Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour

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4 hours (approx.)

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Overview

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.

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.
Small-group tours. 6:1 guide to guest ratio.
Our Guides are Locals or Professional Educators/Return Guides / No First Year Guides

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

FOR DOWNTOWN CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS: After disembarking your cruise ship, please proceed to the shelter at Cruise Berth 3. The shelter is on the dock next to the "Visitors Information - Restrooms" building and Sockeye Sam's Store. It's across the street from the tunnel. (NOTE: this is not the berth 2 Visitors Center). The walk is approximately 2-5 minutes depending at which pier you are docked. The address is 420 Water Street. Ourdriver will be present 15 minutes before all departures holding a RED sign that says "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO."FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS ARRIVING AT THE MILL AT WARD COVE: After disembarking your cruise ship, please proceed to the brick building "The Mill at Ward Cove." Proceed through the building to the right. Tour vendors will be greeting guests for excursions in the corner near the restrooms and the large overhead door. Look for our van driver with a RED sign that reads "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." ***IMPORTANT NOTE! The MIll at Ward Cove is halfway between downtown Ketchikan and our marina, this means DEPARTURES FROM WARD COVE WILL BE GREETED BY OUR DRIVER 15 MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED DOWNTOWN DEPARTURE TIME and guests returning to Ward Cove will be back about 15 minutes early. For example, if you schedule a tour from 8:00am to noon, your tour will operate from 8:15 to 11:45.am.If you are docking at Ward Cove but would prefer to meet for a downtown departure (e.g. your ship docks at 7:00am and you want to see downtown Ketchikan before meeting us for an 11:00am tour) or if you would prefer to be dropped off downtown after the excursion this may be possible but you will need to contact the Ketchikan Kayak Co. prior to your tour time to arrange the change. Otherwise all guests docking at Ward Cove will be expected to be picked up at Ward Cove.*Remember to turn off airplane mode when you pull into port to aid in communication should there be any delays or should any issues arise the day of your excursion.

Options & Pricing

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.

Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
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.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers