I understand there is not alot to see in the town of Ketichikan, our friends have recommended we book some kind of tour, but without spending and arm and a leg (and I won't do a helicopter ride, but perhaps a float plane), what is a good recommendation? appreciate your help!
Misty Fjords by float plane is AWESOME and I can highly recommend SeaWind Aviation. Tom and I had the opportunity to take that trip while in Ketchikan and it was a highlight of the cruise. Here is a link to Tom's special report: http://www.alaskaportreviews.com/Ketchikan19.htm on our sister site Port Reviews.
While in Ketchikan, make sure to sample some of the best halibut and chips to be found in Alaska at Burger Queen. You can read more about this little local treasure at the Port Reviews site as well.
We just got back from a week on the Serenade. We did the float plane with SeaWind Aviation as well. It was the best part of our vacation. Our ship was a little late getting docked. The people from Seawind waited at the peer for a half hour while are ship got docked. We were able to see Orca Whales, Bears and great scenery. Call them for a great tip.
It's interesting both of you highly recommending Seawind Aviation, is this something we book definitely ahead of time? Do you recall the price on this? How long does this tour take, and float plane I'm told is nothing like a helicopter ride right? Thanks for responding!
I believe is was 365.00 for the two of us. The tour was about an hour and a half. The guide took us around the Fjord mountains. We landed in a lake and were able to get out of the plane on some small rocks. We got great pictures. I know if we ever do an alaska cruise again, it will be float plane trips in every port.
The people from seawind were really nice. They are a small family run operation.
I can send you some pictures if you would like. E-mail me at Vafatboy@aol.com
There are actually many other things to do in Ketchikan. There are 2 parks which feature totem poles - Totem Bight State Park is about 5 miles out of town and has restored and newly made totem poles around a reconstructed winter tribal "longhouse"; having a guided tour would be helpful as you'll learn more about the culture and the poles that way. Or there's Saxman native village, where you may get to see artisans making totem poles. You can walk around the downtown area, poke into the shops and visit Dolly's place, an old brothel which is now a museum. Misty Fjords would be quite a trip, but if that's too pricey for your budget, consider one of these options, or a wildlife expedition.
Posts: 1361 | Location: Illinois | Registered: June 19, 2002
Do the DUCK TOUR!!! Its an amphibious open-air vehicle that takes you on the town sites then straight into the water for a view of the local water-wondes and a different angle of the town. It's only 1 1/2 hrs and you get the feel of what to do in town for the rest of the day. Approximatelt $36
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Some cruise lines offer a snorkel trip here....if you are not opposed to cold water in a heavy wetsuit then this is something not to be missed....and if you are REALLY lucky a school of orcas could come through while you are in the water....You are not very close - they do keep a distance which is good but that was still the most spectaluar and unique excursion I have taken in over 200 sea days.
Posts: 972 | Location: Germany | Registered: February 20, 2004
We did the DUCK tour in Ketchikan. It was like $36 each and it was a 2 hour tour. We road around the streets and heard about some history of Alaska and Ketchikan then the amphibious vehicle went into the water and we floated around the harbor. It was definitely worth the money.
Hi Moeve: I read your comments on snorkeling in Alaska. The photo in the brochure looks like the snorkeling could be really awesome. I have snorkeled recently in the Carribean and in mexico and the Floriday Keys in years past. If the snorkeling is something truly not to be missed, I guess I could put up with the really cold temps. in a heavy wetsuit(?) are their reefs or is it all the colorful tropical fish. would luv to hear comments on your experience. thanks. sunnysky
I noticed in your pictures that there is a bus. Is it public transportation or a tour bus? We will probably do a walking tour on our own. Did you do anything special in that port?
I noticed in your pictures that there is a bus. Is it public transportation or a tour bus? We will probably do a walking tour on our own. Did you do anything special in that port?
We did the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary tour. It was interesting, but we had just as much fun walking around. The bus in the photos are all tour bus, but they do have some public transportation type ones around. My Aunt and Uncle took one over to the local WalMart to pick up a few things.
Hi, well I was in Alaska 4 years ago and we took the tour with Celebrity-Mercury going to the fish hatchery and the totum poles etc. This year we are going on the zip line in the rain forest. Ok I am not going but I am making sure my nieces 18 and 13 will go. Because of my weight I can't go :-( Ketichikan is very small and easy to walk around..... the tours do get to be a little pricy.
Posts: 39 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: March 14, 2006
I did Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary tour two weeks ago, and honestly, I can't recommended it. For $80 you walk/hike around a small corner of a privately owned forest. Our guide was knowledgeable about the forest and locate life, but our biggest disappointment was no "wildlife".
We saw a bold eagle and some bear droppings... for $80 I expected more.
Ketchikan is a lovely town. We enjoyed walking through it and going to see the Creek Street district. There are also nice walking trails if you take the funicular up the hillside. We also saw the Lumberjack show which sounds sort of corny but was really fun. They did a good job explaining about the lumber business in Alaska and demonstrating various lumberjack skills. Of course you had teams you rooted for with much hooting and hollering. It was $36 per person whether you booked with the cruise line or directly with them. We also had fabulous chowder (5 varieties) at Annabelles restaurant with old fashioned upholstered booths on one side and a nice bar on the other side. We enjoyed the day in Ketchikan without breaking the bank.
