Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

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!

Continue reading the full article here...

Related Articles

British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts. Posted today at 7:05 pm
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine. Posted today at 6:33 pm
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay. Posted today at 5:07 pm
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title. Posted today at 3:45 pm
Protect Your Skin, Stay Out Longer
Rooster know that long days on the water are what summer is all about At Rooster, we know that long days on the water are what summer is all about. But with the sun high and strong, protecting your skin is just as important as protecting your kit. Posted today at 11:00 am
GWA Youth Wingfoil World Championship overall
The Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom action rwaps up in Costa Brava The Surf-Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom action at the the GWA 2025 Youth Worlds wrapped up after a week of intense action at San Pere Pescador, Spain, with the teenage champions chosen in the U14, U16 and U19 age groups. Posted today at 7:24 am
A dream realised for Litchfield's Hound
The Nielsen 59 Hound finished the Transatlantic Race 2025 on July 5 Dan Litchfield's classic Nielsen 59 Hound, co-skippered by Tom Stark, finished the Transatlantic Race 2025 on July 5 in an elapsed time of 16 Days, 08 Hours, 49 Mins and 22 Secs. Posted today at 7:08 am
Marblehead to Halifax Race Update
JV 66 Temptation/Oakcliff leads after 100 nautical miles After 100 nautical miles, Temptation/Oakcliff a JV 66 from Oakcliff Sailing Club out of Oyster Bay New York was in the lead closely followed by the other 66 footer in the race Boudicca, a King Marine Rachel Pugh 66 skippered by Rich Moody. Posted today at 3:10 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 2
Philip Köster triumphs again in Pozo Izquierdo Köster survives a late scare to earn an eighth Pozo event title, and first 5-star victory since 2022, in even windier conditions than Saturday. Posted on 6 Jul
A perfect start to the 5th annual AEGEAN 600
Cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind At the very southern end of the Greek mainland at Cape Sounion in Attica, today's start to the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600 was perfect: cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind. Posted on 6 Jul
C-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 BOTTOMHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignAllen Dynamic 40 Footer