Ketchikan

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Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition

Badge of ExcellenceKetchikan, USA

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Maximize your chances of seeing wildlife around Ketchikan by heading out onto the waters surrounding the Tongass National Forest. This small-group tour takes you searching for wildlife including humpbacks, orca, sea lions, seals and eagles aboard a quiet and unobtrusive Zodiac expedition craft with a naturalist as your guide. Feel like an explorer and adventurer as you navigate narrow channels, rocky coastlines, forested islands and black sandy beaches.

Marine wildlife-watching adventure aboard a Zodiac expedition craft
Great opportunities to spot whales, eagles, sea lions and more
Learn about marine wildlife habitat from your naturalist guide
Small-group expedition (maximum twelve people): A personalized experience

What's Included

Full Rain Gear, waterproof Overboots, and USCG approved Life Jackets
Dry bags for personal items
Coffee and/or Tea
Snacks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

124 Thomas St, Ketchikan, AK 99901, USA
Our outfitting suite is a short 10-15 min walk from the cruise ship docks off of the waterfront promenade near Thomas Basin. For guests needing transportation to our starting point, or arriving at Ward Cove, please call our office in advance for further instructions.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

108 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 108 reviews

Fantastic

Andrew_G, Sep 2023

A fantastic trip with very informative staff that loved what they do, a must for anyone young and old

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you again for taking the time to write a review, we are so glad you could join us!

A fun educational ride

Thomas_Z, Sep 2023

Fun ride. Very educational. Traveled with my siblings & spouses. We all enjoyed it. We learned about sea stars, kelp, saw eagles and much more. Great travel guides.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

Awesome outdoor adventure!! Very knowledgeable , friendly and helpful crew. Loved all the information we learned!

Mona_H, Aug 2023

This excursion was the highlight of our trip. The excursion team was very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. They made sure we saw lots of wildlife- both ocean and land.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We are so glad this was a highlight. It was a pleasure meeting you both!

Rafting fun

Sandra_L, Aug 2023

A nice time out on the water. We were a bit disappointed thinking this was a river expedition. We did see a whale and some sea lions but we were expecting something different.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! As the name suggests, the Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition is an ocean based experience. Had we known there was any confusion about the type of activity, we certainly would have clarified ahead of time. We are glad you were still able to enjoy the beautiful weather & marine wildlife with your travel companions!

Good clean fun.

JAMES_R, Aug 2023

Nice people very safe. Lots of whales and sealiife. Recommend this trip for almost any age. Rain gear and snacks provided.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you James, we appreciate you taking the time to write a review!

10 out of 10!!!!

Heather_N, Aug 2023

This was the best tour on our Alaska Cruise. Jenny and Eric were amazing guides. I would highly recommend you go on this tour. You won’t be disappointed.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you Heather! We are so glad your group had a good time!

Would definitely go again!

sabartlome, Aug 2023

Fabulous knowledge of the sea and surrounding area! They had everything we needed to stay dry and warm. So professional!!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you for the review! We look forward to seeing you next time :)

Simply Terrific

Jeremy_R, Aug 2023

We had an extraordinary experience with this tour outfit. For starters, communication was great, and they were well-equipped. Eric, our boat pilot and Jenny, our guide, had us up close and personal with bald eagles, seals, salmon, interesting species of birds, and yes, two humpback whales. They are incredibly knowledgeable and offer such a better and personalized experience than anything you could get booking through the cruise lines. Would highly recommend to anyone with a stop in Ketchikan!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

We are so glad you enjoyed the small group experience! Thank you for taking the time to write a review

Best Tour in Ketchikan

alex_h, Jul 2023

jenny and eric were extremely knowledgeable and friendly ! spent as much time on the water as possible and had a very memorable experience. we saw all kinds of wildlife and the tour felt very personal. Would reccomend!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you for the review!

Once in a lifetime experience

Alicia_S, Jul 2023

It was an easy walk from the cruise ship, about 15 minutes. The company had everything to keep you warm and dry. Our guide was very knowledgeable and there were only 2 other tourists that joined us so we all got to ask lots of questions. We had a once in a lifetime experience by seeing over 20 orcas! Our guide said they had never seen that many at one time in that area. It was awesome! We also got see various birds including the bald eagle as well as seals and star fish. Would do this excursion all over again.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

We appreciate you taking the time to write a review! The Orca activity that day was highly unusual, and we were incredibly lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Alaska is a pretty magical place! Thanks again for joining us :)

Whales, Eagles and jumping salmon, Two thumbs up

GARY_W, Jul 2023

Eric and Delaney were very attentive and the small group setting allowed constant interaction with knowledgeable guides.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for leaving us a review, we are happy to hear your family enjoyed the experience!

