Ketchikan Back Country Zodiac Wildlife Adventure Excursion

Description

• Round-trip transportation from your Ketchikan cruise ship terminal!
  
• English-speaking certified shore excursion guides!
• All safety instructions and necessary gear are provided!
• Complimentary snacks and beverages!
• Fun shore excursion for the whole family driving your own Zodiac boat and potential wildlife viewings in Ketchikan!
  
• Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy the unique sights of Ketchikan and Alaska!

After being picked up at your Ketchikan cruise ship pier, you will transfer to the Zodiac boat cruise excursion base, approximately 5 minutes away, where you will receive rain gear, boots, face masks, gloves, PFD, dry bags, and safety glasses. After a short briefing, you will be ready to head out on the water with those easy-to-handle, inflatable Zodiac adventure boats!

Your 14-foot inflatable boat holds four excursion guests each. Parties of four will have their own Zodiac boat (one must be 25 years old or over to drive); parties of two or three will share zodiacs with other guests (drivers can alternate several times throughout this Zodiac Shore Excursion from Ketchikan).

Set out for 2 hours to explore one of the most beautiful places in the SE Alaska Inside Passage. Throughout this nearly 25-mile coastal expedition excursion, your Zodiac excursion guide in the lead boat will offer a narrative covering the area's history, geology, culture, and ecology (via the boat's radio). You will look for wildlife along the shores, and adventure out into large bodies of water searching for whales, seals, sea lions, or whatever swims by. You may even catch a glimpse of some of the commercial crabbing vessels featured on the Discovery Channels Deadliest Catch!

This Ketchikan Back Country Zodiac Wildlife Adventure Excursion takes place in Alaskan coastal waters, not on calm lakes. Chances are it will be bumpy.

Navigating your Zodiac boat through coves and inlets around Blank Island, you will view the tranquil cove of an old gold mine and visit a seal rookery. Before you return to the dock, you will make a brief stop in front of historic Creek Street to learn of its wild history. The tide will dictate how close you can get.

After you dock your Zodiac excursion boat, warm up with a hot beverage. You will then have the option to transfer back to your ship in Ketchikan or enjoy a brief stroll back to your cruise ship through town.

What is included?

• Pickup and drop off right from your cruise ship pier in Ketchikan Alaska 
  
• English-speaking and trained Ketchikan Back Country Zodiac Boating Expedition Shore Excursion guides
  
• One radio per boat
  
• All the gear required for this Zodiac wildlife cruise excursion from Ketchikan
  
• Snack -  Smoked salmon dip with crackers, hot coffee, hot cider, hot chocolate, or bottled water.
  
• Zodiac boat safety orientation and supervision
  

Excursion Notes

• The ride on the inflatable boat can be bumpy based on weather conditions. Guests with neck, back, or hip ailments and pregnant women should not participate in this excursion.
  
• There are steps and ramps required to reach the boats.
  
• Restroom facilities are available at the dock only.
  
• Guests wanting their own boat must purchase 4 seats.
• Please pay attention to the restrictions and requirements for this excursion, no refund will be granted if the requirements are not met.
  
• We recommend wearing layers with the top layer being waterproof.
• We suggest you have cash on hand for refreshments, excursion staff gratuities, shopping, etc.
  

Where we meet

For this Ketchikan Back Country Zodiac Wildlife Adventure Excursion, you will meet your local excursion guide right in the Ketchikan cruise pier area. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• The minimum participation age is 4 years old. Guests must weigh a minimum of 40lbs (18Kg) to fit into the life jacket. Maximum weight is 350lbs (159Kg).
• The minimum age to drive is 25 years old and must present a valid driver's license or other proof of age. 
• Driver must be able to hear and understand English.
• Maximum of 4 guests per boat and all eligible guests will have a chance to drive. Parties under three will share a boat.
• The excursion route may change due to daily tide and weather variations.
• This is not allowed for guests with mobility issues - no walkers, canes, scooters, strollers, or wheelchairs are permitted.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.