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Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest

4.80
4.8(891 reviews)
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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Overview

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Your adventure begins as we cruise through the Tongass Narrows, where your guide provides live narration about Ketchikan’s rich history, culture, and bustling shoreline.

From there, we head into prime wildlife viewing areas where the wild side of Alaska comes alive. Keep watch for humpback whales surfacing and diving, bald eagles soaring overhead, harbor seals lounging along the rocks, and a wide variety of seabirds that thrive in the rich waters of Southeast Alaska.

Every trip is unique—no two tours are ever the same!

We operate two vessels: the Eagle One (22 passengers max) and the Eagle One Express (44 passengers max). The boat used for your tour is determined by group size and daily minimums to ensure the best experience for everyone.

Our tours regularly encounter marine life, and we’re proud to have about a 90% success rate for humpback whale sightings—a number we work hard to maintain! That said, wildlife is always on its own schedule, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

1

This is our official meeting point. Please plan to check in 30 minutes before your tour start time. If your cruise ship docks downtown (Berths 1–4), you’re in luck, we’re just a short walk away! Meeting Point: Berth 2 Visitors Center, 131 Front Street. From Berth 2, it’s about a 1-minute walk from your ship’s gangway. From Berths 1, 3, or 4, it’s an easy 5–12 minute walk, depending on your pace. If your ship docks at Ward Cove, you’ll need to take the free shuttle provided by your cruise line. Allow at least one hour before your tour to travel. The shuttle ride takes 20–30 minutes and will drop you off at Berth 4 downtown. From there, it’s an 8–12 minute walk to our meeting location at the Berth 2 Visitors Center. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard for an unforgettable Ketchikan adventure!

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable
2

Thomas Basin

Your journey begins in Thomas Basin, a lively harbor where working fishing boats and local skiffs share the water. Surrounded by historic boardwalks and the hum of Ketchikan’s waterfront, we cast off from this charming port and head into the open waterways to begin your Wildlife and Whale Quest.

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing and Whale Watching Quest

What‘s Included

Included in your trip are a variety of chips and pastries, coffee, tea, bottled water, flavored sparkling water.

We have Binoculars and blankets for you if needed.

Be sure to bring weather appropriate clothing! Layering is best.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.80

891 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

803
41
21
7
19
  • Unforgettable Wildlife Adventure with Captain Morgan & Theo!

    ant82,Jun 17, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We had an amazing whale watching experience with Eagle One Enterprises! Captain Morgan and Theo were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and made the trip enjoyable from start to finish. We were lucky enough to see bald eagles, humpback whales, and even killer whales, which made the tour truly unforgettable. Captain Morgan and Theo did a fantastic job helping everyone spot wildlife and sharing interesting information throughout the trip. The hospitality was excellent as well. Complimentary snacks, soda, tea, and coffee were available throughout the tour, which was a very nice touch and made the experience even more enjoyable. The scenery was beautiful, the boat was comfortable, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend Eagle One to anyone visiting Alaska and looking for an incredible wildlife adventure. Thank you, Captain Morgan and Theo, for a wonderful day on the water! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars

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  • Waste of a precious Alaska day.

    Meeahh,Jun 17, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    1.00

    I wish I could give this company zero stars. The only reason I booked with this them, is that most excursions available in Ketchikan, through the cruise line or direct, exclude kids under 5 or under 7. I wanted to find something fun to do with my 3-year-old son. I noticed that this company had no age limit for their whale watching, website stated that it was for "all ages" and "great for families". So, I naturally assumed that their boat was safe and comfortable for small children. It did not occur to me that the only difference between them and others was dishonesty and disregard for safety.  First of all, in my personal opinion, their vessel is not entirely safe for small kids. There is a net protecting kids from falling into the water that covers most of the guardrail. However, the net does not cover the entirety of the ship, and there are spots where a small child, in my opinion, could fall overboard.  The boat is small. Technically, there is seating for everyone (barely), but be prepared for your child to be confined to a small space, for long stretches of time.   The bathrooms are tiny and not large enough to safely and comfortably change a diaper.  The tour is stated to be 2-2.5 hours. But since they could not find any marine wildlife (only eagles that they attract by throwing frozen fish at them) , the captain decided to extend the tour for an hour. I told her that I did not have enough food, since I did not expect/agree to be on the water for so long with a small child. There are no facilities, and no food available on the boat except for absolute junk. But she didn't care. She told me that the website says the tour is up to 3 hours and can be extended (a lie and a lie). This felt like kidnapping (being held against one's will), to have to spend time confined in a tiny space, with a restless child, who had nothing to do and nothing to see.  I signed up for a quick excursion 2-2.5 hours, on a vessel that was "great for families". That is not what I got at all. The kicker was the aftermath, the response that I got from the owner, via company email. I asked for a refund and told her that the excursion did not match the advertisement, the ship was not safe for "all ages" and that the company had no right to hold me and my son on the vessel, arbitrarily for longer than I agreed to. What followed was a bunch of insults, false accusations and childish threats.  The owner told me I was "very lucky (she is) a calmer person than (she) used to be". I wonder what she used to do to customers before she became a "calmer person". She accused me of clogging their toilet (I never went, since I did not feel safe leaving my child alone on that ship). She accused me of not bringing diapers or food (I brought both, but I ran out of food for him as the trip was longer than expected). She further called me a " liberal pos" (because I am from California?), a "lunatic", "dipsh t" and an "idiot". All of this was done via company emails that I can produce if they ever try to deny it.  Anyways, if you want to deal with this company, it's your choice. Maybe you will be lucky and have a great time on the water. Personally, I would not recommend anyone dealing with them. Certainly never bringing a small child on their boat. And hey, if there is a problem, expect them to respond as stated above....

