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The town prides itself on its impressive collection of historic structures, with 12 listings in the National Register of Historic Places, and is a magnet for artists and craftspeople. You could also hop in a taxi or Uber and have it drop you off at the trailhead (just ask them to drop you at the Frog Pond Trailhead at the end of Ward Lake Rd. Listen for their loud screeches (you’ll often hear eagles before you see them) and look for white heads near the top of trees (you’ll likely see them flying around too). Hand to God, as I sit here writing, facing out at this exact spot, I just saw two fly by – an adult and a juvenile (juveniles don’t have white heads yet)!
Photo Safari in Ketchikan, Alaska
Your captain will also try to find some dall porpoises for you to see as well. If you want to spend time on the water during your Alaskan adventure on a boat far smaller than your cruise ship, this might be a great excursion for you. The Deer Mountain Trail is only about a mile from the cruise ship docks but you might want to take a cab to the trailhead. The Tongass National Forest offers so many opportunities for hiking and walking and there are several trails that are especially popular with cruise travelers.

CCL's ship Carnival Legend cruises from San Francisco to Alaska and Mexico in 2025
For thrill-seekers, this must-do tour has you zipping through the lush rainforest, with multiple stops to enjoy the scenic lookouts. The Caribbean isn’t the only place that offers snorkeling; Ketchikan, Alaska, does too! While the idea of swimming in Alaska’s frigid waters might sound crazy, Snorkel Alaska provides 7mm neoprene wetsuits to keep you warm. When the salmon are running, the river provides a feast for bears who prefer the food to come to them. After their fill, the bald eagles join the buffet to clean up the leftovers.
What Cruise Passengers Need to Know About Ketchikan Cruise Port
At the visitors centre you can get all kind of information like walking maps, bus schedules, hiking information, but you can also book tours and excursions. Both new berths can handle Post-Panamax vessels (including the world's largest passenger ships). Shuttle bus service for cruise tourists from the new terminal to downtown is provided complimentary. Today, the city still showcases Native culture with attractions such as Chief Johnson’s Totem Pole, which can be found in the heart of town. Ketchikan actually has one of the largest collections of totem poles to be found in Alaska, some of which date back more than a century. Stop by to learn more about Tlingit symbols, totem poles and their stories, and unique crafts that make the native population of Ketchikan unique.
Ketchikan uses $2M Norwegian Cruise Line donation to keep port fund afloat through May - KRBD
Ketchikan uses $2M Norwegian Cruise Line donation to keep port fund afloat through May.
Posted: Mon, 08 Nov 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Ketchikan Creek
Once you arrive, a guide will lead you on a short hike through dense rainforest where you may encounter bald eagles and black bears (from a safe distance of course!). If you enjoy fishing, there’s few places in the world that are more exciting for sport fishing than Alaska. There are a vast number of outfitters in town that offer charters, equipment and general guidance to anyone who would like to experience this sport in our northernmost state. The shortened cruise ship season likely means those passenger numbers will look different for now. But beyond the passengers on top of the boats, there’s also a story below the ships. Developers didn’t know if it would be allowed to accept passengers until late May of this year, he said.
Everything You Need to Know About Alaska's Ward Cove - Cruise Critic
Everything You Need to Know About Alaska's Ward Cove.
Posted: Thu, 19 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Carnival's Luminosa cruise ship to spend 10 days at sea due to strong winds

Many peoples’ minds immediately think of totem poles when thinking of Alaska. If these beautiful works of art interest you, there are number of places that you can view them in Ketchikan. As the first megaships begin to dock at Ward Cove, ongoing environmental concerns have been renewed. The pulp mill had discharged pollutants into the cove, and the dock now rests on a “Superfund” site.
While you’re enjoying your sea-to-table meal, enjoy a lovely view of the coastline to unwind and fill up before hopping back on your ship. If you’re up for a bit more active adventure in Ketchikan, the Eagle island Sea Kayak Tour will help you to lose some of those added cruise food pounds. With a morning departure, this three-hour tour has you paddling across the inlet to Eagle Island and another nearby island for a beach walk.
This historic boardwalk, situated above Ketchikan Creek, offers a glimpse into the city’s colorful past as a bustling red-light district. Today, it is lined with quaint shops, restaurants, and galleries, providing a unique shopping and dining experience in a charming waterfront setting. Because the cruise terminal is located so far from downtown Ketchikan (where most independent tours meet), many will be nervous about booking independent tours or venturing out on their own. Ketchikan is so easy to navigate and tour operators are now used to dealing with guests coming from Ward Cove. However, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to get to and from Ward Cove/downtown Ketchikan. Prepare to be enchanted by Ketchikan, a quaint Alaskan town nestled amidst lush forests and cascading waterfalls.
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If the salmon are running in the Ketchikan Creek below, it’s a great place to spot otters and harbor seals enjoying an easy meal. Further up the river, you can watch the salmon jumping up the fish ladder. Further down the street, the Chief Johnson Totem Pole has become one of the most photographed totem poles in the city, maybe even the world.
Travel further out to Guard Island Lighthouse, built in 1904 and still working today, which offers panoramic views of the mountainous seascape surrounding you. You’ll cruise past Totem Bight State Park, where you can admire the totem poles hand-carved by members of the Alaskan Native clan. The Alaska Raptor Center, located just 10 miles from town, is an excellent destination for families looking to learn more about raptors like bald eagles, owls, falcons, and hawks.
Take in the beauty of Alaska’s untouched wilderness and wildlife by embarking on a whale and wildlife-viewing boat trip. Plus, the lush mountaintops covered with ancient green trees clinging to the steep slopes are a beautiful sight that will stay with you for a long time. The snow-covered peaks lift barren mountain slopes and blooming meadows above the tree line. Waterfalls plume from fissures in the rock and vanish into the forested hillsides. The 3000-foot granite walls were created by time and glaciers thousands of years ago.
Docked next to cruise ship berths, the Aleutian Ballad is best known for its episodes on the TV show, The Deadliest Catch. The crab fishing boat had been retrofitted into a state-of-the-art tour boat, offering the best tour in Ketchikan. The 33-acre park has 14 totem poles spread around the grounds, which offer exceptional scenery.
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