Orca Song Tours – Ketchikan Tours & Shore Excursions

Local & Authentic

Experience Ketchikan As a Local

Destinations

Local Places

Wildlife
Viewing

Potlatch
Totem Park

Herring
Cove

South Tongass
Waterfall

Local Sites

Gallery

Tour Highlights

Tour Details

About the Tour

Overview

Ketchikan is full of unique and fascinating things to see. We show you the best of it! Tour an Alaskan Native Totem park and learn about our fascinating cultures. Stop at a picturesque beach and view occasional passing by Orca, seals, or eagles. Make another stop at a beautiful river teeming with salmon while keeping a keen eye out for bears.

Our tours are small and personal with a maximum of 7 Guests per vehicle touring Ketchikan in a comfortable spacious vehicle. We can fill our time with what you are most interested in, or rely on our expert local guidance.

Included / Excluded

Included

Excluded

Note: Please specify your cruise ship for pickup location at booking. For passengers arriving on ships docked at Ward Cove (incl. NCL), pickup is at Berth 4 in downtown Ketchikan where the shuttle drops you off.”

3 Hour Custom Ketchikan Tour

NOW OFFERING:
2 Hour Scenic & Wildlife Tour

Get to Know Us

Plan Your Trip with Orca Song Tours

Experience luxury travel in Ketchikan in one of our two top-of-the-line luxury vans. Our spacious and comfortable vehicles offer the perfect transportation solution for your group of up to 7 guests per vehicle. Book your tour now and indulge in the ultimate travel experience.

Private Tours Only

We never mix and match parties. It’s just you, your family and your local tour guide.
Handicap & Wheelchair Accessible

We can easily accommodate groups who are a little less than mobile. Each trip is catered to your interests and limitations. We also have room for collapsible wheelchairs.

Meet Bernie

4th Generation
Alaskan Native

I’m Bernie, a 4th generation Alaskan native from the Tshimsian tribe and I’ve lived in Ketchikan all but 7 years of my life. I’ve commercial fished for 35 years and for the past 30 years if I’m not out fishing I’ve been doing sightseeing tours. I’ve grown up here in Ketchikan and boy do I have some great stories to tell! Can’t wait to meet you and show you around my hometown.

Plan Your Trip With Us

Ready For An Unforgettable Tour?

Awesome Wildlife Experience Bernie, our guide, really knew the best local places to view wildlife. She made our experience very special and memorable as she shared stories and information about the local sites. I highly recommend you get a private tour. It was so much more personable than our other larger excursions we later did at other sites.
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394kimberleej
7/18/2025

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394kimberleej

7/18/2025

Awesome Wildlife Experience Bernie, our guide, really knew the best local places to view wildlife. She made our experience very special and memorable as she shared stories and information about the local sites. I highly recommend you get a private tour. It was so much more personable than our other larger excursions we later did at other sites.

Truly great day in Ketchikan. Rick was fantastic! He apologized for substituting for Bernie, but there was no need to apologize. He knew his stuff, and he was a lot of fun. We told him that we were only interested in nature and wildlife, so he drove us straight to Settler’s Cove. He dropped us off (he wasn’t allowed to give a tour within a national park) and we walked through a stunning forest path to a beach, as well as to a beautiful waterfall, in less than thirty minutes.

Then we went to a different beach to hunt whales (no luck). From there, we went to a stream filled with salmon, and were able to find a black bear.

At the end, he dropped us off at the trailhead of Rainbird Trail, adjacent to the U of Alaska campus. The two of us hiked for over an hour in a spectacular forest, letting us out near the port.

Wonderful day. Highly recommend.
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cvw2
8/15/2024

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cvw2

8/15/2024

Truly great day in Ketchikan. Rick was fantastic! He apologized for substituting for Bernie, but there was no need to apologize. He knew his stuff, and he was a lot of fun. We told him that we were only interested in nature and wildlife, so he drove us straight to Settler’s Cove. He dropped us off (he wasn’t allowed to give a tour within a national park) and we walked through a stunning forest path to a beach, as well as to a beautiful waterfall, in less than thirty minutes.

