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‘s Included
Local smoked salmon, dip, local vegan options and hot & cold beverages.
Private Transportation from the downtown Cruise Docks & the new dock at Ward Cove.
Our Guides are Locals or Professional Educators/Return Guides / No First Year Guides
Small-group tours. 6:1 guide to guest ratio.
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.
Options
Departure
Pickup included
Early Season Special!
Early Season Discount
Pickup included
Reviews
823 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best Excursion of Our Trip!
Jaclyn M,
Aug 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a fantastic experience with this tour, especially our amazing guide, Dana. Pick up at the dock was easy and on time, though we were at the wrong ship dock so recommend asking prior to! Dana helped us feel at ease and prepared for our tour, got us fitted into rain gear, and explained everything cleary and with a clear excitement and passion for her work! We saw lots of amazing wildlife and had time to customize our group experience based on that day’s conditions. If we ever get lucky enough to go back to Alaska, would love to kayak again!
We had the best time...
Daphne T,
Aug 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had the best time kayaking with David and Sophia, who were both fantastic! We saw sea lions, bald eagles, and even a humpback. Highly recommend going directly to these folks instead of booking through your cruise ship — they are extremely cruise ship-friendly and even picked us up at the Ward Cove dock.
Peaceful and beautiful
Sherrill N,
Aug 12, 2025
- Viator
5.00We came on on the Norwegian Joy and our pick up spot was at the other side of the port terminal by the door. We had a short drive to Clover Pass where we were greeted by our tour guides Zach and Chris. They had rain pants available for those that needed them. Once we were geared up they went over how to paddle and stir the kayak before helping us on our kayaks. Once we started they tooks all around pointing out the eagles and their nests. We continued on and they took us to where the sea loins hang out and we got to spend time watching them. They were very informative guides and enjoyed hearing their stories of living in Alaska. Beautiful scenery and peaceful adventure.
Enjoyable time with nature
Kathrine p,
Aug 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00We were unsure what to expect but the experience was seamless from start to finish. We were given clear instructions as to where to meet and was taken to our van. Cole drove us to our destination and we were met by Dana and AJ. We were fortunate because for some reason the others who had booked our tour didn’t show so it turned out to be a personal tour. We saw a humpback whale, eagles, sea lions and just enjoyed the beauty of Alaska. We were not rushed and were given time to explore. Dana and AJ were engaging and knowledgeable and made the trip fun. We were given delicious refreshments and driven back in lots of time to jump back on our cruise ship. Excellent excursion for all ages. Highly recommend!
Take this tour!! A++++!!
Ellen F,
Aug 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00Amazing!! Bella, our guide, was fantastic. Very knowledgeable, funny, and just a pleasure. She made the tour. We saw harbour seals, starfish, even an orca!
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Operated by Ketchikan Kayak Company