Misty Fjords on Your Ketchikan Alaska Cruise

Misty Fjords National Monument is a 2.3-million-acre wilderness area accessible from Ketchikan, featuring dramatic glacier-carved fjords, granite cliffs rising 3,000 feet, cascading waterfalls, and pristine forests. Visitors can explore via floatplane tours or boat excursions to view wildlife, volcanic formations, and the iconic New Eddystone Rock sea stack.

Quick Facts

Want to know more about Alaska cruise ports and what to expect at each destination?

Choosing Your Tour Type

The biggest decision you’ll make is between floatplane and boat tours, and honestly both have compelling advantages. Floatplanes give you that jaw-dropping aerial perspective where you can truly appreciate the scale of the fjords and see patterns in the landscape that are invisible from sea level. The flight itself becomes part of the adventure as you soar over islands and waterways before landing right on the fjord surface.

Boat tours offer more time in the monument itself and you’ll get much closer to waterfalls and wildlife. You can actually feel the mist from cascading water and hear the sounds of the wilderness in a way that’s impossible through airplane windows. They’re also gentler on sensitive stomachs and give you more freedom to move around for photos.

Floatplane Tours

• Duration typically 2-4 hours including flight time
• Limited passenger capacity (usually 6-10 people) means intimate experience
• Weather dependent and can be cancelled with little notice
• Higher price point but unforgettable aerial photography opportunities
• Usually includes water landing where the engine cuts off for peaceful observation
• Weight restrictions apply for passenger safety

Boat Tours

• More stable platform for photography and less motion sensitivity
• Longer time in the monument (5-7 hours typical)
• Better for spotting marine wildlife like seals and whales
• Usually includes meal or snacks
• More bathroom facilities available
• Better option for families with young children

When exploring the best shore excursions in Ketchikan, Misty Fjords consistently ranks as the most memorable option.

What You’ll Actually See

New Eddystone Rock is the monument’s most photographed feature – a 237-foot volcanic plug jutting straight out of Behm Canal that looks like nature’s own skyscraper. The rock is a nesting site for thousands of seabirds and you’ll often see eagles circling above.

Punchbowl Cove offers some of the most dramatic cliff faces where granite walls rise vertically from the water. Waterfalls appear to emerge directly from the rock faces, especially after rain (which is most of the time). The water here is so deep that cruise ships could theoretically navigate right up to the cliffs, though they don’t.

Rudyerd Bay extends 20 miles inland and showcases textbook examples of glacial carving. The U-shaped valley and hanging valleys are geology lesson come to life. Mountain goats occasionally appear as white specks on impossibly steep rock faces.

Photography Insider Tips

The lighting in Misty Fjords is tricky because of the depth of the fjords and frequent cloud cover. Here’s what actually works:

• Overcast days often produce better photos than sunny ones because the soft light prevents harsh shadows on cliff faces
• Bring a polarizing filter to cut through water reflections and see beneath the surface
• Shoot in RAW format if possible as you’ll need flexibility in post-processing to handle the dynamic range
• Fast shutter speeds are essential on floatplanes and boats to avoid motion blur
• Clean your lens constantly – salt spray and mist are relentless
• Don’t forget to photograph the small details like moss patterns and water droplets, not just the grand vistas

For more specific locations, check out the best photo spots around Ketchikan for your cruise visit.

Weather Reality

Misty Fjords receives over 150 inches of rain annually, making it one of the wettest places in North America. The name isn’t just poetic – mist and low clouds are standard operating conditions. But here’s the thing: the mist actually enhances the experience by making the landscape feel more mysterious and primordial.

That said, prepare properly:

• Waterproof jacket with hood (not just water-resistant)
• Layers including fleece or insulated jacket even in summer
• Waterproof bag or case for electronics and cameras
• Gloves if you’re sensitive to cold as it can be 15-20 degrees cooler than in town
• Skip the umbrella – they’re useless in wind and awkward on boats

Temperature typically ranges from 50-65°F during cruise season with water temperature staying around 45-50°F year-round.

Wildlife Watching Strategy

Black bears are most active during salmon runs in late summer when they feed along streams. Eagles are present year-round and you’ll typically spot dozens during any excursion. Seals haul out on rocks near the entrance to the fjords. Humpback whales sometimes feed in Behm Canal, particularly in early season.

The key to wildlife spotting is patience and knowing where to look. Scan the shoreline methodically rather than jumping your gaze around. Bears show up as dark shapes moving against the green forest. Eagles perch on prominent snags and rocks. Mountain goats appear on seemingly impossible cliff ledges, especially on south-facing slopes.