Then we went to a different beach to hunt whales (no luck). From there, we went to a stream filled with salmon, and were able to find a black bear.

At the end, he dropped us off at the trailhead of Rainbird Trail, adjacent to the U of Alaska campus. The two of us hiked for over an hour in a spectacular forest, letting us out near the port.

Wonderful day. Highly recommend.

Having fun in Ketchikan! We had a blast with Bernie this morning. We saw so many beautiful eagles, a waterfall, totem park, and learned so much about Ketchikan. She showed us so many beautiful sites. I highly suggest letting her take you for a tour. You won’t be disappointed!
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Nicole W.
6/19/2023

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Nicole W.

6/19/2023

Having fun in Ketchikan! We had a blast with Bernie this morning. We saw so many beautiful eagles, a waterfall, totem park, and learned so much about Ketchikan. She showed us so many beautiful sites. I highly suggest letting her take you for a tour. You won’t be disappointed!

Great price, great tour guide, and way better than a cruise line excursion! Great tour. We saw bears, humpback whales, salmon, and seals. Rick took us to a stand that sold homemade jam and smoked salmon. He was knowledgeable about the islands history and culture. The totem pole park was very cool. You won’t get to see and do all of that on a normal cruise ship tour. This is the way to go!
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Rachnethan
9/15/2025

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Rachnethan

9/15/2025

Great price, great tour guide, and way better than a cruise line excursion! Great tour. We saw bears, humpback whales, salmon, and seals. Rick took us to a stand that sold homemade jam and smoked salmon. He was knowledgeable about the islands history and culture. The totem pole park was very cool. You won’t get to see and do all of that on a normal cruise ship tour. This is the way to go!
Visite guidée privée. Tout d'abord, un grand cri merci à Bernie. Excellente visite: nous avons visité des cascades, vu du saumon, des oiseaux, des aigles et des ours et un mât totémique. Nous avons déménagé à un rythme qui répond à nos besoins et nous avons également fait une belle visite de la ville. Bernie a partagé ses connaissances et son histoire familiale avec nous. Recommande vraiment.
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PCreighton
9/12/2019

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PCreighton

9/12/2019

Visite guidée privée. Tout d'abord, un grand cri merci à Bernie. Excellente visite: nous avons visité des cascades, vu du saumon, des oiseaux, des aigles et des ours et un mât totémique. Nous avons déménagé à un rythme qui répond à nos besoins et nous avons également fait une belle visite de la ville. Bernie a partagé ses connaissances et son histoire familiale avec nous. Recommande vraiment.

A wonderful day! We had been to Ketchikan a few times and this trip we wanted to get out of town and see something different. Bernie took us all around and showed us all the local spots. We loved Settlers Cove State Park and our hike there. It was just gorgeous. It was a great day, and Bernie was flexible and gave us just the day we wanted. I would highly recommend Orca Song Tours.
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Julia N.
6/22/2025

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Julia N.

6/22/2025

A wonderful day! We had been to Ketchikan a few times and this trip we wanted to get out of town and see something different. Bernie took us all around and showed us all the local spots. We loved Settlers Cove State Park and our hike there. It was just gorgeous. It was a great day, and Bernie was flexible and gave us just the day we wanted. I would highly recommend Orca Song Tours.

Great tour of wildlife in Ketchikan and other local interest sights. Our guide was Bernadette. She was fun and informative. The van was roomy and comfortable. We saw Orca Killer whales, bald eagles fighting for salmon and so much of Ketchikan, including a waterfall and a house being lifted and moved to a new location. I highly recommend this tour and our guide Bernadette.
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Suzy M.
7/30/2023

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Suzy M.

