View Eagles & Many Active Nests!

During your time aboard our Excursion catamaran vessel, you will have the opportunity to view an abundant population of American Bald Eagles, including ten active eagle nests. These island nests are described in detail as you learn about the eagle's habitat and life cycle. Binoculars are provided on board for your wildlife viewing pleasure.

Harbor Seals make their home at Guard Island and nearby Vallenar Rocks. Most days the seal families will be hauled out on the shore and provide excellent photo opportunities. Other wildlife may include Humpback Whales, Orca "Killer" Whales, black bear, deer & occasionally Timber Wolves.

View More Eagle Shots!

First Fledgling Flaps of Flight Festival

            Celebrating the baby eagles of Ketchikan

Note: The GPS locations are the best viewing locations, NOT the nest’s locations. Each nest’s size is listed and the ease of viewing is stated. Nests #6 through #22 can be viewed from Lighthouse Totems and Eagles Excursion

1. Ready Mix Eagle Nest is equally seen from both the water and land. By land, turn west off of N. Tongass just north of Ketchikan Ready Mix & Quarry. Park or stand between the two picnic benches and look back over the cliff above the hiway. The nest is at a huge treetop near the crown of a skyline prominent tree. GPS 55 21’ 44.8”N 131 42’ 31.54” W and by boat you can see this nest from a variety of angles in the vicinity of 55 21’ 44.35” N 131 42’ 37.43” W   HUGE, Viewing: EASY.

2. East Clump is an island at high tide directly across Tongass Narrows from the south end of Bar Harbor near Madison Lumber. The nest tree is on the south edge of East Clump viewed from the water in the GPS vicinity of 55 20’ 42.86” N 131 41’ 14.25” W MEDIUM, Viewing: MODERATE

3. Shoreline Nest is viewed from land by turning off N. Tongass Hwy @ the N. entrance to Shoreline Drive @ circa 5306 look seaward to the nest @ about 1/3 the way down from the top. GPS 55 22’ 48.78” N 131 34’ 56.56” W MEDIUM-SMALL, viewing: EASY

5. Saxman Nest can be seen seaward & slightly S. of the City Hall parking lot just off the S. Tongass Hwy. Look for this nest in a deciduous tree. GPS 55 19’ 7.11” N 131 35’ 51.27” W. MEDIUM-LARGE, viewing: EASY

6. Dawson Point Eagle Nest is best viewed from the water just N of East Island near the NW entrance of Ward Cove. GPS 55 23’ 51.1” N 131 44’ 43.15” W.   Locate a single thin snag on the right hand end of the Dawson Point skyline. Count 4 trees to the left. This is a large pyramid shaped dark green Sitka spruce with a flat notch near the top right side. Adults & chicks can be seen in season. MEDIUM, viewing MODERATELY DIFFICULT

7. Loggerville Nest is in Ward Cove located in the W bight of the cove, N of Ketchikan. Located above the center of town & best viewed from near the point. Look for a tall dead tree top about half the way up the steep hill side from the vicinity of GPS 55 24’ 8.72” N 131 43’ 51.34”   The nest is just below the dead section & on the left. MEDIUM LARGE, viewing MODERATE.

8. Nordic Tug AKA “longshoreman dock Nest is only viewed from the water from the vicinity of GPS 55 24’ 4.1” N 131 43’ 28.5 W   Look SE towards the shore to the treetops growing circa 100 yds up the hill from the N. Tongass Hwy. Look for a cluster of dead Cedar spires. The nest sits among them like a mushroom on a shishkabob! MEDIUM SMALL, viewing, MODERATELY DIFFICULT.

9. Long Island, owned by Tim & Kay Long, is located S of Refuge Cove State Park & W of Refuge Cove Marina about 8 ½ miles N of Ketchikan. It is best viewed from the S West side of the island by looking 1/3 the way down from the top of the largest tree on the SE end of the island. View from the GPS vicinity of 55 24’ 9.1” N 131 45’ 17.27” W MEDIUM, viewing, MODERATE.

10. Danger Island is located W of Refuge Cove & N of Channel Island in the Tongass Narrows just N of Ward Cove. The nest is located under the crown of an umbrella shaped tree at the point of bifurcation. This nest is best viewed from the NW of the island in the general GPS position of 55 24’ 02” N   131 45’ 48” W LARGE, viewing, EASY.

