Southeast Alaska Birding Trail Ketchikan

Clover Passage

Several guide services are available to help you access Clover Passage.

While parts of Clover Passage can be observed from the small boat harbor in the small community of Clover Passage or at locations along the North Tongass Highway, dense temperate rainforest vegetation screens views of the marine waters in most areas along the highway. The best way to see Clover Passage is from the water, by either a tour or charter boat, or sea kayak. Several guide services are available to help you access Clover Passage for birding opportunities.

The spring herring spawn will bring in tremendous concentrations of seabirds along with marine mammals. This is a great location to view a wide variety of waterfowl and seabirds including Surf Scoter, Marbled Murrelet, and Harlequin Duck—among many others. Over 120 species have been documented in Clover Passage.

Directions:

From Ketchikan, travel approximately 13 miles to Clover Passage on the North Tongass Highway.

Surf Scoter.
Surf Scoter. Photo: Gary Kramer, USFWS

Birding Resources:

Bird Species Checklist:

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