Misty Fjords National Monument Floatplane Tour

Misty Fjords is best understood from the air. From a Taquan Air floatplane, you look down on granite walls, narrow fjords, waterfalls, dark lakes, and spruce-covered slopes that are hard to grasp from sea level. The flight is about an hour in the air within a roughly two-hour outing, and the scenery changes quickly.

I like the guaranteed window seat, since nobody is stuck peering across another passenger. I also like the small aircraft, with a maximum of 12 people, plus the ship-return promise that takes some worry out of booking an independent shore excursion.

The main caution is weather. Fog can cancel or delay the flight, and some passengers have found the pilot commentary hard to hear. If your cruise schedule is tight, allow extra time for the shuttle and possible changes.

Key points to know before you book

• Every passenger gets a window seat, a major advantage when the view is the whole reason to fly.
• The route reaches Misty Fjords National Monument, about 40 miles east of Ketchikan over Tongass National Forest.
• The flight itself may be about one hour, even though the full activity lasts approximately two hours.
• The aircraft carries no more than 12 people, creating a more personal outing than a large bus excursion.
• Pilots such as Scott, Joe, and Mike have provided narration, with commentary delivered through headsets and mixed with music.
• The tour includes a ship-return guarantee, but you still need to allow time to get from your ship to the Taquan Air meeting point.

Why a floatplane is the right way to see Misty Fjords

Misty Fjords National Monument covers a huge area of southeastern Alaska, and its scale is the point. The monument contains steep fjords, sheer rock walls, waterfalls, lakes, and thick forest spread across a remote part of the Tongass National Forest.

From a boat, you see one inlet or wall at a time. From the floatplane, you can see how the pieces fit together. A single turn may reveal a long channel, a chain of lakes above the coastline, and mountains folding away toward the horizon.

The views are not polished or arranged for sightseeing. They are raw, vertical, and often half-hidden by mist. That changing visibility gives the area its name, but it also means this is not a guaranteed blue-sky postcard flight.

I like this kind of excursion because the flight does more than transport you to a viewpoint. The movement is the experience. You rise over water, cross forested island terrain, and watch the geometry of the fjords change beneath you.

From Ketchikan to Tongass Narrows

You meet the Taquan Air operation in Ketchikan before boarding the floatplane. The aircraft departs and returns from the Taquan Air Tours location, and private transportation is included as part of the outing.

The route begins over Tongass Narrows, the waterway between Ketchikan and Gravina Island. You then pass Ketchikan and head over Revillagigedo Island toward the national monument.

The Tongass National Forest covers about 17 million acres, making it the largest national forest in the United States. That figure sounds abstract until you are above it. From the plane, the forest appears as an unbroken sweep of hemlock and spruce, interrupted by lakes, rock, and water.

The shuttle matters more than it may seem. Cruise passengers first need to leave the ship, reach the meeting area in town, and then connect with the Taquan Air shuttle. Allow extra time, especially if your ship is docked at Ward Cove or if many people are leaving the ship at once.

Some departures run in the morning from 7 a.m. to noon, while afternoon departures generally fall between noon and 7 p.m. The exact time should be confirmed with the local operator, since available flight slots can change.

The flight over Revillagigedo Island

Once the floatplane is airborne, your pilot speaks through a headset. Commentary may cover the scenery, local history, and wildlife, and a musical soundtrack may play between spoken sections.

Pilot quality can shape the outing. Pilots named in individual experiences include Scott, Joe, and Mike. Joe has been praised for explaining local history, while Mike has pointed out places he personally enjoys and described the area from the perspective of someone who lives in Alaska. You should not assume you will fly with a particular pilot, but the operation clearly relies on pilot narration as part of the experience.

The headsets help cut aircraft noise, but the audio is not perfect for everyone. A few people found the commentary difficult to understand or too limited. This is worth knowing if narration matters as much to you as the scenery.

The plane may turn or angle toward different views during the flight. Since the flight path and weather can vary, one side may have a stronger view during part of the route. The guaranteed window seat helps, but it does not mean both sides see exactly the same thing at every moment.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole flight staring at a screen. The best scenes may last only seconds as a waterfall, rock face, or animal appears between clouds and forest.

Entering Misty Fjords National Monument

The monument begins to feel different as the plane moves away from Ketchikan. The water narrows, the rock walls rise, and the forest climbs steep slopes with very little flat ground in sight.

Many cliffs rise dramatically from the water, with some rock walls reaching about 3,000 feet above the ocean. Waterfalls run down narrow granite passages, especially when rain and melting snow feed the streams.

Misty weather can soften the edges of the cliffs and hide the upper slopes. On a clear day, you may see much farther across the fjords and into the mountain country. On a foggy day, the experience becomes more enclosed and atmospheric, but the views may be limited.

This is the key tradeoff. You pay for access to a remote area without leaving the airport for a long ground transfer, but nature controls the view. The operator requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new time or a full refund.

The scenery has earned the high praise it receives. The combination of water, vertical granite, dark forest, and open sky gives you a sense of scale that is difficult to get on a standard Ketchikan walk or bus ride.

Rudyard Bay and New Eddystone Rock

The route includes Rudyard Bay, where the pilot navigates over New Eddystone Rock. This dark volcanic remnant rises from the water and provides a useful reminder that Misty Fjords is not only about glaciers and snow.

New Eddystone Rock comes from earlier volcanic activity. Seen from above, it has a stark shape against the surrounding water and forest. The pilot may point it out during the flight, so listen for location names even when the aircraft is turning.

This section of the route also shows why aerial viewing works so well here. The water cuts deep into the land, and the rock formations appear connected in ways you cannot easily see from the shore.

Wildlife: possible, never promised

Keep watch for bald eagles, bears, wolves, deer, and mountain goats. Several people have spotted mountain goats, including goats moving across the rocks below the aircraft.

