Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition

Overview

Go on an adventure as you explore the deep mysterious waters of island studded sea passages in search of wildlife aboard a rugged Zodiac expedition craft. Your experienced captain and expert naturalist will use their considerable local knowledge of the area to unlock the secrets of this biologically rich ecosystem. You will feel the ocean breeze on your face and taste the salty sea air as you skim across the waves. You will indulge your curiosity as you navigate narrow channels, next to rocky coast lines, emerald forested islands, and black sandy beaches. You will become an explorer, a mariner, an adventurer.

City: Ketchikan

Wed 27 Aug

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $199.95

Make a reservation

Wed 27 Aug

Starting at $199.95

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Full Rain Gear, waterproof Overboots, and USCG approved Life Jackets

Dry bags for personal items

Coffee and/or Tea

A light snack is provided

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Tongass National Forest

As you escape the cruise ship crowds of downtown, you'll learn about the colorful history of Ketchikan and begin your journey into the Tongass Narrows. Our trips are destination free by design meaning we will explore the waters surrounding the island based on the tides, weather, and wildlife activity. While we frequent the waters south of Ketchikan, the lack of set destination gives us the freedom to truly experience the magic of Southeast Alaska.

Inside Passage

During the 2.5 hours on the water, you will have the chance to view a variety of wildlife and breathtaking scenery all from an open Zodiac that allows you to experience Alaska with all of your senses. As we cruise along the rocky shorelines, keep an eye out for Sitka Black-tailed Deer, River Otter, or Mink as they forage on the beach while majestic Bald Eagles watch from the towering evergreens of the Tongass National Forest. At lower tides, we'll have the opportunity to take a look into the vibrant world of the intertidal zone and see creatures like Sea Stars, Giant Green Anemones, Sea Urchins, and much more! Continuing on through the protected waters of the Inside Passage, we will search for marine mammals like Harbor Seals, Steller Sea Lions, Porpoise, Humpback Whales, and Killer Whales (Orca) that call this area home. In addition to marine mammals, we will watch for multiple species of resident and migratory birds that enjoy the nutrient dense waters of our region.

Ketchikan

On our return to town, you will have a chance to see the working waterfront of Ketchikan and learn more about the history and culture of this unique island community. Southeast Alaska has an incredibly diverse ecosystem. While we can't guarantee specific wildlife encounters, we believe that with the experience of our crew, and the quiet unobtrusive vessels we have selected as exploration platforms, there is a good chance of experiencing something truly magnificent. Every trip is a little different, and you never quite know what the ocean will provide. Let's go out to sea!

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (133)

Keitaro_M

Sep 2024

We had such an incredible time on this tour! Delaney and Eric are so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife and the area and it's infectious. We learned about many new (to us) bird and marine species - I never thought I'd be a birdwatcher but that might change now! We saw humpback whales, a river otter, sea otters, kingfishers, pelagic cormorants, bald eagles (incl. fledglings), mussels, many varieties of sea stars, common murres, a steller sea lion, harbor seals, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, salmon, a blue heron, nudibranchs (sea slugs), Canada geese, and other bird varieties. It was a very different experience to be on the Zodiac and to get so close to the shoreline and truly be in the open--highly recommend! We learned about some of the giveback activities that Out to Sea does as well--picking up debris during our tour, beach cleanup days, counting birds and wildlife sightings and sharing with Cornell and other organizations for research. It's obvious that Delaney and Eric care very much about the environment, waters and wildlife. We also heard some great history of the area and got to see the Saxman totem village from the shoreline as we headed back in to dock. We will do this tour again the next time we are in Ketchikan and can't wait to bring our friends with us. Thank you, Out to Sea, for a truly fantastic experience!

Response from Host

Oct 2024

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review, we are really glad you had a great experience and look forward to seeing you again soon! PS happy to hear we may have inspired a new birdwatcher, it’s a lot of fun, though it can be addictive :)

JenniferL45

Sep 2024

We stopped at Ketchikan on our cruise and thoroughly enjoyed this tour. It was just my husband and I and the guides, Eric and Delaney. We saw seals, sea lions, eagles, a mink, as well as different types of starfish, sea urchins, and a jellyfish. We also saw a lot of other birds. They provided the gear to keep us warm and dry as well as coffee and a snack. Eric and Delaney were awesome, very knowledgeable and friendly. Delaney kindly emailed a list of all the birds we saw after the tour.

Response from Host

Oct 2024

Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!

247christopherj

Sep 2024

After doing a large boat for the Misty Fjords tour, I was intrigued at how a small Zodiac expedition might offer a different perspective. Out to Sea Expeditions delivered exactly what I was hoping. The Zodiac allows you to get far closer to shorelines, see seabirds and experience whales right at the waterline. Delaney offered a wealth of information while Eric ran the boat with quiet competence. I particularly appreciated how well outfitted we were for cold, wet and windy weather. Comfortable the entire time. Recommended!

Response from Host

Oct 2024

There are so many great ways to experience the beauty of Ketchikan! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed your time with us and really appreciate you writing a review!