Things to do in

Ketchikan Gateway

Relax aboard a San Francisco cable car trolley and take in the sights and sounds of this bustling fishing and logging community, once known as the salmon capital of the world. On this 2.25-hour tour, explore the native village of Saxman with its 29 authentic hand-carved totem poles, a master carving center, and village store. Watch master crafters at work and learn the history and traditions behind this practice. Next, head south to Herring Cove for wildlife viewing. In the summer during salmon spawning season, hungry bears, bald eagles, blue herring, and harbor seals can often be spotted in this beautiful riverside cove.  

Broaden your horizons with a private shore excursion tour of Ketchikan, Alaska, led by a local guide. Learn about the stories and lives of the Haida and Tlingit people, and see wildlife in their natural habitat. Meet your guide and set off on a tour of Ketchikan. Spot wildlife at 3 stops, including looking out for bears, salmon, and eagles. Learn about the meanings and stories behind the iconic totem poles of Alaska as you visit the Totem Heritage Center. Hear legendary stories that have been passed down since the beginning of time. Travel through the rainforest in a comfortable van and learn about the medicinal plants and berries that are edible.

Delight in a hearty Alaskan three-course lunch at the rustic yet elegant George Inlet Lodge. Relax and savor delicious Dungeness crab in the warmth of the lodge while hearing local tales from your informative host. Meet your host in Ketchikan and travel south to the Lodge which sits on the scenic shores of the George Inlet Waterway. Learn all about the history of the building which was formerly an old cannery bunkhouse built in the 1940s.  Be entertained with stories about the area while you relish your delicious food offerings: Salad with an Asian-style dressing, steaming hot Dungeness crab and mouth-watering cheesecake complete with blueberry toppings! Be ready to enjoy a lively lunching experience which has been described as a "rowdy good time!"

Discover the beauty of Ketchikan on this sightseeing boat tour. Stay cozy with the boat's blankets and get a closer look at wildlife like eagles and seals with the use of onboard binoculars. Search for humpback and killer whales in the Tongass Narrows and Nichols Passage. Check-in with staff and board the comfortable boat that has an onboard restroom. Once you depart the dock, begin to see eagles, seals, sealions and many species of wild birds that Alaksa showcases during the summer months.  Get help from the crew who will keep a look out for wildlife and tell you fun facts about these creatures. Have the chance to see the magnificent humpback whales that frequent the waters of Tongass Narrows, Nichols Passage, and other nearby water ways during the spring and summer months.  Enjoy photo opportunities with sights like a humpback whale breaching or bubble feeding. Search the waters for killer whales, which can reach a length up to 30 feet and have a dorsal fins that span up to 7 feet. Help yourself to complimentary drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, flavored soda water, and bottled water and snacks like fresh pastries, crackers, and assorted chips. Stay outside and enjoy more of the scenery while wrapped in a blanket. 

Join an eco-exploration of the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary in Ketchikan that includes a guided nature hike, bald eagles, an on-site totem park, and a historic sawmill at an exclusive reserve in the forested mountains at rustic Herring Cove. Follow a naturalist guide along a trail through the dense forest, among tall stands of hemlock, spruce, and cedar, stopping at viewing points. Observe bald eagles, black bears, seals, and a variety of birds and other species attracted by the major salmon runs in the marine estuary. At a protected, open estuary, follow Eagle Creek along an elevated wooden boardwalk overlooking grassy wetlands. Major runs of salmon return to spawn here. Listen to the symphony of bird activity in this spectacular setting. Seasonal ecosystem changes result in varying levels of wildlife activity. Take a 0.75-mile trail walk that will bring you to the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company sawmill. Spend time in the carving center learning about Native culture and traditions before heading out to view the amazing collection of Tsimshian totems. Finally, shopping opportunities await you in the General Store before the scenic drive back to the ship.

