
Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages...
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 186 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... worth booking?
Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... is a 3-hour experience in Ketchikan, United States, from $850 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 186 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (186)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $850 per person
Explore Ketchikan with a private tour designed for all ages, where your family and friends are the only guests in the van. Enjoy comfort, flexibility, and a relaxed pace. Giving you the freedom to focus on what interests you most. Every stop on our tour is chosen for its genuine connection to Ketchikan’s rainforest, coastline, wildlife, and history. You’ll explore places shaped by nature, not created for show, giving you a clear sense of what makes this place special. Our goal is to create an experience that is fun, friendly, authentic, and unscripted—like exploring Alaska with a friend. As a BBB‑accredited business, our company meets the Better Business Bureau’s established standards for integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct, providing guests with confidence in our professionalism and accountability. Please note: Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Our routes focus on naturally scenic areas that offer the best potential for viewing wildlife.
What you get
About this experience
Explore Ketchikan with a private tour designed for all ages, where your family and friends are the only guests in the van. Enjoy comfort, flexibility, and a relaxed pace. Giving you the freedom to focus on what interests you most. Every stop on our tour is chosen for its genuine connection to Ketchikan’s rainforest, coastline, wildlife, and history. You’ll explore places shaped by nature, not created for show, giving you a clear sense of what makes this place special. Our goal is to create an experience that is fun, friendly, authentic, and unscripted—like exploring Alaska with a friend. As a BBB‑accredited business, our company meets the Better Business Bureau’s established standards for integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct, providing guests with confidence in our professionalism and accountability. Please note: Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Our routes focus on naturally scenic areas that offer the best potential for viewing wildlife.
What's included
Included
- Pick up and drop off at cruise ship
- Private Transportation
What you'll see and do
Ketchikan
Experience the thrill of wildlife with the chance to see bears, bald eagles, salmon, and seals! This open grassy field and creek, attracts a variety of wildlife to this location! Please note the diversity of wildlife will vary depending on time of season. Please note that wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
30 minutes here
Ketchikan
Capture stunning photos and videos of a beautiful waterfall just steps away from where you exit the van! Plus, step inside our lush rainforest for more spectacular views and vantage points of this waterfall!
30 minutes here
Ketchikan
Discover the diverse tide pools along the coastal inner passage, where you have the potential to spot purple and orange starfish, crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and more! Potential to also see eagles in the trees, seals in the ocean. The variety of wildlife will change with the tide levels. When the season is right, you can also pick and enjoy the wild edible berries in this location! (rocky and sandy terrain)
30 minutes here
Ketchikan
Discover the charm of Herring Bay Village, home to the enchanting Native Totem Park and the masterful Bifrost Blacksmithing. Begin your journey at the Native Totem Park, where an engaging guide will unveil the rich stories behind these stunning works of art, illuminating their cultural significance and beauty. Next, witness the artistry at Bifrost Blacksmithing, where skilled blacksmiths Jake and Joron meticulously hand-forge their exquisite knives. Crafted in Ketchikan from recycled steel and elegantly complemented by handles made from the antlers of Sitka black-tailed deer, these knives are not just tools – they are unique pieces of art that embody craftsmanship and tradition. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this exceptional blend of artistry and heritage! Entry into this privately owned location, which includes the Totem Park and blacksmiths is $10 per person(ages 12 and under $5)upon arrival.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 11 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Emerald Forest Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 187 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
187 verified traveler reviews for Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages.... Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Splendid rainforest tour
My husband's father always dreamed of seeing Alaska so this last summer we wanted to make that a reality for him. We booked a long cruise with lots of stops and one of those was this gorgeous little area called Ketchikan. We found Emerald Forest Tours had the best price for our large party of 9. They picked us up right outside the ship and it was a good sized van so we all fit no problem. The guide took us around town a little bit and told us some of the history which my father in law loved. And the trail we walked was perfect because it wasn't rough at all but also still looked and felt like was the wild Alaska he always wanted to see. I actually worried a bit that he wouldn't be able to keep up (he's 73), but our guide kept us at the perfect place and knew plenty of scenic little spots for all of us to rest when we needed it. Looking back on it, I think it was maybe the best part of the whole cruise. It's worth seeing, that's for sure, and I'm glad we were able to make it happen.
Response from the operator: 😍
via Tripadvisor
Perfect Day in Ketchikan
This was a highlight of our cruise. Our guide, Bianca, was so engaged and determined to make our day great right from the start. We got the viewpoint of a local and enjoyed the typical sights along with the inside scoop. Of all our cruise stops our time with Bianca on our Emerald Forest Tour left us longing to spend more time in Ketchikan.
Response from the operator: 😍
via Tripadvisor
Best Alaskan Tour You Will Find
We were a large family with a huge age range. 8-77 and everywhere in between. It was raining, and I don’t mean misting, I mean RAINING. We still had the most amazing experience thanks largely to Bianca!!! The entire family thoroughly enjoyed our tour. We saw bears, eagles, starfish, and much more! Book this tour and throw any worries you have about booking out the window. Easily the best thing we did and a huge value for a private tour. Amazing!
Response from the operator: ❤️
via Tripadvisor
An Unforgettable Ketchikan Adventure with Bianca!
Our tour guide was Bianca, and she was absolutely fantastic—friendly, enthusiastic, energetic, and genuinely excited to share Ketchikan with us. We had such a memorable experience. During the tour, we saw a young eagle taking one of its first flights, starfish, fishermen fishing for salmon, bears, and some beautiful scenery. One of the highlights was a short but exciting trek through the forest around a waterfall, which made the experience feel like a real Alaskan adventure. The forest trek was a little challenging in places, but Bianca was wonderful, patiently helping everyone along the way and making sure we all felt comfortable and safe. She was incredibly kind and attentive to everyone in our group. The whole trip felt personal and authentic, and it gave us the opportunity to experience a side of Ketchikan that was a little more off the beaten path. It was truly one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to explore Ketchikan beyond the typical tourist stops—and if you get Bianca as your guide, you’re in for a treat!
Response from the operator: ❤️
via Tripadvisor
We booked this as the...
We booked this as the last excursion of our cruise. Our group included 2 kids (1 and 4) and 4 adults ages 30s-60s. Bianca was AMAZING! She interacted so well with our 4 year old, even pulling him away from the boring (in his mind) blacksmith presentation to show him a banana slug she found. She showed us everything we wanted and more, we got to do everything we wanted without feeling rushed and made the most out of a short port day. She also took amazing photos and videos she airdropped to us at the end. Thanks Bianca!!
Response from the operator: ❤️❤️😊thank you
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 65
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages...: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ketchikan.
How much does Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... cost?
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Prices start at $850 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ketchikan usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Ketchikan is not rushed.
Is Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 186 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Ketchikan, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages...?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages...?
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Around 65 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Ketchikan can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Ketchikan and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Ketchikan within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Ketchikan?
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Ketchikan runs short, cruise-timed excursions: Misty Fjords floatplane flights, Tongass rainforest zip lines, totem park tours, crab feasts and wildlife boats up the Behm Canal. On Outty we rank every Ketchikan experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Off the Beaten Path Ketchikan Photo Safari - 3 hr., Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour, Ketchikan Electric Bike and Rain Forest Hike Ecotour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Ketchikan?
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May to September, matching the Alaska cruise season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Ketchikan?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages...?
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Included: Pick up and drop off at cruise ship; and Private Transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 3 listed pickup locations in and around Ketchikan. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages...?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages... if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Ketchikan. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Emerald Forest Tours: Private Tours suitable for all ages...?
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Across 186 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
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