Ketchikan Tour: Explore in a '67 Volkswagen Van

Discover Ketchikan’s history and nature in a ‘67 VW van. Customize your tour and explore beaches, waterfalls, and scenic spots with a local guide.

Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Ketchikan - The group will be welcomed at Berth 2 near the Rock Statue.
  • Ketchikan - While traveling through historic Ketchikan, participants will discover the town’s vibrant history.
  • Rotary Beach - At Rotary Beach, there will be an opportunity to explore an Alaskan beach. Guides will highlight the unique flora and fauna, some exclusive…
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • Local Guide
  • Van equipped with seat belts
What's Not Included
  • On-board WiFi
  • On-board restrooms
Additional Information

Discover Ketchikan in our classic ‘67 Volkswagen van. Immerse yourself in the vibrant history of Ketchikan, its rich Native heritage, and the diverse flora and fauna that make Southeast Alaska a remarkable destination. Our itinerary includes a visit to a local Alaskan beach for intertidal exploration (subject to tides), photo opportunities along Nichols…

Location
Ketchikan Visitors Bureau
Front Street
We will be parked at Berth 2 between the Visitors Bureau and the Tongass Trading Dock Store. We will meet you at the bronze statue called "The Rock" with a sign. If you are cruising on NCL, you will have to take the free shuttle to town walk to Berth 2 to meet us.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(45 Ratings)
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1 star
572opalp
Jun 9, 2025
Best excursion of our 10 day cruise - Tristan, was awesome! We were just going to take an uber and hike a couple place, then by chance we saw the VW Van. It was our best trip on our cuise. It was so personal and we got to see and do so much!!! I would highly recommed taking this tour in Ketchikan! We enjoyed the ride, conversation, and everystop. My kids loved that Tristan showed them how to find crabs on shore, and talked to them about the different jelly fish and even encourged them to touch and expericance the shore. Stopping to see a bear trail. Then at a native villiage to see and her about totem poles. The largest waterfall of the trip. Plus gave us an awesome lunch recommendtion.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie_m
Jun 9, 2025
AMAZING !! Can’t Beat This Trip!! A++++++++ - We had a terrific day in the ‘67 VW van getting a private tour from Tristan and Ashely. It was such a wonderful tour filled with adventure and excitement! We saw 5 bears, multiple eagles, seal, starfish, crabs, jellyfish, etc. We also saw a GORGEOUS waterfall. This trip is good for all ages ! Tristan and Ashely are so knowledgeable about the wildlife, history, and geology. We learned so much from them, and we didn’t want it to end. This is a MUST DO trip.
Review provided by Viator
Elleno575
May 31, 2025
Can't miss Ketchikan tour!! - Tristan and Ashley are wonderful tour guides. We learned so much about marine life, wildlife, habitat, etc in Ketchikan. We saw bald eagles, my favorite and a bear, early in the season. Tristan and Ashley are really well educated and knowledgeable about Alaskan history and wildlife. Totem poles are amazing and the smell of cedar is intoxicating. Their vintage Volkswagen van is really cute with so many customized upgrades including really comfy seats. It really added to the experience having a guide who grew up in Alaska and a previous park ranger. In short our private tour was amazing!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G8559octheresem
May 29, 2025
Special memories made in the VW Van!! - Tristan has a wealth of experience in the area and provided us lots of background - but not just the usual info! We all loved learning more about the tide pools and their occupants, as well as local eagles, foliage and animals (hoping for bears, but they were scared of us!). It was great to hear about the fishing industry and how locals live in the off season… the VW van was awesome and got us all over town. Don’t miss this special experience!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Missy_p
May 26, 2025
Fun way to see Ketchikan! - This was a fun and unique way to experience Ketchikan! Tristan, was our guide and driver, and very accommodating of our questions and wanting to learn more about the local area, including making an unplanned stop to see totem poles and local indigenous artists. Highly recommend booking a tour with Tristian and Ashley if you are cruising and looking for an excursion in Ketchikan.
Review provided by Viator
Divetide
May 22, 2025
Fun, educational, private tour worth every penny. - Ashley and Tristan were great guides for our private beachcombing tour which lasted two hours. Ashley has a degree in Marine Science and Tristan who has been a captain and guide for many years in the are; they are super knowledgeable. They both are very professional, make you feel right at home and will take the time to show you many things. We went early in the morning as the tide needs to be out and we saw many amazing sea "creatures" including: sea stars, anemones, gunnels, decorator crabs, scalpins, gum boot chiton (they looked like a football) to name a few. We got to touch many of them. Ashley and Tristan told us about each animal and their habitat. They then drove us to a nearby waterfall for family pictures. The VW van has been completely restored with Tristan doing much of the work and his pride shows when he talks about the project. We highly recommend this new tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lovestotravel061
May 21, 2025
A must do tour! - Ashley and Tristen were super! They took us at low tide to the beach and we got to see many different types of sea creatures. Some of what we saw were various types of sea stars, sea anemones, gunnels, barnacles, various sea weed, and so much more. They took us out to a huge waterfall for pictures and stopped at Herring Cove to watch the bear. They were friendly and answered our many questions during our tour. The VW van was a great treat to ride in too. I highly recommend this tour and would go again if in the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dean_b
May 20, 2025
Outstanding Tour!! - This was an incredible experience. Personal tour guide who has lived in Alaska their entire life is invaluable. Tristen was excellent and showed us things nobody else could have without his intimate knowledge of the area.
Review provided by Viator
59carieh
May 19, 2025
Excellent - Great locations. Awesome knowledge. Great! Awesome scenery! Highly recommend!!! Easy day of travel and we did see more than we knew was here.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirsten_c
May 15, 2025
Loved the tour! - Wow, what a super great tour with a local company! Absolutely stunning views & very informative would definitely do this again. Tristan is super nice. Thank you so much my family was so happy!!
Review provided by Viator
From $500 (Per Group)
up to 6 guests
1 - Traveler
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).