Do we need prior kayaking experience?
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.

What is the difference between the Ketchikan Kayaking and Orcas Cove tours?
Ketchikan Kayaking takes place in the city of Ketchikan and the Tongass Narrows directly in front of town: it offers a great paddle to historic Creek Street and views of the surrounding islands. We often see eagles nests and interesting tidal life and sometimes whales, seals or sea lions, however Ketchikan Kayaking is not a wilderness kayak trip. Orcas Cove is our wilderness kayaking trip. We travel by boat 8 miles our of town to a place that is accessible only by water. There are no other kayak tours operating in the area and there is little or no boat traffic in the Orcas Cove area. We spend almost the whole trip time on the water so there is a greater chance of seeing wildlife on the Orcas Cove trip.

Can our kids participate?
People of all ages enjoy our trips! Children must be aged six or over and parents should be aware that they will do the bulk of the paddling with kids under the age of ten. We have triple kayaks for families on the Ketchikan Kayak tour and center seat double kayaks at Orcas Cove that can accomodate children up to about the age of eight. We recommend the Ketchikan Kayak trip for kids aged 7 and under.

Can we bring our Grandma too?
You are never too old to paddle a kayak! Our oldest participant to date was aged ninety and going strong. We use double kayaks to pair people up to make strong paddling teams. Just be aware that kayaking does require some physical exertion and for the Orcas Cove trip we have to "climb" aboard the mother ship. Please call or email us if you have any questions or concerns.

What will the weather be like? Is it cold?
Summer time 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 don't want to kayak in the rain, what if it rains for our trip?
Ketchikan is in the heart of a temperate rainforest and we would never do anything if we stopped for the rain. We take very small groups for our tours and may not have space available if you wait until the day you arrive. Please do not let the possibility of rain deter you from booking, Southeast Alaska is at its most beautiful on misty rainy days. We provide quality paddling jackets, waterproof pants and spray skirts to our guests to keep everyone as dry as possible. and don't forget that the wildlife doesn't care about the rain. Of a greater concern to kayakers is strong wind, and if the conditions are unsafe we will cancel trips with a full refund.

What should we wear?
We ask you to dress warmly in layers; as if you were hiking, but without hiking boots. Even on sunny days, kids should be warmly dressed. Synthetic materials, wool and fleece are best as they will keep you warm even if they get damp. Sneakers are appropriate footwear as we step into the kayaks from a dock or a boat and your feet will not get wet. Hiking boots tend to be too bulky for the kayaks.

Can I sign up as a single person
Certainly! We will be happy to sign you up for an already scheduled Ketchikan Kayaking or Orcas Cove trip. We will team you up with another paddler or a guide in a double kayak. Unfortunately we are not able to run Misty Fjords Full Day trips or overnight trips for only one person but we can work with you to find a date for you to join an already scheduled trip.

Will the kayak tip over?
Capsizes on our guided tours are extremely rare. Our double sea kayaks are quite stable and our guides will help you develop technique and grace.

What if our ship is delayed or misses port?
Very occasionally a cruise ship will not stop in Ketchikan as scheduled: if a ship misses port completely we give a full refund. If your ship is delayed we will try our best to re-schedule. If we can’t there will be a full refund

Will I miss my ship?
In over fifteen years in business, no one on our trips has ever missed their ship. To make sure that you have enough time to meet us and to return to your ship after the tour, we ask you to choose a trip that begins at least 30 minutes after your arrival in port and to allow 1 hour between the trip's return time and your ship's scheduled departure time. For example if your ship gets in at 6.30am, we could easily pick you up at for the 7am tour. If your ship is scheduled to depart at 1pm, then the latest trip you could take would be the 8am Orcas Cove which will have you back at 12noon or a 9:30am Ketchikan Kayak which would return at 12noon also. We are located a short distance from the cruise ship dock and drive all of our guests back to their dock at the end of their trip.

Should we tip our guide?
We are often asked this question: it is customary to tip guides in Alaska. A gratuity is a wonderful way to show your appreciation to your guide.

Do you have a weight limit? I am concerned about fitting in the kayak.
Over the years we have seen all shapes and sizes with very few not being able to participate. We do not like to put a weight limit on our trips as the ability to participate depends on size rather than weight. You must be able to step into a 55" sprayskirt tube and pull it up to your chest: if your girth is greater than 55" you will not be able to participate safely. If you are not sure whether you will be able to participate, please call us for more information.

I am over 6"4" can I still kayak?
We have modified two of our double kayaks to accomdate tall people and have fitted people up to 6"11 in the kayaks. Just let us know when you book so that we can reserve the tall kayak for you.

Can you accomodate people with special needs?
We are proud of our reputation of providing outdoor recreation for all. The Ketchikan Kayak tour is accessible for people with wheelchairs. The Orcas Cove tour is more challenging because of the transfers from boat to boat, however, we have been able to make the tour work for a wide variety of special needs. The pictures, left, will help to give an idea of the transfers involved. The first shows our transport boat arriving at the mothership and ther second shows guests being helped into the kayaks at Orcas Cove. Please let us know how we can cater to your needs and we will do our best to make it happen.

What kind of kayaks do you use?
Southeast Sea Kayaks specializes in taking first-time paddlers kayaking in Southeast Alaska. Over the years we have tested all kinds of kayaks and equipment so that we can provide you with the best possible kayaking experience. We use high quality fiberglass double touring kayaks by Current Designs on our trips – not plastic! The double kayaks we use have a centre pod and so you do not have to coordinate your paddle strokes with your partner – making for a far more pleasurable trip. Our paddles are lightweight touring paddles.