Day 17 | Alaska Flotilla Leg 3 | Tolstoi Bay to Ketchikan

The 34nm route today from Tolstoi Bay to Ketchikan crosses Clarence Strait and transits south down Tongass Narrows. Traffic increases exponentially as we near the “big city”  — cruise ships, tour boats, float planes, ferries, fishing boats, pleasure boats, and so on.

No traffic yet as we cross Clarence Strait! Just a sunny, calm day on the water.
Approaching Ketchikan from the north
Bar Harbor, north and south marinas
Ketchikan waterfront

The rest of the group headed for the docks at Bar Harbor (closest to groceries and laundry), while Airship found a spot at city floats in town. Kevin’s brother has a day to sightsee before heading back to Miami, and city floats is close to downtown and all the things touristy.

We’ll be in Ketchikan for four nights before we head out around Behm Canal and into Misty Fjords for the next leg of the flotilla. Until then the schedule is sightseeing, not cooking, walking, laundry, shopping, relaxing, and boat chores! 

After the cruise ships leave, Creek Street is mostly empty
New York Cafe is a nice spot for a meal
Ketchikan street scene: hatchback with muzzled fake leopard on a chain, red velvet sombrero, and pigeons

This is typically what a busy day at city floats looks like (taken from Airship’s pilot house door): cruise ships, fishing boats rafted two deep, tour boats and charter boats heading in and out, yachts….

…and two minutes later, add a paddle boarder and a hovercraft to that picture. 

We’ll certainly be ready to be back out at a quiet anchorage by the time we leave!

Flotilla Leg 3 Total: 536.9 nautical miles, hours underway 79 hours 29 minutes