Excursions Alaska

Ketchikan Wildlife Tours

All of the tours are customized to accommodate cruise ship passengers

Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea

Duration: 4.75 hours
Adults Ages 12+4 $399
Children Ages 11 and younger $299
 

 

 

Are you ready for a true Alaskan bear encounter?


The day begins with a fully narrated motor coach tour from your ship where you will learn the history of this special part of the world. Then, you will board a thirty-six-passenger boat with an experienced Captain and crew and set out for adventure towards Neets Bay Observatory.

This pristine wilderness area is limited to a small number of visitors each year and you will have the golden ticket. The splendor of the Tongass National Forest is breathtaking, and there will be numerous photo opportunities as we sail towards our ultimate destination. Along the way we may see whales, eagles, sea lions and so much more! Southeast Alaska is home to thousands of bears, and they stake their claim near salmon spawning streams that feed into the Pacific Ocean.

Upon arrival near the base of the stream, you will be debriefed on the habitat you are about to explore and the bears you will be observing. Enjoy the serenity of this lush forest and the chance to see smaller woodland creatures as you walk along a well-maintained forest trail, while making your way to the viewing platform. Your guides will be on hand to answer all your questions about these majestic mammals and to share their knowledge of the surrounding forest and the importance of the hatcheries to enhance salmon production in Southeast Alaska.

Photography is a must as you will not want to forget a single moment of this experience as you co-exist with these incredible creatures within their own habitat. You may see them teaching their young to fish or relaxing after a big meal of fresh salmon, but nothing will compare to simply being near these beautiful creatures in the wild.

This tour is not wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to walk up to 3/4 of a mile on forest floor, incline ramps and boat deck.

 

Things you need to know

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Liquid Alaska’s group sizes are small and personal.
We provide 1:8 guide to guest ratio for your enjoyment and safety.
All of our guides are Wilderness First Responders.
No canoe experience necessary
This is an all-inclusive tour. We provide everything you need to be safe and dry.
Please remember to dress for the weather. We suggest wearing comfortable, non-cotton layers. If it is cooler, please bring a hat, gloves, and wear warm socks. If there is sun, please bring sunglasses
Due to the dynamic and changing nature of the glacier, viewing ice caves cannot be guaranteed and should never be expected. Your guide will help you find the best (and safest) features of the glacier on any given day.

Cancellation Policy

Please contact us at least 48 hours prior to tour departure time

 

Tour Photos

Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews

Dan W. Westmount Wrote a review

Bears and Salmon, a match made in heaven!

This was our favourite excursion of all on our Alaskan Cruise. Seeing these beautiful black bears up close and watching them eat salmon was a bucket-list item for us, and this trip made it happen! the boat ride over to the salmon hatchery in Neets Bay was beautiful and educational, and the bonus was all the other wildlife we got to see congregating around the area -- eagles, blue herons, seals etc. truly memorable. Tour guides on the boat and at the site were excellent and friendly.

Julie F. Wrote a review

Amazing tour!

This trip was the highlight of my time in Alaska. You can't beat getting to see a glacier up close and personal. Everyone working together made the paddling easier. We had plenty of time to spend at the base of the glacier. We found lots of interesting rocks where the glacier had been just a few years ago. The guides were just as excited to be there as we were. That made the trip feel even more special. They went the extra mile to make sure we had a memorable experience.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if our ship is delayed or our port is cancelled?
Alaska Cruise Ships tend to run on time, but there are always exceptions. If your cruise ship is late, we will do our best to accommodate. We understand this is completely out of your control as well as ours and if we are unable to accommodate, we will provide a full refund. If you cruise ship has to cancel Juneau as a port of call, we will also provide a full refund.

Are we guaranteed to get back to the ship in time?
We guarantee that your tour will return on time. All tour times are scheduled around cruise ship arrival and departure times, and allow for adequate time before and after the adventure to easily make it back onboard and on time.

Will our tour be canceled if it is raining?
No. Juneau is located in the worlds largest temperate rainforest (the Tongass National Forest, it is also the largest National Forest in the United States). Rain is very common in Juneau and we welcome it. We provide a rain jacket, rain pants and rain boots to each guest, but please dress to stay warm and possibly get wet. If Liquid Alaska Tours deems weather conditions are unsafe, Liquid Alaska Tours will cancel the tour (and provide a full refund).

