Ketchikan: Misty Fjords National Monument Floatplane Tour

The best part of this Ketchikan outing is the small floatplane flight into Misty Fjords National Monument, where granite walls, dark water, waterfalls, and thick forest spread out below your window. You get a grand view of a huge wilderness area in only two hours, without spending a day on a boat.

I like the guaranteed window seat and the close-knit group of no more than six people. I also like the mix of live pilot commentary and background music, which gives the flight a little shape instead of leaving you to stare silently through the glass. The main drawback is weather: poor visibility can cancel the flight, and one recent cancellation left passengers waiting in heavy rain until just before departure.

Key points to know

• Six-passenger floatplane: A small aircraft keeps the flight personal and gives every booked passenger a window seat.
• One hour over Misty Fjords: The actual scenic flight is about half of the two-hour outing, with van transport before and after.
• New Eddystone Rock: Look for this striking volcanic remnant in Rudyard Bay.
• Tongass National Forest: You fly over more than 2 million acres of protected wilderness, with steep forested slopes and narrow waterways.
• Wildlife from above: Keep watch for bears, wolves, deer, and eagles, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Weight rules matter: At 250 pounds or more clothed, you pay a $168 surcharge. The tour is not suitable for anyone over 300 pounds.

Why a Floatplane Is the Right Way to See Misty Fjords

Misty Fjords National Monument covers about 900,000 hectares, or more than 2 million acres, within the Tongass National Forest. From the ground, you can see only a small piece of this wet, rugged country. From a floatplane, the scale becomes clear almost at once.

The flight takes you about 40 miles east of Ketchikan over Revillagigedo Island. Below you, water cuts between sheer rock walls, narrow channels reach into the forest, and waterfalls spill down from high slopes. The scenery changes constantly, but it is not a rushed sightseeing flight. The point is to see how the waterways, cliffs, and forest fit together.

I especially like that the aircraft carries only six passengers. A small cabin makes it easier to hear the pilot and easier to turn your attention from one side to the other. Since every passenger has a guaranteed window seat, you do not need to negotiate for the best view.

The tradeoff is that this is a scenic flight, not a landing excursion. You see Misty Fjords from above and return to Ketchikan. If you want to walk through the forest, step onto a remote beach, or land on a mountain lake, this particular trip does not promise that.

From Ketchikan’s Rain Gauge to the Runway

Your meeting point is beside the large bronze statue and famous rain gauge next to the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau at berth 2 in downtown Ketchikan. Look for the van driver holding a sign with the tour name.

The ride to the aircraft takes about 15 minutes. That short transfer matters on a cruise day, since it keeps the outing simple and avoids a long trip across town. It also gives you a little breathing room after leaving the waterfront before the safety briefing and boarding.

The experience provider is Taquan Air. The aircraft is a six-passenger floatplane, and the crew handles the practical details before you take off. You will receive a safety briefing, then settle into your assigned window seat.

Do not expect a large sightseeing plane with rows of seats. The appeal here is the small aircraft and the close view. At the same time, small planes make weather and operating conditions especially important. Misty Fjords earned its name honestly, and clouds or rain can affect visibility or stop the flight altogether.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. That helps if your schedule changes, but it cannot prevent weather disruptions on the day. If you are visiting Ketchikan from a ship, booking early in your port schedule gives you more room to handle a cancellation or a missed sailing window.

Climbing Over Tongass Narrows

After boarding, the plane rises over Tongass Narrows, the body of water between Ketchikan and Gravina Island. You pass Ketchikan and begin to see the town from a new angle before the built-up waterfront gives way to forest and water.

This opening section is useful because it shows the setting of Ketchikan itself. The town is not simply next to the wilderness. It is surrounded by channels, islands, and forest, with water shaping nearly every view.

Your pilot provides live commentary through a headset, along with a musical soundtrack. The commentary adds value because it points out landmarks you might otherwise miss, while the music helps fill the quiet stretches between spoken explanations. One recent passenger specifically praised the combination of landmark narration and background music.

