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Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour

3 ½ Hours Duration

From pick-up to drop-off

Wildlife Opportunities

Eagles, seals, and whales are seen often!

Limited-Mobility Tour

Can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters!

Board A Fishing Vessel

From Discovery’s ‘Deadliest Catch’

Description

You may have seen this tour topping the charts for things to do in Ketchikan and with good reason. The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's tour was rated 'Ketchikan Tour of the Year' and consistently receives rave reviews. This one-of-a-kind tour puts you onboard an actual Alaskan fishing boat and right into some astounding scenery, wildlife and of course...crab!

The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour isn't your ordinary shore excursion. Load up onboard the Aleutian Ballad, an equipped fishing vessel featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. Meet your hosts - local fishing guides that are full of colorful stories from their experiences which they'll share as you begin to disembark from port. Explore the calm waters of the Inside Passage while keeping your eyes peeled for eagles, seals, sea lions and whales, which are all frequently spotted on the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour. When the time is right, you'll be part of the action as the guides start hauling crab pots and fishing gear containing anything from rockfish, stars, octopus, prawns, halibut and a variety of crab. Specimens will be brought on board the boat in holding tanks so you can actually feel and touch Alaskan king crab!

Tales from life at sea compliment the wealth of knowledge and information shared by your fishermen/guides during the tour. It's hard to believe the danger and adventure inherent in this industry through some of the stories, but unlike many fishing stories, these tales are real! The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour doesn't head out into the open ocean but stays within the calm protected waters of the Inside Passage making it a smooth sail. Ample seating on the boat allows you to sit back and enjoy the views or choose to position close to the holding tanks to become part of the action. A truly unique experience only found in Ketchikan - but be sure to book early because this one fills up quick!

Please note: If you are cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines, you will be docking at Ward Cove and will subsequently need more time between your cruise’s scheduled arrival & departure times and this tour. Please ensure you have at least 1 hour of buffer time to comfortably make this tour.

What's Included

Friendly guides and experienced fishermen

Restrooms onboard

Guide gratuity

Food & drinks

Frequently Asked Questions

What will we see and do on the tour?

When you step aboard the Aleutian Ballad, you will have an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. We are the only boat of its kind, a true Bering Sea crab fishing vessel featured on the Discovery Channel, taking passengers along to experience and share in the wildlife, the stories and the beauty that is "The Last Frontier". During a typical tour on the (fishing vessel) Aleutian Ballad, we will encounter life above and below the sea. Common sightings include: whales, bald eagles, porpoise, octopus, king crab, shrimp, many different fish and a huge list of unexpected sightings. The experience you have is really up to you. If you would prefer to stay top-side, photographing the wilderness landscapes and relaxing as you listen to the fishermen's tales - that is up to you! Perhaps you'd prefer to stay by the live tank, touching all the sea creatures we pull up from the depths and learning about the different species of fish, octopus and crab - do it! Want to do some shopping? Visit our on board gift shop, and take home some memories of this special day. This tour is what you make of it and it is all at your fingertips...

Will I get sea sick?

Ketchikan is located within Alaska's Inside Passage. The water here is normally very calm. Even when the winds pick up during the winter months and the weather gets bad, the islands create a break for us and we hardly see a wave.The F/V Aleutian Ballad is over 100 feet long and made of solid steel. The boat was specifically created to handle the roughest seas in the world. Also, as the seating area is outside (covered and heated, of course), there is always a lovely cool breeze that refreshes the senses. If you are extremely sensitive to motion, you may want to take typical motion sickness medicine before coming. However it’s highly unlikely that you will need it.

Is transportation provided?

The Aleutian Ballad is actually docked at Berth 3 in Ketchikan and within walking distance of downtown and the cruise ships. A representative from The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour will be waiting for you at the bottom of your gangway (steps off of the boat) 30 minutes prior to the tour departure time. Look for the bright yellow jacket and the sign that reads, “Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour.” You'll receive an email confirmation with full meeting instructions upon booking. **Please note:** If you are cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines, you will be docking at Ward Cove and will subsequently need more time between your cruise’s scheduled arrival & departure times and this tour. Please ensure you have at least 1 hour of buffer time to comfortably make this tour.

What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?

We will try our best to work with you to reschedule the tour to a later time. If that is not a possibility or your ship doesn't make it into port, then you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable fees.

Know Before You Book

Minimum Age: 5 years old

This tour can accommodate motorized wheelchairs

Cancel up to 14-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 14-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.

Quick Facts

City

Ketchikan

Itinerary • 3h 00min • 5 activities

After meeting your guides at your cruise ship, head on over to the Aleutian Ballad, a ship right out of Deadliest Catch, to meet your crew, go over safety information, and learn about the tour.

Duration

30 minutes

As you head out into Inside Passage waters surrounding Ketchikan, prepare to be amazed by the stories of seasoned fishermen, learning all about the industry from these talented storytellers.

Duration

30 minutes

Prepare to be amazed, as the fishing vessel sails to a nearby island, frequented by eagles, for a viewing experience you won't ever forget.

Duration

30 minutes

Reaching the crabbing pots, you will have the opportunity to see with your own eyes as your guides pull up the pots, and show you the amazing creatures they find inside. You may even have the chance to hold one for yourself!

Duration

1 hour

As you return to port, enjoy final stories from the crew, take pictures with your guides, or hop inside to learn more about the Aleutian Ballad. Reaching port, your guides will escort you back to your dock, or you can explore nearby downtown if you are docked close by.

Duration

30 minutes