Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour
Description
Take a 4-hour guided kayak tour to Clover Pass, (2 -2.5 hours in the kayaks) with scheduling to fit virtually every cruise ship. This is an amazing waterway with several rainforest islands, about 15 miles north of town. Your guides will get you away from the crowds and often to better weather where you'll paddle around 3 scenic islands where dense rainforest meets the sea. The Tongass National Forest is the largest National Forest in the U.S. and surrounds Clover Pass. Most tours encounter the resident Steller sea lions, seals, bald eagles and other birds, an immense array of intertidal life, and sometimes humpback whales, orcas, porpoises and jumping salmon along the route as well. Occasionally we even see Sitka deer or black bears down at the beach. While specific wildlife viewing cannot be guaranteed, Clover Pass is second to none for wildlife viewing near Ketchikan and our micro climate, north of town, consistently provides dryer weather and calmer waters than downtown.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We Pick up guests at Downtown Cruise Docks & Ward Cove Cruise Ship Docks. Please Read ALL Meeting Instructions! FOR DOWNTOWN CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS & Other Guests: After disembarking your cruise ship, please proceed to the shelter at Cruise Berth 3. The shelter is on the dock next to the "Visitors Information - Restrooms" building and Sockeye Sam's Store. It's across the street from the tunnel. (NOTE: this is NOT the berth 2 Visitors Center). The walk is approximately 2-5 minutes depending at which pier you are docked. The address is 425 Water Street. Our driver will be present 15 minutes before all departures holding a RED sign that says "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS Docking AT THE MILL AT WARD COVE: (Norwegian Cruise Lines + Some Others) After disembarking your cruise ship, please proceed to the brick building "The Mill at Ward Cove." Proceed through the building to the right. Tour vendors will be greeting guests for excursions in the corner near the restrooms and the large overhead door. Look for our driver with a RED sign that reads "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." 15 minutes AFTER the departure time. The MIll at Ward Cove is halfway between downtown Ketchikan and our marina, this means DEPARTURES FROM WARD COVE WILL BE GREETED BY OUR DRIVER 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED DOWNTOWN DEPARTURE TIME as you will be picked up on the way. Guests returning to Ward Cove will be back about 15 minutes early. For example, if you schedule a tour from 8:00am to noon, your tour will operate from 8:15 to 11:45.am. If you are docking at Ward Cove but would prefer to meet for a downtown departure (e.g. your ship docks at 7:00am and you want to see downtown Ketchikan before meeting us for an 11:00am tour) or if you would prefer to be dropped off downtown after the excursion this may be possible but you will need to contact the Ketchikan Kayak Co. prior to your tour time to arrange the change. Otherwise all guests docking at Ward Cove will be expected to be picked up at Ward Cove. *Remember to turn off airplane mode when you pull into port to aid in communication should there be any delays or should any issues arise the day of your excursion.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Children must be at least 6 years old. There are some exceptions, so please call if you feel you qualify
- No experience is necessary
- Rain pants and jackets are provided
- Due to the size of the kayak cockpit openings, your hip/waist size should not exceed 52 inches (137cm) as measured while seated.
- Recommended that you wear clothing that would be appropriate for an outdoor hike through the forest, and footwear that will fit inside the space of a kayak. Large bulky boots or high heels are not recommended
- There is a minimum of 2 people to run a tour
- At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, date.
Reviews(914)
We had an absolutely awesome kayak adventure with our guide, Spencer. I will say that we got exceptionally lucky with both the weather and the fact that we got to see some humpback whales at a fairly close distance! But even without these lucky breaks, Spencer was an awesome guide who gave us a fabulous tour around the bay including explanations of the various other sea creatures we found.
It was just ok. We kayaked around and looked at starfish, sea urchins, and bald eagles. This was all really neat and thoroughly enjoyable. However, overall it might have been a disappointing day to see wildlife in the area. I understand that and take it into account - that's why it's called wildlife. But the overall tour seemed a little disjointed. Participants had to ask a lot of questions of the tour guides to get information. Equipment was in great shape and the transport to and from the excursion site was on time and efficient.
I had a Wonderful experience Kayaking. We were Blessed enough to spot a whale and spend some time watching it feed! The Kayak tour started out with a brief demo on how to operate a sea-kayak (which is a little different than a lake or whitewater boat). The company provided rain gear and dry bags, which was much appreciated once we got on the water. We paddled along shorelines and spotted various sea-life and got to see a sea-star up close! Our Guide Spencer was very knowledgeable and did a great job checking in on us and gave us occasional breaks without keeping us in one place too long. This tour was Awesome would 100% come back and Kayak with Ketchikan Kayak Company. Leading up to the excursion Devin, the Owner was very responsive and provided all necessary details about where to meet. As promised, we made it back to town with plenty of time to spare and with time to enjoy some more sight-seeing around Ketchikan.
Was looking forward to the tour a lot! However it was cancelled less than 24 hours in advance without explanation, leaving us without a tour in Ketchikan.
Great trip!!! Guides were so knowlegeable!! Loved being in the water at low ride!! Sea stars and sea urchina galore and Bald eagles in the sky and trees!!
Spencer and Jenny did a great job as our tour guides. We saw a seal, bald eagles, and a sea lion.
We were lucky since we had gorgeous weather. Our guides were friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. They took us around the island with bald eagles. I would definitely do it again!
Amazing tour! Would definitely recommend if visiting the area! Spencer was great at navigating and explaining the area. I had never kayaked before and had no issues. They do supply gear if you need it. I had worn my own waterproof pants and shoes, but would of been fine either way. Would love to go back!
The kayak trip was great! Good communication. Easy pick-up from Ward Cove, with quick trip to local river. Clear instructions and safe place to put on provided gear (if needed) and climb in the kayaks. Our small group had a variety of skill levels and our guides, Ashley (aka Dori) and Spencer handled all the participates well and made sure that all participants had an amazing time. We saw bald eagles, a seal, a mink, sea cucumbers, star fish and a humpback whale. An excellent adventure and beautiful morning.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff! Such a wonderful experience.
