2 Hour Private Tour with locals ( Price up to 5)
Description
Enjoy a private tour with locals by booking with Tlingit Tours. We bring you to beautiful destinations for those memorable pictures of Ketchikan. We can drive to the waterfall, salmon ladder and go find bears. Learn about our native culture by visiting the Totem Heritage Center or Potlach Park. Mountain Point is great for more pictures when you absorb the natural beauty of the ocean and surrounding islands, hopefully see whales that will create more excitement! Tlingit Tours can also customize tours to meet your needs. Some want just to see wildlife or learn about the native culture. See Ketchikan in comfort with your family and friends.
Tour Options
Itinerary
As we drive to Herring Cove, I will be talking about some history of Ketchikan and current events. Mountain Point is great to watch for whales, eagles and get pictures.
This location is a wonderful area to view wildlife. Your best chance to view bears on the Island. Mid June through early September, when the salmon are spawning.
Update 2026- Bugge's Beach will only have access for us Monday to Fridays until 5pm, closed for tours Saturday and Sunday. Due to Borough changes in policies. This beach is popular with the locals and visitors. See the marine life on a low tide and beach comb. You;ll enjoy learning about the sea creatures and edbile seafood! Don't forget your camera, we never know when we will see whales from shore.
Learn about our native culture and visit this museum to view Totem Poles. See beautiful hand crafted work on display of local artists.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
You will be picked up from your ship. You'll get a message via Viator or to your phone, that your reservation is saved. Please have your phone on when you arrive in Ketchikan. You'll receive a text the day of your tour and your guide will let you know where we are parked. Rain or shine, we give tours!! Ward Cove travelers should consider paying an additional hour for their tour. Please email for details.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(37)
We try to support local businesses whenever we can, but this tour was a ripoff. We booked this tour because we wanted to see bears. We did notice that our ship was not offering tours to see bears but we decided to give this tour a try thinking that locals usually have access to areas that companies may not have. Well, not the case this time. We understand that wildlife sightings are not guaranteed but the way this tour works is that you are inside a car hoping to see bears. We had a few stops where we got out of the car, at a creek, at a waterfall, at the beach, but we didn’t see anything. We did not walk on a trail looking for bears, instead we parked in front of someone’s driveway hoping that a bear will come out of their backyard. Most private tours that I have booked with Viator ask about your interests, what do you want to do and see within their itinerary. She didn’t ask that and she didn’t have a plan B for the lack of bears. She took us go see a totem pole because I asked. She didn’t even offer to take a picture of our group when we were at the waterfall. Not worth it.
In my defense, my tours are not a Rip Off. I always tell customers not to get their hopes up. I brought you to great places in Ketchikan. As far as parking at that house.... there's bear traffic daily. I told you, Timing is everything. I do the same thing for all the other customers that want to see bears. Sometimes the bears are crossing the roads, sometimes it's waiting. I also talked about Ketchikan and some history. I pointed out buildings and structures. I sometimes take pictures of groups. Sorry you're upset about not seeing bears. I think that's really what you're upset about. I understand that. I do the best I can for everyone all the time. Im glad to see how you felt about your tour. On my tours, I also ask if any one has questions. Customers can easily make changes to their tour if you didn't like what you did. To anyone, I don't engrave my tours in stone. Customers can ask to do something else so you're happy. I would appreciate if and when customers do speak out so I know what you like or don't like. I been giving tours of Ketchikan since 2010, I have a lot of knowledge to share. I also spoke about your next stop in advance. So there didn't need to be what you call a Plan B. Before we start any tours,I explain about where we are going and the next stops. I want everyone to have a great experience. Customers can help me at the time by addressing other things to do. I would of been very happy to had accommodated that for you.
This was a great way to get away from the crowds and see the local sites. We were able to talk about like in Ketchikan and it felt like we were riding along with a favorite cousin. We got to see a wonderful "hidden" waterfall and walked the shore with no ship guests in sight. It was a great change of pace and we would go back in a second.
