Getting to Metlakatla/Annette Island

Has anyone done this when in Ketchikan? Port time is 10 am to 6 pm. The available flights don't seem to work well with those times, nor does the ferry schedule.

Do the schedules change in spring/summer? We are looking at an early May cruise.

I have heard speculation of trying to develop touring this area. At this time, I'd suggest a charter. I've done this several times for my touring preferences for flights and boats. Yes, costly, but always well worth it to me, for my touring priorities.

VennDiagram, are you sailing on HAL? If you are, you may want to check the cruiseline's excursion list. I'm not sure if it still holds true, but back in 2014, HAL offered a tour to Annette Island. I had wanted to do it, but then went on an independent bear excursion instead.

I have heard speculation of trying to develop touring this area. At this time, I'd suggest a charter. I've done this several times for my touring preferences for flights and boats. Yes, costly, but always well worth it to me, for my touring priorities.

So just to be clear :) You suggest we charter a boat or plane to get there? Thanks, I will check. Do you have any suggestions for plane or boat charter? (I prefer recommendations vs google when possible)

VennDiagram, are you sailing on HAL? If you are, you may want to check the cruiseline's excursion list. I'm not sure if it still holds true, but back in 2014, HAL offered a tour to Annette Island. I had wanted to do it, but then went on an independent bear excursion instead.

Thanks yes on HAL. That excursion still shows on the Allen Marine site as being offered for HAL and Princess cruisers. Not quite what I want, seems like the boat trip is the biggest part of the tour -- 1 hr each way if I'm reading it correctly -- with 1 hr or so around a bonfire on the island.

I'm hoping for more time on the island, with a chance to visit the village.

I've got some time to figure this out, if I can. I haven't even got my cruise booked yet :D

Do you have information on what can be seen on Metlanka? It's a port stop on my cruise and it's hard to find information on.

We are there from 7 AM to 5 PM so long enough to do more than wander around the town.

The town website doesn't have much. Most mentions are about short excursions from Ketchican rather than something to do with a day there. This was the most I've found:

https://www.travelalaska.com/destinations/communities/metlakatla.aspx

new_cruiser, what ship are you going to be on? I would think if you are there as a port stop for a day, there would be some tours available through the ship?

And BQ, my apologies, I neglected to THANK you :)

I'm on Windstar Star Legend. Here's a link to the itinerary:

https://www.windstarcruises.com/cruise/itinerary-ports/alaska/wonders-of-alaska-and-canada/?id=231&sid=1683

They don't have any excursions listed for Metlakatla yet. They have some kayaks and zodiacs on the ship and I think that we are going to be anchored in that port so there may be something on those. The port description mentions the song and dance shows in the longhouse.

Wow that is an amaaaaaazing itinerary (y)

There are taxis and car rentals available on the island, and there is a tour company that I found, that sounds quite small http://www.laughingberry.com/metlakatla-tours.html

I suspect that there will be some things available through your ship with a bit more time.

I'm not doing any booking until I figure out how to get there ;)

I'm on Windstar Star Legend. Here's a link to the itinerary:

https://www.windstarcruises.com/cruise/itinerary-ports/alaska/wonders-of-alaska-and-canada/?id=231&sid=1683

 

They don't have any excursions listed for Metlakatla yet. They have some kayaks and zodiacs on the ship and I think that we are going to be anchored in that port so there may be something on those. The port description mentions the song and dance shows in the longhouse.

I have hit every one of the ports you are visiting on a small boat cruise in AK. It is a unique and great itinerary. You will love it.

The jet boat excursion in Wrangell is pricey but is a great excursion. Check out these guys as opposed to doing the ship tour - http://www.breakawayadventures.com/price-list.html. They are much cheaper than the ship tour and there is a good chance that they are actually the ones doing the ship tour. We have done 5 tours w them over our 3 visits to Wrangell including 2 of them to Anan. Breakaway also does a private Anan tour which you could do. Unfortunately, you will not have the time to do both. They are a great bunch of people and do great tours.

DON

I'm on Windstar Star Legend. Here's a link to the itinerary:

https://www.windstarcruises.com/cruise/itinerary-ports/alaska/wonders-of-alaska-and-canada/?id=231&sid=1683

They don't have any excursions listed for Metlakatla yet. They have some kayaks and zodiacs on the ship and I think that we are going to be anchored in that port so there may be something on those. The port description mentions the song and dance shows in the longhouse.

We’ve been looking at that trip as well. I received an email from Windstar this morning that indicated their Kayak and Zodiac use is limited to organized excursions. Kayak excursions are $170 per person and Zodiacs are $150. That really crosses the ridiculous line. UnCruise and Alaskan Dream provide those for free. Lindblad has free kayak use.

Even if the ferry schedule works, looks like the terminal is about 15 miles from town.

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/comm/metlakatla.shtml

Taquan Air has scheduled service. See if their schedule works for you.

Also, Metlakatla Tours has a facebook page. Might be closed for the season but email or call for info.

Thanks!

The ferry dock location is one of the reasons I know there are cabs on the island :D but the ferry schedule shown currently doesn't really work. Taquan's flights don't seem to work either for our port time :(

Thanks!

 

The ferry dock location is one of the reasons I know there are cabs on the island :D but the ferry schedule shown currently doesn't really work. Taquan's flights don't seem to work either for our port time :(

I think the summer ferry schedule comes out late January.

At this point they'll have a draft .... call and ask. Or call the Ketchikan terminal since they will have first hand knowledge of the usual summer schedules