Is The Orca Cove Kayaking Tour In Ketchikan Worth It? [Review]
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If you’re looking for an active Alaska excursion away from the crowds, kayaking Orca Cove near Ketchikan is a must.
The location is serene and stunning, plus you’ll have the opportunity to spot whales, bears, harbor seals, and bald eagles.
Another major highlight: this Orca Cove kayaking tour is not offered as an official cruise shore excursion — though they’ll still meet you right in the port — so you can enjoy Alaska’s beauty in peace.
In fact, when I did this tour, my husband Andy and I were the only ones on it, making it extra special. That said, there is a six-person group maximum, ensuring a quieter experience.
Curious to learn more about this fun Alaskan adventure? Keep reading my honest review to learn what to expect, how to plan your logistics, and if it’s right for you!
🐳 Tip: The Orca Cove Sea Kayaking tour tends to sell out, so make sure to book in advance — especially if there is a specific timeslot you want!
What Makes Orca Cove Special?
Orca Cove is a sheltered body of water located just outside of Ketchikan along the edge of the Tongass National Forest.
Because it is protected by surrounding islands, the water here is generally much calmer than the open sea channels. During our paddle the water was calm and still, but our guide told us there are days it gets choppy, especially outside of summer.
The area is home to dense old-growth rainforest, active marine life like harbor seals and jumping salmon, and rock cliffs that feature Native pictographs dating back 200 to 600 years.
The best part:
Because there are no roads leading to this part of the coast, the only way to access the cove is by boat, allowing you to escape the crowds.
To put this into perspective, Ketchikan’s cruise port gets over 10,000 visitors — and often more than 15,000 — per day. Finding a place that isn’t swarming with tourists can be hard, but it’s possible in Orca Cove.
Orca Cove Kayaking Tour Logistics
Season: The Orca Cove Sea Kayaking excursion runs seasonally from May through September. The summer months are best, as they tend to be the driest with the calmest waters.
Timing: 3 hours total, including about 90-105 minutes of paddling.
Meeting & Ending Point: The local operator meets you at 420 Water St. in Downtown Ketchikan at Berth 3. They send detailed instructions on how to get there via email. Personally, my Alaska cruise was aboard HAL’s ms Koningsdam, and the meeting spot was a very short, easy walk from where the boat docked.
⚠️ Note for Norwegian Cruise Line Passengers: If your ship docks at Ward Cove, you cannot walk to the meeting point. You will need to take the free 15-minute cruise shuttle bus into downtown Ketchikan (Berth 4) and walk 5 minutes over to Berth 3 to meet the guide.
Bathrooms: Free public restrooms are available near the meeting point, and you will have access to facilities twice more during the excursion at the houseboat.
Accessibility: Getting in and out of a sea kayak requires a baseline level of mobility. If you have severe knee or back issues, the transition from the dock to the kayak can be tricky.
What To Expect On An Orca Cove Kayaking Tour
Now that you have an overview, let me walk you through exactly what the Orca Cove Sea Kayaking tour is like.
1. Port Pickup & Scenic Boat Ride
Your excursion begins with meeting a tour representative right in Ketchikan’s cruise port. Stepping off the ship, you’ll immediately get a sense of how busy this port town gets during peak season. It’s very crowded!
Luckily, because this isn’t an official cruise-sponsored shore excursion, you’ll immediately bypass the massive tour buses to board a fast, hard-bottom boat (not an inflatable Zodiac) for a beautiful ride out to Orca Cove.
💡Tip: Keep your camera ready on this ride! The captain on our trip was incredible at scanning the water, and he seemed to know exactly where the wildlife would surface before it was obvious to our untrained eyes.
In fact, on our way to Orca Cove, he stopped the boat, pointed to a spot where it seemed nothing was happening, and told us to get ready. Moments later, a humpback whale emerged to lunge feed. He popped up a few times, which was the biggest pinch-me moment of my Alaska trip!
2. The Houseboat Launch Point
The boat drops you off at a floating houseboat nestled in the cove, which is also the home of the company owner.
Interestingly, he originally visited Alaska on a family vacation, fell completely in love with the landscape, and simply never went back home.
Inside his floating home, you’ll drop off your extra gear, grab a dry bag and life jacket, and go through a safety and instructional briefing before getting into your kayak.
3. Paddling Through Orca Cove
This is when the active adventure portion begins. As soon as you’re on the water, you feel the serenity of the cove take over. It truly feels like a different world than the busy Ketchikan cruise port.
At least when I visited, the water was calm, making for an enjoyable paddle around quiet inlets and lush islands.
In terms of wildlife, we saw harbor seals poke their heads out of the water, jumping salmon splashing up every few minutes, and a juvenile bald eagle perched in a tree.
A juvenile bald eagle and Native American pictographs in Orca Cove. Photos via Jessie Festa.
We also learned about how deer occasionally get stranded on these small islands when the tides go out, leaving them vulnerable to coastal brown bears that will swim across the channels to hunt them.
