Virgin Voyages' guide to Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is Alaska, dialed all the way up. Rainforest meets the water’s edge, fishing boats crowd the harbor, and bald eagles claim the sky. The wild isn’t a backdrop. It’s the main event, and you don’t just see it — you feel it.
Water, Woods, Wide Open
Ketchikan is already happening — you’re part of it the second you arrive.
Step off the ship and it pulls you in. Rain falls like it has somewhere to be. Floatplanes skim the harbor, lifting toward the wild. The town lives at the edge of it all — where wilderness weaves into the everyday. Tongass rainforest drips in every shade of green, docks buzz with the day’s catch, and the air — salt, cedar, and sea — hits differently from the start.
There’s a spirit here, too — deep, present, and not for show. As you explore, we invite you to remember you’re visiting the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Peoples, whose connection to these lands and waters continues today. Take time to honor and learn about the history, culture, and living traditions of these communities throughout your travels.
Ketchikan also holds the largest collection of standing totem poles in the world, each one carved with purpose. You’re not just seeing history — you’re moving through something still being lived.
Pop into The Star Gallery for a classic Alaska tee, or explore Scanlon Gallery, Julie’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, and Alaska Eagle Art for pieces rooted in Southeast Alaska — made by the artists who live it.
Beyond town, the scale shifts again. Misty Fjords rise in sheer granite walls, waterfalls thread down from the clouds, silence stretches so wide it almost hums. It’s not just something you see — it’s something you feel, long after you’ve gone.
Bring your rain jacket. But more importantly, bring your sense of wonder. Because Ketchikan doesn’t let go once it has you.
Shore Excursions
Start on the Water, End in the Wild
Boats, backroads and rainforest trails — Ketchikan doesn’t do halfway.
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour & After The Catch
Embark on the legendary Deadliest Catch boat, Aleutian Ballad, for an interactive Bering Sea adventure. Meet real fishermen, hear their stories, and get up close and personal with live sea creatures. After the tour, visit Ketchikan’s historic Arctic Bar for a signature duck fart shot and two drink chips. Experience Alaska’s fishing culture and local flavors in this unforgettable excursion.
Backcountry Jeep And Canoe Safari
Experience an Alaskan adventure in Ketchikan with off-road driving and a scenic canoe trip through Tongass National Forest. Drive rugged trails, enjoy expert-guided commentary, paddle a native-style canoe on Lake Harriet Hunt, and explore a rainforest nature walk. Includes a snack and roundtrip transport. Perfect for nature lovers seeking an unforgettable Alaska excursion.
Tongass Hike and Taste of Alaska
Explore Alaska’s Tongass National Forest on a guided small group tour featuring a two-mile rainforest hike near Ketchikan. Learn about local history, culture, and native plants as you walk among towering cedar, hemlock, and spruce trees. After your hike, enjoy a Taste of Alaska lunch at local favorite Bush Pilot's, featuring fresh local seafood and regional specialties. Perfect for nature lovers seeking adventure and authentic Alaskan cuisine.
More Shore Things for your wishlist...
We have even more in our curated catalog.
Ketchikan is known as “The Salmon Capital of the World”
Five Pacific salmon species pass through here — so it’s as fresh as it gets.
Fishing boats idle in the harbor. Bald eagles trace slow circles overhead. The docks, the forest, the water — they don’t rush you out. They let the moment stretch. You start replaying it all.
Standing on the deck of the Aleutian Ballad, salt air in your lungs, as real fishermen pull stories — and sea life — straight from the Bering Sea. The rumble of rugged trails beneath your wheels before drifting into stillness on Lake Harriet Hunt, paddle cutting quietly through glassy water. That steady rhythm of boots on forest floor in the Tongass — cedar, hemlock, spruce towering above as the world softens around you.
Ketchikan doesn’t try too hard. It doesn’t need to. It’s wild in the way that matters. Grounded. Real. A place where adventure feels close, and everything — from the water to the plate—connects back to where you are.
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