Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition: Explore Wildlife with Local Guides on a Zodiac Expedition Craft
5.0
107 Ratings
Ketchikan
Embark on an Alaska Ocean Wilderness Expedition and discover the diverse wildlife of the island-studded sea passages. Join local guides on a Zodiac expedition craft for an unforgettable adventure.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Tongass National Forest - Explore the mysterious waters surrounding the Tongass National Forest as we search for wildlife aboard a rugged Zodiac expedition craft. With an experienced captain and expert naturalist as your guide, you will encounter the vibrant ecosystem of Southeast Alaska which is home to a variety of wildlife including Salmon, Harbor Seals, Dall’s Porpoise, Bears, Bald Eagles, Steller Sea Lions, Killer Whales (Orca), and Humpback Whales. While we can’t guarantee any specific wildlife encounters, we believe that with the experience of our crew, and the quiet unobtrusive vessels we have selected as exploration platforms, there is a good chance of experiencing something truly magnificent. Beyond the possibility of wildlife, viewing the breathtaking wilderness of SE Alaska from an open Zodiac is a unique way to explore the area. Let’s go out to sea!
What's Included
  • Complimentary use of full rain gear and waterproof overboots
  • USCG approved life jackets for safety
  • Dry bags provided for personal item protection
  • Complimentary tea and coffee
  • Assorted snacks included
Additional Information

Embark on a thrilling journey as you traverse through enigmatic aquatic avenues of the sea, filled with patches of islands, in search of diverse wildlife on a robust Zodiac exploration vessel. The knowledgeable captain along with the expert naturalist will use their extensive comprehension of the locale to unveil the mysteries of this dense ecosystem. Feel the wind from the ocean caress your face and savor the salty tang of sea air as you glide over the waves. Indulge in your curiosity as you steer through narrow waterways, aligned with jagged coastlines, lush green island forests, and obsidian-coloured sandy beaches. Morph into an investigator, a sailor, an adventurer.

Location
124 Thomas St
Thomas Street
Our outfitting suite is a short 10-15 min walk from the cruise ship docks off of the waterfront promenade near Thomas Basin. For guests needing transportation to our starting point, or arriving at Ward Cove, please call our office in advance for further instructions.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(107 Ratings)
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Matthewc4946
Oct 4, 2023
Fantastic Expedition - This was a truly amazing experience. My parents love being out on the water, and so we chose to go out with Out to Sea Expeditions, and they showed us the natural beauty of Southeast Alaska by water. They are great, as they have a smaller boat than most companies, so they are able to go to a lot of places that the larger boats can't go to, and they are able to get a lot closer to shore than some of the other companies. Highlights from our excursion included: - Getting hands on with some of the plants found in Southeast Alaska - Learning about the inter-tidal ecosystems - Seeing the Beaver Clan House and the Saxman Totem Park from the water - BIRDING! If anyone is wondering if they should book with Out to Sea Expeditions, just do it. It will be an experience that you will not easily forget. 10/10 will go again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_g
Sep 24, 2023
Fantastic - A fantastic trip with very informative staff that loved what they do, a must for anyone young and old
Review provided by Viator
Tourist670819
Sep 18, 2023
Don't Miss This!! - This was the high light of our Alaskan cruise. The owners of the company are the ones who take you out on their boat and their love of the area is obvious from the beginning. They are very knowledgeable of the area and take you to see all sorts of wildlife. We saw various birds, seals, and of course whales. They even have names for the whales!! Can't recommend this highly enough, don't miss it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keithsx3390li
Sep 6, 2023
This Expedition is a Must! - We had an amazing experience on this expedition. Our guides were amazing! Very knowledgeable about the terrain and wild life and really exceptional people who felt like family from the start. We saw bald eagles, wales, seals, and a host of other wild life. We also explored many of the nearby islands in an intimate, small boat that allowed us to feel a strong connection to the scenery. This expedition is a must. I can't speak highly enough about it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandrahn4492ca
Sep 5, 2023
Awesome Experience! - We saw Orcas, seals, Dolphins, Eagles, sea lions, salmon and multiple species of birds and trees. Delaney and Eric were safety conscious and made the trip extremely enjoyable. They had extensive knowledge of Alaska and the wildlife. I would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomas_z
Sep 4, 2023
A fun educational ride - Fun ride. Very educational. Traveled with my siblings & spouses. We all enjoyed it. We learned about sea stars, kelp, saw eagles and much more. Great travel guides.
Review provided by Viator
U24kfkimberlyb
Sep 4, 2023
THE Alaska experience to enjoy - Delaney and Eric provided the MOST AMAZING experience on our Alaska trip. While particular wildlife can never be guaranteed they were able to safely navigate in areas where we had opportunities to encounter humpback whales, harbor seals, sea stars, sea urchins and more. It was a glorious day and we can't recommend them highly enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
270tracyf
Aug 30, 2023
A Fabulous Day on the Water! - Our family group of six were joined by the boat pilot, Eric, and our naturalist, Jenny, or "Science Mom." Both were excellent at what they did! From start to finish this was an excellent experience! We met near where the Zodiac was moored, about a 12 minute walk from the cruise terminal. They provided us with any gear we'd need, including rain gear if needed which, thankfully, we did not. We proceeded to the boat, got our emergency talk, and climbed aboard. We all felt extremely safe the whole time as we spent the next two or so hours boating around the beautiful waterways of Ketchikan. It was a spectacularly beautiful and warm day and the water was so smooth, it was so special to be out, touring around. While Eric skillfully maneuvered us around and in and out of inlets, Jenny shared her knowledge of the area and the flora and fauna found within. Along the way we saw harbor seals, a bald eagle, a bald eagle's nest with two eaglets in the nest, and numerous star fish. We even stopped in a quiet shaded spot to have a snack Jenny packed for us which included some tasty hot chocolate. Eventually and reluctantly, we headed back to the harbor as our time was coming to an end. All six of us agreed that we felt so fortunate to have had this experience. All of the people with whom we interacted at OtSEC were so kind and helpful and genuinely interested in making sure we had an excellent experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karenstrickland
Aug 26, 2023
Fantastic trip - Great trip. Liked the small boat. The people on board loved their job. They did extra to make sure we saw some whales.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lr1031
Aug 26, 2023
Enjoying nature - I had a great time on this excursion! We saw and learned about the animals and plants. I felt very lucky that we saw a humpback whale and a pod of Orcas! The kelp was very interesting. I didn’t know that you could play it like an instrument. I would definitely recommend this to everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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