The Trip
Ketchikan Kayaking is our original kayak adventure, offering a unique way to explore Ketchikan and the surrounding islands. Despite the name, Ketchikan Kayaking is not just a paddle around the waterfront we spend most of our time exploring the shores of the surrounding islands. After instruction in kayaking from our friendly guides, we depart from our downtown dock and explore the picturesque Creek Street District and Thomas Basin. There are no roads to these islands, the people who live there all commute by boat. Once in the West Channel we are out of sight of town and enjoy the serenity of the Tongass National Forest. No experience is necessary for this kayaking adventure. Minimum age to participate is six years old. We have triple kayaks for families with younger paddlers.

The Ketchikan Kayaking trip is one of the best value excursions in Ketchikan and is ideal for families and people with short stops in Ketchikan who would like to have time after paddling to explore the town. For people looking for a more remote wilderness experience we recommend the Orcas Cove trip.

Scenery and Wildlife
We see the historic town of Ketchikan from the water. When the tide is right we can paddle right into Creek streek and see where bootleggers once passed their wares through secret trapdoors in the floors of the wooden houses built on stilts. As we paddle across the Tongass Narrows, Seaplanes fly overhead and fishing boats head out to sea. On Pennock Island, an active Bald Eagle’s nest offers the opportunity to see these great birds nesting. From mid July though September salmon returning to spawn leap around the kayaks and occasionally we’ll watch as eagles swoop down to snatch one from the surface.

The 20 foot tide zone is home to an amazing variety of creatures. Brilliantly colored starfish, sun stars and even sea cucumbers are 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 or wildlife we can see pods of Humpbacks and Orcas and sometimes even black bears

How to Book
Because our groups are small, space is extremely limited and advance bookings are highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Tours may be reserved online or over the phone at 1-800-287-1607.

Booking and Cancellation Policies
For Orcas Cove and Ketchikan Kayaking Tours, we take payment in full at time of booking. Tickets are fully refundable, less a $25 processing fee, if cancelled at least 14 days before the trip date. Cancellations with less than 14 days prior notice are non-refundable. We do offer a full refund in the unlikely event that your Cruise Ship is running too late for your trip to be re-scheduled, or if your cruise ship misses port. Southeast Sea Kayaks reserves the right to cancel trips for unsafe conditions (occasionally we have high winds) in which case all money will be refunded in full. Rain is not unsafe - we will dress you for the weather.

Trip Timing for Cruise Ship Passengers
Cruise ship visitors will meet our courtesy van at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau Rain Gauge. Visitors staying locally can meet at the Rain Gauge or at our store location. We ask all parties to meet us 15 minutes prior to trip time. If you are arriving by cruise ship, please allow 30 minutes from the time your ship docks to your trip's starting time and allow 1 hour between your trip's finishing time and the departure time for your cruise ship. For example: the 8:30am Ketchikan Kayak Tour finishes at 11am so that trip would work for any ships arriving at or before 8am and departing at or after 12noon.

What to Bring and Wear
All equipment is provided including dry bags for your cameras. Raingear is also provided and we ask that you dress in warm, comfortable layers. Please wear sneakers, rubber boots, or sport sandals rather than hiking boots which are bulky in the kayaks. Please do not wear high heels which can be dangerous on our docks. Southeast Sea Kayaks only uses lightweight fiberglass kayaks, not plastic, for your comfort and enjoyment. See our FAQ for more information.