The headset also helps in a small aircraft where engine noise can make ordinary conversation difficult. You are not just looking out the window and guessing at what you see. The pilot helps give names and direction to the view.

Revillagigedo Island and the Protected Forest

The flight continues over Revillagigedo Island toward Misty Fjords. The island is part of the Tongass National Forest, a vast area of alpine wilderness with dense stands of hemlock and spruce covering steep slopes.

From the air, the forest can look almost unbroken. Then a rock wall appears, followed by a narrow inlet or a waterfall dropping into a dark channel. That contrast is what makes the flight so rewarding. You see both the broad sweep of the protected area and the small details cut into its rock and water.

I find the aerial view particularly useful for understanding the fjords. A boat can put you close to a cliff, but a floatplane shows you the full shape of the waterway and the way each passage disappears around a bend. You also get a better sense of the height of the slopes and the isolation of the interior.

The scenery may be softened by low cloud or mist. That is part of the character of Misty Fjords, but it can also limit your view. On a clear day, the sightlines should be wider. On a misty day, the mood may be more dramatic but the details less distinct. Neither condition can be guaranteed.

Waterfalls, Granite Walls, and Rudyard Bay

As the plane reaches the monument, expect the main scenic stretch: fjords, granite passages, steep rock walls, and waterfalls. Water runs down the vertical slopes in thin ribbons and broader cascades, depending on recent rain and the season.

The aircraft offers a useful angle on the waterfalls. Instead of looking up from the water, you look across and down from above, seeing where the streams begin and how they reach the fjords below. The narrow passages make the plane feel small, which is part of the fun without requiring any difficult activity on your part.

One of the named sights is New Eddystone Rock in Rudyard Bay. It is a remnant of early volcanic activity, rising from the water as a distinct rock formation. From the air, its isolated position makes sense: it is not simply another cliff along the shore, but a separate marker in the bay.

Listen for the pilot’s commentary as you approach this area. The landmark is easy to appreciate visually, but the explanation gives it context. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire flight looking at a screen. The scenery shifts quickly, and the best view may be beside or behind you.

Wildlife Watching From a Small Plane

The tour gives you the chance to look for wolves, bears, deer, and eagles. The key word is look. Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised.

An eagle may be easier to spot than a bear or wolf, but the height and movement of the plane make every sighting uncertain. Dense forest covers much of the ground, and animals can disappear quickly. Bring patience and scan the shoreline, open areas, and water edges rather than expecting wildlife to pose below the aircraft.

Wildlife is a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The fjords, waterfalls, and forest are the reliable attractions. If you book only because you expect to see a bear, you may be disappointed. If you treat animal sightings as an extra reward, the flight gives you a better experience.

The aerial view also lets you appreciate how much untouched country lies beyond Ketchikan. Even without seeing an animal, you can see why the monument protects such a large area.

Two Hours, With One Hour in the Air

The advertised duration is two hours. About 15 minutes is spent in the van at the start and another 15 minutes on the return transfer, leaving roughly one hour for the flight over Misty Fjords.

That timing is a good fit for a port visit. You get a substantial flight without giving up the entire day. Still, leave enough room around the two-hour schedule for boarding, the safety briefing, and possible delays. The flight section is the heart of the outing, so a rushed return to your ship would spoil the value.

The itinerary describes the central Ketchikan portion as about 1.5 hours, including the guided sightseeing, aerial views, safety briefing, and scenic travel. In practical terms, think of the whole experience as a short van transfer, a flight of about an hour, and the return van ride.

Food and drinks are not included. For a two-hour activity, that is not a major concern, but plan any snacks or meals separately, especially if you are joining the tour during a long port day.

Is $389 a Fair Price?

At $389 per person, this is an expensive Ketchikan excursion. You are paying for the aircraft, the pilot, the small group, the window seat, and access to a remote area that would take far longer to experience by boat or on foot.

