3-Hour Rainforest, Beach & Wildlife Walk
Description
Discover the wild side of Ketchikan! Step off the beaten path and experience the natural beauty of Alaska’s rainforest, beaches, and wildlife on this unforgettable 3-hour small-group adventure. Our locally guided tour takes you deep into the lush Tongass National Rainforest, along remote beaches, and to hidden spots where eagles soar, salmon swim, and wildlife thrives. With a maximum of 10 guests per tour, you’ll enjoy a personal, flexible experience where you can ask questions, take amazing photos, and connect with the landscape in an authentic way. We specialize in small groups to give you a richer, more meaningful connection to the land, wildlife, and culture. We’ll meet you right at your cruise dock — including Ward Cove — and whisk you away for a one-of-a-kind adventure. This is more than a sightseeing tour — it’s an immersive, locally guided Alaskan experience you’ll never forget. Let’s go explore Ketchikan’s wild beauty together! Tender Boat Disembarking (Private Tours Only)
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour begins with a scenic van ride to the north end of the island, where we arrive at the Lunch Creek Falls Trailhead. From there, we set out on an easy walk through lush, temperate rainforest, surrounded by towering evergreens and the soothing sounds of nature. Along the way, we’ll stop to take in the beauty of Lunch Creek Falls, a cascading waterfall that flows beneath a stunning wooden bridge—perfect for capturing breathtaking photos. As we continue our journey, we hike along Lunch Falls Trail for an incredible 1-mile loop through the rainforest then descend to the beach, where you'll have time to explore the cove, soak in the coastal views, and search for marine wildlife. Keep your eyes on the water—this is a prime spot for whale watching and observing other incredible sea life in their natural habitat.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We make it easy to start your adventure! We’ll meet you right where your ship docks or arrange a convenient pickup and drop-off for you. Look for your friendly Tours guide and van waiting near the docks where you arrive. We’re happy to coordinate with your group in advance to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience. If you'd like, we can also drop you off at other local spots you’d love to revisit for more exploring. You're on vacation — let’s make it easy, fun, and unforgettable. We can’t wait to meet you!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The other hour of the tour will consist of 1 hour driving time to and from location.
- Tender Boat Disembarking (Private Tours Only) Call to Book
- Please note that I am not available for phone calls between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Alaska Standard Time, as I may not be able to answer calls while I am on tour during this period. For faster and more reliable communication, I recommend reaching out via email instead.
Reviews(126)
The hike was an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself into the beautiful landscape that Alaska has to offer. Jordan was a kind, courteous guide with a wealth of knowledge. Glad we did this!
We so enjoyed our hike through the Tongass National Forest & beach area. After our cruise ship left Ketchikan, we heard several people complain about how touristy/crowded the main town was - while we enjoyed our short time exploring Creek Street on our own, we felt lucky that we had the opportunity to get further out & enjoy the natural scenery on this excursion. Evidently they only authorize a limited number of guides to take tours out at this site, so we had it mostly to ourselves. The area is breathtaking & our guide, Jordan, was super knowledgeable & clearly very passionate about his work. He pointed out signs of wildlife in the forest & found us some marine life on the beach since it was low tide (starfish, anemones & urchins). Jordan was also happy to take pictures of everyone. One thing I will note - the hike was a little more strenuous than I expected. There were lots of stairs, narrow walkways, etc. My husband & I were good, but it is worth noting if you have trouble with mobility or stairs.
guide was very knowledgeable. rain firest is unique to this area. hike is more difficult than easy, maybe medium
Thank you for your review and for your comments about the guide's knowledge and Alaska's unique rainforest. Our tour follows well-maintained trails with a relaxed pace, and the vast majority of guests find the hike to be easy to moderate. That said, perceptions of trail difficulty can vary from person to person depending on fitness level, mobility, and prior hiking experience. We're glad you enjoyed learning about the rainforest and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
We had a great time. Jordan was extremely knowledgeable and made sure to get all of the pictures we wanted.
Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear you had a great time exploring the rainforest and coastline with us. Providing an informative experience while helping guests capture memorable photos is always one of our goals. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope you enjoyed the rest of your Alaska adventure!
I did this tour with my 75 year old mother and my 7 year old child. The hike through the forest had mostly gentle inclines and declines, and stairs to help with the steeper parts. Our guide, Jordan, was so patient with everyone's physical limitations and used rest stops as an opportunity to teach about our surroundings. He was extremely knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and history of the area. He pointed out things that I never would have noticed with my untrained eyes - such as the way the ancient cedars nursed new trees or the teeny, tiny orchids along the trail. It really gave me a deeper appreciation for the unique ecosystem in the area. He answered my 7-year-old's (many, many) questions with enthusiasm. We really had a great time on the hike, learned a lot, and saw some truly breathtaking scenery. I would repeat this tour again in the future without hesitation. Thank you, Jordan, for such a fun, memorable experience!
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear that guests of multiple generations were able to enjoy the experience together. One of our goals is to create an engaging and educational adventure that allows visitors to slow down, connect with nature, and discover the many fascinating details that make Alaska's rainforest ecosystem so unique. We're delighted that the hike provided both memorable scenery and meaningful opportunities to learn about the area's flora, fauna, and history. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we truly appreciate your kind recommendation. We would be honored to welcome you back on a future visit to Alaska!
Our guide, Jordan, was excellent! He was very knowledgeable & constantly shared interesting information. The hike went on a good pace & we felt in good hands with Jordan as our guide. We would definitely recommend this excursion & company, & again, Jordan was wonderful.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience and found the tour both informative and comfortable. Creating a relaxed pace while sharing the natural history, wildlife, and unique features of Alaska's rainforest is an important part of what we strive to provide. We truly appreciate your recommendation and your kind words about the excursion. Thank you for choosing WildView Alaska Tours, and we hope to welcome you back on a future visit to Alaska!
This was a great experience! I ended up with a small group of myself and a another couple. Jordan was super informative and had a ton of knowledge he shared. We had time to walk and stop and talk about things we saw and ask questions. I'm so glad I picked this experience!!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the small-group experience and had the opportunity to explore the rainforest at a relaxed pace. One of the advantages of our tours is having the time to stop, observe, ask questions, and truly appreciate the incredible natural surroundings. We're delighted to hear the experience was both informative and enjoyable. Thank you for choosing WildView Alaska Tours and for taking the time to share your feedback. We hope to welcome you back on a future visit to Alaska!
What an amazing experience we had today walking through the rainforest. Just one beautiful view after another. Jordan was a skilled guide, teaching us about the trees, animals and foliage in the forest and all the creatures on the beach. Thank you!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time exploring the rainforest and coastline. The Tongass National Forest is full of incredible scenery and fascinating wildlife, and we're glad the experience helped bring those natural wonders to life. Providing an educational and engaging adventure is at the heart of what we do, and we're pleased you enjoyed learning about the area's trees, plants, animals, and beach ecosystems along the way. Thank you for choosing WildView Alaska Tours, and we hope to welcome you back on a future visit to Alaska!
Jordan was an energetic and informative guide that was flexible and helpful to make the hike truly special! An absolute gem of an experience!
Thank you so much for the kind review! We’re really glad you enjoyed the hike and the rainforest experience, and that the flexibility, information, and overall atmosphere made it such a memorable part of your time in Ketchikan. We truly appreciate you choosing to tour with us!
Might have been my favorite excursion while in Alaska. Guide knew his stuff!!! He was patient and kind, very knowledgeable, and communicated well. Would definitely do again. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the amazing review! We’re really glad to hear this was a favorite excursion of your time in Alaska. It’s great to know the experience felt informative, well-communicated, and enjoyable throughout. We truly appreciate you choosing to tour with us and hope to see you again in Ketchikan!
