About the Port
Misty Fjords National Monument unfolds within the Tongass National Forest near Ketchikan, its granite cliffs rising as much as 3,000 feet from narrow, glacier-carved waterways. Waterfalls thread down sheer rock faces into still, dark water, while low clouds drift among the peaks, lending the landscape a hushed, primeval quality that inspired naturalist John Muir's admiration. Bald eagles patrol the shoreline and harbor seals haul out on rocky ledges, part of a wilderness ecosystem that remains largely undisturbed by development.
Access is by water and air rather than by road, with vessels navigating Rudyerd Bay's narrow channels for close views of the cliffs and cascades. Floatplane tours offer an aerial perspective on the fjord system's scale, revealing lakes and valleys hidden beyond the shoreline. No towns or piers interrupt the monument itself, so travelers experience it entirely from the water or air, making the nearby port of Ketchikan the practical gateway for excursions into this protected corner of southeast Alaska.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Misty Fjords / Rudyerd Bay.
Take a Floatplane Flightseeing Tour
Board a floatplane from Ketchikan for an aerial sweep over Rudyerd Bay's cliffs, hidden lakes, and waterfalls—roughly 1.5 to 2 hours round-trip and best booked well ahead, as seats are limited.
Cruise Rudyerd Bay by Small Boat
Navigate the narrow, glacier-carved channel by tour boat or kayak for close-up views of the 3,000-foot granite walls and cascading waterfalls unreachable by larger vessels.
Scan the Shoreline for Wildlife
Keep watch from the deck or shore for bald eagles perched on snags and harbor seals hauled out on rocky ledges, both common sights in this undisturbed wilderness.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Misty Fjords / Rudyerd Bay
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2026 | Windstar | Star Seeker | 10 | $7,209 | |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 10 | $7,907 | |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 5 | $6,125 | |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 5 | $6,125 | |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Windstar | Star Seeker | 8 | $5,526 | |
| Aug 9, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 10 | $7,922 | |
| Aug 22, 2026 | Windstar | Star Seeker | 11 | $8,294 | |
| Sep 4, 2026 | Seabourn | Seabourn Encore | 14 | $11,098 | |
| Sep 6, 2026 | HX | MS Fridtjof Nansen | 17 | $11,072 | |
| Sep 11, 2026 | Seabourn | Seabourn Encore | 7 | $6,068 | |
| Apr 24, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Encore | 34 | $16,574 | |
| Apr 27, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Venture | 12 | $7,800 | |
| May 2, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Quest | 13 | $7,800 | |
| May 7, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | Greg Mortimer | 14 | $11,143 | |
| May 10, 2027 | Windstar | Star Seeker | 33 | $16,374 | |
| May 14, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Encore | 14 | $10,698 | |
| May 20, 2027 | Windstar | Star Seeker | 23 | $9,547 | |
| May 21, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | Greg Mortimer | 14 | $13,010 | |
| May 21, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Encore | 7 | $5,998 | |
| May 28, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Encore | 14 | $11,798 |
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