7/30/2023

Great tour of wildlife in Ketchikan and other local interest sights. Our guide was Bernadette. She was fun and informative. The van was roomy and comfortable. We saw Orca Killer whales, bald eagles fighting for salmon and so much of Ketchikan, including a waterfall and a house being lifted and moved to a new location. I highly recommend this tour and our guide Bernadette.

Fun tour of Ketchikan The private tour we received was fantastic and our tour guide Rick was awesome. His knowledge of the area was incredibe and we enjoyed the education and pretty views. The only downside was the crowds at some of the stops to see bears and eagles but that was somewhat expected.
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Jacob B.
6/28/2024

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Jacob B.

6/28/2024

Fun tour of Ketchikan The private tour we received was fantastic and our tour guide Rick was awesome. His knowledge of the area was incredibe and we enjoyed the education and pretty views. The only downside was the crowds at some of the stops to see bears and eagles but that was somewhat expected.
Tour de Ketchikan Nous avons tous aimé Bernie! Elle nous a donné une merveilleuse visite personnelle du point de vue des habitants. Nous avons beaucoup appris et passé des moments inoubliables. Je la recommanderais à 100%!
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christiem772
6/30/2019

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christiem772

6/30/2019

Tour de Ketchikan Nous avons tous aimé Bernie! Elle nous a donné une merveilleuse visite personnelle du point de vue des habitants. Nous avons beaucoup appris et passé des moments inoubliables. Je la recommanderais à 100%!

AWESOME!!!!🤩 What an amazing tour we had Rick as our guide, he was very friendly and helpful. I traveled with my grandmother of 96 , mom, husband and son. He was so patient with all of us. Also, the van was pretty cool with microphone so we all can hear the tour.
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Monica P.
8/03/2025

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Monica P.

8/03/2025

AWESOME!!!!🤩 What an amazing tour we had Rick as our guide, he was very friendly and helpful. I traveled with my grandmother of 96 , mom, husband and son. He was so patient with all of us. Also, the van was pretty cool with microphone so we all can hear the tour.

Outstanding Tour Outstanding tour/guide. Bernie had us on a bear eating a live salmon within 5 minutes of the tour. She is very knowledgeable and in her element here in her home Alaska. Some of our best memories of this cruise are here with Orca Song Tours. Can't wait to get back to Alaska again. Thank you so much for sharing your hometown/state.
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lindae908
9/27/2022

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lindae908

9/27/2022

Outstanding Tour Outstanding tour/guide. Bernie had us on a bear eating a live salmon within 5 minutes of the tour. She is very knowledgeable and in her element here in her home Alaska. Some of our best memories of this cruise are here with Orca Song Tours. Can't wait to get back to Alaska again. Thank you so much for sharing your hometown/state.

Exactly the tour we were hoping for We are 3 adults in our 60s who just want to know how things tick. Bernie had the scoop on everything Ketchikan. Although it is early in the season, so the animal food supplies are limited, Bernie made a brave attempt to find some bears. No luck. But we did see a fine tide change, climbed up on some rocks to look at a fantastic waterfall, and had a quick look at some fresh bear scat and paw prints. Being the nosy biddies that we are, we were thrilled to see the local kids playing on their new softball field, the A&P Market where rotisserie chick costs $28, the landslide that took out the old market, the crematorium, the airstrip that is only accessible by ferry, and a great totem park that we had to ourselves. Bernie showed us around to the things that are important to her and her family, which was exactly what we wanted!
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cathy d.
5/22/2023

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cathy d.

5/22/2023

Exactly the tour we were hoping for We are 3 adults in our 60s who just want to know how things tick. Bernie had the scoop on everything Ketchikan. Although it is early in the season, so the animal food supplies are limited, Bernie made a brave attempt to find some bears. No luck. But we did see a fine tide change, climbed up on some rocks to look at a fantastic waterfall, and had a quick look at some fresh bear scat and paw prints. Being the nosy biddies that we are, we were thrilled to see the local kids playing on their new softball field, the A&P Market where rotisserie chick costs $28, the landslide that took out the old market, the crematorium, the airstrip that is only accessible by ferry, and a great totem park that we had to ourselves. Bernie showed us around to the things that are important to her and her family, which was exactly what we wanted!

