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Nature and Wildlife in Ketchikan

Nature and Wildlife

Where animals outnumber people

Wildlife sightings are an everyday experience on a visit to Ketchikan. Majestic bald eagles abound, easily spotted perched in shoreline trees, near salmon spawning streams and even atop church steeples. The variety of land and sea birds is impressive. April brings the annual Hummingbird Festival in Ketchikan and the Garnet Festival in Wrangell; both events celebrate the return of over 100 migrating species of birds.

Black bear are common, and brown (grizzly) bears are seen in mainland areas. Boaters and hikers sight them often, especially near salmon spawning streams throughout the Ketchikan area, Misty Fiords National Monument and on Prince of Wales Island. Some of the finest black and brown bear viewing locations in Alaska are at Anan Creek near Wrangell and at Salmon Creek in Hyder. Sitka black-tailed deer almost pose for cameras on beaches, and along roadsides and trails. Mountain goats are plentiful, wolf may be sighted and moose range the mainland. Sightings of Orca and humpback whales, sea lions, seals, playful sea otters and porpoise may be enjoyed on cruise excursions and from state ferries. Marten, mink and river otter can be seen along beaches, streams and lakefronts.


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Southeast Sea Kayaks

Service: Kayaking
Cost: $159
Hours: Half day trips starting from 7am
Availability: Year Round

Orcas Cove Sea Kayaking Adventure
1621 Tongass Ave.
Suite 101B
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 907 225 1258
Fax: 907 247 9257
Toll Free: 800 287 1607
Email:
Website: http://www.kayakketchikan.com/guidedtrips.html

Exceptional Sea Kayaking Trips

Leave the crowds behind! Orcas Cove Kayaking Adventure offers small groups an intimate and personal way to experience the wilderness and wildlife of Southeast Alaska.

No experience necessary. Group size limited to six unless you are a private group. Combine Orcas Cove with a Misty Fjords Seaplane for the ultimate adventure!
Alaska Cruises, Inc.

Service: Misty Fjords Combination Cruise & Floatplane Tours
Cost: Fly/Cruise $329 Ad/$289 Chd. Cruise $159 A/$106 Ch
Hours: Fly/Cruise - 4 hours Cruise - 5-1/2 hours
Availability: May-September

Misty Fjords Boat & Floatplane Adventure
1515 Tongass Avenue
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 907-225-3845
Fax: 907-247-3875
Toll Free: 800-860-3845
Email:
Website: http://www.mistyfjordscruisefly.com

Take the ultimate tour by boat and plane through Misty Fjords National Monument, one of the most majestic creations on earth! Cruise through Behm Canal and Rudyerd Bay, surrounded by towering cliffs. See waterfalls cascading into emerald waters.

From the air you can truly appreciate the magnitude and majesty of Rudyerd Bay, crown jewel of this two million acre monument. Soar over pristine wilderness and enjoy the unspoiled forest and lakes. Keep a sharp eye out for more bears and whales.
Alaska Seaplane Tours

Service: Flightseeing
Cost: $99 and up
Hours: Contact us at 1-866-858-BEAR
Availability: On Demand

Unforgettable Bear Viewing Tours!
420 Front Street
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 907-225-1974
Toll Free: 866-858-BEAR
Email:
Website: http://www.alaskaseaplanetours.com

Ask us about Bear Island!

It is our pleasure to explore Prince of Wales Island with you...enjoy the finest salmon and bear photo opportunities anywhere. Let the warm hospitality of the McCue family be your guide through Historic Ketchikan and Bear Island.

Experience Alaska Tours

Service: Adventure, fine dining, and shopping!
Cost: Contact us for availability and pricing.
Hours: Scheduled departures daily, 7 days a week
Availability: Adventures run May thru September

A Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feed
11728 South Tongass Highway
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 907-225-6077
Email:
Website: http://www.catchcrabs.com

Guests hold and examine Dungeness Crab.

This truly Alaskan experience features the pulling of Dungeness Crab pots by boat from a wilderness estuary. Then the finale is a crab feed at a historic cannery building now converted to an elegant ocean side lodge. Fun for all ages!

Volunteers will assist in pulling up crab pots, so all guests can see the crab up close and learn about their anatomy. Then relax amidst the rustic charm and the Alaskan hospitality of George Inlet Lodge where your crab banquet will be served.
Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary

Service: Zipline Tours / Rainforest & Eagle Center Tours
Cost: $85 to $169; age and tour dependent
Hours: Varies
Availability: May-September

Zipline Tours/Rainforest Sanctuary & Eagle Center
116 Wood Road
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 907-225-5503
Fax: 907-247-5504
Toll Free: 1-877-947-7557
Email:
Website: http://www.alaskarainforest.com

Guests often see eagles and bears!

Alaska Canopy Adventures–the leader in Alaska zipline tours! TOUR OF THE YEAR by Princess Cruises. Our courses are the largest in Alaska: longest dual-cable ziplines, sky bridges, giant swing, mountain slide, 4x4 mountain ascent! www.alaskacanopy.com

Our Herring Cove location is home to Alaska’s most incredible wildlife! Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary-adventure in the rainforest with a guided nature walk, historic sawmill, fish hatchery, native totem pole carver, Alaskan reindeer, and live eagles!
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour

Service: 3 1/2 Hour Excursion Tour
Cost: $169.00-Adults $99.00-Children 5 to 12 yrs
Hours: Departure Calendar available on our website
Availability: Daily: May through September

Share the allure that draws fishermen to the sea
P.O. Box 9619
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 360-642-4935
Fax: 360-642-4934
Toll Free: 1-888-239-3816
Email:
Website: http://www.56degreesnorth.com

An adventure so real–you can hold it in your hand!

A one of a kind ‘reality tour’ allowing guests an authentic first-hand view of an Alaskan fishermen’s life at sea. You will be educated & inspired as our fisheries come within your grasp. Stay warm and dry as you share an experience unlike any other.

Animals seen only by those bound to the sea are placed in a live tank before being released into the wild. Have your camera ready to capture the king & snow crab, octopus, prawn & shark, to name a few.
ProMech Air

Service: Misty Fjords Flightseeing & Bear Viewing Tours
Cost: Contact us for pricing
Hours: Varies
Availability: Misty Fjords: Year-Round, Bears: late Jul-Sept

Neets Bay Wilderness Bear Watch
1515 Tongass Avenue
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 907-225-3845
Fax: 907-247-3875
Toll Free: 800-860-3845
Email:
Website: http://www.promechair.com

Up close & personal, bears put on a great show!

For the more discerning traveler, the Black Bears out at Neets Bay Salmon Hatchery provide us with a superb 98% viewing success rate from late July through September as they thrill visitors in their attempts to catch spawning salmon in the stream.

After a scenic 25-minute flight you land at a remote location in the Tongass National Forest, an experienced guide meets you and takes you on a 1/4 mile roundtrip walk along a nature trail. You spend 45 minutes at the viewing area watching the bears!