How close will I get to the glacier?
Depending on conditions we will either be able to walk directly up to the glacier ice or be able to walk on top of it. We cannot guarantee any conditions and these are assessed daily for safety.

What type of clothing should I wear?
The weather is very unpredictable in Alaska. We would like our guests to dress according to the weather, noting that the glacier will be about 10 degrees cooler than land. Guests are encouraged to dress in non-cotton layers, bring gloves, a warm hat and sunglasses if it is sunny. We’ll provide you with waterproof jackets, pants, and boots.

Will I see any wildlife or bears on this tour?
Bald eagles, porcupines, mountain goats, herons, shorebirds, arctic terns and waterfowl are all common sights, however this is not a designated wildlife tour and specific wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

Are there any physical requirements for this tour?
Minimum weight: 90 lbs.

Maximum weight: 240 lbs.

Minimum age: 12 years old

Yes. This is a very active tour. It is roughly an hour of paddling each way to get across the Mendenhall Lake to the glacier. Once arriving on shore we spend approximately 60-90 minutes hiking and exploring the glacier.

Guests must have full use of their limbs to get in and out the canoe and to assist in paddling the canoe across the lake (a total of two hours).

Are there bathrooms available?
Flush toilets are located at our meeting and drop off location at the Goldbelt Tramway.

Once our adventure starts, we bring our guests directly to the West Glacier Trailhead at the Mendenhall Lake. This is where we get everyone geared up, we go over safety and paddling instructions and where we start our journey.

There are very nice pit toilets operated by the United States Forest Service located at the West Glacier Trailhead. Our guests are welcome to use these before our gear up and once we get back.

During our adventure on the Mendenhall Glacier there are no facilities available. Mother nature does provide plenty of space, we just ask that you abide by our Leave No Trace partnership and pack out your trash.

What sizes do you have for gear?
Adventurers come in all shapes and sizes! So we have a huge variety.

We provide top quality equipment for our guides and guests. The North Face and Marmot are our raincoats and rain pants. Our rain boots are “Alaskan Sneakers” aka Xtratuf rain boots.

Our raincoats with hoods sizes are: XS- XXL in both mens and womens.

Our rain pants are: XS- XXL in both mens and womens.

Our rain boots are sizes: 5-14 Unisex

We also have limited child sizes in both rain gear and rain boots.

Are there exceptions for the tour requirements?

Please ensure that you and all members of your group meet all our tour requirements, as we cannot permit any exceptions. Our requirements are based on strict safety protocols which we cannot deviate from. Our tour requirements are:

Minimum age: 12 years old
Minimum weight: 90 lbs.
Maximum weight: 240 lbs.
Not recommended for guests with back or hip problems
Pregnant guests will not be allowed on this tour
Full use of limbs for up to 2 hours canoe paddling
Ability to hike over steep uneven terrain for approximately 1-2 miles (Ice Adventure only)

Wildlife & Whale Watching Quest

Duration: 5 hours
Ages: 13+ years old $189
Ages 3-12 $89
(Ages 2 and under are free!)
 

 

Discover Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching in Ketchikan, Alaska!
 

Climb aboard the “Eagle One”, our intimate vessel, while we embark on an adventurous scenic and wildlife viewing quest cruising through the majestic Alexander Archipelago. These Islands extend over 300 miles north and have over 1000 islands that line our coastal and inland waters. View the Glacier cut mountain ranges, beautiful Vistas and our picturesque waterfront on this excursion.
Make sure your cameras are ready to capture these inspiring sights. Keep a lookout for Humpback Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Seals, Sea Lions, Eagles and Salmon “Jumpers” while out on the water. If you are a “Birder” looking to discover Alaskan Migratory Birds, then this may be your best opportunity to do so. On our quest we may see a mass variety of wild birds. Also included, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and pre-packaged snacks. Complimentary use of binoculars and blankets. Yes, there is a bathroom onboard!!
Wheelchair accessible only on boat, bathroom aboard is not wheelchair accessible.