Bears, waterfalls & totems! Absolutely fantastic!! Our guide knew all the places to bring us for the best chance of seeing wildlife. She also was a local who had so much information to share with us.
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Excursion613054
9/21/2025

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Excursion613054

9/21/2025

Bears, waterfalls & totems! Absolutely fantastic!! Our guide knew all the places to bring us for the best chance of seeing wildlife. She also was a local who had so much information to share with us.
Ketchikan Excursion We had a wonderful time, and our guide Jason was very knowledgeable and made the experience special. We all enjoyed the views and want to come back to Ketchikan to spend more time.
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Terry B.
8/17/2024

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Terry B.

8/17/2024

Ketchikan Excursion We had a wonderful time, and our guide Jason was very knowledgeable and made the experience special. We all enjoyed the views and want to come back to Ketchikan to spend more time.
Best Bet in Ketchikan! My wife and I and our close friends from Australia had the pleasure of taking a private tour of Ketchikan with Orca Song Tours. I can't say enough good things about Bernie. She worked with me online to plan the tour and it felt like I was being taken around town by a lifelong friend. We laughed and kibbitzed our way through Ketchikan. I have mobility issues that did not faze Bernie in the least. I participated fully and we all had a blast. Thanks Bernie.
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RK1021
7/28/2025

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RK1021

7/28/2025

Best Bet in Ketchikan! My wife and I and our close friends from Australia had the pleasure of taking a private tour of Ketchikan with Orca Song Tours. I can't say enough good things about Bernie. She worked with me online to plan the tour and it felt like I was being taken around town by a lifelong friend. We laughed and kibbitzed our way through Ketchikan. I have mobility issues that did not faze Bernie in the least. I participated fully and we all had a blast. Thanks Bernie.
Fantastic local tour. Highly recommend Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Rick was very knowledgeable on Ketchikan, the history, the people and the politics. He narrates the whole tour and it was very interesting, we learnt so much and would highly recommend. He went above and beyond when it came to a bear sighting and this is where local tours and local knowledge wins out. It was only thanks to his dedication that we ended up seeing a mumma bear and her cubs. It was an amazing experience and we can’t thank him enough. We saw eagles and seals as well but of course bear sightings rate above all else. The cafe he recommended for lunch has THE BEST fish and chips. So grateful we chose local.
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Tanya L.
7/09/2025

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Tanya L.

7/09/2025

Fantastic local tour. Highly recommend Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Rick was very knowledgeable on Ketchikan, the history, the people and the politics. He narrates the whole tour and it was very interesting, we learnt so much and would highly recommend. He went above and beyond when it came to a bear sighting and this is where local tours and local knowledge wins out. It was only thanks to his dedication that we ended up seeing a mumma bear and her cubs. It was an amazing experience and we can’t thank him enough. We saw eagles and seals as well but of course bear sightings rate above all else. The cafe he recommended for lunch has THE BEST fish and chips. So grateful we chose local.
Good times We really enjoyed our private tour of Ketchikan with Bernie. She was very good at communicating before our pick up. Our favorite stop was Herring Cove and watching the eagles and bears! My daughter wanted to find a special souvenir and Bernie was able to recommend a great shop with local hand crafted goods. I’d recommend Bernie to anyone I know going to Ketchikan!
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mel2m
7/17/2023

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mel2m

7/17/2023

Good times We really enjoyed our private tour of Ketchikan with Bernie. She was very good at communicating before our pick up. Our favorite stop was Herring Cove and watching the eagles and bears! My daughter wanted to find a special souvenir and Bernie was able to recommend a great shop with local hand crafted goods. I’d recommend Bernie to anyone I know going to Ketchikan!
Great tour Great tour, small and customizable. Would definitely recommend. Got to see the sights, a few bears, and some history on the area!
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erikamack1979
7/21/2025

