Enjoy Kayaking in Ketchikan

Ketchikan Kayaking Adventure -- Explore Alaska's Inside Passage by kayak, and enjoy a unique view of Alaska's wildlife, waterways, and Ketchikan's historic waterfront.

Group size is limited to 12. This ensures we provide you a high quality, personalized trip with better opportunities to see wildlife.

Minimum age to participate is six years old. Space is extremely limited for this trip, and we recommend you make prior reservations at least 30 days in advance for June, July and August.

This trip does not require previous kayaking experience.

Trip Itinerary

Explore Alaska's Inside Passage by kayak, and enjoy a unique view of Alaska's wildlife, waterways, and Ketchikan's historic waterfront.

We leave from our waterfront location and go island hopping by kayak looking for wildlife in the protected waterways around Pennock, Snow, and Gravina Islands. We follow the shoreline, paddling at times beneath huge branches stretching out over the shore where the rainforest reaches down to the water's edge. An active Bald Eagle's nest offers the opportunity to see these great birds nesting. Salmon returning to spawn leap around the kayaks and occasionally we'll watch as eagles swoop down to snatch one from the surface and return it to the nest to feed their young.

Seals follow the dip of our paddles and brilliantly colored starfish are clearly visible beneath the kayaks in the crystal clear water. Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons feed along the shore and Raven is ever present.

Although there are no guarantees on seeing whales we can see pods of Humpbacks and Orcas. Occasionally we will paddle with Alaska's endangered Stellar Sea Lions. This trip also offers the opportunity to see Ketchikan's historic waterfront and to paddle alongside the buildings built on pilings over the water. Creek Street's old houses and the historic buildings of the frontier red light district lean out over us as we paddle upstream with the returning salmon.

No experience is necessary for this kayaking adventure. Minimum age to participate is six years old. We have triple kayaks that can cater to our younger paddlers. All equipment is provided including dry bags for your cameras, binoculars to share and hydrophones so we can listen to the marine life beneath the water. Raingear is also provided. Southeast Sea Kayaks only uses lightweight fiberglass kayaks, not plastic, for your comfort and enjoyment.

Visitors arriving by cruise ship will be met at the base of their ship's ramp on shore by one of our guides with a Southeast Sea Kayak sign with your name on it. Trips meet 10 minutes prior to departure time.

Cruise ship visitors with reservations will be picked up by our guides straight from your ship. When you disembark we will be waiting on the dock with a sign with your name on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be experienced?
No experience is necessary to participate on our trips. We do ask that you are physically fit and inform us about any limitations you may have. Trips are suitable for old and young alike over the age of six. Our oldest participant to date was ninety years old. As we use double kayaks we can team people up to make our strongest group. Young children can ride in the centre of a triple kayak and still paddle so they are involved. Paddling is not difficult and as we keep groups small we can cater to individual needs.

What will the weather be like? Will I be cold?
Summertime in Southeast Alaska is mild with average temperatures in the 60's, but days can run into the 80's. We do live in a rainforest and our area is dependant on the rain that fuels the diverse ecosystem here. However the summer months are the driest. We do provide rain jackets for our trips and bear in mind the wildlife could care less if it's raining. Of a greater concern is strong winds, and if the conditions are unsafe we will cancel trips with a full refund. We ask you to dress warmly in layers as if you were hiking, but without hiking boots. Sneakers are appropriate footwear as we step into the kayaks from a dock and your feet will not get wet. Hiking boots on guys tend to be too bulky for the kayaks.

Will I tip over?
Not likely. Our sea kayaks are quite stable and our guides will help you develop technique and grace.

What if my ship gets delayed?
If your ship is delayed or you are unable to make a connection, we will try our best to re-schedule. If we can't, there will be a full refund.

Will I miss my ship?
Trips are scheduled to accommodate your timetable. Ships typically arrive early but we ask you to buffer your trip time by thirty minutes. If your ship gets in at 6:30 am, we could easily pick you up at 7:00 am. Cruise ships ask that you return aboard 30 minutes prior to departure, therefore we need to schedule your return 45 minutes prior to departure as a minimum. We are located only a five minute walk from the cruise ship dock. No one on our trips has ever missed their ship.

I?m pretty big, will I fit?
Over the years we have seen all shapes and sizes with very few not being able to participate. Our best advice is to try it. If you are not comfortable, don?t do it.

Can you accommodate people with special needs?
We are proud of our reputation of providing outdoor recreation for all. Again, let us know how we can cater to your needs and we will do our best to make it happen.

Important Information

This tour does not include hotel pick-up. Price includes all taxes and fees. Child age is 6 to 15; no one under the age of 6 allowed. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-315-7881.