2025 Flotilla to Alaska Day 22 - Ketchikan to Kasaan
by Laura Domela 19 Jun 22:40 PDT
2025 Flotilla to Alaska Day 22 © Laura Domela
We departed the docks in Ketchikan by 6am, hoping for a nice smooth cruise across Clarence Strait (which isn't always guaranteed). We dodged (okay not really "dodged") a couple cruise ships on our way north in Tongass Narrows, and were met with relatively calm water and not much wind as we crossed Clarence and headed into Kasaan Bay.
We've been visiting Kasaan on our own (and once with a small flotilla) since 2015, and it's always a favorite stop. Normally we can come in and tie up at the State of Alaska dock, wander the path into town, have a bite at the Totem Trail Cafe if they're open, walk the trail through the forest to the totem poles and longhouse, and soak up the history of this magical place.
This time, based on information in the 2025 Waggoner Guide that says "Access to the Kasaan Totem Park and the Sonihat Whale House is by tour only, contact so and so at this number to arrange for a tour" I thought "Uh oh, sounds like things have changed!" so I called the number for the tour guide. We are of course fine paying to support support the village and pay for a guide's expertise, but I was really surprised that we wouldn't be allowed to even walk the trail without a guide. The guide was out of town and I got a call back from a woman in his office. She said that in fact nothing has changed since we've been visiting, and to come in and just see Kasaan like we usually do. So that was nice to hear. She just asked us to leave the outside of the newer dock for the small cruise boat that was scheduled to come in at 2pm today. No problem!
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