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Ketchikan Rainforest Island Adventure

4.6
26 reviews

Excursion Overview

Discover your next adventure in Southeast Alaska!

Take a ride on a unique, exciting rigid-hull inflatable vessel. It's an open motorized ocean raft called a Seahawk, which locals refer to as the banana boat. Your captain will point out marine life and interesting features along the coast of Clover Passage, including a bald eagle's nest, while you travel out to Betton Island. This is a country rich with wildlife and along the route you may have the opportunity to observe whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and migrating seabirds.

Landing at a beautiful secluded beach you will be instructed to follow your guide through the ancient Tongass National Forest, which is the nation's largest national forest at almost 17 million acres (almost 5.7 million acres has been designated as wilderness). Home to a diverse cross-section of animals including bears, eagles, salmon, sandhill cranes, wolves and trumpeter swans, you will learn about the many amazing botanical species native to this region. Your guide will also be able to point out the wonderful Western red cedars and yellow cedars that early Natives depended on for spiritual enrichment, shelter and transportation. The trail you will be taking is mostly boardwalk, well maintained and about one mile in length. You will also have the opportunity to learn about beach life that is present during your visit. You may see starfish or sea cucumber, or learn how the natives used the seaweed in their daily lives.

During your stay at the island, you'll enjoy an Alaska-style snack by the campfire and take in the wonderful vistas, before your return trip to Ketchikan.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip transportation
  • Lifejacket, rain gear (pants, jacket, and boots)
  • Snacks consisting of smoked salmon, cheese, & crackers

Requirements:

  • Minimum Weight: 40lbs
  • Moderate physical activity is required

Duration: 4 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)

  • 60 minutes - roundtrip narrated transfer to Knudson Cove Marina
  • 15 minutes - orientation, risk acknowledgment forms
  • 15 minutes - walk down to dock and load into Seahawk vessel
  • 2 hours - boat ride, unload on Orca Beach, guided nature walk and snack around the campfire
  • 30 minutes - sightseeing back to Knudson Cove Marina

Meeting Instructions:

  • This tour meets at the Liquid Sunshine Rain Gauge. If your ship docks at Ward Cove, you will be picked up there and you do not need to take the shuttle. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

  • This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible.

Refund Policy:

  • You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
  • Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Guests need to be able to climb a 10-step ladder to get in/out of the Seahawk vessel.

You can feel free to stay on the beach if you like or participate in the walk which is less than a mile on flat maintained trail.

Bald eagles and their nests, herons, shorebirds, and waterfowl are all common sights. Porpoises and even humpback whales occasionally surface for air, however, this is not a designated wildlife tour and nothing can be guaranteed.

Yes, a snack consisting of water and smoked salmon, cheese, and crackers is provided.

Food and drink are not allowed during this tour.

Yes, small bags and backpacks are allowed.

Light comfortable layers and a change of socks are recommended just in case yours get wet in the boots.

A Seahawk is a 24-person rigid, hulled, inflatable jet boat that allows you to have an exhilarating ride over to Betton Island and have the chance to see some great wildlife along the way.

 

Guest Reviews

4.6

26 total

65%
31%
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Debra F

On Sep 2024

This tour is a great way to see the hidden gems of southeast Alaska without the noise and crowds of cruise ship passengers. The zodiac ride was a lot of fun and allowed you to appreciate the intricate and detailed coastal landscape. Once we were dropped off at Betton Island we were met by our lovely guide who took us through this part of the Tongass National Rainforest sharing so much information about its history and biodiversity. I learned so much from this experience and would recommend it for those who want to see a non-tourist side of this beautiful place.

John S

On Aug 2024

Guides were kind, knowledgeable and professional. They related to both kids and adults. We were a group of eleven - 4 adults and 7 children ages 5 to 10 and we all enjoyed it from the transport driver to the boat, the banana boat driver/guides and our guide on the island. Snacks on the island were very good - kids enjoyed smores. We would consider Alaskan Shore excursions again. Thanks for helping this family trip to Alaska a great one.

Caryn E

On Jul 2024

Barry was a fabulous guide. The scenery was spectacular and the hike with snacks at the end made for a perfect day!

James F

On May 2024

Spectacular! Knowledgeable and responsive guides, sublime scenery and wildlife, and well-organised!

Ishmael E

On Jul 2023

Very enjoyable boat ride to the rainforest island, we even saw a deer swimming trying to cross the channel to another island; Our driver gently guided it back to the little island he came from. Rainforest tour was a bit underwhelming, although our guide was good and informative (I would not classify her as an "expert"). I've been in many forests and this one was not presented in a way to differentiate it from other forests around the world.

$189.00

Best Price Guarantee!

$189.00

Duration: 4 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 4 hours



Adult (13+): $189.00

Must be 40 lbs. or more

Child (Under 12): $145.00

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