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(184)
This was an excellent tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the plants, quick sand, bogs and animals. Lots of steps!
We had a wonderful tour guide Jordan. He was vey knowledgeable about the area and the forest. He definitely made this amazing. It was a pleasure!!
Jordan led us on an amazing trek through the rainforest. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic as our guide. Highly recommend!
It would be good to include in the description that there are many many stairs on the trail. While walking sticks are available and very helpful, some people might not be up for the amount of stairs. Great experience. Very knowledgeable guide - plants, animals, healing properties, stories - entertaining and informative.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the experience and found the guide knowledgeable and informative. We do want to clarify that the tour description does explain that this is a hike through the rainforest and is not recommended for travelers with back problems, heart problems, or other serious medical conditions. Hiking poles are also included because the coastal mountain terrain can be steeper and more uneven than some guests may be accustomed to. Additionally, the presence of stairs and the nature of the trail are addressed in the waiver that all guests are required to read and sign prior to the tour. We certainly understand that the amount of stairs may not be suitable for everyone, and we appreciate your suggestion. Thank you again for joining us and for taking the time to share your experience!
We had the best time. Jordan was our guide. His knowledge of the area, plants, and animals was astonishing. The hike itself was fairly easy. We would absolutely do this hike again as well as partner with this company for other adventures offered.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled you had such a great time and enjoyed learning about the plants, animals, and local area. Jordan truly appreciates the kind words. We’d love to have you join us again for another adventure!
This tour was a great way to spend part of our day in Ketchikan! The drive is about 30 minutes each way, allowing about two hours in the rainforest area for a hike. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly and answered all of our questions along the way! I would highly recommend! We didn't see much wildlife but it was a great day!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re glad you enjoyed your time in the rainforest and appreciated the guide’s knowledge and friendly approach. Wildlife sightings can vary in nature, but we’re happy you still had a great day in Ketchikan! We truly appreciate the recommendation.
Beautiful walk/hike as described...Guide was very knowledgeable and clearly has a passion for the nature of the area. Lots of steps but the pace was perfect on a well-maintained trail.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful rainforest hike and found the pace comfortable. Our guides truly love sharing the area’s nature and wildlife with guests. We appreciate you joining us!
Our experience was amazing. Went with my husband and our two children, 14 and 8, and there was a decent amount of walking and climbing, I would say children under 8 probably would not have the endurance for this, but kids/explorers 8+ will LOVE this. Jordan runs these tours and he is wonderful. So extremely knowledgeable about the area and the rainforest, and it was really fun to learn from him and listen to him as he guides us through the rainforest, around the beach, and back. From the moment we entered the Rainforest we were mesmerized. It’s beyond gorgeous and it’s so quiet and serene, we just did not want to leave. We loved seeing the hundreds-year-old trees, we learned about some safe plants from which to eat, and we had wild blueberries and huckleberries along our hike; we just felt truly one with nature and we all loved it so much. Exploring the beach was beautiful and truly I could have stayed there for an eternity. We would not hesitate to book something with Jordan again. He and the landscape were just awesome. Hope to be back!
Thank you so much for this incredible review! We’re thrilled your whole family enjoyed the rainforest, beach, and all the natural wonders along the way. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re so glad Jordan could make the experience fun and informative. We’d absolutely love to have you back for another adventure!
Our guided hike was truly one of the highlights of our trip! Jordan was an exceptional guide—a local whose knowledge of the area, history, culture, and wildlife made every step so interesting. He was incredibly kind, engaging, and made everyone in our group feel welcome. What stood out most was his genuine respect for both the natural environment and the local culture, which made the experience feel authentic and meaningful. We also really appreciated how accommodating he was with our cruise ship schedule, making sure we had an amazing experience while getting us back on time without ever feeling rushed. We felt so well cared for from start to finish. If you’re looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about sharing this beautiful place, Jordan is the one to book. Highly recommend!
My husband and I went on this tour with Jordan during our Alaskan cruise. He was very communicative from the day we booked our tour. He was very organized and answered any questions we had prior and during our tour. Pick up easy at Ward Cove with very clear instructions from Jordan the day before. Jordan was very knowledgeable, goes above and beyond where you see he really loves his job. The rainforest and beach walk was beautiful, a tour my husband & I would highly recommend if you’re in Ketchikan. It was my favorite part of our trip!!! I’m not one to write reviews but I wanted to give Jordan the shout out!!!!
