Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Take a 4-hour guided kayak tour to Clover Pass, (2 -2.5 hours in the kayaks) with scheduling to fit virtually every cruise ship. This is an amazing waterway with several rainforest islands, about 15 miles north of town. Your guides will get you away from the crowds and often to better weather where you'll paddle around 3 scenic islands where dense rainforest meets the sea. The Tongass National Forest is the largest National Forest in the U.S. and surrounds Clover Pass. Most tours encounter the resident Steller sea lions, seals, bald eagles and other birds, an immense array of intertidal life, and sometimes humpback whales, orcas, porpoises and jumping salmon along the route as well. Occasionally we even see Sitka deer or black bears down at the beach.
While specific wildlife viewing cannot be guaranteed, Clover Pass is second to none for wildlife viewing near Ketchikan and our micro climate, north of town, consistently provides dryer weather and calmer waters than downtown.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Children must be at least 6 years old. There are some exceptions, so please call if you feel you qualify
No experience is necessary
Rain pants and jackets are provided
Due to the size of the kayak cockpit openings, your hip/waist size should not exceed 52 inches (137cm) as measured while seated.
Recommended that you wear clothing that would be appropriate for an outdoor hike through the forest, and footwear that will fit inside the space of a kayak. Large bulky boots or high heels are not recommended
There is a minimum of 2 people to run a tour
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information: ship name, date.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
This tour is very educational, and is about much more than just paddling a kayak. We are not in a hurry to get you from point A to B and every tour can be different. An immense amount of inter-tidal life can be on display along the rocky shorelines of Clover Pass andwe usually see plenty of sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers, limpets, chitons, nudibranchs, etc. living in the ebb and flow of the tide, just waiting for you to pull out your camera. Our guides are incredibly knowledgeable and love taking the time to show you the different critters, what they're doing, and how they're interacting. Our typical paddling route features a small island that is host to a large bald eagles nest whose residents have eaglets every summer. Watching the fledglings grow up and learn to fly is a highlight of our summers here. Depending on the weather and the wildlife we can paddle around as many as 3 small islands per tour. But when the Whales show up or the Sea Lions are feeding they do a pretty good job of dictating the tour route and pace. Private transportation from our downtown office across from the cruise docks is provided and excellent rain gear is provided if needed that day. After gearing up and a quick lesson, you'll board your kayak and your nature viewing will begin.The total tour time is 4 hours dock-to-dock with 2 to 2.5 hours on the water for most groups. Both hot and cold refreshments and a local smoked salmon snack are prepared for when you return from paddling. Our relaxed pace and small groups mean we're not just rushing you into the van as soon as you hit the dock. Eco-tours are limited to 12 guests per departure with a 6:1 guide to guest ratio. Sometimes we are all out on the water watching something fantastic and stay together, other times the group split into two seperate tours on the water. We're flexible. Private party tours for up to 20 guests are sometimes available upon request. You'll be paddling tandem sit-inside kayaks for their roominess and stability. No swimming on this tour.
What‘s Included
Our Guides are Locals or Professional Educators/Return Guides
Local smoked salmon, dip, local vegan options and hot & cold beverages.
Private Transportation from the downtown Cruise Docks & the new dock at Ward Cove.
Small-group tours. 6:1 guide to guest ratio.
Gratuities
Options
Departure
Pickup included
Early Season Special!
Early Season Discount
Pickup included
Reviews
869 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highlight of Alaska
Lydia D,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a once in a lifetime experience. We kayak'd for a little over 2 miles with our very knowledgeable guides, saw over 20 sea lions, 3 harbor seals, 2 sea otters and multiple bald eagles in their natural habitat. Would do it again 100%.
Kayak Ketchikan Channel
Robert C,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great addition to my other kayaking adventures. Circled three islands, saw interesting terrain and wildlife, including some intertidal critters, and traveled about 5 miles on a clear, sunny, day.
Fantastic Tour With Lots of Wildlife
Molly N,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a fun experience! The meeting point was easy to find for the transfer to the marina. At the marina we got fitted for wet suits and life jackets, we were able to leave our personal stuff behind. Our guide was very informative and had good stories to tell about the area. We saw about 6 eagles, including a juvenile hunting, harbor seals, a bunch of steller sea lions that swam right by us, and some moon jelly. Afterwards we got hot drinks, some fresh salmon dip, hummus, crackers, and veggies to snack on. We were lucky with only 4 people in the group ,including my husband and I all with kayaking experience so we got to kayak around 3 islands. Would 100% recommend doing this tour even if you don’t have kayaking experience.
A great excursion!
deputybarton,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris and Xack were Excellent guides, very knowledgeable. A great way to get out and see Sitka wilderness and wildlife from the water
Kayak in Ketchikan
N175ZBcarolt,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fabulous time with Xack and Davis. They are very experienced and took good care of us. We are a retired couples and not very strong however we made it. At last Xack did pull our kayak with a rope to help us for 15-20 minutes. We were impressed with the service. Also they did refund us 50% since we didn't see the whales. We're very happy. Didn't expect it though.
Great Trip
jerin2013,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best trip with weather and a whale. Everything was good to include communication before the trip, the gear, and the guides. Highly recommend
Incredible Experience!
rubeo24,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had a tour done by Dana and Chandler, they were both incredibly friendly, helpful, and informative. We were nervous about the weather but these kayak tours run rain or shine. They made made sure to find spots that we could see/experience wild life and went at our pace. We saw bald eagles, seals, and sea lions, highly recommend this tour!
Must do experience!
Laura C,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous day on the water. Zach was a great guide and everything was so nice. Good kayaking tips. Great equipment, incredible scenery - we saw a couple pods of sea lions, eagles, seals and tons of sea stars. The day started out with an incredible rainbow. When we come back to Alaska we will do this again!
A must do kayak tour
SueAnn P,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The four of us had a wonderful experience with the Ketchikan Kayak tour group. The guide was very experienced and took us on a safe and interesting path through the beautiful waters. His knowledge of the wildlife and plants gave us a broad understanding and appreciation of the area. They were accommodating when I misread the meeting point information. The after tour snack of salmon, dips, veggies and crackers hit the spot.
Awesome Sea Kayak trip!!!
pamflora,Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gorgeous scenery and lots of marine wildlife. Chris and David were fun, knowledgeable and professional. Facility and equipment are top notch and they made sure we were comfortable! I actually made a mistake w my cruise “on board time” and they confirmed times w the cruise line and even called the ship to make sure we made it back in time. Yummy snacks too. 11/10!!!
From US$125.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Ketchikan Kayak Company