Activities, Camps and After School Classes in Ketchikan, AK

This tour is off the beaten path and leaves the pavement and tourists behind for the more rugged mountain dirt roads in the backcountry of the Tongass National Forest, a local favorite drive. The tour is very rural and gains some scenic elevated views depending on weather conditions. We drive through some former logging sites as we explore the need for further conservation of our old-growth forests if we want to continue to breath clean air and if we want to fight climate change and protect one of the United States largest carbon sinks--the Tongass.

Ketchikan Native Tours is a locally owned and operated Southeast Alaska land based sightseeing tour company that focuses on the rich traditional Native cultures of the Tongass National Rainforest. We believe in the small group experience and will only take a maximum of 11 passengers per tour. This experience and the rich information shared and narrated will only be provided by local members of our community. We will visit some of the most beautiful totem poles found on the island at Totem Bight State Park. You will also get a chance to stretch your legs on a moderate walk visiting one of our many walking trails.

When people go to Ketchikan, these are the sites most people go to see: old town Ketchikan, Creek Street, fish ladder, Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, Herring Cove and more! By the end of the tour, visitors will have a real feel for Ketchikan and what life is like on this beautiful Alaskan island. The tour guide has lived in Ketchikan for many years and has given many tours.

Fishing in Ketchikan offers a unique adventure with Fathom Charter Fishing, where you can customize your trip to fit your style. Whether you prefer a private charter or a shared experience, the options are endless. Set sail for an unforgettable day on the water, surrounded by Alaska’s stunning scenery. Target prized catches and create lasting memories as you explore the rich fishing grounds. Specialized trips, including crab fishing, allow you to dive deeper into the local marine life and enhance your fishing journey.

The Neets Bay Bear Observatory is closed to the general public and accessible only by permit. As the exclusive permit holder, our guests enjoy a rare opportunity to visit one of Southeast Alaska's premier bear viewing locations—an experience available to very few visitors each year. Observe wild black bears in their natural habitat from a safe viewing platform as they forage along salmon streams and the shoreline. Located in the remote wilderness of Neets Bay, this unforgettable wildlife experience offers exceptional opportunities for bear viewing, photography, and witnessing Alaska's incredible natural beauty up close.

Enjoy a narrated small group island excursion where you will have a chance to watch for wildlife, and see the authentic art and culture of the area with a local guide. Stops may include: Herring Cove (the best place we can drive to for a chance to see wildlife) Salmon ladder (if visiting in spawning season) Totem heritage center (amazing art, and 200+ year old totem poles) A beautiful waterfall A drive through Saxman native village A popular local beach (if the tide is low enough)

This trip puts a rod in every guest’s hand and gives you a crack at whatever species catch the scent trail your guide sets up on the bottom. This is an intimate fishing experience with 5 or 6 guests and a guide tucked into a hardtop aluminum cabin cruiser out on the halibut flats. Weather can be unpredictable, but a major advantage of fishing the Inside Passage is that there’s almost always a place we can hide behind an island, sheltering us from weather blowing in from the open sea. At our company, we don’t worry about fuel burn. We want our guides to go where guests have the best chance at the most active fishing. Compared to most half-day charters in Alaska, these trips will carry guests farther into more distant and productive waters. That means a better chance at the fish, more coastal scenery, and a better chance at spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and porpoises!

This tour departs from the Ketchikan Visitors Center and returns to Ward Cove! Express Boarding: Eliminate the usual wait times associated with traditional transportation methods and make the most of your port day in town, without the stress. Ketchikan’s picturesque waterfront and scenic landscapes will be your backdrop as you make your way back to your cruise ship. Souvenir shopping is available for guests to enjoy onboard if you did not get your fill on Creek Street! The carefully curated galley gift shop highlights locally sourced items and Alaskan artists.

