# Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion in Ward Cove Ketchikan *By James Hills — Updated September 2026* Alaska cruises are a different experience than almost anywhere else in the world. Depending on your exact itinerary, your ship may pass close enough to see wildlife and explore the coastline, but probably not. While there are many excursion options, few offer the perfect blend of authenticity, affordability, and opportunity to explore something new. That's exactly what we found though, with Lighthouse Excursions and their Lighthouse, Totems, and Eagles excursion from Ward Cove in Ketchikan. We booked this tour directly through Norwegian Cruise Line using our Free At Sea shore excursion credit for $169 per adult and so while this is far from a cheap option ... it provided a great opportunity for us to see parts of the state we hadn't been able to otherwise. ## Top Things To Do From Ward Cove ### Beautiful Nature Walk On Ketchikan's Ward Creek Trail Experience more than just a walk- Ward Creek Trail Nature Hike offers a unique blend of adventure and connection. With SE Alaska vibes, engaging conversations, and mindful moments, our guided hike immerses you in the beauty and history of Ward Creek. Small group sizes ensure a personalized experience, while our thoughtfully curated route leads you to the most scenic spots, perfect for reflection or stunning photos. Whether you are seeking peaceful nature or meaningful exploration, this hike promises unforgettable memories. Viator (affiliate) [See Current Price](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/3L0LGEMatk2SZMvFgyfpZQ.2392) ### Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles Excursion (Ward Cove) Lighthouse Excursions is a locally owned & operated Ketchikan tour company based out of Ward Cove. We pride yourselves on providing guests with an experience of Southeast Alaska through local eyes. Your Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion is a grab-bag of some of Ketchikan's top attractions, with a little something for everyone. Whether you're a lighthouse enthusiast, a history and culture buff, or love seeing wildlife in their natural environment, this tour is for you! We're passionate about where we live, and we love showing it off to guests from all over the world. Viator (affiliate) [See Current Price](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/3L0LGEMatk2SZMvFgyfpZQ.2387) ### Waterfront Shuttle Ward Cove to Downtown Ketchikan Skip the ordinary bus shuttle line and embrace the extraordinary as you cruise, sip, snack, and explore in style! Enjoy locally ground coffee, delicious sweet and savory snacks and beautiful surroundings to start your day of adventure in Ketchikan on our exclusive water shuttle to downtown Ketchikan. Express Boarding: Skip the hassle of waiting in long bus shuttle lines and enjoy express boarding onto our Waterfront Shuttle. Eliminate the usual wait times associated with traditional transportation methods and make the most of your port day in town. Immerse yourself in the local community as soon as you step onboard. Take in the breathtaking views of Ketchikan’s picturesque waterfront and scenic landscapes. The onboard crew will be available for any questions or suggestions of what not to miss in town! Viator (affiliate) [See Current Price](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/3L0LGEMatk2SZMvFgyfpZQ.2393) Promoted by FlowAds What Heather and I loved about this tour was that there was plenty of space on the tour boat and it was locally owned and operated by a husband and wife team and so there were stories and local color that is sometimes missing when working with corporate tour companies. Additionally, this excursion gave us a nice sampler of beautiful scenery, a chance to see some eagles, a view of Totem Bight Historical Park from the water, and then up to Guard Island Lighthouse before turning around to head back to the ship.  The tour departs from [Ward Cove](https://cruisewestcoast.com/things-to-do-ward-cove-alaska-cruise-port.html) and the dock is a short walk from the excursion center location though they also provide a shuttle bus for folks with mobility issues. While you will be on the boat the entire time, because of the walk and sometimes steep gangway (depending on tides), we encourage you to make sure to wear sturdy shoes that are comfortable for walking and avoid wearing flipflops or heels. Once at the boat, you have the opportunity to select a seat on the open-air top (our recommendation) or inside the climate-controlled first level that is glassed in and may be better in colder weather. Then the tour begins and while searching for your first bald eagles to spot, a member of the crew came around with hot chocolate and coffee to kep us warm. While there's obviously no guarantee whenever it comes to wild animal sitings, the captain was fantastic and locating spots along our route where there were nests and where they frequently find eagles. It can be a bit tough to see them from a distance so you should plan to bring [binoculars](https://cruisewestcoast.com/top-travel-binoculars-for-your-cruise.html) or a spotting scope. They did provide them for us to use but I feel more comfortable using my own, rather than sharing.     Our next stop was Totem Bight State Historical Park where you can see a fantastic collection of totems from the water - the way they were originally intentended. This area is home to an Alaskan Native clan house and 14 towering Tlingit and Haida hand-carved cedar totem poles. While all of the items are authentic, it was part of a CCC project during the great depression and during our brief stop to see the totems, our captain shared a bit of the history of the park and other efforts to restore and protect tribal history and culture in the area.     