Frequently Asked Questions

No experience is necessary to participate on our trips. We do ask that you are physically fit and inform us about any limitations you may have.

It is always our goal to ensure everyone on each tour can get the most from their experience out on the water with us, but each tour has 1 guide and is limited to the abilities of the weakest/least experienced paddlers.

Tipping is customary, but of course not compulsory. A gratuity is a wonderful way to show appreciation to your guide for providing you with a memorable tour experience and our kayak guides, boat captain and tour host all work hard to ensure the best possible experience on and off the water on your tour and split tips accordingly.

There is no set number but if you’re uncertain and would like to show the crew they did a good job, $20 per person is a great guideline.

Absolutely, we love kids on our tours! Children must be aged 5 or over and weigh at least 30 lbs. Parents should be aware that they will do the bulk of the paddling with kids under the age of 10. We paddle tandem (2 person) kayaks at Orcas Cove for their space and stability on the water no matter the experience level.

You are never too old to paddle a kayak. Our oldest participant to date was aged ninety and going strong. We use double kayaks to pair people up to make strong paddling teams. Just be aware that kayaking does require some physical exertion and for the Orcas Cove trip we have to “climb” aboard the mother ship. It’s a few steps. We also have some extra back support for those that request it and feel that this trip is perfect for those not wanting to spend “too long” sitting in a kayak, as we usually spend about 90 minutes paddling on this tour.

Please call or email us if you have any questions or concerns.

Ketchikan is in the heart of temperate rainforest and we would never do anything if we stopped for the rain. Please do not let the possibility of rain deter you from booking. Southeast Alaska is at its most beautiful on misty rainy days. That said, the weather downtown where the ships dock does not necessarily reflect the weather where we kayak and downtown receives much more rain throughout the year than Orca Cove.

We provide waterproof jackets, bibs, ponies and dry bags to keep everyone as dry as possible. Don’t forget that wildlife doesn’t care about the rain. Of greater concern to kayakers is a strong wind, and if the conditions are unsafe we will cancel trips with a full refund.

Our insurance company requires that we inform all of our clients about the risks involved in going out on the ocean in sea kayaks. The waiver outlines these risks and all participants must read and sign the waiver.

Summertime in Southeast Alaska is mild with average temperatures in the 60’s, but days can run into the ’80s. We do live in a rainforest and our area is dependent on the rain that fuels the diverse ecosystem here. However, the summer months are the driest.

The best plan for any trip through Southeast Alaska is to wear quick dry material and always bring layers. Please don’t wear blue jeans to a kayak tour in Ketchikan.

That said, we provide Waterproof Jackets, Bibs, Pogies (to keep your hands warm) and dry bags to put your gear in while paddling. We do not use spray skirts on this tour as many guests have no experience with them, lack the dexterity to get them on and off efficiently, and we want to optimize your paddle time on the water during the few hours we get to host you on the water. Instead we spend more $ on Grundens or Helly Hansen rain bibs that provide better coverage and actually keep you dryer than rain pants or skirts.

Sneakers are appropriate footwear as we step into the kayaks from an inflatable boat and your feet will not get wet. Many hiking boots tend to be a bit bulky for the kayaks, but lite hiking boots are ok. Water shoes are not needed. Sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a camera are great things to bring along.

We can see many different species of marine mammal, birds, land mammals and intertidal invertebrates. However, our tours are not “wildlife viewing tours” we focus on sea kayaking and enjoying the serenity of Alaska’s stunning natural environment.

We do frequently have amazing animal encounters however we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings on the tours.

We often see Sitka black tail deer, black bears, mink, river otters, vibrant sea stars, sea cucumbers, bald eagles, ravens, humpback whales, orca whales, seals, Stellar sea lions, jumping salmon and more… But none of these creatures are on any set schedule out here in the wild and if we saw them every single tour, we would most certainly be fighting our way through dozens of tour boats everyday instead of enjoying the peace and quiet away from the crowds.

We use 2 person, tandem sea kayaks for all of our tours as our typical guest is a vacation paddler or new to kayaking and they are very stable. We rarely gave anyone tip over. We also operate this excursion from a boat out on the ocean and all gear has to be able to be stowed onboard with limited space. We do our best to avoid having two guests paddle together who are not traveling together, but in some cases it is necessary for safety and efficiency. Most often if we have an odd number of guests, 1 of the guests will paddle a tandem kayak with the guide.

Capsizes on our guided tours are extremely rare, perhaps once a season. Our double sea kayaks are quite stable and our guides will help  you develop technique and grace.

Very occasionally a cruise ship will not stop in Ketchikan as scheduled: if a ship misses port completely we give a full refund. If your ship is delayed we will try our best and can usually accommodate the change. If we cannot, there will be a full refund.

Over the years we have seen all shapes and sizes! The ability to participate depends on size rather than weight, however, we do not recommend this tour for guests over 275lbs and some guests under 275lbs may not fit into the kayaks.

Guests must be able to sit comfortably in a kayak seat that is 18 inches wide (same width as most standard airline seats) and fit into unisex 2XL rain gear. Anyone with a seated waistline of more than 50 inches will not be a good fit for the kayak cockpits.

If you are not sure whether you will be able to participate, please call us for more information.