Explore the rich history and natural beauty of Ketchikan on this 2.5-hour tour. Discover the city's past with insights into the red-light district and Ketchikan Creek, especially captivating in July when salmon are seen spawning. Enjoy an Exclusive stop at Eagle Point for complimentary smoked salmon, free coffee, and learn about Alaska's indigenous wildlife. Also included at eagle point are professional mounted wildlife including a Black Bear, Brown Bear, Wolf, Wolverine, and many other animals. Visit the Saxman Totem Village, home to 29 authentic totem poles carved by Tlingit and Haida natives. Here you will get to see the carving center externally and learn more about the stories and legends of the poles. Saxman is the biggest collection of standing totem poles in the world. Finally, unwind at Herring Cove, where you have the best chance at seeing Bears, Eagles, Seals, and Salmon (Not Guaranteed). Concluding your tour at Creek Street or being brought back to your cruise ship.

Connell Lake Trail offers a peaceful journey with beautiful lake and mountain views, all while exploring one of the most beautiful forests in Southeast Alaska. • Small-group rainforest hike limited to 6 guests. • Explore Tongass National Forest with a life long Ketchikan local. • Enjoy scenic views of Connell Lake and Surrounding mountains at your own pace. •Escape the cruise crowds and experience 2-3 miles of pure hiking.

This combination trip gives your guide the freedom to pursue the best fishing opportunities available on the day you arrive. Whether it’s highly technical salmon trolling with downriggers, jigging pinnacles and kelp forests for rockfish and lingcod, or plumbing the depths for bottom fish, this trip highlights the diversity of species and fishing techniques Southeast Alaska is famous for! The guides who take these trips out are chosen for their versatile skill set, to run a trip like this you have to be rigged up with multiple sets of rods to facilitate completely different types of fishing rapidly within the course of a half-day trip. They’re ready to run far, pivot rapidly between locations and styles of fishing, and lean into the best seasonal opportunities on the day of your trip!

Embark on the ultimate Alaska wildlife adventure in Ketchikan! Discover top attractions like the mesmerizing salmon ladder, thrilling bear sightings at Herring Cove, and fascinating marine life at Rotary Beach, including whales and intertidal creatures. Dive into Alaska’s rich cultural heritage with a visit to the iconic totem poles at Saxman Native Village, where Tlingit and Haida traditions come to life. Additionally, check out Creek Street-one of Alaska’s most iconic destinations—a picturesque boardwalk perched on stilts above flowing waters, rich in history, culture, and charm. In summer, the creek comes alive with the spectacle of the salmon run, as thousands of fish swim upstream. Complete your unforgettable experience with a savory smoked salmon or reindeer sausage lunchable. Our small group tours allow you to see Ketchikan like a local! Book your all-in-one Ketchikan wildlife adventure today and make memories to last a lifetime!

Step into the heart of Alaska with the Seamax 4D immersive film experience, located just blocks from your cruise ship. This unique adventure combines stunning visuals with physical sensations, allowing you to feel the chill of glaciers and the rush of wind as you soar with eagles. The experience begins in the Terminal Lobby, where artifacts ignite your imagination, followed by an engaging pre-show that sets the stage for Alaska's wild beauty. With ten shows daily, this family-friendly attraction promises to captivate all ages while showcasing the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of Alaska.

Experience an authentic Ketchikan adventure crafted by expert local guides with years of industry experience and consistent five-star ratings. This flexible excursion is available as either a shared small-group experience or a private tour, bringing travelers closer to Alaska's rich culture and stunning great outdoors with a personal touch. Set out on an unforgettable journey to explore iconic boardwalks, historic totem sites, and lush rainforest landscapes tailored to your preferred group setting. Along the way, immerse yourself in local maritime history, keep watch for wild animals, and enjoy a captivating sightseeing experience designed to showcase the best of the region.

Experience a unique Ketchikan wildlife cruise that combines breathtaking scenery, Alaska wildlife, and authentic local storytelling. Departing from Clover Pass Resort aboard our comfortable enclosed vessel, you'll cruise the protected waterways of the Inside Passage in search of whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises, and other wildlife. As you travel through Southeast Alaska's stunning coastal landscapes, enjoy captivating stories from local Alaskans sharing tales of wildlife encounters, commercial fishing adventures, local legends, and life in the Last Frontier. Unlike traditional wildlife tours, Tales & Tides offers a deeper connection to Alaska's culture and people while providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and sightseeing. This unforgettable Ketchikan shore excursion combines wildlife, scenery, and authentic Alaska stories into one memorable experience.

