Lift off the Tongass channel in a tiny floatplane and soar over the 2.2-million-acre Misty Fjords National Monument, the 'Yosemite of the North' where 3,000-foot granite walls plunge straight into emerald saltwater laced with waterfalls and hidden lakes. The pilot sets the plane down on a glassy alpine lake or calm bay so you step onto the pontoon in total wilderness silence. This is the single most talk-worthy thing you can do in Ketchikan, and because it's weather-dependent you book the first available slot and go the moment the clouds lift.
What to expect
You'll lift off from Tongass Channel in a tiny floatplane and climb into views of the 2.2-million-acre Misty Fjords National Monument—3,000-foot granite walls plunging directly into emerald saltwater, waterfalls threading down cliff faces, and hidden alpine lakes scattered across the wilderness. The pilot navigates you through this cathedral of stone and ice, pointing out the landscape that earns Misty Fjords its 'Yosemite of the North' reputation. Then the engines throttle back and the floatplane descends, pontoons touching down on a glassy alpine lake or calm bay, where you step onto the float into absolute silence—the only sounds water, wind, and wilderness. This 2-hour flight (2.5 hours door-to-door) is the single most talked-about experience in Ketchikan, a moment of total isolation in one of Alaska's most dramatic landscapes.
Direct wins big: Princess sells essentially the same floatplane flight as 'Misty Fjords Executive Flightseeing' at $509 ($585 for the extended version). Booking Island Wings direct at $395 saves roughly $115-190/person on the same aircraft and route, and you fly with the owner-pilot in a smaller group.
Good to know
Book Island Wings Air Service directly ($395/person) rather than through the ship to save $115–190 and fly in a smaller group with the owner-pilot. This excursion is weather-dependent; book the first available time slot and be ready to depart the moment conditions clear, as flights fill fast and rescheduling may not be possible during your port call. Ground transfer is included, but confirm your pickup location at the pier when you book; plan to be back at the ship with at least 30 minutes to spare before all-aboard. Bring sunscreen and a camera with a charged battery—you'll want both for unobstructed views, and phone service is nonexistent once airborne.