Metlakatla USACruise Port Guide
Getting Around from the Port
Metlakatla is accessible only by ferry or float plane from Ketchikan — there are no roads connecting it to any other community. The Alaska Marine Highway System provides daily service between Ketchikan and Metlakatla on a dedicated ferry (approximately 45 minutes each way). Float plane service from Ketchikan takes about 10 minutes. For cruise passengers stopping at Ketchikan, Metlakatla is available as a shore excursion that typically involves a ferry crossing, a guided village tour, and a cultural performance, with return by the same route. Some smaller cruise ships have visited Metlakatla directly, though the community requires advance arrangements through the tribal government. The Metlakatla Indian Community requires visitors staying overnight to obtain a visitor's permit — day visitors on organized tours are generally welcome without this formality.
Attractions and Activities
- Tsimshian Cultural Performance at the Longhouse: The centerpiece of most organized tours. Traditional songs, dances, and storytelling performed by community members in regalia. The four clan houses (Eagle, Raven, Wolf, Killer Whale) each have distinct gifts and shops operated by community members.
- Totem Pole Tour: Guided walking tour of the community's totem poles, each carrying specific clan histories and stories interpreted by a Tsimshian guide.
- Carving Studio: Visitors can observe traditional carving work in progress — Tsimshian carvers working in the traditional style are among the most accomplished in the Pacific Northwest Indigenous artistic tradition.
- Metlakatla Indian Community Museum: Small but meaningful collection covering the community's history from the original British Columbia homeland through Duncan's leadership and the relocation to Annette Island.
- William Duncan Memorial Church: The community's distinctive church building, a focal point of the original community's social life and still an active congregation.
- Historic Cannery Sites: The community operated a significant salmon cannery for decades; the remains and interpretive materials tell an important story about the intersection of Indigenous enterprise and the Alaska fishing industry.
Dining & Shopping
Dining options in Metlakatla are limited and oriented toward community needs rather than visitor tourism. The longhouse complex typically provides light refreshments during cultural tour programs. A few community-operated cafes and a general store serve residents. For a proper meal, visitors should plan to eat in Ketchikan before or after the ferry crossing. Shopping, however, is genuinely worthwhile: the four clan gift shops at the longhouse sell authentic Tsimshian artwork, jewelry, button blankets, and hand-carved items produced by community members — with the considerable advantage that purchases directly benefit the artists and the community rather than being filtered through outside commercial interests. The quality and authenticity of items available here is notably higher than what is typically found in Ketchikan's tourist-oriented shops.
Weather
Metlakatla in Southeast Alaska has a cool, wet temperate rainforest climate with the cruise season from May to September. Summer temperatures average 52°F–61°F (11–16°C) in the Tongass National Forest region, with frequent rain making the rainforest lush and emerald green. Pack warm waterproof layers, a sturdy rain jacket, and waterproof footwear for this remote Alaska Native community.
Safety
Metlakatla is an exceptionally safe and welcoming destination. The ferry crossing between Ketchikan and Metlakatla is a sheltered, comfortable crossing in normal conditions, though Southeast Alaska weather means rain gear is advisable. Visitors are guests on tribal land and should conduct themselves accordingly — respectful behavior toward cultural practices, asking permission before photographing people, and following guide instructions are expected courtesies. The community prohibits alcohol on the reservation — this is a longstanding community decision and must be respected by all visitors. Trails and walking areas are well-maintained. The ferry schedule is fixed, so managing return time is important for cruise passengers with tender or departure windows.
Currency and Language
US Dollar (USD). The community operates on USD. Card payments are accepted at the longhouse gift shops. Cash is advisable for ferry fares and smaller transactions. There are no ATMs in Metlakatla — use Ketchikan facilities before the crossing.