★★★★★
Ketchikan whale watching · Wildlife and whale quest
Plenty of whales, and Mark and the captain kept patiently easing the boat a little closer.
Tammie B. · Traveller · August 2026
Ketchikan's Best Wildlife, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest
Meets downtownCaptain and narrator
A family-run boat takes you out of the Tongass Narrows to look for whales, eagles and seals. You check in on Front Street and sail from the heart of town. Inside seats, snacks, blankets and binoculars mean the weather matters less. The crew goes where the whales have been feeding lately.
Whales, eagles and seals from Berth 2
About 2 hours on the water
Out past Thomas Basin and down the Narrows toward Metlakatla, then back.
Inside or on deck
Choose a seat in the cabin or outside, and move as the wildlife does.
Snacks and hot drinks
Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks all trip; travellers mention coffee and hot chocolate.
Binoculars and blankets
Aboard for anyone who wants them, so you can travel light.
Live narration
The town's history, culture and wildlife, from a captain and a deckhand.
4.8 from 1,038 travellers
90% of them five stars.
Out through the Tongass Narrows
You leave from the middle of town, which is the practical beauty of this trip. After checking in at the Visitors Center you board a smaller boat than many whale tours use, and sail past Thomas Basin into the Tongass Narrows. The town, the floatplane docks and the forested shore of the Tongass National Forest slide by as the crew narrates.
The whale search runs south toward Metlakatla. The family that runs the boat keeps up with where whales have been feeding, and heads there first. One traveller watched several humpbacks bubble-feeding. Another saw orcas near the end of the trip, though only their fins and backs showed. For other boats side by side, see the Ketchikan whale watching tours.
What the crew looks for
Humpbacks are the whale most trips find. Bald eagles, harbour seals, sea otters and seabirds fill the gaps. Travellers describe the captain cutting the engine so the boat drifts quietly, and the crew pointing out each animal as it appears.
Travellers describe the crew tossing fish so eagles swoop down beside the boat. One August traveller said the crew spent so long following a whale that the eagle stop was dropped. Plan on seeing some of this, not all of it.
No sighting is guaranteed. Some trips find plenty of
whales and some find none. One September group saw no whales at all, and still rated the trip
five stars for the crew and the boat. If whales are the one thing you must see, compare every
boat on Ketchikan whale watching tours and book early in your port day.
Inside or on deck
The boat has a cabin and open deck space, front and back. You can sit inside with a hot drink when it rains, then step out when a whale surfaces. Travellers mention a bathroom on board. Blankets and binoculars are there if you need them, so a waterproof shell and a warm layer are all you have to bring.
From booth 16 to the whales and back
- Booth 16, Berth 2. Check in at the Visitors Center, 131 Front Street, 30 minutes before you sail.
- Thomas Basin, 10 minutes. The boat heads out past the town's working harbour.
- The Tongass Narrows. Down the channel past the town and the forest shore, with narration.
- Toward Metlakatla, about 20 minutes. The whale search, where the crew last found them feeding.
- Eagles and seals. Watched for all trip; travellers describe seals on the rocks and eagles along the shore.
- Back to Berth 2. About two and a half hours after check-in.
Who this suits, and who should book something else
Book this if
You want whales without leaving town, and a cabin to retreat to when it rains. It suits families, since children come from age 3 and strollers are fine. It also suits anyone who wants a hot drink and a snack along the way.
Book something else if
You want to sit low on the water in a boat of 12 at most, in full rain gear: the open Zodiac expedition with a naturalist is that trip. If you use a wheelchair, the crab boat from Berth 3 is fully accessible and often sees eagles and whales too.
What the fare covers
In the fare
- Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
- Binoculars and blankets if needed
- Live narration
- Indoor and outdoor seating
Not in the fare
- Warm, waterproof clothing: bring your own layers
Checking in at Berth 2, booth 16
You check in at booth 16 in the Berth 2 Visitors Center, 131 Front Street, 30 minutes before your start time. Walk there from the ship yourself. One traveller was told someone would wait at the ship with a sign, found nobody, and missed the trip. The booth is where your crew expects you.
If your ship is at Ward Cove, be on a shuttle downtown an hour before your check-in time. The free shuttle runs to Berth 4 in about 20 minutes, and the booths are a short walk from there. Where every ship docks is on the Ketchikan cruise port page.
Know before you go
- Find booth 16 first. Check in there, in the Berth 2 Visitors Center, 30 minutes before you sail. Do not wait at the ship for a sign.
- From Ward Cove, leave an hour early. Be on the shuttle downtown an hour before your check-in time.
- Sightings are never promised. The crew searches where whales have been feeding, and some trips find only eagles and seals.
- Dress in layers. Bring a warm layer and a waterproof shell; blankets are on board if you get cold on deck.
- Not for wheelchair users. Strollers are fine, and infants sit on a lap.
- Children from age 3. Child places run from 3 to 12, and adult fares start at 13.
What travellers said about the whales and the crew
★★★★★
Ketchikan whale watching · Wildlife and whale quest
Several whales bubble-feeding, with coffee, hot chocolate, binoculars and blankets on board for anyone who wanted them.
Gina D. · Traveller · August 2025
★★★☆☆
Ketchikan whale watching · Wildlife and whale quest
Mostly a boat ride, with eagles drawn in by thrown fish; orcas turned up near the end, though only fins and backs showed.
Randy K. · Traveller · August 2026
Frequently asked questions
Will we definitely see whales?
No. Humpbacks are the whale travellers see most often, and orcas turn up on some trips, but wild animals are never guaranteed. Eagles and harbour seals are the steadier sightings.
Is a Zodiac closer to the water?
Yes. The open Zodiac expedition seats you low in a boat of 12 at most, with full rain gear. Every whale boat is compared on Ketchikan whale watching tours.
What if it rains?
You still sail. Sit in the cabin with a hot drink, and step out on deck when there is something to see. Blankets are on board.
Can I fish instead?
Not on this boat. To watch a working crew haul crab pots, take the crab boat from Berth 3. For salmon or halibut on your own line, the charters are on Ketchikan fishing tours; you will need an Alaska fishing licence.
Can I bring my baby?
Yes. Strollers are fine, and an infant sits on your lap. Children's fares run from 3 to 12.
Other ways to spend your port day
Ready to look for whales from the heart of town?
Check sailings for your port day, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Check availability