Wildlife and food experiences - A short drive from Ketchikan to Clover Pass Resort, which is one of the oldest resort in Alaska, to catch a boat to sail through narrow channels passing small island 30 minutes later arrive at Grant Island in a sound high in the Haida Gwaii main channel. Landing at the pier and a short walk takes one up to the Frank Hendershot Memorial Trail passing the Silverking Lodge. An elevated boardwalk trail lets you to walk into the normally difficult-to-access rainforest. A great variety of flora is visible and helpfully there are panels explaining the item such as Old Man's Beard and nursery trees. At the end of the trail, a majestic largest known red cedar stands in the Tongass National Forest. This large evergreen tree has upturned 'J' shaped branches and the bark is used by indigenous people to weave baskets which are traditionally used for carrying water and storing food. More than 55 inches of rain along the Southeast Coast of Alaska and British columbia makes Tongass Forest the largest temperate rain forest in the world. The ground is covered in vegetation and 'Muskeg'. Muskeg consists of dead plants in various stages of decomposition. It acts as a sponge continually absorbing and releasing water in to streams and rivers. Although not a wildlife reserve, small wild life is abundant and sightings are possible on any given day. Rooms are rustic in style with two twin beds and plenty of hot water for showers. The living area includes a fireplace, games, and satellite TV. Anglers love to come for the King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Chum Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Pink Salmon, Halibut, and Rock Fish. The seafood boil lunch which consists of fresh Dungeness Crab, shrimp, mussels, clams, sausage, corn on the cob, garlic, pearl onions, and potatoes as well as perfect lemonades and 'cookies'. Anyone with allergies will be offered an alternative meal on request. On the way back to Clover Pass Resort seals are seen lounging on shores of Joe Island and Bald eagles swoop down from high trees to catch fish off Hump Island. US Naval Surface Warfare Centre based on Back Island is a submarine identifying training establishment.

A marvelous way to escape Ketchikan crowds - With 4 cruise ships in port of Ketchikan, we decided to take an adventure away from town. Silverking lodge is situated on an island making it a 'personal' experience. (ok, there were 40 of us, but not a crowd). The boat ride included numerous eagle siting, and sea lion. The rainforest walk was very interesting. I would not have figured the dense growth of the area would be attributed to a rain forest environment. The crab feast was plentiful, and delicious. But more importantly, the hosts were warm, friendly and very helpful.

Great tour! A must do. - This tour was incredible. We saw several orca and two humpback whales. Jameson, our fantastic tour guide got a bald eagle to fly down to the water right by our boat. We saw harbor seal and deer. We walked though the lush forest. Saw the 4th largest spruce in the world. Then we feasted on fresh seafood. I loved this tour. Jameson and Captain Trevin made it a day to remember.

Eagles the highlight, followed by the food - Every description from the Princess Cruise excursion on this event was spot on. The motorcoach to the boat, pass the eagles' nest, Fred and Wilma, to the Silverking Lodge for the fantastic feast. Outstanding. Bonus was a short walk into the rainforest right at the back of the lodge. They touched on just about everything for our short visit. Super friendly and helpful staff all around. If you have the time to get out of the town, this is it.

A wonderful excursion - Had a well organized and informative boat ride to the lodge, which included along the way experiencing them throwing fish for the eagles, and looking for other wild life, a real delight. Upon arrival to the lodge there were some beautiful carvings, an absolutely gorgeous boardwalk into the woods, then topped off with a delicious seafood feast sitting by the lake with Sitka black tailed deer walking by the deck. Over all one of the best highlights of my Alaska trip!!

Amazing life changing experience. I would not go anywhere else. - We have been coming to this lodge for a couple years now with my husband and every year we are amazed by the staff and their attention to detail. The food is amazing, the staff is incredibly friendly, the rooms are clean, and every time we leave we feel like we are leaving friends.

Silverking seafeast - It was a rainy day for our adventure, but our boat was enclosed and warm! We saw whales, sea lions, and other sea life, as well as birds and a one ton eagle nest. There was more food than we could eat at the Silverking Lodge, and it was delicious! Crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimp, potatoes, corn, bread, and homemade cookies to end the meal. There was also a nature walk in the forest, and it's hard to imagine a more beautiful walk.

This is not ADA friendly / This is not for people with mobility issues - I picked this excursion because the reviews sounded good and they said it was considered 'easy'. Yes it's easy if you are not disabled like myself. I do a lot of walking where I live. I have a cane and when days aren't so good, I use a walker. The description I read regarding this excursion was you'll take a small bus ride to the marina, where you'll get on a boat and take a trip to the lodge via the boat ride. I've been on many buses as an adult, not once was my bus a school bus for little children. Our bus ride to the marina was on a school bus designated for little children not full size adults and one with a disability (minimum paralysis). This wasn't comfortable or fun in any way. I've been on boats before, tour boats and fishing boats. They were at a dock that was level and flat and easy to get to. Not this boat. This boat was at the end of the dock. In order to reach it, you had to walk down a ramp that was very steep. It took me about 5 minutes to get down the ramp with the help of my husband. The boat ride was very loud, (bring earplugs). The boat ride was fun and informative if you could hear the guide. Once we got to the lodge there was another steep ramp I had to walk up. This wasn't easy. The walk through the trail was fine. The trail had a boardwalk all the way through it. Our guide was knowledgeable and very friendly. After the walk it was time to eat. The crab feast was yummy. After lunch it was time to return to our cruise ship. This time I got a ride down the steep ramp to the boat. The ride on the boat was fine, a little loud but fine. Once we returned to the marina it was time to walk up another steep ramp. This time we had a charter bus to take us back, it was much more comfortable. This is a great excursion if you don't have mobility issues.

Good Experience but There a Better Choices - The people were very nice but I was not impressed by the food. There are so many other tours I am sorry I did not book a different tour. It is not an adventure. It is a bus ride and then an enclosed boat ride. I should have gone to town.