Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour from Ketchikan
About this activity
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- This option has FREE cancellation: book it without any risk!
Experience Highlights
Experience a real Deadliest Catch adventure as you climb aboard the Aleutian Ballad, the legendary 33m vessel that survived the waves of the Bering Sea and now plies the sheltered waters of the Inside Passage.
For 3 hours you will accompany a crew of professional fishermen who hoist 320 kg pots full of king crab, octopus and prawns as they share their most exciting stories. Between manoeuvres, enjoy a heated seat in the covered amphitheatre or the fresh air on the upper deck.
Boarding is at the cruise piers in downtown Ketchikan; present your voucher 15 minutes prior to departure. The activity is offered in English, is suitable for travellers aged 5 years and older, and takes place in calm waters with no risk of rough seas.
- Book in advance and secure your place: limited departures.
- See king crabs, starfish and moreup close and personal
- Enjoy hot drinks while listening to seafaring tales
What’s included
- 3-hour cruise on board the Aleutian Ballad
- Live demonstrations of crabbing and other fishing gear
- Narration in English by professional sailors
- Hot drinks (coffee, tea, chocolate)
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Step by Step
If you're a fan of the TV show about Alaska's most dangerous trades, you'll immediately recognise the Aleutian Ballad: the boat that dodged an 18-metre wave in the middle of a storm in the Bering Sea. Today, that same vessel opens its hatches to show you the real - and safe - side of commercial fishing.
As soon as you set sail, you'll take a seat in an air-conditioned amphitheatre with panoramic views as the crew unfurl pots and longlines. To the rhythm of the winch, you'll see king crab, snow crab, prawns, rockfish and even giant Pacific octopus emerge and pass into an observation tank for you to touch, photograph and learn at your leisure.
The captain stops the engine every time nature presents a special moment: bald eagles swooping down for bait, curious sea lions or, if you're lucky, the blow of a humpback whale in the distance. It all happens in the calm waters of the Inside Passage, making the trip comfortable even for those who fear seasickness.
Between demonstrations, the crew offers coffee, tea or hot chocolate to warm you up and shares anecdotes about life on board, the local fishing culture and the challenges of conserving these iconic species. The atmosphere is intimate: the sailors are not actors, but real fishermen eager to pass on their passion.
When you return to the dock, you do so with the smell of saltpetre still in the air, your camera full of snapshots and the certainty of having experienced one of Alaska's most authentic marine stories.