Please plan your tour a minimum of 30 minutes after your ship arrives. Please note that Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. We do our best to locate a variety of wildlife, but they are wild creatures living in their natural habitat and are not under our control.

Activity Level
Our tour has minimal walking, with seating for everyone. Recommended for people needing a wheelchair.

Special Notes
This tour will operate in most weather conditions. We recommend you wear weather appropriate layered clothing and comfortable shoes. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed but are frequent. Although we are Wheel Chair accessible, our restroom is not.

Please read the important Details below.

Cancellation Policy

You must cancel within 24 hours to get a full refund. Weather cancellations are always a full refund. If there are scheduling conflicts we can always move your group to another scheduled tour time to accommodate you time restrictions. If we cancel due to weather or and unforeseen events on our end you receive a full refund. If your ship is delayed/canceled the port we issue a full refund. We try our best to get you to see Whales that visit our waters in the summer months, but we do not Guarantee sightings on our tours. We do hope to keep our whale sightings percentage rate at 90%.

Tour Photos

Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews

Jane H. Wrote a review

Would do it again!

This was a highlight of our trip to Alaska. Good service before, during and after the trip.
We really enjoying seeing all the animals and totems. Two bald eagles were perched on the top of a classic Alaska lighthouse.
We learned about the lighthouse society and received a stamp.
We watched a pod of whales for about fifteen minutes. I have been on many whale watching trips. This was the most informative and most relaxed.
I would definitely take this tour again!!

 

 

mdmiranda
Denison, TX .Wrote a review

A whale of a time!

This was a great excursion! We had a sunny day on the boat which made the excursion ever better! Alaska is so beautiful! All the staff on the boat was very friendly and knowledgeable! Snacks and drinks were served too. Here’s what we saw: a Humpback whale bubble fishing close by the boat (very cool!), many eagles, a couple of large eagle nests, some jellyfish, totem poles and a lighthouse. We heard lots of information and stories along the way. Thank you Captain Kyle for the tour!

 

Meeting Locations

We are inside the berth 2 at the main cruiseship docks visitors center at booth 15 next to the Ketchikan Rain Gaige and The “Rock” bronze statues.

NCL guests dock at Ward Cove which is not the same as the main Ketchikan dock and you would have to take their shuttle to town and time it with your tour. You can use the following link to determineif this excursion will work for you.

https://wardcoveak.com/schedules/

Inclusions

Once you are onboard the “Eagle One”. Please help yourself to complimentary drinks and snacks. For drinks, we offer coffee, tea, hot chocolate, flavored soda water and bottled water. Snacks will range from fresh pastries, cookies, crackers, assorted chips, animal crackers and goldfish for the kids. If you are a bit cold, we offer blankets if you wanted to stay out side and enjoy more of the scenery. The vessel also has a bathroom onboard.

What to bring

Camera, charger for our phone if needed and a light rain jacket. Reminder! You are in southeast Alaska and the weather can be quite wet. Please prepare for rain if the forecast is calling for it.

Premier Land and Sea Discount Package

Duration: 4.5 hours
Ages: 13+ years old $223
Ages 12 and under $112
 
 
 
 

 

WeWelcome to Ketchikan’s one-of-a kind 4/4.5-hour long Land and Sea tour package.

Climb aboard the “Eagle One” , our intimate vessel while we embark on a scenic wildlife viewing adventure. Soak in the wonders of Alaska on this excursion. Our crew and drivers will make sure you have every opportunity to capture all Ketchikan has to offer. Make sure your cameras are ready as you keep a lookout for Humpback Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Seals, Sea Lions, Eagles and Salmon “Jumpers” while making our way out of town. Also included, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and pre-packaged snacks. Yes, there is a bathroom onboard!!

Starting the ground portion of the tour in one of our spacious 13 passenger vans. We will depart for Herring Cove to view Black Bears foraging for their favorite “Wild Alaskan Salmon” that are returning from the ocean to the Herring Cove creek to spawn. This area always has an abundance of Bald Eagles hunting for salmon as well. After Bear viewing in Herring Cove, we will jump in the van and head for the Saxman Totem Park. The park has the largest collection of standing Totems in the world. The history and craftsmanship will delight anyone of all ages.