I think the price makes sense for you if the flight itself is a top priority. The guaranteed window seat removes a common worry, and the six-person limit gives the outing a more personal feel than a large coach or boat excursion. You also cover a broad area in one hour, with views that are difficult to replicate from the waterfront.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short ride with a guaranteed wildlife sighting. Animals are not assured, and weather can reduce the views or cancel the trip. The $168 surcharge also matters. If your clothed weight is 250 pounds or more, the total published cost becomes $557, and anyone over 300 pounds cannot take this tour.

Recent feedback has been strongly positive overall, with a 4.6 rating from 23 reviews. The praise centers on the scenery, smooth organization, friendly staff, and pilots who make the flight more interesting with commentary. One passenger described the excursion as worth the money and said they would do it again. Those are useful signs, but they do not remove the weather risk.

Who Will Enjoy This Flight Most?

I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants a big view of southeast Alaska in a short time. It suits photographers, first-time visitors to Ketchikan, cruise passengers with limited hours, and people who prefer sightseeing to strenuous activity.

It is also a strong choice for families with older children who can appreciate the scenery and follow aircraft rules. Children under 2 may ride as lap children without a ticket. Children 2 and older need tickets under the stated regulations.

You should think twice if you dislike small aircraft, need a firm schedule, or want time on the ground. The flight is the activity. There is no promised landing in Misty Fjords, meal, or extended stop at a viewpoint.

The tour is conducted in English, with live pilot commentary and an English audio component. If you want detailed interpretation in another language, this is not the right fit based on the information available.

Practical Tips for a Better View

Arrive at the bronze statue and rain gauge beside the Visitors Bureau at berth 2, not just somewhere near the cruise docks. The driver will be holding a sign, which should make the meeting point clear.

Dress for Ketchikan’s wet conditions and be prepared for rain at the dock. One poorly handled cancellation left passengers standing in the pouring rain, so I would keep a waterproof layer handy even if the flight looks likely to operate.

Use the headset and listen for the pilot’s landmark calls. The flight has a musical soundtrack, but the commentary is the part that helps you understand what you are seeing.

Keep your camera ready for New Eddystone Rock, waterfalls, and narrow passages, but give yourself time to watch without a lens. Mist and changing light can make the view shift from one moment to the next.

Finally, check the weight rules before booking. The 250-pound surcharge is substantial, and the 300-pound limit is firm according to the tour information.

Should You Book the Misty Fjords Floatplane Tour?

Book it if you want the fastest, most sweeping look at Ketchikan’s surrounding wilderness and you accept that weather controls the day. The one-hour flight, guaranteed window seat, six-passenger aircraft, and pilot narration give you a strong chance to see Misty Fjords from an angle no dockside walk can match.

Skip it if $389 feels too high for a weather-dependent activity, or if you need a guaranteed landing and wildlife sighting. For the right visitor, though, this is a memorable use of two hours in Ketchikan, especially when the clouds lift and the fjords open below you.

FAQ

How long is the Ketchikan Misty Fjords floatplane tour?

The full experience lasts about 2 hours. The flight over Misty Fjords takes about 1 hour, with roughly 15 minutes of van transportation each way.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet beside the large bronze statue and famous rain gauge next to the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau at berth 2 in downtown Ketchikan. The van driver will hold a sign with the tour name.

How many people can join the floatplane flight?

The floatplane carries up to 6 participants, making this a small-group experience.

Does everyone get a window seat?

Yes. A window seat is guaranteed for each participant.

What sights can I see from the plane?

You can see Tongass Narrows, Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island, Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords, waterfalls, steep cliffs, fjords, Rudyard Bay, and New Eddystone Rock.

Can I see wildlife during the flight?

You may look for wolves, bears, deer, and eagles from above, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Are there weight and age requirements?

Anyone weighing 250 pounds or more clothed must pay an additional $168 surcharge directly to the provider. The tour is not suitable for people over 300 pounds. Children under 2 may ride as lap children without a ticket, while children 2 and older need tickets.