Wildlife sightings depend on luck, visibility, and the pilot’s route. You should not book this as a wildlife tour with guaranteed animals. Book it for the fjords, then treat an eagle, bear, deer, wolf, or mountain goat as an extra reward.

Bring binoculars only if they are compact and easy to use. The aircraft moves, and a large pair may be more trouble than it is worth. A camera with a fast shutter setting can help, but the window and weather will still control the result.

What the two-hour schedule really means

The advertised duration is approximately two hours, including transportation and time at the Taquan Air base. Several accounts describe roughly one hour of actual flight time.

That may sound short for a $349 excursion, but a floatplane flight covers a large amount of territory in that hour. You are not spending most of the outing on a bus or waiting at a dock. Still, set your expectations correctly: this is a scenic flight, not a two-hour flight over the fjords.

The full schedule can vary with weather, aircraft operations, and the time needed to move passengers from the ship. If you have another excursion booked, give yourself a wide buffer. One passenger had a scheduled tour time changed and found the revised timing difficult to manage. Another issue involved last-minute cancellation messages during fog.

At the same time, other outings ran exactly on time, with shuttle drivers returning people directly to their ships. The safest approach is to confirm your departure time and keep your phone available on the day of the flight.

The ship-return guarantee and what it means

This excursion is designed for cruise passengers, and the operator provides a 100 percent guarantee that you will not miss your ship’s all-aboard departure because of the activity. If the ship leaves in the rare event of a serious delay, transportation to the next port of call is arranged under the stated terms.

If the ship is delayed and you cannot take the tour, your money is refunded. That protection is one of the strongest reasons to consider booking this independently rather than choosing only a cruise-line excursion.

You still need to do your part. Get off the ship promptly, follow the meeting instructions, and give yourself extra time for the shuttle to Taquan Air. The guarantee does not make a late start or poor communication convenient, especially if you have another plan afterward.

Price and value at $349

At $349 per person, this is a major splurge. The price includes the flight, private transportation, narration, a guaranteed window seat, and ship-return protection, but not food or drinks.

I think the value depends on your priorities. If you want to see the interior of Misty Fjords and would otherwise never reach it, the flight provides access to a huge area in a short time. You also avoid the long travel time that would be required to explore such remote scenery by boat or on foot.

If you mainly want a short flight for the thrill of being in a small plane, cheaper options may exist. If your weather is poor and visibility is limited, the price can feel hard to justify, particularly if the flight time is closer to an hour than two.

Several people have found the same outing cheaper through an independent booking site than through a cruise line. Compare the final price, refund rules, meeting instructions, and timing before you commit. The cruise line’s convenience may be worth paying for, but it is not automatically the better value.

Comfort, group size, and practical details

The aircraft holds no more than 12 people, and every passenger receives a window seat. That is a real advantage, since there is no bad seat hidden in the middle of a large cabin.

The plane is described as comfortable and clean, and takeoffs and landings are generally smooth. You will wear a headset during the flight, both for the commentary and to reduce the aircraft noise.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, though cruise passengers will normally use the included shuttle arrangement. At booking, you must provide every passenger’s name and weight, along with your cruise ship or hotel name.

The weight information is a normal safety and balance requirement for a small aircraft. Enter it accurately. It is also wise to provide a working contact number or call Taquan Air to confirm the departure time.

Weather, cancellations, and communication

Fog is part of the character of Misty Fjords, but heavy fog can prevent a safe flight. The tour requires good weather, and a weather cancellation results in an alternative date or a full refund.

The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, except when the operator cancels because of weather or does not meet its minimum number of passengers.

Communication deserves attention. Some outings included advance calls, text updates, a helpful shuttle driver, and a same-day refund after weather cancellation. Other passengers received cancellation information only minutes before departure or had a replacement time canceled without clear notice.

Because of that mixed record, confirm the time yourself if you have not received clear instructions. Keep the operator’s phone number handy, and do not schedule another activity immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this flight most

I would choose this for you if the following sound appealing:

• You want a broad view of Alaska rather than a close-up town tour.
• You enjoy flying in a small aircraft.
• You are comfortable paying for scenery and access, not a meal or a long stop on the ground.
• You have enough flexibility to handle fog or a changed departure time.
• You want a ship-friendly excursion with a return guarantee.

I would think twice if you dislike small planes, need a fixed schedule, or expect two full hours in the air. The tour is also a poor fit if wildlife is your main goal, since animals are possible but not assured.

FAQ

How long does the Misty Fjords floatplane tour last?

The complete activity lasts approximately two hours. The actual flight time is about one hour, with the rest covering departure, return, and transportation at the Taquan Air base.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $349 per person.

Where does the floatplane leave from?

The aircraft departs and returns at Taquan Air Tours in Ketchikan. Transportation is included.

Is a window seat guaranteed?

Yes. Every passenger is guaranteed a window seat.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What might I see during the flight?

The route includes fjords, cliffs, waterfalls, granite passages, lakes, and forests of hemlock and spruce. You may also see wolves, bears, deer, eagles, or mountain goats, but wildlife is not guaranteed.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.

Should you book the Misty Fjords floatplane tour?

Book it if seeing Misty Fjords from above is a priority. The window seat guarantee, small aircraft, pilot narration, and ship-return protection make this a well-designed cruise excursion, and the scenery can be the highlight of your Ketchikan day.

Before booking, confirm the departure time and leave plenty of room for getting off the ship and reaching Taquan Air. Accept that fog may change the plan, that commentary may be uneven, and that the flight itself is likely closer to an hour than two.

For a once-in-a-cruise view of remote Alaska, I think the price can be justified. Just book with realistic expectations: you are paying for a spectacular aerial look at a vast wilderness, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a long ground visit.