Ketchikan is usually the first or last Alaska port on an Inside Passage cruise, and it is one of the easiest to explore on foot. Most ships tie up at four downtown berths along Front Street, so you step off the gangway straight into town, with historic Creek Street about a 5 to 10 minute walk away. Some ships, including many Norwegian Cruise Line sailings, use the newer Ward Cove dock about seven miles north instead, with a shuttle bus into town. This guide covers both docking areas, what you can see on foot, the excursions worth booking, and practical tips for Alaska’s rainiest port.
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Ketchikan at a glance
- Where ships dock: Four downtown berths (1 to 4) along the waterfront, or Ward Cove about seven miles north of town. No tendering on most sailings.
- Walk to town: From Berths 1 to 4 you are already downtown; Creek Street is roughly 5 to 10 minutes on foot, a little longer from Berth 4.
- Top sight: Creek Street’s boardwalk on stilts, plus totem poles at Saxman, Totem Bight and the Totem Heritage Center.
- Currency: US dollar.
- Best for: Native culture, a Misty Fjords floatplane flight, salmon country and an easy, walkable day.
Where cruise ships dock in Ketchikan
Ketchikan has four Panamax-sized cruise berths on its downtown waterfront, numbered 1 to 4 from south to north.
- Berths 1 and 2: the most central, on Front Street and the waterfront promenade beside the three-block downtown grid. The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau is at Berth 2, at the corner of Mission Street, and is the starting point for a marked downtown walking tour.
- Berths 3 and 4: a few minutes’ walk north of Berths 1 and 2. From Berth 4, allow roughly 15 to 20 minutes to reach Creek Street.
- Ward Cove: a newer facility about seven miles north of downtown, used by Norwegian Cruise Line and some other ships when the downtown berths are full. Walking to town is not practical, so cruise lines run shuttle buses, and taxis are available.
When we checked, a free downtown shuttle bus looped between the cruise berths and key points in town during the summer season, which is handy for the Totem Heritage Center or if it is pouring with rain.
Things to do within walking distance
- Creek Street: Ketchikan’s most photographed spot, a boardwalk of colorful wooden buildings on pilings over Ketchikan Creek. Once the town’s red-light district, it now holds galleries, shops and Dolly’s House museum. In late summer, salmon swim up the creek right below the boardwalk.
- Salmon fish ladder and Married Man’s Trail: a short stroll upstream from Creek Street, where salmon leap the falls in season.
- Southeast Alaska Discovery Center: a few blocks from the berths, with excellent exhibits on the Tongass rainforest and Native cultures.
- Totem Heritage Center: a short walk or shuttle ride uphill, home to original 19th-century totem poles retrieved from abandoned villages.
- Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show: a covered arena within walking distance of the docks, with log rolling, axe throwing and pole climbing. It is the easiest family-friendly activity in port.
Best Ketchikan shore excursions
Ketchikan’s headline experience is the wilderness just beyond town. Book a tour that returns at least an hour before all-aboard, and remember that floatplane trips are weather-dependent.
| Excursion | Time from the ship | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Misty Fjords floatplane flight | About 1.5 to 2 hours, departing from the waterfront | Granite cliffs, waterfalls and a landing on a wilderness lake |
| Saxman Native Village | About 2 miles south; tours run around 2 hours | Tlingit dance, carvers at work and a large totem park |
| Totem Bight State Historical Park | About 10 miles north; tours run 2.5 hours or more | Totem poles and a clan house in a quiet rainforest setting |
| Lumberjack Show and crab feast | Walking distance; around 3 hours combined | Families and anyone who wants all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab |
| Salmon fishing charter | Half-day trips from nearby harbors | Anglers in the self-styled Salmon Capital of the World |
Food and shopping
Seafood is the reason to eat ashore in Ketchikan. Look for fresh salmon, halibut fish and chips, Dungeness and king crab, and smoked salmon to take home, which local shops can often pack for travel. Front Street, Main Street and Creek Street hold most of the shops. For meaningful souvenirs, look for authentic Alaska Native art, which carries a “Silver Hand” or similar authenticity label, rather than the mass-produced jewelry stores nearest the piers.
Tips for a day in Ketchikan
- Pack rain gear. Ketchikan is one of the wettest towns in the US. A light waterproof jacket beats an umbrella on the boardwalks.
- Check your berth. If your ship uses Ward Cove, add shuttle time to every plan and keep a close eye on the last shuttle back.
- Go early or late on Creek Street. With four or more ships in port, the boardwalk is busiest in late morning.
- Have a backup plan for floatplanes. Low cloud can cancel flights, so keep a walking itinerary in mind.
- Watch for salmon. The runs through downtown are usually best from July into September.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk from the Ketchikan cruise port to Creek Street?
Yes. From Berths 1 to 3, Creek Street is about a 5 to 10 minute walk along Front Street and Mission Street. From Berth 4, allow 15 to 20 minutes. From Ward Cove you need the shuttle.
Does Norwegian Cruise Line dock downtown in Ketchikan?
Norwegian ships often use Ward Cove, about seven miles north of downtown, with a shuttle into town. Check your daily planner, as assignments vary by sailing.
Is the Misty Fjords flight worth it?
For most first-time visitors, yes. It is the most spectacular scenery near any Inside Passage port, but it is expensive and weather can cause cancellations, so book through a reputable operator with a clear refund policy.
How long do cruise ships stay in Ketchikan?
Calls are often around six to eight hours, which is enough for one main excursion plus a walk around downtown.
Planning your Alaska route? See our port-by-port guide to Alaska cruise ports and our guide to the best time to cruise Alaska.
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