Are you ready for a thrilling Alaskan adventure? We took the Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast tour on our recent visit to Ketchikan. In this review, we share our thoughts on this excursion and compare it to another popular tour, which we enjoyed previously.
Ketchikan, in Southeast Alaska, might be better known as the “Salmon capital of the world.” However, its waters have an abundance of Dungeness crab.
The crab tour starts out in George Inlet Lodge, where we boarded a small vessel. During this hands-on excursion, we could volunteer to pull up crab pots from the beautiful waters surrounding Revillagigedo Island, which overflows with crab.
Those new to the 49th state can experience life as a local Alaskan while learning about the region’s history and wildlife. The crab feast is the highlight for many on this excursion, and a great way to enjoy a port day in Ketchikan. However, there are other options for those who don’t eat seafood.
Getting To George Inlet Lodge
The George Inlet Lodge is at the heart of the Crab Feast Wilderness Exploration experience. It takes a 20-minute bus ride to reach this rustic establishment from the Ketchikan cruise port downtown. The lodge serves as the gateway to the Alaskan wilderness.
We passed local attractions, including Creek Street, Saxman Native Village, and Herring Cove. The latter is a popular place to see black bears in summer, and we were lucky to see one at that spot during our return ride.
Once we arrived, we had to ascend a lengthy staircase of 79 steps to reach the lodge. For the mobility-challenged, a van was available for a ride down.
Best Time To Go
The Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast is available from May to September, generally considered the best time to visit Ketchikan.
Since the excursion involves a boat tour and crab feast, arriving with an appetite is best. We booked a time around lunch so we could enjoy a midday crab meal. Our tour started with the boat ride and finished with lunch, but the boat ride could follow the feast.
If you book an early tour and the meal comes first, you could eat crab for breakfast. Guests who opt for a later tour may not have room for dinner after the all-you-can-eat meal. So, pick a time when you’ll be hungry.
The Crab Boat Experience
Our adventure began with stepping onto a 46-foot crab boat, a comfortable vessel with one level of seating. The sightseeing boat was equipped with a bathroom and a small outdoor platform at the aft, perfect for picture-taking.
The boat ride was an excellent opportunity to take in the fjord’s stunning scenery and learn about Ketchikan’s history from our knowledgeable guide.
Since Ketchikan experiences a lot of rain, a waterproof jacket is recommended. Binoculars and a camera are also handy for spotting wildlife and taking pictures.
Libby’s Cannery
During our tour, we passed by Libby’s Cannery, once a bustling hub for the local fishing industry. Our guide, Nicki, shared with us the cannery’s history and how it played a significant role in the development of Ketchikan.
Part of the warehouses has old cannery equipment and operates as a museum. However, one building now serves as a popular wedding and party venue.
Unexpected Wildlife Sightings
As we continued our journey up the inlet, we were lucky to spot some unexpected wildlife. We saw several pods of Orca, attracted by the area’s salmon run.
Nicki pointed out that a male Orca is easily spotted by its six-foot-high dorsal fin. We could see one male amongst the cows and calves.
On our return run, we approached a bald eagle’s nest. Eagle pairs mate for life; at this nest, we saw a male and female named Harold and Agnes.
Our guide threw them some herring pieces so we could see the eagles swooping down close to our vessel.
Types Of Crab Caught
Once we arrived at a crab estuary, volunteers were asked to pull up a crab pot and examine its catch. We were thrilled to see four Dungeness crabs of varying sizes in it.
While there are square and round crab pots, they all have a trigger device that allows the crabs to enter and not escape. However, the escape mechanism is closed with a biodegradable cord. This allows the cord to rot and crabs to escape if the crab pot is lost at sea.
Our guide removed the crabs and showed us how to tell the difference between males and females. Once everyone had a good look, the crabs were set free in the ocean.
The Dungeness crabs caught are not consumed at the George Inlet Lodge. They get their catch from a local company.
George Inlet Lodge Crab Feast
For many, the meal at George Inlet Lodge highlights this shore excursion. It’s one of the top places to eat crab in Alaska, especially for those with big appetites. However, guests who didn’t eat seafood were offered a chicken or pasta dish instead.
The dining space was small, with shared tables. We sat with another couple on our cruise ship.
Our crab feast started with a complimentary drink of soda, beer, wine, water, or coffee. We then moved on to the salad and all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab. The servers came around and gave us one or two halves of a crab with four legs.
