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?

Best tour of our cruise. Bernie picked up us close to our ship and took us on a three-hour adventure. She was able to get us to sites before other groups got there so we beat the crowds. Because she is a native of Ketchikan, she was able to give us first and experiences. Listening to the stories about the history of Ketchikan was the best part. .

Thanks again, Bernie!
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938judyz
9/17/2022

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938judyz

9/17/2022

Best tour of our cruise. Bernie picked up us close to our ship and took us on a three-hour adventure. She was able to get us to sites before other groups got there so we beat the crowds. Because she is a native of Ketchikan, she was able to give us first and experiences. Listening to the stories about the history of Ketchikan was the best part. .

Thanks again, Bernie!

Bernie is THE best! Book with confidence! We’ve used Bernie 2x now - 2018 and again this summer! She’s friendly and knows all the best spots! This year was that of the bald eagles and seals! 😀 Such a fun day!
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monikaesu28
7/10/2025

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monikaesu28

7/10/2025

Bernie is THE best! Book with confidence! We’ve used Bernie 2x now - 2018 and again this summer! She’s friendly and knows all the best spots! This year was that of the bald eagles and seals! 😀 Such a fun day!

Really fun tour Bernie drove us around Ketchikan and showed us the sites while talking about growing up and living in Ketchikan. My daughter and I had a great time on the tour, were so excited to see bears wandering around, and were amazed at one of the beautiful waterfalls Bernie took us to. One of our last stops was at a stand that sold jellies and fudge. My daughter and I both agreed that it was the best fudge we’ve ever had and were saddened that we didn’t buy more.
Thank you, Bernie; we enjoyed the tour, the stories, and the conversation immensely.
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Lisa M.
7/31/2024

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Lisa M.

7/31/2024

Really fun tour Bernie drove us around Ketchikan and showed us the sites while talking about growing up and living in Ketchikan. My daughter and I had a great time on the tour, were so excited to see bears wandering around, and were amazed at one of the beautiful waterfalls Bernie took us to. One of our last stops was at a stand that sold jellies and fudge. My daughter and I both agreed that it was the best fudge we’ve ever had and were saddened that we didn’t buy more.
Thank you, Bernie; we enjoyed the tour, the stories, and the conversation immensely.

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.
Amazing! It was amazing!!! We loved the tour! The guide was so friendly and we had such a good time! We went to the best places in town!
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liviaa994
9/21/2024

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liviaa994

9/21/2024

Amazing! It was amazing!!! We loved the tour! The guide was so friendly and we had such a good time! We went to the best places in town!

Great Experience The tour was GREAT! Art was a great tour guide letting us know about the history of Ketchikan. Seeing all the salmon and how they migrate was very educational. Definitely will recommend this tour to everyone I know.
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BigDre28
9/19/2022

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BigDre28

9/19/2022

Great Experience The tour was GREAT! Art was a great tour guide letting us know about the history of Ketchikan. Seeing all the salmon and how they migrate was very educational. Definitely will recommend this tour to everyone I know.

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 experience Jason was knowledgeable and he tried to show us the Most beautiful parts of Ketchikan in 3 hours. We saw salmon, eagles, seals.
Thanks for the experience
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fernanda l.
9/22/2024

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fernanda l.

9/22/2024

Great experience Jason was knowledgeable and he tried to show us the Most beautiful parts of Ketchikan in 3 hours. We saw salmon, eagles, seals.
Thanks for the experience
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.

Amazing!! The tour was amazing! If Bernie is available you’ll do more than well to book her. We were on an Alaska cruise and had been booking our excursions through the cruise line. Those excursions were good, but the guides were always transplants to the area working summer jobs in Alaska. Bernie was different - she’s a fourth generation local to the area and knows it extremely well! Everyone knows her everywhere and she knows everyone - including the wildlife. She found us a mother bear and her three cubs that had been frequenting an area. It genuinely had to be one of the greatest experiences of our Iives to watch them frolic in a field. She got us close enough to an eagle that I could have literally hit it with a stick (obviously I didn’t). She also knows a group that tracks the local pod of orcas and tells each other where the orcas are headed. Wildlife is wild so there’s no guarantee you’ll see something, but I think Bernie gives you the best chance to see it if it can be seen during your stay. She’s friendly, accommodative, and really just a delight to spend time with. I highly recommend.
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SamW098
7/01/2023

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SamW098

7/01/2023

Amazing!! The tour was amazing! If Bernie is available you’ll do more than well to book her. We were on an Alaska cruise and had been booking our excursions through the cruise line. Those excursions were good, but the guides were always transplants to the area working summer jobs in Alaska. Bernie was different - she’s a fourth generation local to the area and knows it extremely well! Everyone knows her everywhere and she knows everyone - including the wildlife. She found us a mother bear and her three cubs that had been frequenting an area. It genuinely had to be one of the greatest experiences of our Iives to watch them frolic in a field. She got us close enough to an eagle that I could have literally hit it with a stick (obviously I didn’t). She also knows a group that tracks the local pod of orcas and tells each other where the orcas are headed. Wildlife is wild so there’s no guarantee you’ll see something, but I think Bernie gives you the best chance to see it if it can be seen during your stay. She’s friendly, accommodative, and really just a delight to spend time with. I highly recommend.

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.

Good tour, Great Guide Town is small, and the DT is built for cruise ship tourists. Still, fun, quaint, & plenty of souvenirs. Look for Annabelle’s for fun bar/food experience.
Rick was our guide, and he went above and beyond to make sure we saw the best and the unique side of Ketchikan. Be sure to ask for him.
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gellwood4acres
4/28/2026

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gellwood4acres

4/28/2026

Good tour, Great Guide Town is small, and the DT is built for cruise ship tourists. Still, fun, quaint, & plenty of souvenirs. Look for Annabelle’s for fun bar/food experience.
Rick was our guide, and he went above and beyond to make sure we saw the best and the unique side of Ketchikan. Be sure to ask for him.

