boat
by Eagle One Enterprises LLC
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.$356Overview
This 2.5-hour boat tour in Ketchikan begins at the Berth 2 Visitors Center, where guests should arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in. The tour uses one of two vessels depending on group size: the Eagle One, which holds up to 22 passengers, or the Eagle One Express, which accommodates up to 44 passengers. The boat departs from Thomas Basin, a busy harbor filled with working fishing boats and local skiffs. From there, the boat travels through the Tongass Narrows along the shores of Revillagigedo Island, home to the City of Ketchikan and surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The guide provides live narration about the area’s history, wildlife, and environment during the trip. Passengers can watch for wildlife such as bald eagles perched in trees or soaring overhead, harbor seals resting on rocks, humpback whales and orcas swimming nearby, and occasionally deer or black bears along the shoreline. Salmon may be seen jumping during their season. The boat often stops at Metlakatla Island for about 20 minutes to observe bald eagles being fed near an active nest. Afterward, the tour visits Walden Rocks, where harbor seals rest at low tide. Snacks are included on board, and binoculars and blankets are available if needed. Guests are advised to wear weather-appropriate layered clothing, as wildlife sightings depend on animal activity and weather conditions. This tour offers a wildlife viewing and whale watching quest by boat through Ketchikan’s scenic waterways and forested shores.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Berth 2 Visitors Center
This is the official meeting point where guests should check in 30 minutes before the tour starts. It is a short walk from downtown cruise ship docks at Berths 1–4, with the closest being Berth 2, just a minute from the gangway. For ships docking at Ward Cove, a free shuttle drops passengers at Berth 4 downtown, followed by an 8–12 minute walk to the meeting location.
15 min
Thomas Basin
The tour begins in Thomas Basin, a busy harbor where fishing boats and local skiffs operate. The area is surrounded by historic boardwalks and marks the starting point for the wildlife and whale watching journey.
10 min
Ketchikan
The boat cruises along the shores of Revillagigedo Island, home to Ketchikan, known as the Salmon Capital of the World. The island is covered by the Tongass National Forest with large spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees framing rugged coastlines. Wildlife such as bald eagles, deer, and black bears can be seen along the shoreline. During salmon season, fish leap from the water, called “jumpers,” which guests can learn about during narration. Ketchikan receives over 140 inches of rain annually, so guests are advised to check the weather and dress accordingly, with indoor and outdoor seating available.
Tongass National Forest
The boat travels through waterways lined with towering spruce, cedar, and hemlock trees of the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest on Earth covering over 16 million acres. Wildlife sightings may include bald eagles, harbor seals, humpback whales, and orcas. Occasionally, deer or black bears can be spotted along the shore.
Metlakatla
The tour often pauses at Metlakatla Island, where guests can watch bald eagles feeding near an active nest during peak season. Following this, the boat moves to Walden Rocks, a favored resting place for spotted harbor seals that haul out on the rocks at low tide. Time is provided to observe the seals, take photos, and hear local history related to the area.
20 min
Meeting point
Check in 30 mins before your tour at Booth #16, Berth 2 Visitors Center (131 Front St). Ward Cove ship arrivals: plan to be on a shuttle to downtown Ketchikan 1 hour early to ensure timely check-in.
End point
Check in 30 mins before your tour at Booth #16, Berth 2 Visitors Center (131 Front St). Ward Cove ship arrivals: plan to be on a shuttle to downtown Ketchikan 1 hour early to ensure timely check-in.
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.