Deadliest Catch crab boat turned adventure boat. Award winning "Tour of the Year" and ranked amongst the top of ALL tours offered by cruise lines worldwide. There's over 50 times more life in the water than on land in Alaska and this excursion offers both. Crab, octopus, prawns, scenery, and often 50-100 bald eagles dive bombing the boat to grab fish right off the water are just a few of the highlights. This is for everyone in the family. The waters are calm, and no one gets seasick! It's educational, interactive and often emotional as Bering Sea Crab Fishermen share their stories of survival on the Bering Sea and beyond. People come from around the world and often save their money for years to go on a vacation of a lifetime. It is OUR duty and mission to cram as much as we can into this 3-hour authentic excursion.

Submerge yourself into Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World. Located far south in Alaska, Ketchikan is a beautiful area surrounded by the Tongass Narrows and Deer Mountain in the background. On this audio tour, you will learn about the history and legends of the local aboriginal tribes at the Totem Heritage Center and Stedman Thomas Historic District.  You will also see the Chief Kyan Totem Museum, the Tongass Historical Museum, learn about the Legend of Raven Stealing the Sun, see the Ketchikan Creek with Salmon Ladder, the Thomas Basin Harbor, Dolly's House with the Red Light District, and learn about the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Benefit from a self-guided tour and explore this amazing city at your own pace, without being hurried along.

Take to the skies over the stunning Misty Fjords National Monument on a floatplane tour from Ketchikan. Admire the lakes, sheer cliffs, and waterfalls of Misty Fjords, a part of the Tongass National Forest covering more than 2 million acres (900,000 hectares) of alpine wilderness. Meet your pilot in Ketchikan and climb aboard your 6-passenger floatplane. During the flight, hear your pilot’s commentary and a musical soundtrack via your headset. Ascend over Tongass Narrows, a body of water located between Ketchikan and Gravina Island, and fly past Ketchikan. Take in the beauty of Tongass National Forest as you soar over Revillagigedo Island to Misty Fjords National Monument, about 40 miles/64 km east of town. Traveling through a low-hanging mist that gives the region its name, enjoy views of fjords, cliffs, and rock walls jutting out of the water. Witness waterfalls cascading down narrow granite passages, and dense forests of hemlock and sprucing cover the vertical slopes. Fly over Rudyard Bay, getting a fantastic vantage point of New Eddystone Rock, a remnant of early volcanic activity. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like wolves, bears, deer, and eagles, ending the adventure with a drop-off back in Ketchikan.

Get well off the beaten path and speed along muddy trails to the remote Lake Mahoney on this guided UTV tour. Follow off-road trails along the George Inlet Fjord and through the Tongass National Forest. Arrive back to basecamp where a delicious lunch awaits you! Start your adventure in downtown Ketchikan, where you will meet the guide and travel out to the White River base camp. Learn about the history of Ketchikan as you pass sites like the Ward Cove Pulp Mill. After a short UTV training session at base camp, gear up and head out onto the trails. Be prepared to get muddy as you tear along 5 miles of off-road paths, through a beautiful wilderness of fjordland and temperate rainforest. Reach the peaceful shores of Mahoney Lake, then head back to basecamp where a warm lunch awaits you. Enjoy a well-deserved meal and a hot drink looking out over the peaceful water, far away from tourist crowds.

Experience the beauty and charm of Alaska with a guided tour of some authentic local attractions. Depart from Ketchikan to explore the colorful totems of Potlatch Park and learn about this ancient craft. Surround yourself with nature at Herring Cove and keep an eye out for exotic wildlife. Begin your adventure in Ketchikan and travel north on a picturesque ten-mile coastal drive to Potlatch Park. Learn about the town's fishing and logging past while passing by the old pulp mill, Ward Cove Cannery, and other iconic landmarks. Step into Potlatch Park to see what a native fishing village would have looked like back in the 1800s. Wander through the majestic totem poles as you listen to a fascinating narration of the site's history. Tour the tribal house and the carving center, where you'll see this art in action. Before you leave, stop by the Alaska Totem Trading Shop and view a display of rare antique firearms and other curiosities. Continue on to the beautiful Herring Cove, a small inlet that provides unique sights and sounds of local species. Join your guide on a wildlife-watching adventure and, if you're lucky to visit during salmon season, enjoy the opportunity to spot black bears, eagles, herons, and seals. From June through September, view the salmon as they fight their way upstream. End your journey with a ride back to Ketchikan.