Good tour, Great Guide Town is small, and the DT is built for cruise ship tourists. Still, fun, quaint, & plenty of souvenirs. Look for Annabelle’s for fun bar/food experience.
Rick was our guide, and he went above and beyond to make sure we saw the best and the unique side of Ketchikan. Be sure to ask for him.
read moreread less

gellwood4acres
4/28/2026

×

gellwood4acres

4/28/2026

Good tour, Great Guide Town is small, and the DT is built for cruise ship tourists. Still, fun, quaint, & plenty of souvenirs. Look for Annabelle’s for fun bar/food experience.
Rick was our guide, and he went above and beyond to make sure we saw the best and the unique side of Ketchikan. Be sure to ask for him.
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.
Skip the crowded cruise excursion and do this! Jason was great! Very knowledgeable about the area. We were able to see whales, salmon spawning, and even a mama bear and her cubs! We were on a cruise, but booked this private tour versus being with a huge group off the ship and so glad we did.
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Greyhnds
9/13/2026

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Greyhnds

9/13/2026

Skip the crowded cruise excursion and do this! Jason was great! Very knowledgeable about the area. We were able to see whales, salmon spawning, and even a mama bear and her cubs! We were on a cruise, but booked this private tour versus being with a huge group off the ship and so glad we did.
Best tour of our cruise. Bernie picked up us close to our ship and took us on a three-hour adventure. She was able to get us to sites before other groups got there so we beat the crowds. Because she is a native of Ketchikan, she was able to give us first and experiences. Listening to the stories about the history of Ketchikan was the best part. .

Thanks again, Bernie!
read moreread less

938judyz
9/17/2022

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938judyz

9/17/2022

Best tour of our cruise. Bernie picked up us close to our ship and took us on a three-hour adventure. She was able to get us to sites before other groups got there so we beat the crowds. Because she is a native of Ketchikan, she was able to give us first and experiences. Listening to the stories about the history of Ketchikan was the best part. .

Thanks again, Bernie!
A-Maz-Ing Experience! Best way to see the town! Thank you "Roll Tide Rick!" We had the most amazing experience on this customizable tour! Orca Song Tours let us create the experience that was just right for us. On top of that, we saw two bears and lots of eagle. Not to mention gorgeous scenery, remarkable landmarks, and so much more. I cannot rate this experience high enough. Thank you!
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Pattye A.
6/30/2024

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Pattye A.

6/30/2024

A-Maz-Ing Experience! Best way to see the town! Thank you "Roll Tide Rick!" We had the most amazing experience on this customizable tour! Orca Song Tours let us create the experience that was just right for us. On top of that, we saw two bears and lots of eagle. Not to mention gorgeous scenery, remarkable landmarks, and so much more. I cannot rate this experience high enough. Thank you!
Fun and different Great being with Bernie. She was really good and very knowledgeable. I would recommend her to anyone
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Journey609346
6/17/2023

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Journey609346

6/17/2023

Fun and different Great being with Bernie. She was really good and very knowledgeable. I would recommend her to anyone
Le meilleur de Ketchikan en peu de temps Bernie est chaleureux et amical. connaître sa culture et sa ville; est connu et respecté par tous les autres guides touristiques. Elle savait exactement où trouver toute la faune sauvage. Passionné d'histoire et de culture. Vraiment comment battre les foules. Elle était le meilleur guide. J'ai bien aimé aller au stand de confiture local. Voir les aigles à tête blanche, les cerfs, les cascades, surtout - - les totems. Entendre parler de la spiritualité et du caractère sacré des personnes et de l'environnement. Endroit magnifique. Je recommande vivement Bernie.
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mahlialopez1
6/07/2018

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mahlialopez1

6/07/2018

Le meilleur de Ketchikan en peu de temps Bernie est chaleureux et amical. connaître sa culture et sa ville; est connu et respecté par tous les autres guides touristiques. Elle savait exactement où trouver toute la faune sauvage. Passionné d'histoire et de culture. Vraiment comment battre les foules. Elle était le meilleur guide. J'ai bien aimé aller au stand de confiture local. Voir les aigles à tête blanche, les cerfs, les cascades, surtout - - les totems. Entendre parler de la spiritualité et du caractère sacré des personnes et de l'environnement. Endroit magnifique. Je recommande vivement Bernie.
Great guide, great value A thoroughly enjoyable trip with our friendly and very knowledgeable guide. Booking was easy and we were sent details of who our guide would be, which vehicle he would be driving and where we would be met. All this worked faultlessly.
Due to the unusually hot and clear day, plus low tide, the local bear population declined to leave the cool of the forest but this was hardly the guide's fault.
We learnt an awful lot about local history, wildlife and culture.
This was in every way far better than a minibus tour and great value too.
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Richard G.
8/02/2026

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Richard G.

8/02/2026

Great guide, great value A thoroughly enjoyable trip with our friendly and very knowledgeable guide. Booking was easy and we were sent details of who our guide would be, which vehicle he would be driving and where we would be met. All this worked faultlessly.
Due to the unusually hot and clear day, plus low tide, the local bear population declined to leave the cool of the forest but this was hardly the guide's fault.
We learnt an awful lot about local history, wildlife and culture.
This was in every way far better than a minibus tour and great value too.
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.
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.
read moreread less

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.