Ketchikan is the first or last stop in Alaska for Cruise Ships travelling the Inside Passage. Some days up to 5 cruise ships dock in Ketchikan which can mean that there are more than 10,000 visitors in our small town. A quick look at the cruise ship schedule will show you how busy it can get. Cruiselines have contracts with many Ketchikan tour operators and sell excursions on board. Our kayak tours are not sold on board any cruise ships. We offer an alternative to the large group excursions sold through the cruise lines and the opportunity to escape the crowds and get out into our Alaska.

Why aren't your tours sold on board?
Southeast Sea Kayaks chooses to operate as an independent company so that we can offer small group experiences. If we were to contract with cruiselines we would need to take much larger groups paddling. Smaller groups are more personal and have a better chance of seeing wildlfe.

Will we have enough time to take one of your trips?
Yes! We have trips to fit into every cruise ship stop in Ketchikan. The shortest stops for 2011 are 7am - 1pm, for those ships we have our 8am Orcas Cove trip and 7:30am and 8:30am Ketchikan Kayak trips. If you are travelling on one of these ships it is important to book early as we frequently sell out. When the schedule allows we also offer a 7am or 12noon "on arrival" Orcas Cove trips to help accomodate the short port times.

How long should we allow for the trip?
Generally, we ask that you allow at least 30 minutes between your ship's scheduled arrival time and the time of your trip. Our van picks up guests at the rain gauge on the cruise ship dock 15 minutes prior to the scheduled trip time. If you book the trip that begins 30 minutes after your arrival then you should have no trouble meeting us if you are ready to get off the ship as soon as it arrives. The cruise ship's "all-aboard" time will be 30 minutes prior to the departure time listed on your sailing schedule. We require that guests have at least 30 minutes between their trip's return time and the "all-aboard time" for their ship.

Here's an example: If Diamond Princess will be in Ketchikan from 10am - 6pm then guests travelling on this ship could book the 11am, 12noon, 1pm Orcas Cove trips or they could book Ketchikan Kayaking at either 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm or 2:30pm.

Should we book ahead or will we get a better deal on the day of the tour?
The idea that you will get a super deal buying tours on the dock on your arrival in Ketchikan is a myth. In fact, if you wait until your arrival in town, many tours will be sold out. To avoid disappointment, please book your tour as soon as you know your plans. Our tours frequently sell out months in advance because we take only 6 people on each trip. However, if you arrive in Ketchikan and want to go kayaking, don't hesitate to call us, or go to the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and use our direct dial phone to see if we have space available.

How will we find our tour?
Southeast Sea Kayaks' 14 passenger van meets all our guests at the 20 foot tall "Liquid Sunshine Gauge" on the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau Building which is located on the Cruise Ship Dock. The Rain Gauge is at Cruise Ship Berth 2: the time needed to get to the rain guage from your ship will depend on where your ship docks. From Berth 1 or 2 it is a 1 minute walk, about 5 minutes from Berth 3 and 7 - 10 minutes from Berth 4. It is a 5 minute drive from the Rain Gauge to our downtown store. From there, we'll take you beyond the herd, to see our Alaska!