KETCHIKAN PRIVATE FIELD GUIDE
Three Hours Shore-to-Green: A Private Ketchikan Tour from Your Cruise Ship
A compact, private 3-hour excursion with Emerald Forest Tours that begins with cruise-ship pickup in downtown Ketchikan or Ward Cove and offers flexible drop-off so you can return to ship on time or linger in town.
Three Hours Shore-to-Green: A Private Ketchikan Tour from Your Cruise Ship.
This private, three-hour outing with Emerald Forest Tours stages directly from your cruise ship and moves quickly into the coastal forests and shorelines around Ketchikan. The itinerary is compact by design — pick-up at the ship, a guided excursion into local landscapes, and a timely drop-off — all framed by notoriously variable Southeast Alaska weather.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Cruise-ship pickup that’s timed to your schedule
Guides meet cruise passengers 10 minutes before the arranged start time — either at your ship in downtown Ketchikan or inside the Ward Cove terminal’s Tour Departures area — holding an Emerald Forest Tours sign, so boarding is straightforward and punctual.
Be ready for inconsistent summer conditions
Summers in the area can swing from warm and dry to rainy and chilly; the tour advises guests to pack layers and footwear that can handle wet, muddy conditions so the outing stays comfortable regardless of fickle weather.
Flexible drop-off with a punctual guarantee
After roughly three hours on the trail and along the shore, guests are dropped back at their ship or anywhere in town if they prefer to explore before boarding — the operator emphasizes that guests will be returned to their ship on time.
What the day feels like
What the three hours feel like
The tour compresses a shoreline-and-forest experience into a neat three-hour window: a prompt meeting at your cruise-ship berth, a guided move into nearby natural scenery, and a courteous return to ship or town. It’s a brisk, private encounter with local landscapes designed to fit the rhythms of cruise schedules while keeping you sheltered from logistics so you can focus on the place itself.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this three-hour private tour suits — and who might look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Summer temperatures typically range from about 55–65°F, but conditions vary year to year; the area averages heavy rainfall, so expect possible wet weather even in summer.
Pack layered clothing for cool, changeable weather and shoes you don’t mind getting wet or muddy; bring a waterproof outer layer and any personal items you need for three hours ashore.
Guides meet cruise passengers either at downtown Ketchikan or in the Ward Cove terminal 10 minutes before the arranged start time; drop-off is back to the ship or anywhere in town after the tour.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts three hours.
Where does the guide meet my group?
If your ship docks in downtown Ketchikan the guide will meet you at your cruise ship 10 minutes before the arranged start time; if docked at Ward Cove the guide will meet you inside the red brick terminal at the Tour Departures sign 10 minutes before start, holding an Emerald Forest Tours sign.
Will I be returned to my ship on time?
Yes — the operator states guests will be returned to their ship on time, and drop-off can alternatively be arranged anywhere in town if you plan to stay ashore.
What should I wear?
Pack layers for chilly, changeable summer weather and wear shoes that can get wet and muddy; bring rain protection as conditions can be inconsistent.
How much rain and what temperatures should I expect?
The area averages about 145 inches of rain per year; summer temperatures generally range from roughly 55–65°F, but conditions vary from season to season.
Can I be dropped off somewhere other than my ship?
Yes — after the tour you can be dropped back at your ship or anywhere in town if you want to explore before reboarding.