11. Refuge Cove State Park nest is best viewed from the water in the general vicinity of GPS 55 24’ 29” 131 45’ 44” W   This is a large nest & is visible from nearly Danger Island to the south. Find the large tree just left of the gray house with white trim. As you travel NW along the shore in front of the nest to points off shore NW of the nest tree the nest will be seen sioueted by the sky.   This tree is an official eagle’s nesting tree as designated under statute. LARGE, viewing, EASY. This nest can also be seen from the Park’s own parking lot.

12. The McClennan Eagle Nest is best viewed from the water N. of Totem Bight State Park from a point in front of the Mickel home (gray with white trim). In the general vicinity of GPS 55 25’ 26” N 131 46’ 58.5” W. The nest is on the right hand side of a huge old growth tree where the longest branch is attached, well below the lopped off top. This tree is above the McClennan home. MED LARGE, viewing MED EASY.

13. Two Mile Eagle Nest can best be viewed from both land and water. A dramatic view can be seen from nearly two miles SE of the nest from a general location along the eastern shore of Tongass Narrows N. of Totem Bight State Park near GPS 55 25’ 33.5” N 131 47’ 20.1” W. Looking NW, search the skyline for what looks like the space needle of Seattle at great distance. This nest is near the top the dramatically dead tree. By boat you can continue to view this nest as you approach Whipple Creek. EASY to view from this angle. The closest view from the water is from in front of the rust colored house with 5 evenly spaced windows @ the point near 55 26’ 11” N 131 48’ 25” W. This nest can be viewed from Pond Reef Road from the vicinity of 1236 Pond Reef Road. VERY LARGE, (ESTIMATED CIRCUMFRANCE IS ABOUT 30 FEET!) viewing, EASY.

14. Mecca Eagles Nest is a challenge to find from land or water. It is in a low-lying treetop above a waterfront brown home with brown roof. By land, turn seaward off the N. Tongass Hwy one driveway N. of the Mecca @ 11.3 mile NT. This nest can best be found during incubation & active feeding times when the white head of the adult eagle will show you this nest. From the water, try GPS 55 25’ 59.3” N 131 47’ 51.3” W. SMALL, viewing CHALLENGING.

15. Point Higgins Eagle Nest is above this public beach. Although it can be seen from the forest floor below this nest, you will be looking straight up into a very tall tree. It is best viewed from the water from the vicinity of GPS 55 26’ 48.52” N 131 50’ 3.66” W. If you approach from the SE, focus on the tallest tree on the point, a “feather duster” treetop. The nest is 40 feet below the top of the 2^nd tallest tree to the NW of the “feather duster”. The nest tree has a dead or dying top. VERY LARGE, EASY.

16. Guard Little #1 Nest is located in the left hand most tree cluster on the little of the two Guard Islands. It is small, difficult to see, but does have historical significance, as it was the first nest built on guard island since the trees had all been cut down over 100 years ago. Two fledglings were successfully raised here in the adults 2^nd year. The first year, the eggs probably fell victim to the many crows who inhabit the larger Guard Island. SMALL, viewing, DIFFICULT.

17. Guard Little #2 Nest is located in the right hand most tree cluster on the little of the two guard Islands. It is small, but a bit easier to see than #1. If you position yourself right in front of the lighthouse, look back to the south at the tree cluster on the N most point of the little island, look about 8 feet from the top. The white head of the adult is seen during incubation & feeding. Baby eagles can be viewed during August most years. Try GPS 55 26’ 45.67” N 131 52’ 44.54” W. MED SMALL, viewing, MED DIFFICULT.

18. Guard Island Big Island Nest is located in the tallest clump at about 180 feet S of the lighthouse. It can be seen from the GPS location above and also from a vicinity S of the nest at a GPS location of 55 26 39.76 N 131 52’ 52.35” W. From here, look back at the lighthouse, then to the left to the tallest clump of trees. This nest is nearly at the top of this cluster of trees. It is active every other year, alternating with Little #2 for the past several years.