While on the way back into Ketchikan. We will stop at Creek Street for a short walk on the boardwalk that runs along the creek. Creek Street offers history, charm, and shops that you might get lost in. The creek has a large salmon return in the summer months. You can watch the fish swim up the river to the fish ladder while you make your way along the boardwalk. After we make our way back to the van, we will head north of town to the Totem State Park that showcases more authentic Alaskan carved totems. We could also visit Refuge Cove and walk along the wooded trail that follows the beach if requested by our passengers. We are happy to make the ground tour whatever you would like it to be. You can customize your time so you can experience what you want, like hiking along beaches, lake treks and hitting the local trails.

Please note that Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. We do our best to locate a variety of wildlife, but they are wild creatures living in their natural habitat and are not under our control.

Activity Level
Our tour will have a few stops that require walking, entering and exiting the van. We do not recommend it if you have issues with walking or have a need for a wheelchair.

Special Notes
This tour will operate in most weather conditions. We recommend you wear weather appropriate layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed but are frequent.

What To Bring
Camera, charger for your phone if needed and a light rain jacket.

Please read the important Details below.

Inclusions

Included In The Price
Professional guides
Roundtrip van transport from meeting location
All paddling equipment & glacier gear
US Forest Service permits
Rain gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots and pants) and dry bag backpack
Hearty and healthy snacks
Souvenir water bottle (we strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to help minimize waste)
All safety gear including helmet and trekking poles if needed
Not Included In Price
Hot shower at the end of the day, but you can book your unique stay here.
Professional Photography
Gratuity for your Guide: If you feel that your guide went Above and Beyond to facilitate an exceptional experience, a gratuity is a welcomed way to show your appreciation.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be made on cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to tour departure. If we cancel the tour for any reason then the customer will receive a full refund. We try our best to get you to see Whales and Bears that visit our areas in the summer months, but we do not Guarantee sightings on our tours. We do hope to keep our whale sightings percentage rate at 90%.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you.

Tour Photos

Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews

Cheryl N Wrote a review

Don't miss out on this amazing experience

What an amazing experience! Captain Jesse and the deck hands are phenomenal! They truly want you to see whales and we saw both Orca and humpback. They also tour around to see Bald eagles and seals.
You can tell They are locals as they are so passionate and knowledgeable. Would reco to anyone.
The boat is perfect! New, clean and great refreshments offered

The ground tour is also great.! Melanie was our guide. The perfect amount of time and you learn alot about this cozy, coastal town. We saw brown bears!

Binoculars are available to borrow on both tours which is a really great addition!

 

 

Katie Shenko Boca Raton, FL Wrote a review

Outstanding customer service and perfect itinerary! We saw whales!
 

For the sea portion: Captain Jesse and Melanie were welcoming, personable and so accommodating! Boat was comfortable with seating inside and outside. Guests had access to blankets, binoculars, water, snacks and pastries. Jesse is so knowledgeable and responsible. We were lucky to see multiple whales and two times we saw a whale bubble feeding! I had a 6yo boy with us and he did just fine! Boat does not go fast; just comfortably cruising speed. We also saw many seals and bald eagles.
For the land portion: We took a van to the area where there are bears. We also went to the totem pole park and the waterfall. All great "must-sees" of Ketchikan that we were able to see in under 2 hours.

Thank you, EagleOne team, for exceptional customer service all around!

 

Meeting Locations

We are inside the berth 2 at the main cruiseship docks visitors center at booth 15 next to the Ketchikan Rain Gaige and The “Rock” bronze statues.

NCL guests dock at Ward Cove which is not the same as the main Ketchikan dock and you would have to take their shuttle to town and time it with your tour. You can use the following link to determineif this excursion will work for you.

https://wardcoveak.com/schedules/

Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion

Duration: 5 hours
Ages: 13years and older $199

Ages 12 and under $112

Infant/Toddler Ages 0-2

 Our tour provides a scenic, narrated wildlife excursion through the protected waters of our nearshore route of the Inside Passage, the Tongass Narrows.

