About this experience
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.
At a glance
- Duration: 4 hr
Planning perspective
How I’d plan this experience
If you want to experience Ketchikan from the water rather than spend your shore time only in town, this guided kayak trip is worth considering. I’d choose it for the mix of paddling and close-up nature learning, not as a wildlife-spotting guarantee: the route and pace can change with conditions and what appears along the way. The practical question is whether you’re comfortable spending a substantial part of a four-hour outing in a kayak.
A good fit for curious, active visitors
The appeal here is more than scenery. Guides take time to point out intertidal life and explain what you’re seeing, while paddling offers a different perspective on the islands and shoreline. I think it suits you if you like learning outdoors and are happy for the wildlife encounters to be a bonus rather than the sole reason for going.
No kayaking experience is necessary, and the trip is listed as suitable for all physical fitness levels. Still, you’ll be on the water for around two to two and a half hours, so I’d think about your comfort with sustained paddling. Children must be at least six, and the tour is not recommended for people with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
Choose the outing, not a wildlife checklist
Clover Pass is the setting: the tour describes paddling around as many as three small islands, with rainforest meeting the sea. Sea lions, seals, eagles and intertidal creatures are among the wildlife commonly encountered, but sightings vary. Whales, orcas and other larger animals are possible, not promised; I wouldn’t book expecting a particular species.
The route and pace can also respond to wildlife activity. That flexibility sounds like a strength if you prefer a responsive, nature-focused outing over a fixed itinerary. If you want a predictable route or a specific wildlife encounter, that uncertainty is a real trade-off.
Allow for the full four hours
This is a four-hour experience, with transportation from the cruise docks and time to gear up and get a quick lesson before launching. Pickup is offered at downtown cruise docks and Ward Cove, but the meeting instructions differ by departure point. My advice is to read the instructions for your own dock carefully rather than assume every pickup works the same way.
Rain jackets and pants are provided if needed, but you’ll still want clothing suitable for an outdoor outing and footwear that fits in the kayak. Check the cockpit size requirement too: the stated seated hip or waist limit is 52 inches (137 cm).
Consider the small-group format
The listed guide-to-guest ratio is six to one, and shared tours allow up to 12 travelers. That’s a relatively small group, but you may not catch every explanation while paddling. If hearing detailed commentary is important to you, bear in mind that a past participant noted difficulty hearing the guide from another kayak. I’d weigh that against the chance to spend most of the outing actively on the water rather than gathered around a guide.
Planning analysis informed by the tour itinerary and traveller feedback · Updated October 27, 2026
Plan your experience
Set aside 4 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Compare the available options before choosing: their itinerary, inclusions and pickup arrangements can differ. Check the price for your date and whole group.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
What is included
- Our Guides are Locals or Professional Educators/Return Guides
- 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.
Not included
- Gratuities
Itinerary and highlights
See the overview, available options and booking details for the experience schedule.
Meeting and pickup information
- We Pick up guests at Downtown Cruise Docks & Ward Cove Cruise Ship Docks. Please Read ALL Meeting Instructions! FOR DOWNTOWN CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS & Other Guests: 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 425 Water Street. Our driver will be present 15 minutes before all departures holding a RED sign that says "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS Docking AT THE MILL AT WARD COVE: (Norwegian Cruise Lines + Some Others) 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 driver with a RED sign that reads "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." 15 minutes AFTER the departure time. 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 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED DOWNTOWN DEPARTURE TIME as you will be picked up on the way. 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.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Ketchikan Kayak Company
Accessibility and practical details
- 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.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
What are the pickup arrangements?
Please Read ALL Meeting Instructions!
FOR DOWNTOWN CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS & Other Guests:
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 425 Water Street. Our driver will be present 15 minutes before all departures holding a RED sign that says "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO."
FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS Docking AT THE MILL AT WARD COVE:
(Norwegian Cruise Lines + Some Others)
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 driver with a RED sign that reads "KETCHIKAN KAYAK CO." 15 minutes AFTER the departure time.
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 15-20 MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED DOWNTOWN DEPARTURE TIME as you will be picked up on the way.
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.
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
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