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erikamack1979

7/21/2025

Great tour Great tour, small and customizable. Would definitely recommend. Got to see the sights, a few bears, and some history on the area!
Wonderfull expereience We had a wonderful experience. Rick was very knowledgeable and kind. He took us to some tourist places and other beautiful places that were not as crowded. He explained and showed us the salmon at different stages. Also took us to the area where we were able to spot about 5 bears. He also told us were to go after his tour.
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NormaAgu
8/24/2025

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NormaAgu

8/24/2025

Wonderfull expereience We had a wonderful experience. Rick was very knowledgeable and kind. He took us to some tourist places and other beautiful places that were not as crowded. He explained and showed us the salmon at different stages. Also took us to the area where we were able to spot about 5 bears. He also told us were to go after his tour.
4th generation local Tour guide Magic happens when you learn about a place with a 4th generation local. Bernie (Bernadette) was outstanding: patient, knowledgeable, attentive and super proud of her community/city. With that we learned, enjoyed the city, saw bears, salmos, eagles and learned about the Totem in craftsmanship and story. Ended the day with of where to eat and again a great recommendation! Look no further and experience Ketchikan with a local that lives, breathes and loves what she does!
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eBrandel
8/18/2023

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eBrandel

8/18/2023

4th generation local Tour guide Magic happens when you learn about a place with a 4th generation local. Bernie (Bernadette) was outstanding: patient, knowledgeable, attentive and super proud of her community/city. With that we learned, enjoyed the city, saw bears, salmos, eagles and learned about the Totem in craftsmanship and story. Ended the day with of where to eat and again a great recommendation! Look no further and experience Ketchikan with a local that lives, breathes and loves what she does!
Great afternoon getting out of town and seeing wildlife. This is a private tour run by Bernie Angus. She met us at our ship 25 min early, and was ready to go when we got there. She drives a 24 Honda mini van. Plenty of room and very clean. The tour consisted of visiting a local park and dam area our of town. We then went to a Totem Park and Museum where she provided some history and walked us around the park telling stories about the poles. We then drove through town and went south of the down town. The hope was to find wild life. Bernie did not fail us. We saw a black bear, seals, black tail deer, Stellar's (blue) Jay, and humpback whales. Only thing we did not see were Orca. Sounds like we missed them by no more than 5 min. The coolest thing was the pod of humpback whales, we came upon a group of 4 or 5 that bubble fed for almost 45 min. We saw them breach at least 5 times. This was a great afternoon for my wife, daughter and I. If we want a personalized adventure give Bernie a call.
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Scottrl1
6/16/2025

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Scottrl1

6/16/2025

Great afternoon getting out of town and seeing wildlife. This is a private tour run by Bernie Angus. She met us at our ship 25 min early, and was ready to go when we got there. She drives a 24 Honda mini van. Plenty of room and very clean. The tour consisted of visiting a local park and dam area our of town. We then went to a Totem Park and Museum where she provided some history and walked us around the park telling stories about the poles. We then drove through town and went south of the down town. The hope was to find wild life. Bernie did not fail us. We saw a black bear, seals, black tail deer, Stellar's (blue) Jay, and humpback whales. Only thing we did not see were Orca. Sounds like we missed them by no more than 5 min. The coolest thing was the pod of humpback whales, we came upon a group of 4 or 5 that bubble fed for almost 45 min. We saw them breach at least 5 times. This was a great afternoon for my wife, daughter and I. If we want a personalized adventure give Bernie a call.
Beautiful Day in Ketchikan! We had an awesome day with Denise as our tour guide! We saw bears and eagles! It was awesome! Denise told us so much about Ketchikan and her culture! Such a great day for our family!
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418ginam
7/01/2025

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418ginam

7/01/2025

Beautiful Day in Ketchikan! We had an awesome day with Denise as our tour guide! We saw bears and eagles! It was awesome! Denise told us so much about Ketchikan and her culture! Such a great day for our family!