KETCHIKAN AIR TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Seaplane Over the Grand Canyon of the North: Misty Fjords from Above
A 1.5-hour seaplane flightseeing tour from Ketchikan that delivers one hour of airborne time above 2.3 million acres of Misty Fjords National Monument—essential reading for anyone planning the trip.
Seaplane Over the Grand Canyon of the North: Misty Fjords from Above.
From the water’s edge at Ketchikan you climb into an Executive Class DeHavilland seaplane and cross into the cathedral-scale country of Misty Fjords National Monument. Over the course of a 1.5-hour outing—about one hour in the air—the landscape opens into steep-walled fjords, glassed-in lakes and waterfalls spilling down black rock; the flight is a compact, high-reward way to traverse 2.3 million acres of rugged Alaskan wilderness and to look for bears, whales and other wildlife from above.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A vast, sculpted wilderness
The flight delivers sweeping vistas of Misty Fjords National Monument—2.3 million acres of fjords, cliffs and lakes often compared to a northern Grand Canyon—seen from the intimate vantage of a low-flying seaplane.
Frequent sightings of bears and marine life
Spotting opportunities are a key draw: flights routinely look for black and brown bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and marine species such as humpback whales, bringing Alaska’s wildlife into sharp relief against the fjord walls.
Executive-class seaplane service
The operator uses Executive Class DeHavilland seaplanes for this most popular tour, offering a one-hour flight within a 1.5-hour total tour window for a focused aerial experience.
What the day feels like
What the flight feels like
The outing is compact and cinematic: a brief water departure from Ketchikan, a climb to cruising altitude for concentrated viewing of chiseled fjords and glacier-carved basins, and a return that leaves you with a clear sense of scale—all condensed into a 1.5-hour schedule with roughly an hour actually aloft.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this flight is right for—and a few booking realities.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Pack sunglasses, suitable waterproof outerwear and comfortable footwear. Bring a camera—wildlife sightings are frequent and photo-ready.
Waterproof outerwear is recommended; even on clear days the fjords can be cool and damp.
Sunglasses and a camera are recommended for glare management and to capture the aerial scenery and wildlife.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The total tour time is 1.5 hours, including about one hour of flight time.
What wildlife might we see?
Flights frequently encounter Alaskan wildlife such as black and brown bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and humpback whales.
What are the age and fare categories?
Adult fares apply to ages 13 and up; children 12 and under have a child fare; infants 24 months or younger may ride as a lap child at no charge.
Do passengers need any special gear?
Passengers are recommended to bring sunglasses, waterproof outerwear, comfortable footwear and a camera.
I’m arriving by cruise ship—any special check-in notes?
If your ship docks at Ward Cove you must take a shuttle into town and check in at the Ketchikan Visitors Center on Berth 2; allow extra time as shuttles may take up to 30 minutes.