As a visitor to Ketchikan, you have the choice to pre-book with the cruise line or shop independently. Because port time and tour space are limited, it is suggested that tours be booked through the cruise line to guarantee pre-defined tour times that best suit your port schedule. We are a vendor with cruise lines and can assist you in booking our tours that is offered aboard your ship.
Choose the tour you are interested in, click the Book Now button and complete the booking form.
We will pick you up at the Rain Gauge near The Rock statue in downtown Ketchikan. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start time. Directions will be included in your confirmation email.
For flightseeing tours cancellations within 14 days and no-shows are charged the full fare; cancellations outside of 14 days will be charged a $25.00 per person cancellation fee.
The weather is temperate and it can rain an average of 11.8 feet annually. Average temperatures can range between 51 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months.
Like many Southeast Alaska communities, Ketchikan is located at sea level and experiences a wide tidal range. The tides fluctuate from -4.2 to 20.6 feet and change from high to low every 6 hours.
It is always wise to be able to dress in layers with a waterproof outwear. Depending on your activities, you may need to bring a couple of choices for footwear, including one that is water repellent or resistant.
Bears congregate in specific viewing areas as early as mid-July through September. Bears feed on salmon spawning or preparing to spawn in streams.
There is a substantial difference in the amount of sunlight between the summer and the winter months. We average over 17 hours of daylight in June and just over 7 hours in December.
Tipping is not required, however if you think any of our staff provided that extra effort in service, then tips are always appreciated.
Although Alaska resides in the United States, if you are cruising here, some portions of travel may require a passport. Be sure to identify all points along your vacation to ensure you do or do not need a passport to participate.
All local businesses accept US currency. Many banks can exchange foreign currency for visitors.
A floatplane uses water as its runway by using floats or pontoons instead of wheels. Floatplanes are used throughout Southeast Alaska to access remote locations and communities that don’t have land-based runways.
“Village by the sea” in Tsimshian. Taquan is also associated with the alternate name for Annette Island, Taak’w Aan, located in the Gravina Island, across the channel from Revillagigedo Island.
Taquan Air celebrated its 40th anniversary serving Southeast Alaska in 2017. Taquan Air is recognized as one of the most successful floatplane operations in Alaska. The company’s success can be attributed to safe, simple, and profitable operations by flying a standardized fleet and being customer service driven.
Taquan Air is one of the only airlines in Ketchikan that is endorsed and supported by all major cruise lines that call to port. We have consistently received superior quality ratings both internally and on-board cruise ships.
Taquan maintains an exceptionally high level of professional integrity and will not compromise safety or good business practices. Management has committed the company to be the top floatplane operator in Alaska. Taquan Air’s value statement begins with a companywide safety culture.
Taquan operates from a state of the art, custom built facility. Our terminal and passenger lobby offer a first-class water view to our floatplane dock that extends onto a large waterfront patio. Taquan Air offers superior excellence in a clean, well-kept, and professional environment.
Our fleet of DeHavilland Beaver and Otter aircraft is meticulously cared for by our own maintenance department. Taquan Air maintains a policy of adherence to the highest FAA Aircraft Maintenance Standards and routinely exceeds those standards. All routine maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alterations to the aircraft, engines, propellers and appliances are performed in accordance with FAA regulations, manufacturer’s service bulletins, airworthiness directives, and the highest quality maintenance practices.
Taquan Air participates in the Medallion Foundation Aviation Safety Program which provides safety management systems and support to Alaska aviators. There is a Five-Star Program to provide process guidelines, training, and follow up with audit support and coordination to ensure compliance. Taquan Air has been awarded 5 out of the 5 stars and has been awarded the coveted Medallion Shield award. The five stars awarded are:
★ VFR Pilot – PCATD/Simulator Training Program
★ Operational Risk Management
★ Maintenance and Ground Service Operations
★ Safety Program
★ Internal Audit Program
The Medallion Five Star Shield program is an enhanced Safety Management System that is voluntary and focuses on establishing and sustaining an elevated level of safety performance through:
To maintain Shield status, the operator must successfully pass an audit each year. Learn more at Medallion Foundation.
Taquan guests fly in either DeHavilland Beaver (6 passenger) or Otter (10 passenger) aircraft. Taquan Air is committed to having the finest fleet in commercial operation while maintaining the highest level of safety in ground and flight operations. The company’s comprehensive maintenance program is staffed with a highly trained and experienced team of professionals working in a state-of-the-art facility. Through this program, the company has completely refurbished all its aircraft to like-new standards.
Yes, everyone has a window seat.
Passenger names and weights are required by the FAA for weight and balance calculations and flight manifesting. To ensure aircraft weight and balance is within operating parameters, guests weighing 250 lbs. (clothed weight) or more may be required to pay an additional surcharge of $150 over the published fare direct to the tour operator.
If you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to take precautions before the tour begins. Our flights are smooth, with slow and gentle turns. Most people do not get sick as this is a professional flightseeing tour, not a thrill ride
Yes. We also offer charters, scheduled passenger flights, and haul mail and freight to local communities year-round.
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Columbus Day/Indigenous
People’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Independence Day
Veteran’s Day
President’s Day
Labor Day
In January 2021, Taquan Air became the first Part 135 Air Taxi Operator in the State of Alaska to receive the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) acceptance of a Safety Management System (SMS) developed in accordance with the standards and requirements set forth in the FAA’s SMS Voluntary Program.
AN ORGANIZATION-WIDE PROGRAM TO MANAGE SAFETY IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Taquan customers enjoy our state-of-the-art, custom-built facility, with a comfortable lobby, water view and floatplane dock with its waterfront patio.
The 16,000 square foot facility is located in Ketchikan’s 6.0 acre Harbor Point Business Park located at 4085 Tongass Avenue. Vehicles access the business park via a separate entrance and exit driveways from Tongass Avenue, with motorcoach loading, unloading and staging areas as well as ample short and long-term parking for customers.
The spacious check-in area, passenger lounge, gift shop and restrooms are specifically designed to handle groups large and small. Other features in this spacious complex include:
Administrative and flight operations offices
Extended passenger access ramps
Hangar space for up to six aircraft
Extensive storage for freight and U.S. Mail
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Take-off weight |
3796 kg |
8367 lbs |
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14.99 m |
45 ft 10 in |
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Take-off weight |
2540 kg |
5600 lbs |
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Length |
9.98m |
32 ft 9 in |
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