Ketchikan, Alaska
Totem poles, salmon streams and a rainforest that runs right down to the water. Here’s how to make one day ashore in Alaska’s first city count.
Alaska’s first city
Ketchikan is usually the first Alaska stop on an Inside Passage cruise, and in 2026 it was nearly as busy as Juneau. The town climbs the hillside along the Tongass Narrows, with downtown, historic Creek Street and the salmon ladder on Ketchikan Creek all close to the main berths. It’s also home to one of the largest collections of totem poles in the world.
It rains here a lot, often around 150 inches a year, which is exactly why the rainforest is so green. Pick a day built around Tlingit culture, the water or Misty Fjords National Monument, and leave time for a stroll through town. Below are the excursions we’d book, what the cruise lines sell and the details that keep the day easy.
Which pier you’ll dock at
Your line may use a downtown berth one week and Ward Cove the next, so confirm yours on your itinerary a few days before you arrive.
Berths 1 to 4
Four berths along the downtown waterfront, from the Salmon Landing area to Berth 4 at the north end. Creek Street, the shops and the visitor center are a short walk from the pier, and most tours meet right on the dock. On the busiest days a ship may anchor and tender to a downtown float instead.
Used by: Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Disney, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Virgin Voyages, Seabourn, Silversea, Cunard, Viking, Azamara, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Crystal and Windstar.
Ward Cove
A two-berth terminal about seven miles north of downtown, on the site of Ketchikan’s old pulp mill. It now has its own shops, food and a second Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show venue. Allow extra time if you want to see downtown, and ask your advisor how your line handles the trip into town.
Used by: Norwegian, Regent, Oceania, Viking, Azamara, Crystal and Royal Caribbean.
Excursions we’d book
Hand-picked shore excursions from local operators, bookable through our partner Project Expedition. Every tour here carries Project Expedition’s Back to Ship Guarantee. Prices are per person and can change; check the live price when you book.
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour
Three hours aboard a working Bering Sea crab boat with crew you may have seen on television. They haul the pots, explain the gear and history, and you watch from a heated, covered deck. It boards a short walk from the main dock.
View on Project ExpeditionMisty Fjords Expedition
Misty Fjords National Monument on a six-passenger boat, with time for granite walls, waterfalls and New Eddystone Rock. Watch for eagles, bears and whales. Departs from the downtown berths.
View on Project ExpeditionSaxman Native Village, Ketchikan Highlights & Lumberjack Show
Tlingit songs and dances in the Beaver Clan House at Saxman Native Village, totem pole carving, Creek Street and a seat at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. An easy pace, with meeting points at downtown and Ward Cove.
View on Project Expedition3 Hour Alaska Rainforest Hiking Tour in Tongass National Forest
A small-group walk of about three miles on a mostly level trail in the Tongass National Forest, with a meadow, a waterfall and giant spruce and cedar. No special footwear needed.
View on Project ExpeditionSmall Group Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure
Yes, snorkeling in Alaska. Thick wetsuits, hoods and gloves keep you warm while a guide leads an hour among sea stars and kelp, followed by hot showers. Rated difficult; you should be a comfortable swimmer.
View on Project ExpeditionKetchikan Duck Boat Tour
A 90-minute amphibious tour past the salmon ladder, Creek Street and the totems, then a splash into the Tongass Narrows. A light, fun option for kids and anyone short on time.
View on Project ExpeditionThe Back to Ship Guarantee and refunds if your ship skips Ketchikan are covered by Project Expedition’s shore excursion terms. Your advisor can walk you through them.
Cruise line favorites
Book these in your cruise planner. Ship-sold tours cost a bit more, but the ship waits for you if the tour runs late.
- Misty Fjords flightseeing. A floatplane flight over Misty Fjords National Monument, often with a landing on a remote lake. Costs extra, depends on the weather and is worth it on a clear day.
- Totem Bight & Saxman. Visits to the totem parks and clan house that make Ketchikan the place to learn about Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian art.
- Bear viewing. Floatplane trips to remote creeks where black bears fish for salmon, usually from July into September. Seats are limited and sell out early.
- Zip lines & rainforest. Zip line and canopy tours through the rainforest outside town. A favorite for families with older kids.
Exploring without a tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? These are the highlights to know, wherever your day takes you. Keep an eye on the clock.
Creek Street
A boardwalk of colorful houses on stilts over Ketchikan Creek, once the town’s red-light district and now galleries and shops. In season, watch for salmon heading up the creek below.
Totem Heritage Center
Original 19th-century totem poles preserved indoors, plus exhibits on Northwest Coast art. Admission costs extra. A quieter, more meaningful hour than you might expect.
The salmon ladder
A fish ladder on Ketchikan Creek where, from mid-summer, salmon jump their way upstream. It’s part of the walk from Creek Street along the creek.
Before you go ashore
- All-aboard is firm. If you book independently, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Ships do leave without late guests.
- Bring a rain jacket. Ketchikan is one of the wettest towns in the U.S. Boardwalks and docks get slick, so wear shoes with good grip.
- Ward Cove days are different. If your ship docks at Ward Cove, plan your day around tours that meet there, or allow extra time to reach downtown. Ask your advisor before you book anything independently.
- Flights depend on weather. Floatplane tours can cancel for low cloud.
- New at Ward Cove. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show opened a second, larger arena at Ward Cove in 2026, along with axe throwing and new places to eat near the cruise terminal.
Sailing to Ketchikan
Most Inside Passage cruises call here, round trip from Seattle or Vancouver, and many one-way Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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