Kayak Trips from Ketchikan
There is great sea kayaking in Ketchikan for visitors who are short on time or looking for budget friendly options. The day and overnight trips listed here all originate from launch points on the Ketchikan Road System.

Rent kayaks from Southeast Sea Kayaks and launch right from our dock in downtown Ketchikan, or inquire about the possibility of a road transport for your rental kayaks. Locals or visitors with rental cars can car top rental kayaks from our store, however we do have some restrictions on which kayaks may be transported by car and require that vehicles have racks for safe transport. Please check with us ahead of time if you would like to car top your rental kayaks.

Pennock Island Circumnavigation
Day or half day
Put in at Southeast Sea Kayaks or any of the downtown harbors, cross the East Channel of the Tongass Narrows and explore the shores of Pennock Island. Once in the West Channel of the Tongass Narrows, there are very few houses and plenty of bald eagle nests as well as a good chance to see marine mammals. There are rocky beaches along Pennock Island and Gravina Island to pull out and eat lunch just be sure not to pull up in front of houses or anywhere that is signposted as private property. Most of Pennock Island is privately owned so it is not recommended for camping. Watch for boat traffic in both channels of the Tongass Narrows. If there is not too much boat traffic then paddlers can explore the Ketchikan Creek on the return trip. During the summer, kayakers must keep at least 100 yards from Cruise Ships or ferries under coastguard escort and 50 yards away at all other times.

Black Sands Beach and Blank Islands
Day or Overnight Trip
Put in at Southeast Sea Kayaks or any of the downtown harbors. Cross the East Channel of the Tongass Narrows and head south in the West Channel following either the Gravina or Pennock Island shoreline. Watch for Stellars Sea Lions and Eagles at Gravina Point. Black Sands Beach is a state marine park there is an old picnic shelter at the back of the cove that has mostly fallen down. The beach is a great place for lunch. Locals claim that the black sand heats up the water for swimming! Watch for whales in the Nichols Passage. There is camping at Black Sands or on the nearby Blank Islands. Return to town via the East or West Channel of the Tongass Narrows. Check the weather forecast as Nichols Passage gets rough very quickly in a southeasterly blow. Watch for boat traffic in the Tongass Narrows.

Clover Passage
Day or Overnight
Put in at the boat ramp at Knudson Cove and paddle across Clover Passage to Betton Island. The shores of Betton, Grant, Hump and Back Islands are interesting to explore and there are many rocky beaches to pull out on. On the outside of Betton Island, the Tatoosh Islands are great for kayaking but are a base for cruise ship based tours during the summer months. This is a great area to watch for whales – especially for humpback whales on the outside of Betton Island. Pods of Orcas also pass through the inner islands. There are places to camp throughout the islands, just be respectful of private property. Watch for boat traffic as the area is popular for fishing in the summer.

George Inlet
Day or Overnight
Put in at Mountain Point Boat ramp and hug the shoreline heading north into George Inlet. Herring Cove is a great place to see seals and eagles and even bears at a high tide in July and August. The road ends a short distance past Herring Cove and there are many waterfalls and coves to explore. California Head, on the eastern shore of George Inlet is also an interesting place to explore but there are few places to land a kayak. Further to the north, Gem Cove is a saltwater lagoon. The entrance to Gem Cove runs dry on a low tide but can be paddled at mid to high tide. There is a short hike up to the lake at the back of the cove and we have often seen black bears in Gem Cove. There are places to camp in Gem cove and along the shoreline of the Inlet. Watch the weather forecast, the Mountain Point Area is exposed to weather from the southeast. George Inlet is very protected but can get choppy in a Northwest Wind.

We do not recommend self-guied options for cruise ship travellers due to the limited time in port and the danger of misjudging wind or weather conditions and missing the ship. Take one of our guided tours and save the adventure paddling for your next trip to Alaska.