For some Alaskan heritage, we passed rock cliffs featuring Native pictographs estimated to be between 200 and 600 years old. Our guide explained that these markings — made from a mixture of soil, urine, and crushed seashells — were used as reference points for Indigenous travelers navigating the islands.
A sun symbol indicated good weather, three canoes stood for three nearby islands, and there was even an old dancing lady symbol whose exact meaning remains a bit of a mystery.
➡️ Click here to book your small-group Orca Cove Kayaking tour! 🐳
4. Local Alaskan Snacks
After completing a loop, you paddle back to the houseboat to dry off.
This was a neat experience to get to chat with an Alaskan local while enjoying Alaskan Brewing Co. beers paired with a delicious homemade salmon dip. I am still dreaming about this snack!
5. The Return Trip (Another Whale Sighting!)
The hospitality didn’t stop there. On our return trip, the captain was so excited to maximize our experience that he offered to cut our snack time short because he had spotted a pod of orca whales nearby on his way in.
We enthusiastically agreed, hopped back into the fast boat with him, and successfully tracked down the orcas hunting on our way back to the Ketchikan port!
What To Bring
While the tour company provides dry bags for your essentials and spray skirts to keep your lower half dry, you should pack the following items:
- Close-toed shoes: Preferably waterproof or quick-dry shoes. I wore my KEEN Targhee 4 Mid Height Waterproof Boots, which are also great for hiking in Alaska.
- Quick-dry layers: You shouldn’t get drenched, but synthetic clothing as well as a rain shell and rain pants are smart in case of mist or rain. You are in the Tongass National Forest rainforest, after all.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, SPF lip balm, and a long-sleeve sun shirt (the glare off the water can be intense).
- Warm accessories: While I was hot during my paddle, it can get chilly on the water, even in summer. Along with your rain shell and long-sleeve sun shirt, pack a scarf and hat.
- Water bottle: To stay hydrated during the paddle.
- Camera or Phone: You’ll want to capture the beauty and wildlife of Orca Cove! You can store these in your dry bag when not in use.
➡️ Click here to secure your spot on an Orca Cove Kayaking adventure from Ketchikan! 🐳
Pros & Cons Of Kayaking Orca Cove
While I loved this experience, it may not be for everyone. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros
- Escape the cruise ship crowds
- Intimate group sizes
- See an untouched slice of Alaskan wilderness
- Several opportunities to see wildlife
- Culturally immersive
Cons
- Weather dependent
- Sells out quickly
- Some physical limitations, as it’s not recommended for guests over 275 pounds and you should be able to get in and out of a kayak
Other Things To Do In Ketchikan
If you have extra time in port before or after your tour timeslot, you can easily explore these nearby spots on foot:
- Creek Street: Ketchikan’s famous historic boardwalk built over the water on stilts. It’s lined with local shops, art galleries, and Dolly’s House Museum. You’ll also see harbor seals in the creek below.
- The Salmon Ladder & Salmon Walk: Located just up the creek, you can watch salmon fighting their way upstream in the late summer, or follow the 1.5-mile trail to read about the local ecosystem.
- The Totem Heritage Center: Features one of the world’s largest collections of 19th-century totem poles rescued from surrounding Native villages.
Walking Ketchikan’s Creek Street and seeing the famous stilted houses and spotted harbor seals. Photos via Jessie Festa.
Orca Cove Tour FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this Alaskan experience:
Q) Will the Orca Cove tour schedule align with my cruise ship’s port times?
Yes. Even though this tour isn’t offered in the cruise line catalogues, the operator coordinates around cruise schedules and offers multiple paddle slots per day. On their website, they note that in the 20+ years they’ve been operating they have never made a passenger late to board their cruise ship.
Q) Will I be safe from bears and whales?
The tour is very safe! Honestly, I was afraid of potentially being swallowed by a whale 😅, but they are not as active in Orca Cove as you’d think given the name. Also, guides will tell you what to look for (bubbles in the water) and what to do if you see it (paddle away).
Q) Do I need kayaking experience?
No. The water is generally calm, and the crew walks you through basic paddling techniques before you launch so you can feel confident while kayaking.
Q) How rough is the water around Orca Cove?
The located is 30 miles from the open ocean, so you won’t experience ocean swells. You’ll also paddle along the shoreline where the water is calmer.
Q) Will I get wet kayaking Orca Cove?
You won’t get soaked, but you might get some minor paddle splash. During my summer paddle, this was welcome as it was very hot.
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Your Orca Cove Kayaking Action Plan
If you want to skip the massive cruise crowds and experience raw Alaskan wilderness up close, this is the best excursion to book.
Between the serene setting, wildlife, and Indigenous history, it was a major highlight of my time in Ketchikan — and my Alaska cruise as a whole.
Because they keep group sizes small, you’ll enjoy a quieter experience. This also means spots fill up fast during the peak summer cruise season, so make sure to book in advance.
➡️ Click here to check availability & book your Orca Cove Kayaking tour! 🐳
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