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Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour 4 hr

TourTruth score 9.0 out of 10

ExcellentTop 6% in Ketchikan

1,006 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Ketchikan
  • 4 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Paddle among Clover Pass rainforest islands on a guided Ketchikan kayak eco-tour, with local treats and chances to spot coastal wildlife.

About this tour

Trade Ketchikan’s busy waterfront for the forest-fringed channels of Clover Pass on a guided Ketchikan kayak eco-tour. About 15 miles north of town, this scenic waterway winds among rainforest islands, where the Tongass National Forest meets the sea.

Your four-hour outing includes roughly 2–2.5 hours on the water, paddling around three islands with a local guide or professional educator. The area’s quieter setting often brings calmer water and drier weather than downtown, while its rich shoreline offers chances to spot Steller sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and other birds. Humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, jumping salmon, Sitka deer, and black bears are occasional sightings, though wildlife is never guaranteed. After your paddle, enjoy local smoked salmon, dip, vegan options, and hot or cold beverages. Private transportation is provided from downtown cruise docks and Ward Cove, and rain pants and jackets are available.

Small groups keep the experience personal, with one guide for every six guests. Choose this Ketchikan kayak eco-tour for a refreshing look at Southeast Alaska’s coastal wilderness.

Highlights

  • Paddle around three rainforest islands in Clover Pass
  • Look for Steller sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and other wildlife
  • Explore a quieter waterway about 15 miles north of town
  • Enjoy local smoked salmon, vegan options, and hot or cold drinks

What's included

Included

  • Local guides or professional educator guides
  • Local smoked salmon, dip, local vegan options, and hot and cold beverages
  • Private transportation from downtown cruise docks and Ward Cove
  • Small-group tour with a 1:6 guide-to-guest ratio
  • Rain pants and jackets

Not included

  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • Children must be at least 6 years old; exceptions may be possible by calling ahead
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • A minimum of 2 people is required to run the tour
  • No kayaking experience is necessary
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  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health
  • Kayak cockpit size limit: seated hip or waist measurement must not exceed 52 inches (137 cm)
  • Wear clothing suitable for an outdoor forest hike and footwear that fits inside a kayak; bulky boots and high heels are not recommended
  • Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
  • Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship name and tour date when booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 4 hours, with approximately 2–2.5 hours spent kayaking.

What wildlife might I see?

Common sightings include Steller sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and other birds. Whales, orcas, porpoises, salmon, deer, and bears may also appear, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Do I need kayaking experience?

No experience is necessary.

What is the minimum age?

Children must be at least 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Exceptions may be possible; call ahead to ask.

What should I wear?

Wear clothing suitable for an outdoor hike and footwear that fits inside a kayak. Bulky boots and high heels are not recommended; rain pants and jackets are provided.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.95 on Viator and 4.49 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Ketchikan
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 9.0. Top 6% in Ketchikan means it ranks in the top 6% of tours in Ketchikan by this score.

Provider rating distribution in Ketchikan

How many tours in Ketchikan have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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