On the way to our next stop - Guard Island Light - one of the crew came around and provided us all with a special treat. Well, actually an entire plate of Alaska treats. This included pickled kelp, smoked salmon dip, candied salmon, and chocolate from a local chocolatier in Ketchikan. Little touches like this are what makes a tour memorable. It would have been easy to simply offer some warm chocolate chip cookies or something genaric but I'm a huge fan of exploring cultures by sharing food and this is a perfect example.     Our farthest out point is Guard Island Lighthouse, which was established in 1904 and still operates today.      Not only is this a nice piece of local history and makes for a great photo spot but the waters around the island are rich in marine life. While we weren't lucky to see anything on our tour, I'm told that it is not uncommon to see seals and sea lions, and in May and September, you may even find orcas and humpback whales here as well.   Viator (affiliate) ## Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles Excursion (Ward Cove) Lighthouse Excursions is a locally owned & operated Ketchikan tour company based out of Ward Cove. We pride yourselves on providing guests with an experience of Southeast Alaska through local eyes. Your Lighthouse, Totems & Eagles Excursion is a grab-bag of some of Ketchikan's top attractions, with a little something for everyone. Whether you're a lighthouse enthusiast, a history and culture buff, or love seeing wildlife in their natural environment, this tour is for you! We're passionate about where we live, and we love showing it off to guests from all over the world. [See Current Price](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/EmS7F21ddn5Iz57egCIr8Q.2387) Promoted by FlowAds   While the weather can change quickly in Alaska, the area where this boat travels during the tour is very well protected. On our tour day - as you can tell from the photos - the water was extremely calm. While there was a slight rocking, it was a very comfortable experience. However, I would recomend that you bring a windbreaker or hoodie since it can get quite chilly while the boat is in motion traveling from one spot to the next.     Lighthouse Excursions offers this tour through most major cruise lines that visit Ketchikan as well as Ward Cove, Alaska. Below is a list of links to individual cruise line shore excursion pages where you can find booking details. If you are on a cruise line that is not listed, they can also be booked directly depending on availability.   We had a fantastic time on board the Endeavor tour boat with the folks from [Light House Excursions](https://lighthouseexcursion.com/lighthouse-totems-eagles-excursions/), and we heartily recommend them if you are visiting this port. ### 🚢 Ready To Book A Cruise? #### This Isn't A New Problem: What We Can Do To Help Cruise Ships Avoid Hitting Whales In Alaska [This Isn't A New Problem: What We Can Do To Help Cruise Ships Avoid Hitting Whales In Alaska](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-ship-whale-strikes-alaska-why.html) [Plan Your Next Cruise Today!](https://cruisewestcoast.com/book-a-cruise.html) ### Latest Cruise News #### Holland America Opens 2028 Canada and New England Bookings With the Most Montréal Calls [Holland America Opens 2028 Canada and New England Bookings With the Most Montréal Calls](https://cruisewestcoast.com/holland-america-opens-2028-montreal-cruises-canada-new-england.html) ### Cruise Gear & Shopping Guides #### These Huk Classic Brewster Shoes Will Help You Avoid Slipping On A Wet Cruise Ship Deck [These Huk Classic Brewster Shoes Will Help You Avoid Slipping On A Wet Cruise Ship Deck](https://cruisewestcoast.com/huk-brewster-deck-shoe-review.html) #### Powerboost Move Is The Perfect Cruise Companion For Sore Muscles [Powerboost Move Is The Perfect Cruise Companion For Sore Muscles](https://cruisewestcoast.com/powerboost-move-is-the-perfect-cruise-companion-for-sore-muscles.html) #### How to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Without Overthinking It [How to Pack for an Alaska Cruise Without Overthinking It](https://cruisewestcoast.com/dressing-tips-to-stay-warm-and-comfortable-on-an-alaska-cruise.html) [Ask Cruise Questions Here!](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-questions-and-answers.html) #### From Carnival to Norwegian: Cruise Hacks We Love That Cruise Lines Keep Trying to Ban [From Carnival to Norwegian: Cruise Hacks We Love That Cruise Lines Keep Trying to Ban](https://cruisewestcoast.com/cruise-hacks-that-actually-work.html) #### Things To Do In Ketchikan Alaska On A Cruise Ship Visit [Things To Do In Ketchikan Alaska On A Cruise Ship Visit](https://cruisewestcoast.com/ketchikan-alaska.html) #### Oceania Cruises Unveils New Go Green Tours [Oceania Cruises Unveils New Go Green Tours](https://cruisewestcoast.com/oceania-cruises-unveils-new-go-green-tours.html) We are dedicated to supporting a community of west coast cruisers from ports including [San Diego](index.php?Itemid=838), [Los Angeles](index.php?Itemid=839), [San Francisco](index.php?Itemid=840), [Seattle](index.php?Itemid=841), and [Vancouver](index.php?Itemid=842) as they set sail to destinations worldwide. 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