I've got my excursions planned for Juneau (glacier helicopter!) and Skagway (White Pass Railway) -- now I'd love some input on what to do in Ketchikan. What are some of your favorite shore excursions????
We are going to go salmon fishing with Northern Lights Charter. It shouldbe fun and even if we don't catch any fish we can still see some wildlife and enjoy the day.
Our favorite Alaska shore excursion was the bear watching adventure in Ketchikan. We took a float plane to a salmon hatchery. The salmon were so thick in the water and the bear were 20 feet away from us, grabbing the salmon, tearing them open and just eating the eggs because they had such an abundance. There were several black bear and even one large brown bear. They had no interest in us as they enjoyed their caviar. We also saw eagles waiting around for the leavings. The weather was beautiful so the sights we saw from the plane were magnificent too. The workings of the hatchery were quite interesting as well.
Ketchikan was our favorite port! We did a wildlife helicopter excursion, Misty Fjords floatplane and kayaking!!!! We still had lots of time for shopping. If you are interested in our write=up of our Alaskan shore excursions wirh pictures, feel free to email me at ViolaSwmp@aol.com
I do not recommend the Misty Fjords floatplane /cruise combo. It takes up way too much time and is a repeat of the same scenery on the way back. I have NEVER heard anyone who thought it was worthwhile and most said they were bored since it was very similar to the cruise ship inside passage sailing. I would do the flight and enjoy the town.
Depending on when you are sailing- the bear watchings are affordable (compared to Juneau trips $400+) I have gone to both Revilla and Anan. But these are only available late July - early Sept. A good choice is the Misty Fjords float plane. book direct www.taquanair.com or www.islandwings.com I have gone with both these companies. Do not get the Misty fjords cruise/flight combo. same scenery only a lot slower. takes up way too much time and prevents any other sightseeing.
Not likely to see any wildlife, unless going late Aug- Sept when the whales migrate to this area. Kathy G wrote:
>
> We are going to go salmon fishing with Northern Lights
> Charter. It shouldbe fun and even if we don't catch any fish
> we can still see some wildlife and enjoy the day.
I'm sorry if other people have told you this already--I'm too lazy to read the threads--
we took the kayak tour and it was great! We did have unbelievable weather, so that might have influenced our enjoyment. Neither of us had ever been in a kayak, but we had no problems. The salmon were jumping right in front of us, and the water was so clear we saw tons of starfish, and other sea creatures. It was also great because when you're in Alaska you want to try to experience it like Alaskans (in some small way anyway).
I would like infomation on the kayaking. Best port, cost, times, best company, etc. Going in mid July with HAL. Already planning to do floatplane/bear watching tour in Ketchikan through HAL. Is there time to do this plus kayaking and see the town too?
Also in Juneau my husband and a friend are planning to take a plane into the forest to go flyfishing (6 hr tour through HAL). His wife and I were going to do the Juneau town tour, Mendenhall Glacier, and rainforest tour through HAL. When the guys got through fishing, we had thought of renting a cab to take them to the Mendenhall Glacier. Would we be better off just renting a car for the day and taking ourselves to all the above vs the HAL Juneau tour, and then taking the guys to the Glacier in the rental car when they return from fishing? Is there a best time of day to view the Glacier?
What to do in Ketchikan?
takes up way too much time and prevents any other sightseeing.
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