Join your Alaskan captain and their crew in Ward Cove, one of Alaska’s deepest and most protected harbors, where you’ll board your tour vessel for a wildlife and sightseeing cruise along the coastlines of the islands of Revillaggigedo and Gravina. Relax in comfort in our heated main cabin or breathe in the fresh sea air from an outside observation deck while you sit back to enjoy the grab-bag of attractions along the way. Grab a pair of the provided binoculars and ready yourself for guaranteed sightings of the iconic American bald eagle. Along the way, the crew will help you spot marine-based wildlife, serve you a delicious, complimentary Alaska-sourced snack sampler plate and beverages, and share with you their knowledge of this unique ecological and cultural region of the world. Included in your trip are gorgeous, panoramic views of Totem Bight State Park (complete with 14 towering Lingit and Haida totem poles and an Alaskan Native clan house) and the wild seascape around Guard Island Lighthouse (built in 1904 and still in operation to this day).

Throughout the tour you’ll also get the chance to learn about the unique lifestyle of living on a remote Alaskan island directly from locals who make this place our home.

HIGHLIGHTS
Plentiful wildlife, with guaranteed sightings of American bald eagles
Up to 5 eagle nests
Totem Bight State Park
Guard Island Lighthouse
Unique Alaskan homes and colorful cabins, some on their own island
Remnants of the old Ketchikan pulp mill

INCLUSIONS
Complimentary beverages, including hot chocolate, coffee, water, assorted hot tea, and soft drinks.
Complimentary tasting of our favorite Alaskan nibbles, including a traditional alder-smoked salmon, salmon dip, crackers, bull kelp pickles, and artisan chocolate.
Fog-proof, waterproof Bushnell binoculars are also provided for your use while on the tour vessel.

WHAT TO BRING
Please dress in layers to accommodate all weather conditions.
We are in a rainforest, so tours operate rain or shine. We always recommend bringing a rain jacket or poncho.
Don’t forget your camera!

 

 

 

 

 

Please read the important Details below.

What is included?

Included In The Price
Professional guides
Roundtrip van transportation
Double Kayaks, Paddling Gear, and Dry Bags
Rain gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots and pants)
Hearty Snacks
Souvenir water bottle (we strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to help minimize waste)
Forest service permits
Not Included In Price
Hot shower at the end of the day, but you can book your unique stay here.
Professional Photography
Gratuity for your guide: If you feel that your guide went Above and Beyond to facilitate an exceptional experience, a gratuity is a welcomed way to show your appreciation.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that plans sometimes change. If you cancel your reservation up to 10 days before the tour, you will be issued a full refund. Cancellations within 10 days are non-refundable, except for medical/emergencies. Tours operate rain or shine. If we cancel your tour for any reason, you will be issued a full refund.

*Please be aware that all tours must meet a guest minimum in order to operate.

Tour Photos

Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews

This is a new tour with no reviews to date.

 

Important Details

Important Notes
This trip operates in all weather conditions (barring unsafe conditions, to be determined by ABAK) – We can’t stress enough to dress appropriately.
Participants must be able to confidently paddle tandem kayaks for up to 2 hours.
Our kayaks can accommodate a maximum torso (waist-chest) diameter of 55 inches (140cm). Maximum weight limit is 600lbs (272kg) for double kayaks. People taller than 6’2″ (188cm) find operating the rudder challenging, as the pedals only adjust to a certain maximum distance; however, people as tall as 6’8″ have been able to paddle our kayaks.
Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
Every participant must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk Form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the form are not permitted.
Due to inherent risk involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.
Due to various fitness abilities and weather variables, we prefer clients not schedule other excursions directly before or after our trip. Please let us know if your clients have another excursion booked on the same day.

 

Meeting Locations

Client Pickup Information

Located at the base of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, the C-Sign is ABAK’s primary downtown meeting location for cruise passengers and clients staying in the downtown area.

 

CLIENTS ARRIVING AT AJ DOCK:

Clients who dock at the AJ Dock within 30 minutes of the ABAK pick-up time will be picked up directly from AJ DOCK.

 

Clients Staying Locally:

Clients can be picked up from any major hotel in the Mendenhall Valley.

Clients staying at major hotels in the Downtown area will meet at our Downtown meeting location.

ABAK is unable to provide pick-up in residential neighborhoods. Clients staying at private residences, Air BnB’s, VRBO’s, or have own transportation please contact our office for meeting location information