Misty Fjords weather and cancellations

How much does it rain in Misty Fjords?

More than 150 inches a year, according to Travel Alaska, and up to 160 inches according to Wilderness.net.

Those figures cover the monument as a whole. The name comes from the almost constant precipitation, per Travel Alaska. A dry, clear day is a bonus, and plenty of guests fly in grey weather and still describe the trip as a highlight.

Can Ketchikan and the fjords have different weather?

Yes. Cloud can sit over the town while the fjords are clear, or the other way round.

One Island Wings guest reports arriving to fog in town. The operator told them they would be flown a different way because of the weather and offered the chance to back out. They went and saw waterfalls. A different guest on the Taquan flight describes a beautiful day in Ketchikan. The point is that the operator, not the view from the dock, decides the route.

What happens if a flight is delayed or scrubbed?

A delay moves your time. A scrub means the flight does not go, and the listings say little about what follows.

A Taquan guest reports the flight was cancelled on arrival, without warning, because of weather, and says they walked down the harbour and found another tour group. A Seawind guest flew in December on a clear day and reports no trouble at all. Read the terms for your listing and phone the operator if you are unsure.

The listings we hold describe what happens when you cancel. They do not set out what happens when the operator cancels for weather, so read the full terms on Viator and ask before you pay.

Which tours are refundable?

The Taquan flight, the fast boat and the private boat refund in full up to 24 hours before. The Island Wings and Seawind flights do not.

Non-refundable here means the listing says it cannot be changed for any reason, and the amount paid will not be returned if you cancel or amend. The table shows the whole set.

What should you do when you arrive?

Check in at the meeting point as soon as you reach it, keep your phone on and be ready for a changed time.

Operators contact guests before the flight about the time and place, and a Seawind guest praises the call to confirm the location. Times can move with the weather. Charge your phone, stay close to the pickup and do not book an activity right after the flight.

Which tour is the safest choice for a tight cruise day?

A refundable one with an all-aboard guarantee. On this list that means the Taquan flight.

The Taquan listing states a 100 percent guarantee that you will not miss your cruise ship's all-aboard, and it refunds up to 24 hours before. The 1.5-hour Seawind flight (non-refundable) also lists the all-aboard guarantee, but it is non-refundable. A tight schedule and a non-refundable ticket are a hard pairing. The cruise ship guide covers the timing in full.

A flight with a window seat, an all-aboard guarantee and a refund up to 24 hours before.

★ 4.4 304 reviews · 2 hours · from $349

Explore the Taquan floatplane flight →

Does cloud ruin the trip?

Low cloud can hide the ridges and shorten what you see, but mist is part of what makes the cliffs and waterfalls look the way they do.

A Taquan guest wished for more snow and ice on the mountains, and a different guest on a foggy morning still reports seeing waterfalls and a smooth flight. On a boat, mist drifts through the valley and rain jackets are standard, as the photo at the top of the boat guide shows. Pack for the weather, not the forecast.

Does travel insurance or a credit card cover a scrubbed flight?

Check your own policy. This page does not cover insurance terms, and the listings do not mention them.

If a non-refundable flight is on your plan, read the terms of any cover you already hold before you pay. The refundable options are the boat and the private boat, which both refund up to 24 hours before.

Frequently asked questions