Ketchikan Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 1
Ketchikan Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 2
Ketchikan Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 3
Ketchikan Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 4
Ketchikan Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min - Image 5
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Ketchikan Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour 2 hr 30 min

TourTruth score 6.9 out of 10

Average

1,085 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Ketchikan
  • 2 hrs 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Cruise Ketchikan’s Tongass Narrows, hear local stories, and watch for whales, eagles, seals, and seabirds on a 150-minute tour.

About this tour

Cruise from Ketchikan into the rich waters of Southeast Alaska, where whales, eagles, and seals share a dramatic coastal landscape. This 150-minute Ketchikan wildlife and whale watching tour begins in the Tongass Narrows, with live narration introducing the town’s history, culture, and busy shoreline.

Then head toward wildlife viewing areas and keep watch for humpback whales surfacing, bald eagles overhead, harbor seals resting on the rocks, and seabirds moving across the water. Every trip is different, and sightings are never guaranteed, though the operator reports about a 90% success rate for humpback whale sightings. The boat is selected according to group size and daily minimums, with vessels carrying up to 22 or 44 passengers.

Chips, pastries, hot drinks, bottled water, flavored sparkling water, binoculars, and blankets are provided. Check in at Booth #16, Berth 2 Visitors Center, 30 minutes before departure; Ward Cove passengers should allow extra time for the shuttle downtown. Set out on a Ketchikan wildlife and whale watching tour for a narrated look at the coast and its wild inhabitants.

Highlights

  • Cruise the Tongass Narrows with live narration on Ketchikan’s history and culture
  • Watch for humpback whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, and seabirds
  • Take in Southeast Alaska’s shoreline from the water
  • Use onboard binoculars and blankets for wildlife viewing and comfort

What's included

Included

  • Chips and pastries
  • Coffee, tea, bottled water, and flavored sparkling water
  • Binoculars and blankets

Not included

  • Weather-appropriate clothing; layers are recommended

Ratings on each provider

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

What reviewers mention

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Important information

  • Check in 30 minutes before departure at Booth #16, Berth 2 Visitors Center, 131 Front St
  • Ward Cove ship arrivals should take a shuttle to downtown Ketchikan 1 hour before check-in
  • Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram
  • Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
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  • Service animals are allowed
  • Public transportation is available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Vessel capacity is 22 or 44 passengers; the vessel used depends on group size and daily minimums
  • Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 150 minutes.

What wildlife might I see?

Look for humpback whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, and seabirds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. The operator reports about a 90% success rate for humpback whale sightings, but wildlife follows its own schedule.

Where do I check in?

Check in at Booth #16, Berth 2 Visitors Center, 131 Front St, 30 minutes before the tour.

What should Ward Cove passengers know?

Plan to take a shuttle to downtown Ketchikan 1 hour before check-in to arrive on time.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.80 on Viator and 3.97 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 6.9.

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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