Every port on an Alaskan cruise offers numerous opportunities to get out and explore Alaska's natural wonders. Ketchikan, Alaska, is home to three memorable excursions you should check out on your next cruise.
Go Snorkeling at Mountain Point
Snorkeling isn't just for tropical vacations — you can do it in Alaska, too. In summer, the water at Mountain Point can get as warm as 65 degrees, making it southern Alaska's premier snorkeling spot. In addition to a wide variety of fish, the waters of Alaska are home to urchins, sea cucumbers, kelp forests, and more. Look for the colorful sunflower sea star, which can have as many as 24 arms and grow up to three feet in diameter. During your snorkeling experience, you'll get a good look at these beautiful creatures, as your guide gives detailed explanations that will help enrich your experience. But don't worry, you'll also be provided with ample equipment to ensure that you stay warm during the experience.
Catch an Alaskan Lumberjack Show
Ketchikan is home to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, which showcases the skills of the region's best lumberjacks. Lumberjack events originated as a way to share the history of logging across the country. This rich history has lived on in Ketchikan, thanks to the city's proximity to Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States and home of numerous logging enterprises.
The Great Alaskan Lumberjack show features world champions who participate in many popular lumberjack activities, including tree climbing, chopping, sawing, and axe throwing. One half of the arena cheers for the Canadian lumberjack, and the other half will be rooting for the Alaskan in this entertaining and engaging show.
Fly with a Bush Pilot
Bush pilots make it their mission to navigate to the remote corners of Alaska by plane. For many years, these pilots have been the lifeblood of rural Alaskan villages, transporting supplies and even people to and from the wilderness. Many towns in Alaska have no roads connecting them, so modified planes that can land on water, glaciers, and other surfaces have become one of the primary means of transportation in the state.
In Ketchikan, you'll have the opportunity to board a seaplane for an aerial tour of Alaska's wilderness. You'll see waterfalls, dense forests, and other wonders of nature on the flight to the Misty Fjords — views that, for decades, had only been seen by the pilots that helped connect Alaskan towns.
Ready to plan your visit to Ketchikan? Discover the Alaskan cruise that's perfect for you.