Great Experience

Trayer_M, Jul 2023

Decided to book an excursion through viator instead of booking through the cruise line. It was the best decision we made for our Alaska trip. The tours are done in small groups so the tour guides have plenty of time to answer any and all questions you have about the wildlife and area. If I ever make it back to Ketchikan, I’ll be booking with them again!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you! We are glad you enjoyed the small group, small boat experience, and would be happy to welcome you back the next time you’re in Ketchikan!

Great tour for those wanting to see wildlife and beat the crowds!

Ashley_V, Jun 2023

Ketchikan was a great place to visit on our cruise, but this expedition was the highlight of the trip! First, you are going to get into protective clothing and they are clean and organized! They make it very comfortable! Then, you get onto the boat. I think that the best part about this excursion is there are not a lot of people so you really get that personalized experience. They don't promise you will see whales (although it's happened before!), but you will definitely see wildlife. The team go out of their way to ensure your experience is a great one! We saw a ton of bald eagles (and their large nests), held a starfish, learned about specific plants, and they took us to spots that were majestic looking! Jenny (aka Science Mom) was the naturalist on board that gave us so many facts about the region! By far, this was one of my favorite excursions on the whole Alaskan trip I had because the people were great and accommodating! If you are looking to beat the crowded boats, go for this company as you will feel like it was individualized!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share about your experience! Every day on the water is a little different, and that is definitely part of the magic of Southeast Alaska :) We are so glad you enjoyed your trip with us!

Ketchikan Wilderness Adventure

Elizabeth_S, Jun 2023

Great experience, saw lots of eagles, 2 nests, a mink, seals, seastars, and anemones. Unfortunately, no whales. The rain gear was definitely needed and kept us dry, but waterproof glives would have been great to have.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review! The minus tide that day really allowed for a lot of exploration of the intertidal zone as well as unique sightings like the mink. We know guests alway enjoy seeing Humpbacks or other whales, and whales are seen on about 75-80% of our trips, but unfortunately we can’t guarantee sightings which is why we search for a variety of wildlife. Thank you for your note about the gloves, I apologize if waterproof gloves were not offered, and I have reminded our crew to double check with guests in the future! -Delaney

Best part of our Alaskan cruise!

Corinne_O, Jun 2023

The guides for this trip were really knowledgeable and gave us a lot of information about the area. Getting to cruise around the islands and seeing them up close was amazing. We were able to see a pod of orca which was a dream come true for us! We loved the tour and would absolutely go again. Bonus, they even had a gluten free snack option which was much appreciated.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you! We are glad you enjoyed your trip, it is always very special when we get to see Orcas!

The best!!

Robert_R, Jun 2023

The guides were both personable and knowledgeable! They consistently worked to make this a memorable experience. It was so exciting to see as well as hear the whale that we encountered. Such great memories with our family. Very personalized tour!!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you! You guys were a fun group! Congratulations again on 50 years (& your vow renewal at sea!) :)

Great excursion!

Chris_K, Jun 2023

Excellent skills with the zodiac making even what should have been a rough ride smooth and enjoyable, great local knowledge, and great ability to get up close

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you! I will pass on the compliment to Captain Eric :) We are glad to hear you enjoyed your experience. The Zodiacs are incredibly seaworthy, and we think they make a pretty unique platform for viewing wildlife and experiencing the natural beauty of Ketchikan!

Great Time!!!!

RICHARD_B, Jun 2023

Had a great time got to follow a large hump back whale for almost an hour an amazing experience!!! Bring binoculars if you have them!!!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you, we’re glad you had a good time! Any time we get to see a Humpback Whale is very special, they are really incredible animals. It is important to note that as members of Whale SENSE, we follow the viewing guidelines for Humpbacks, which includes limiting our viewing time to 30 minutes.

Awesome Wilderness and Wildlife Expedition

andrew_w, May 2023

We had an awesome trip with our guides Delaney and Eric. We booked this as a change from the standard tourist cruise excursions and we were so glad we did. We trailed a large pod of playful Orcas, watched a group of eagles fishing in the sea and nesting in the trees and a group of seals watching us warily in the shallows. We also saw plenty of colourful invertebrate life clinging to the rocks. Throughout the trip our hosts were interested, knowledgable and friendly and made us feel that nothing was too much trouble. The boat was also clean, safe and obviously well maintained and cared for. This trip is called the Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition and it lived up to its name! We would strongly recommend it.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you! We are glad to hear you enjoyed your experience, seeing the pod of Orcas was very special. We hope you enjoy the rest of your travels in Alaska! PS Great photos!!

Ketchikan 8 am tour on 5/2/2023

Christopher_K, May 2023

My wife and I were able to see Alaska's wildlife we wanted to see the most and close up. 1. Humpback Whale 2. Bald Eagles 3. Harbor Seals and the zodiac was comfortable and our guides were fantastic. You are provided clothing to keep you warm and comfortable, we were given binoculars that were great quality that provided really up close views of the whales and eagles and finally we had a snack and hot beverage in a beautiful area and this was truly a wonderful experience.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience! It was certainly a beautiful day on the water :) -Delaney