Lisa is a true local who shares her knowledge of the area and is multitalented in traditional arts craft and use of area plants for nutrition and healing The highlight was her singing happy birthday to my husband in her native language at totem park She tried really hard to find us a bear but after multiple tries we weren’t so lucky Such is nature! We did see a bald eagle and a Sitka deer
Hello, I was more than happy to sing Happy Birthday in my language. Sorry I couldn't find a bear! It was a blessing meeting you two!
My husband and I had a great tour around Ketchikan with Lisa. We saw a bear. We saw bald eagles. We stopped at the Totem Heritage Center. Having grown up in the area, she really knows her stuff. And, she’s always reading about and learning more regarding the area. She’s very personable, knowledgeable, communicative and has a good sense of humor.
It was very nice meeting you. I appreciate the support. I truly love what I do. I want people to learn about my native culture. It's very important that you get correct information and experience a true Alaskan visit.
We had a great experience! We walked around town first because she said she could pick us up wherever we were at 2. So we made use of the time to get a little shopping in! I texted her at 2 and told her where we were and she was there within minutes! She immediately headed out for a known area to see some bears! We saw a large male bear and were able to get some great videos of him! Mamma bear and her cubs remained hidden from us, but they were working on their schedule, not ours! We also went to rainbow falls for some pictures ! It was such a great day ! She was so much fun! We would definitely do this again next time!
Thank you for your support. Im glad you enjoyed your visit and tour with me. Rain or shine, we will see sights in Ketchikan.
Lisa was awesome and I highly recommend. She tailored our trip to what we wanted. We got to see bears, bald eagles, wildlife, and great views from different points. She also really knew her stuff when it came to anything Ketchikan and Alaska.
Hello, thank you for your review. The support is very much appreciated. Thank you for booking your tour with me.
We were met at the cruise port by Lisa, she came early so we started. She was a blast to tour with, she was very knowledgeable about the islands history. She knew all the right places to look for wildlife and when to go. One stop we couldn't find anything and moved on, she had a feeling and went back on the way to the ship and there was a big old bear crossing the street. Being from the island she knew just about everyone and the were keepng in touch through a private group about animal sightings etc. It was a great tour and allot of fun I would recommend this to anyone that is traveling to Alaska
I am glad you enjoyed your tour. I want it to be memorable. Thank you for taking your tour with me.
I love supporting the locals and I am so glad I did this time! Lisa was amazing! We learned so much about the culture and history of Ketchikan from a who grew up there. Lisa was determined to find us a bear and she did. We saw a mom with 2 cubs and another one in the wild as well as an eagle. Added bonus on our drive back to town, she spotted a whale. We went to her “spot” to wait for it and even though I thought she was crazy, the whale actually swam by and we got to witness bubble feeding! I met almost every goal for my Alaska trip in just one 3 hour tour! Thank you so much Lisa! I loved every minute and would highly recommend this for anyone visiting Ketchikan
Im glad I met your experience of Alaska. I know how I world m would feel if I traveled some where, that I would want to see something. I do everything I can to find wildlife. I love seeing our bears as much as customers. Im fascinated by them. I have tricks up my sleeve that I don't share my hard work. The whale was a surprise for you!! That's one of my tricks ;) Gunalcheesh for the review. I appreciate the support and the glad you shared your excitement!! Blessings, Lisa
We had so much fun looking for wildlife with Lisa. We got great shots of bears and an awesome video of a whale. It was great to have our own tour with someone who grew up in Ketchikan. She was just as excited as us to spot something. If you are looking for a spontaneous adventure instead of a dull overcrowded tour group, this is for you!
What a gem! Eight of us walked right off the cruise and were told to find someone to take us to Herring Cove. I walked up and asked Lisa if she would take us and she said yes. It was one of the highlights of our entire trip. She is a native, knowledgeable of Ketchikan and so fun. When you are looking for bears with her, she is on a mission, too. She is just as excited as you are to find them. We saw three bears immediately. If you can book with her, I highly recommend.
Hello from Ketchikan. Thanks so much for going on a tour. I do everything I can to find bears. They are the most requested animal to see in Ketchikan. I was happy you got to see bears and you enjoyed your visit. I appreciate the recommendation. God Bless!
