Alaska's bustling First City and a major port of entry, Ketchikan offers full city services along Tongass Narrows, though the busy, deep channel makes the public floats far more practical than anchoring.
Ketchikan sprawls along the east bank of Tongass Narrows on Revillagigedo Island, and for most cruisers it is a moorage town rather than an anchorage. Four City of Ketchikan public harbors line the waterfront: Thomas Basin, the historic fishing port tucked behind a breakwater beside the downtown cruise docks; Casey Moran (City Float), largely open transient moorage in the heart of town; and Bar Harbor (North and South floats), which sits closer to the hardware store, chandlery, grocery, and houses the harbormaster's office. Moorage is offered as open (first-come, first-served) or hot berthing in a vacated slip; transient permits are pre-paid. Hail the harbormaster on VHF 73 or 16.
As Alaska's first port of entry northbound, Ketchikan is a U.S. Customs/CBP clearance point and a full-service stop: fuel, water, power, restrooms, showers, marine repair, provisioning, restaurants, and public transit are all within walking distance of the floats. It is also one of the busiest waterfronts in Southeast, with over 500 cruise-ship calls a season plus a constant stream of floatplanes, ferries, charter, and commercial fishing traffic sharing the narrows.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Ketchikan is approached from the south via Revillagigedo Channel or through Tongass Narrows, a roughly 14-mile channel split by Pennock Island. The fairway is well-marked and navigable, but tidal current runs through the narrows and combines with extremely heavy, fast-moving traffic: cruise ships, the Alaska state ferry, water taxis, charter boats, and floatplanes landing and taking off directly in the channel. Keep a sharp watch, monitor VHF, and stay well clear of the seaplane operating areas.
True anchoring opportunities right at Ketchikan are limited: mid-channel depths run 15 to 26 fathoms, the bottom drops off steeply near shore, and regulated traffic and safety zones discourage swinging on the hook. Cruisers wanting to anchor generally move out of the narrows to coves north or south of town; in town, plan to take a slip.
Wind protection summary and tide planning at a glance. Full per-direction and 7-day detail with Plus.
Live readings from the nearest OpenWeather station and WorldTides; refreshed every few minutes.
Source: OpenWeather One Call API + WorldTides.
A curated photo + map walkthrough showing approach, mooring options, and points of interest.
A guided walkthrough of Ketchikan with approach photos, depth notes, and points of interest — written by members who have been here recently.
Real first-hand reports and questions answered by members who have actually been here.
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