Ketchikan Sea Kayaking — Rainforest & Waterway Tours

What to Expect

A Ketchikan kayaking tour offers a peaceful, intimate way to experience the Tongass National Forest from the water. Your adventure typically begins with a meeting near your cruise ship dock. From there, you’ll take a 20-30 minute narrated shuttle ride north of the bustling town to a more serene launch point, often in the protected waterways of Clover Pass.

Upon arrival, your experienced guides will provide a thorough safety briefing and paddling instruction—no prior experience is necessary. You’ll be outfitted with all the required gear, including a stable two-person sea kayak, a spray skirt to keep you dry, a life jacket, and waterproof outerwear.

You’ll then spend up to 2.5 hours on the water, paddling at a relaxed pace along the lush, rainforest-lined shores. The calm, island-dotted waters are ideal for kayaking, allowing you to glide quietly into coves and along coastlines. Your guide will lead the small group, pointing out the diverse intertidal life visible in the clear water, like vibrant sea stars, and scanning the skies and shoreline for wildlife. Common sightings include bald eagles perched in towering Sitka spruce and hemlock trees, harbor seals, and Dall’s porpoise.

After your paddle, many tours offer a light snack on a remote beach or back at the base, often featuring local specialties like smoked salmon dip, before you re-board the shuttle for your return trip to the cruise port.

Who This Is For

This excursion is perfect for those who want an active, yet gentle, adventure that gets them away from the downtown crowds and immersed in the natural beauty of Southeast Alaska. It’s an excellent choice for:

• Families: Most operators welcome children ages 5 or 6 and up, and the stable double kayaks are easy for families to paddle together. It’s an engaging way for kids to experience the outdoors without the high cost of a flightseeing tour.
• First-Time Kayakers: The waters are protected, the kayaks are stable, and guides provide all the instruction you need to feel confident and safe.
• Nature Lovers: The quiet nature of kayaking allows for incredible wildlife viewing opportunities without disturbing the habitat. You’ll get a unique, water-level perspective of the temperate rainforest ecosystem.
• Active Cruisers: If you prefer participation over observation, this tour provides a dose of moderate physical activity in a stunning setting.

This tour is generally not suitable for individuals with significant mobility issues who cannot comfortably step down into a kayak from a floating dock, or for those with serious back problems.

Ship vs. Independent Booking

For kayaking in Ketchikan, you can find excellent tours both through your cruise line and with independent operators. Unlike some other excursions, the price difference is often not dramatic.

Booking with the ship offers the convenience of a single point of booking and the peace of mind that the ship will not leave without you if your tour runs late. Cruise lines often book with reputable, long-standing local companies like Southeast Exposure for their “Eagle Islands” or “Tatoosh Islands” tours.

Booking independently with a company like Ketchikan Kayak Co. can provide a more personalized experience, as they specialize in small-group tours and pride themselves on not being affiliated with the cruise lines. This can lead to a less crowded and more intimate adventure. Independent operators are well-versed in cruise ship schedules and guarantee a timely return to your port. You may also find more diverse options, such as tours that use a fast boat to reach more remote paddling areas like Orcas Cove.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your preference for convenience versus a potentially smaller, more unique tour. Both are great options for experiencing Ketchikan’s waterways.

What to Bring

While tour operators provide all the essential kayaking and safety gear, you should come prepared with the right personal items to ensure you stay comfortable.

• Layered Clothing: Dress in layers of synthetic, quick-drying fabrics like fleece or polypropylene. Avoid cotton, as it stays wet and cold. A base layer, a fleece, and the provided waterproof jacket is a perfect combination.
• Comfortable Footwear: Wear sneakers, sport sandals, or any comfortable, flexible shoe that you don’t mind getting a little damp. Bulky hiking boots can be too restrictive inside the kayak.
• Hat and Sunglasses: A brimmed hat is great for both rain and sun, and sunglasses are essential, even on overcast days, to protect from water glare.
• Camera: Bring a waterproof camera or secure your phone in a provided dry bag. There will be plenty of photo opportunities.
• Personal Items: Any small personal items like medication can be stored in the dry bags provided by the tour operator.

How to Book

Booking your Ketchikan kayaking tour in advance is highly recommended, as the small group sizes mean they fill up quickly, especially during peak season.

Verified Independent Operators for 2025/2026:

• Ketchikan Kayak Company: A top-rated local operator offering small-group eco-tours in the Clover Pass area. They are known for experienced local guides and have been operating for over 20 years.
  • Website: KetchikanKayakCo.com
• Southeast Sea Kayaks: One of Ketchikan’s original kayaking outfitters, now owned and operated by the same team as Ketchikan Kayak Co. They offer a highly-regarded “Orca Cove” tour that uses a fast boat to access a more remote location.
  • Website: KayakKetchikan.com
• Southeast Exposure: A long-running family business that operates tours to the Tatoosh Islands and Eagle Island, which are often the same tours sold aboard cruise ships.
  • Website: southeastexposure.com

When booking directly, ensure you know your ship’s arrival and departure times. Most operators have tours scheduled to fit perfectly within standard port call times and guarantee they will get you back to your ship with time to spare.