We had eaten Dungeness on a previous trip to Sitka and had preferred the king crab instead. However, this crab tasted fresher and was remarkably better than our first encounter.
After the first helping was consumed, the servers came around again and then again. I managed three half crabs, and my husband Brian ate four. But who’s counting?
During peak season, the lodge cooks up to 800 lbs. of Dungeness crab daily! Holy Crab – that’s a lot of legs!!
The crab was delicious but incredibly messy, and we wondered why the lodge’s dining room had carpet instead of flooring.
For dessert, the lodge served delicious blueberry cheesecake made from scratch in their kitchen. While I couldn’t eat the dessert due to allergies, my husband remarked it was fantastic.
The Crab Shell Game
The servers encouraged guests to play the crab shell game as part of the crab feast. We were given a small plate to discard our shells, but we needed to pile them up to create the highest tower.
Some tables got creative by putting a plate on a glass, followed by another plate. We were too busy eating crab to play along, so our pile wasn’t so high. The winning table created a tower 30” high and won a coupon to use in the gift shop.
After the feast, we exited the dining room and were shocked to see a mess of crab shells on the carpet.
Outside, there was a small gift shop, a stuffed black bear, and a place to take a selfie with a giant crab. The men’s and women’s bathrooms only had room for one, so be aware—the lines were long.
Remember those 79 stairs to get down to the lodge? Well, guests need to ascend those steps to return to the bus.
Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast Vs. Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour
We understand that choosing between the Wilderness Crab Feast and the Bering Sea Crab Tour can be a tough decision.
We have done both, and each is amazing in its own way. However, there are some key differences that we would like to highlight to help you make an informed decision.
Price
The price of both tours is similar. One lasts four hours but requires a 40-minute bus ride to and from George Inlet Lodge. The other, a three-hour tour requires guests to board their touring vessel at the Ketchikan cruise port.
However, it’s important to note that the Wilderness Crab Feast includes an all-you-can-eat crab feast, while the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour does not.
Tour Experience
The Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast takes guests on a journey up a fjord surrounded by the Tongass Rainforest, where they can volunteer to pull up a crab pot. Only one pot is pulled up and contains only one species of crab, Dungeness.
However, it includes an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab feast, a must for crab lovers.
Alternatively, the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour occurs on the Aleutian Ballad. That vessel was once used in the industry and featured on the Deadliest Catch TV show.
We heard stories from some crew members, saw different crab species, and got to hold them. It provided a more authentic experience of crab fishing.
Both tours offer unique experiences that showcase the beauty and culture of Alaska. For us, we preferred the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour.
Accessibility
The Wilderness Exploration & Crab Feast is suitable for all ages. However, those who use a wheelchair or scooter must be able to transition to a bus and boat.
Alternatively, the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour is wheelchair-friendly. A section at the front of the vessel is reserved for wheelchair users, and a ramp provides easy access to board the boat.
Ultimately, personal preference will determine your choice and what you want to get out of your tour experience.
Other Places To Eat Crab In Ketchikan
We have a few recommendations if you’re looking for other places to try crab in Ketchikan. While we highly recommend the Crab Feast, you can also purchase just the dining option without the boat tour.
Haven’t got your tickets yet?
Alternatively, here are some places to check out:
1. Alaska King Crab Company
The Alaska King Crab Company is located near berth one of the Ketchikan cruise port. It has a whole lot of crab choices, as follows:
- Dungeness crab and corn bisque.
- Dungeness and king crab.
- Crab cakes.
- Crab wontons.
- Crab cake sandwiches.
2. Alaska Fish House
The Alaska Fish House is a popular spot for seafood in Ketchikan. They offer a variety of dishes, including Dungeness crab, salmon chowder, and fish tacos.
The crab legs, served with drawn butter, are a customer favorite. While this venue serves Dungeness, it doesn’t offer king crab.
3. Annabelle’s Keg and Chowder House
Annabelle’s Keg and Chowder House is a popular seafood spot in Ketchikan. They offer a variety of dishes, including crab legs, crab cakes, and seafood bisque.
Annabelle’s is known for its chowder. Why try one when you can opt for the Three Chowder Sampler?
4. Ketchikan Crab & Go
Ketchikan Crab & Go is the town’s newest crab restaurant at 5 Salmon Landing. We found it to have the highest prices of all crab restaurants in the coastal cities.
Its crab legs were served cold, which we weren’t fond of. However, it offers other dishes, such as crab fries and Dungeness crab melt.