Timing Your Visit

Most Ketchikan cruise port visits allow 6-8 hours in port, which is enough time for either tour type. However, logistics matter:

• Floatplane tours book fastest and should be reserved when you book your cruise
• Morning tours often have better weather visibility before afternoon clouds build
• Check your ship’s all-aboard time and choose tours that end at least 90 minutes before departure
• Tour operators know the ship schedules but delays can happen – build in buffer time
• Late season (August-September) brings fall colors but also more rain

Lesser-Known Alternatives

If the main Misty Fjords tours are fully booked, consider these options:

• Kayak tours into the outer areas of the monument offer solitude and wildlife viewing
• Combination tours that include both flightseeing tours over the fjords and other Ketchikan attractions
• Private charter boats can be surprisingly affordable if you organize a group of 6-8 people
• Some helicopter tours in Alaska include Misty Fjords in their routes

Bonus Tips

• The monument has virtually no cell service once you’re inside – download offline maps and tell family you’ll be unreachable
• Seasickness medication should be taken 30-60 minutes before departure even if you think you don’t need it
• Binoculars are worth their weight in gold for wildlife and distant waterfall viewing
• The fresh water in the fjords floats on top of salt water creating a distinct layer you can sometimes see
• Some tour operators offer hydrophone listening so you can hear underwater sounds
• Granite in the monument is 50-70 million years old, some of the oldest exposed rock in Alaska
• The fjords are so deep (up to 900 feet) that the water stays dark even in sunshine
• Pack snacks even if the tour includes food – the fresh air creates surprising hunger
• Dress in layers you can actually remove and store – boat cabins can be warm while decks are cold
• If you wear glasses, bring a lens cloth and keep it accessible for constant mist wiping

What Tour Operators Won’t Emphasize

Tours can be cancelled due to weather with very little notice. Floatplane tours are particularly susceptible to cancellation when cloud ceilings drop below safe flying altitude. Most operators will refund or reschedule but this can leave you scrambling for alternative shore excursions. Always have a backup plan.

The boats, while stable, still rock enough to make walking around challenging for people with mobility issues. There are bathrooms but they’re small marine heads that can be difficult to navigate in motion.

You won’t have much time on solid ground. If you’re expecting a hiking experience, that’s not what these tours offer. It’s primarily viewing from aircraft or boat with perhaps a brief water landing or dock stop.

Common Questions and FAQ

Can I visit Misty Fjords without a tour?

Technically yes, but it’s impractical for cruise passengers. There are no roads into the monument. You would need to rent a boat or kayak from Ketchikan and have significant navigation and wilderness experience. The tour is worth the investment.

Do tours operate in rain?

Absolutely. Rain is expected and tours operate unless visibility or sea conditions become unsafe. The monument looks spectacular in rain with waterfalls at maximum flow. Heavy rain or low clouds may cancel floatplane tours but boat tours are more weather-resilient.

Will I get seasick on the boat tour?

The waters inside the fjords are typically calm and protected. The journey out through Tongass Narrows can be choppy depending on conditions. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication beforehand and stay on deck watching the horizon. The boat tour is generally much calmer than open ocean cruising.

Are there age restrictions for floatplane tours?

Most operators require children to be at least 2 years old and able to sit in their own seat with a seatbelt. Weight restrictions typically cap total passenger weight rather than individual weight, but passengers over 250 pounds should inform the operator when booking for proper weight distribution planning.

What’s the difference between entering from north or south?

Most tours enter from the south via Behm Canal passing New Eddystone Rock. Some longer tours enter from the north through Yes Bay. The southern route is more common for time-constrained cruise passengers and includes the most iconic features. Northern routes offer more solitude and excellent wildlife viewing but require more travel time.

Personal Experience

When our cruise ship docked in Ketchikan, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Misty Fjords excursion, but it turned out to be the absolute highlight of our Alaska trip. We took a floatplane tour, and the moment we lifted off over the water, the scenery became completely surreal. The granite cliffs rise straight out of the water like ancient sentinels, some reaching over 3,000 feet high, and they’re covered in this lush green carpet that seems to cling impossibly to the rock face. Our pilot circled around so everyone could get photos, and we even spotted a black bear ambling along the shoreline and several eagles perched in the trees. When we landed on one of the fjords, the silence was almost overwhelming – just the sound of water lapping against the floats and the occasional bird call.

If you’re planning this excursion, book early because spots fill up fast, especially for the floatplane tours. The boat tours are wonderful too and give you more time in the fjords, though you won’t get those incredible aerial views. Bring layers because it can be surprisingly chilly on the water, even in summer, and definitely pack a good camera or make sure your phone is charged. The weather changes constantly, so you might see everything from mist rolling through the valleys to bright sunshine illuminating the waterfalls. Rain or shine, Misty Fjords delivers an experience that photos honestly can’t capture – though you’ll still take hundreds trying.