Your adventure begins as we cruise through the Tongass Narrows, where your guide provides live narration about Ketchikan’s rich history, culture, and bustling shoreline. From there, we head into prime wildlife viewing areas where the wild side of Alaska comes alive. Keep watch for humpback whales surfacing and diving, bald eagles soaring overhead, harbor seals lounging along the rocks, and a wide variety of seabirds that thrive in the rich waters of Southeast Alaska. Every trip is unique—no two tours are ever the same! We operate two vessels: the Eagle One (22 passengers max) and the Eagle One Express (44 passengers max). The boat used for your tour is determined by group size and daily minimums to ensure the best experience for everyone. Our tours regularly encounter marine life, and we’re proud to have about a 90% success rate for humpback whale sightings—a number we work hard to maintain! That said, wildlife is always on its own schedule, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

I Am A Local Native Tlingit Indian Born and And Raised In Ketchikan Alaska With 30 Years Experience As A commercial Fisherman Pilot In Both Helicopters and Airplanes Land and Sea both Single and Twin Engines CDL Truck Driver and Heavy Equipment Operator and I Have Been Chasing Wildlife For Most Of My Life So I Have A Better Chance Of Success Than Most

Experience one of the most unique seafood excursions in Ketchikan, combining Alaska wildlife, rainforest exploration, and an unforgettable Alaska seafood feast. Cruise through the scenic waterways surrounding Ketchikan aboard our enclosed, heated boat, where you may spot whales, bald eagles, seals, sea lions, and other local wildlife. Step ashore at a remote Alaskan lodge and stroll through the heart of the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest, along a comfortable raised boardwalk surrounded by towering trees, lush moss, and breathtaking natural beauty. Complete your adventure with a traditional Alaska seafood feast featuring Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, and mussels served in a classic seafood boil with corn, potatoes, pearl onions, and roasted garlic. This authentic Ketchikan shore excursion offers the perfect blend of wildlife viewing, rainforest discovery, and fresh Alaska seafood, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

This trip is a departure from traditional fishing excursions in Alaska. You’ll ride in a comfortable, wide-open skiff, you’ll feel the wind in your hair, the spray on your skin, and no matter which way you turn, you’ll be immersed in an Alaskan sensory experience. We’ll outfit you in rubber raingear and place you next to a warm fire at the fish camp, but getting a little wet is part of the appeal! This trip is fast-paced, we’re not waiting around for the fish. You’ll drop in a spot and either start catching within a couple minutes or we’ll be off to the next location. When salmon are in, we rush to jig rockfish before switching over to troll

Experience the beautiful harbors of Ketchikan’s dynamic waterfront and take in breathtaking wilderness surroundings while cruising aboard a deluxe, Alaskan-built expedition vessel in search of wildlife. Enjoy your relaxing wildlife quest in search of harbor seals, eagles, humpback whales, porpoise and more while learning about Ketchikan’s unique history. Every excursion is unique; custom-designed by your experienced Alaskan captain and crew. Throughout your journey prepared to be wowed by tales of this remote oasis as our lively local guides and Expedition team share fascinating insights into its rich history, both natural and human. Sit back and relax in the warm and comfortable main cabin, surrounded by large windows or step outside onto the outside observation deck for maximum wildlife viewing. This family and Alaska Native tour operator has offered excursions in region for over 50 years!

Embark on an adventure through the stunning Misty Fjords, one of Alaska’s most beautiful natural wonders. Set out from Ketchikan onboard a purpose-built vessel, equipped with comfortable inside cabin seating, panoramic windows, heated cabin, onboard restrooms, outside viewing deck and an onboard galley gift shop.