19. Vallenar Rocks Wildlife Viewing Area Nest is located in the most northward of the Vallenar Islands. When approaching from the N you can find this nest just under the crown of the right-hand most clump of trees. This nest is SMALL, but active and MED EASY to view. GPS 55 25’ 47.84 N 131 51’ 24.93” W.

20. Vallenar Helter Skelter Nest can be viewed on the slightly larger island the ESE of nest #19. View this nest about 35 feet from the top of the left hand largest tree where the trunk is exposed and find the nest clinging to the right-hand side. It appears rather “Helter Skelter” in design, perhaps emergency housing after a hot weekend of romance! GPS 55 25’ 46.06” N 131 51’ 18.23 W This nest is MEDIUM and viewing is MEDIUM.

21. Lama Head Eagles Nest can be viewed from the water near the vicinity of GPS 55 26’ 6.69” N 131 48’ 50.38” W. Look for a round gray boulder on the beach near the high tide line. Now make your eyes go to the right about 35 feet along the beach and then strait up to the treetops. Look for the Lama’s long skinny neck, pointed nose to the left, peaked ears and the packsaddle of the Lama IS the eagle’s nest. MEDIUM LARGE, viewing is MED EASY (if you are in the right spot!)

22. Saguaro Cactus Nest can best be seen while traveling south along the N Gravina shore along the Tongass Narrows. At about GPS 55 25’ 1.86 N 131 48’ 44.82” find a large dead snag with a saguaro cactus arm sticking out on the right hand side. The eagle’s nest is on the SSE side of this dead snag and is best seen from a point SSE of the GPS position above, fairly close to shore. It is adorned with grass and appears to cling to the backside of the tree seemingly with “NO VISIBLE MEANS OF SUPPORT”, perhaps like that son-in-law of yours, no visible means of support.

24. Fawn Mountain School Eagle Nest is best seen from the school’s access road as you turn left off the S Tongass Hwy and head up the hill towards the school. Pull off the road to the left on driveway there. Look at the large Sitka Spruce tree to the ESE about 25 feet down from the top. You are in the location of GPS 55 18’ 30.69” N 131 34’ 7.45” W

25. Valley Park School Nest is on the hillside to the east of this 410 Schoenbar Rd. location. Pull into the parking lot and park close to the fire hydrant. Look above the right hand end of the dugout on the baseball field. Search for a large dead snag. The nest is MED LARGE and EASY to view. You are in the GPS location of: 55 20’ 49.78” N 131 38’ 21.57” W

26. Mountain Point Eagles Nest is located near a side road just north of the Mountain Point boat ramp. As you are traveling S on S Tongass Hwy, slow down as you pass the Mt. Pt. Maritime marker. Turn left onto the side road at the 35 MPH + curve sign. Pull off this road on the left into a quarry type area about ½ block from the hwy and look NNW to a large Sitka Spruce. You are at or near GPS 55 17’ 40.80” N 131 32’ 45.47” W. This nest is MEDIUM in size and viewing is MEDIUM. Better viewing can be achieved from the private view lots above this location.

27. South Tongass Fire Department Nest is seen in from the parking lot by the fire station off S Tongass hwy just S of the Mt. Pt. Boat launch. Check the largest Sitka Spruce in the stand of timber above the electrical substation, about 30 feet down. MEDIUM sized nest and viewing is MODERATE. You are in the vicinity of GPS 55 17’ 40.16” N 131 32’ 34.16”

28. Pup Island Eagles Nest is located on the N side of Pup Island in the Clover Pass area, N of Ketchikan. Only seen from the water from the vicinity of 55 29’ 9.17” N 131 49’ 21.95 W the nest is MED SMALL and CHALLENGING to view.

29. Clover Pass Marker Nest is located N of the Clover Pass Resort on the tiny island with the navigational marker. Look for the nest in a tree! J Size is MEDIUM and viewing is EASY! Best viewing angle is determined by the angle of the sun and because it is a small island location you can maneuver your boat for best viewing.

30. Camino Point eagles nest can be viewed from near the marker, looking east and continuing south and east around the point look back at this huge nest found in this waterfront large Sitka Spruce tree. Camino Point is NW of Ketchikan at the north corner of the confluence of Behm Canal & Clarence Strait. The GPS of the best viewing position varies widely on sun position and weather conditions. 55 29' 35" N & 131 57' 51" W is a good place to start.