This hovercraft tour is a unique and exciting way to experience Ketchikan's local beaches, see wildlife, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Your excursion will start immediately at the cruise ship dock where you will jump aboard a Blackbird Hovercraft and enjoy a narrated tour en route to a local Alaska State Park beach.
Once ready to take off, our hovercraft won't touch the ground and you will fly about 20 inches above the water. During the ride, our tour guide will describe the operations of this "air cushion" vehicle and what makes a hovercraft eco-friendly. The pilot will take you over gentle waves and along the jagged shoreline before flying your craft from the water to the beach.
Make sure to have your cameras ready as the hovercraft transitions from sea to land. Keep an eye out for local wildlife and enjoy the great Alaskan scenery. Pulling up onto the shore will be the ultimate display of what makes a hovercraft such a unique vessel. Once ashore, guests will get an opportunity to step out onto the remote beach and walk around the beautiful shoreline while taking in the scenery.
Your excursion concludes with a 25-minute return hovering back to the pier going around the front of Pennock Island, along the channel with Ketchikan to your right. Narration about the Saxman Native Totem Village, the local Coast Guard, Ketchikan living, and the historic downtown area will be provided by your tour guide.
Duration: 1.25 hours (Tour meets at the cruise ship terminal.)
Inclusions:
- Ride on a hovercraft
- Beach and Coastal exploration
- State Park admission fee
- Binoculars are available on the vessel
- Bottled water and snack bars are available
Requirements:
- Wear proper beach footwear and raingear if needed
Duration: 1.25 hours. Tour times below are approximate:
- 10 minutes - safety briefing and load hovercraft
- 10 minutes - ride to the local beach
- 30 minutes - beachcombing, walk around beach, and picture opportunity
- 25 minutes - marine wildlife viewing and narrated drive back to the pier
Meeting Instructions:
- This tour meets at the cruise ship terminal in front of Berth 3. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers. Guest docking at Ward Cove must take a shuttle to and from downtown Ketchikan.
ADA Accessibility of Tour:
- This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible. Guests traveling with wheelchairs, or walkers are not recommended for this tour. Guests must be able to take 3-4 steps into and out of the hovercraft.
How many passengers does the hovercraft hold?
There is a maximum of 12 passengers per fully enclosed hovercraft. If your party is larger than 12, additional hovercrafts may be available. Just let us know and we can check availability.
Are there restrooms on the hovercraft?
No, the hovercraft is not equipped with a restroom.
Will I see any wildlife on this tour?
Wildlife is abundant in Southeast Alaska and sightings are possible on any tour, however, this is not a designated wildlife-watching tour and nothing can be guaranteed!
Are there any age restrictions for children?
There are no age restrictions for this tour.
Do infants need a ticket?
Yes, all persons on board are counted by the USCG, thus they all need a ticket (but it will still be free).
Can I bring a backpack?
Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.
Can I bring my own food or drink?
Non-alcoholic beverages in closeable containers and snacks are allowed on tour.
Are food and drink included?
Bottled water and snack bars are available.
Not seeing answers to your questions?
Check out other frequently asked questions here!
Customer Reviews
Aug 2019 - Daniel F.
Totally unexpected! Even though the experience was not as long as some of other excursions (which was actually somewhat welcome), every minute was amazing. The interaction with bald eagles created a lifetime memory. It was particularly wonderful that our captain and crew were grandfather and grandson
Jul 2019 - Andrew C.
I was able to co-pilot on the way out and my wife got the same privilege on the way back in. It was an incredibly unique experience to ride in the hovercraft, but also to watch the eagles feed and stop on a secluded beach with no one else in the middle of Alaska. The big windows of the cabin made it very easy to video the trip. The guides were very friendly without being over-knowledgeable and pushy. The guides came across as genuinely interested in us as guests to the area.
Jul 2019 - Anna R.
Hovercraft is a very interesting contraption. It's really fascinating to watch it turn on water, while sitting in the co-pilot seat. You pause for about 20 minutes, and get out of the hovercraft to feed some eagles. Then hop back in for a 30-minute stop on a remote beach. As all excursions in Alaska, its only flaw is that it's too short.
Jul 2019 - Bernadette M.
WOW!! Have never been on a Hovercraft before. Will be telling all my Aussie mates to do it!! Quincy & Brewster were fantastic, very knowledgeable, easy to talk to. Had a wonderful day. Great adventure, will be telling all to go!! Thanks guys
Jun 2019 - Laura D.
Tour was AMAZING!! The most bald eagles ever!! Up close!! Definitely a must do tour in Ketchikan, particularly if you like eagles.
Operator made sure we got back to the ship - had a van waiting and was waiting for us at our ship with shore excursion people. So great response.
Would absolutely do it again!
Jun 2019 - Neil M.
We had a fantastic time. Probably one of the best excursions that we have ever taken The guides were great and the weather was perfect. The eagles we saw were unbelievable. We highly recommend this excursion.
May 2019 - Samuel S.
Wow! We love this tour. We be able to have close encounter with American Eagle and also the tour guides are very friendly and informative. Very recommend this tour and I will go again next time.