  • Gorgeous Sentinel Island Lighthouse & Whale Watching

    Catherine P,Jun 17, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    The captain of the ship (Stephen) and his crew were great! They worked really hard to find whales and spent plenty of time at each wildlife spot for pictures! The bus ride out there was a solid hour but the boat ride back was much quicker and let us out at a marina closer to Juneau. The lighthouse was a quick stop up a steep hill and offered an amazing view! It was a great experience overall that included a simple snack and soda. Bathrooms on board the ship are a definite plus! It’s a long excursion and would do it again. Special thanks to the young lady crew member that took whale photos with her zoom lens and sent the QR code to everyone on board to access the day’s pictures for free. The coach driver also was enjoyable to listen to along the ride up and let us out to see Mendenhall Glacier and take pictures along the way.

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  • Saw some Orcas up close

    Derek A,Jun 17, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Friendly crew took us on a good trip. Unfortunately we didn't see any humpbacks but we saw a pod of about 9-12 Orcas, and several bald eagles. I recommend this excursion.

  • Unforgettable!

    Nomad673167,Jun 16, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    My husband and I joined Captain Morgan and her crew on June 12. The arrival time of our cruise ship in port had me feeling a little pessimistic about seeing anything at all. BUT we saw plenty and had the Best time. Morgan wasn’t going to give up until we saw as much as time allowed and she got us as close as she possibly could to each site. It was a blast and also gave me the opportunity to take easily the best wildlife photos I’ve ever taken. If you’re an amateur photographer, you’ll understand how much that means to me. Thank you so so very much to Eagle One for this amazing opportunity.

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  • An anniversary trip of a lifetime

    David C,Jun 16, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    As an over-analyzing type person I did my research and read all the reviews that I could find before committing to an excursion in Ketchikan. Of all the choices available for our time there we chose this one. In a few words, it was outstanding and worth the cost. Capt. Jesse and his crew didn’t disappoint and made every effort to make it memorable. Fortunately, the weather and the wildlife provided an amazing experience for us. Our personal favorite experience was seeing the eagles up close and so close you could hear the wind beneath their wings. Capt. it was a pleasure spending time both in conversation and in your quest to make it memorable for us. This Georgia boy will be back to visit you again in the not too distant future. Best wishes for a great season of providing memorable moments for others.

  • 10/10!

    meganbro32,Jun 14, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Captain Morgan and Theo were amazing! We had a very small group. We started by visiting an area where there were bald eagles. Theo threw fish in the air and the eagles gave us a show by catching them in the air. It was really amazing! Then we saw a bunch of sea lions. We hadn’t seen any whales until the very end. They extended our tour by an hour so that we could have plenty of time to view her! Such an amazing end to our vacation!

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  • Comfortable—not overcrowded— wildlife viewing

    Jeanette J,Jun 14, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    We saw whales, eagles, & otters. The boat was full, but not overcrowded, so viewing was pleasant. Crew was very nice.

  • Lots of fun!

    A8212HPzoes,Jun 13, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Captain Morgan was exceptionally knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure we saw a whale! An excellent tour with snacks, hot coffee, blankets, and binoculars. A very fun experience!

  • Amazing Wildlife Viewing in Ketchikan

    John M,Jun 13, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Within 10 minutes of leaving the dock, we were treated to multiple humpback whale sightings and breaching. It was amazing to see. We also saw harbor seals and multiple Bald Eagles. Capt Morgan (seriously, that's her name) and deckhand Mark were extremely knowledgeable not only about the wildlife we were able to view but also about the Ketchikan community and history. Bonus sightings were various jellyfish types and their behaviors/role in the local environment. They also provided a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages and snacks onboard. Would gladly and enthusiastically book again.

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A product of Trip Social Group

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