Black Bear & Wildlife Exploration

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Exclusively sold on board all major cruise lines
TOURS AVAILABLE STARTING JULY 24th

*Check with your Shore Excursions Officer after boarding your ship to check availability. Limited space available.

See black bear in their natural habitat, only a short drive from Ketchikan.

Your experience will start with a narrated tour through Ketchikan, followed by a scenic coastal drive to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. Within a very short time, you’ll find yourself in bear country. This is one of the most accessible bear-watching areas in Southeast Alaska….

Your tour will cover a lot of ground and include many highlights.

When you arrive at the sanctuary, a naturalist guide will join you, bringing the rich forest to life as you walk along an improved trail. You’ll be surrounded by magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar trees. And soon you’ll be watching for wild bears in search of spawning salmon and ample berries. These are safe, protected raised boardwalks, and you can expect to have an intimate viewing experience. To reduce environmental impacts, only a limited number of groups have access to this private bear viewing area.

Your guide will lead you along another boardwalk system perched over the grassy wetlands alongside Herring Creek. You’ll now observe a rich run of spawning salmon and the bears and seals that come to fish for them, along with bald eagles and other birds that wait for scraps in the tidal estuary nearby. 

Next up, the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company Sawmill and the Tsimshian totem pole park, home to an impressive 40-foot totem and 13 other poles, all from one master carver. And don’t miss the General Store where you can shop for that perfect souvenir.

Please Note:  The half-mile long trail is over relatively flat terrain. The focus of your tour will be on viewing black bear in their natural habitat. Your guide may change the order of the tour or time spent in any one area to give you the best chance to see bears. Although the chances for seeing bear are excellent, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The wildlife viewing time is approximately 60 minutes. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No food or drink is allowed on the trail. You must follow your guide’s instructions at all times to ensure your safety.

This tour operates in all weather conditions.

NEED TO KNOW

3 hours

Minimum age is 12 years old

Comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing and waterproof jacket are recommended

Shopping opportunities are available at the General Store

Difficulty Level: Moderate

This experience includes walking for short distances over gently sloping terrain, possibly with a few steps or slight inclines. The path is a lightly graveled trail. Please expect to be on your feet (either standing or walking) for the entirety of your tour. Participants should be able to move into and out of buses or vans.

About Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary

In the heart of the Tongass National Forest lies Kawanti Adventures’ very own Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. The sanctuary is known for its forest trails and boardwalk system that leads to an open estuary complete with a creek running out to the famous Herring Cove. The sanctuary is a hot spot for all wildlife, but specifically bald eagles and black bear. You will also find our old historic sawmill and carving center, complete with 17 original Alaskan Native totem poles. Visit our gift shop, grab a freshly brewed coffee, or specialty Alaskan beer, and explore everything the sanctuary has to offer!

guest reviews

Warren and Gavin were absolute Rock Stars! Charming, knowledgeable, and humerus, this tour was fantastic! Saw some bears, cubs, eagles, and salmon. And the banana slug licking was a definite bonus! Absolutely a great time!

Warren and Gavin were absolute Rock Stars! Charming, knowledgeable, and humerus, this tour was fantastic! Saw some bears, cubs, eagles, and salmon. And the banana slug licking was a definite bonus! Absolutely a great time!

Christyne F.

- 2023

What a great morning walk. Beautiful scenery. Knowledgeable and courteous guides. (Gena and Genna) we saw bears eagles both catching salmon from the river. I can imagine anything nicer. Would highly recommend.

What a great morning walk. Beautiful scenery. Knowledgeable and courteous guides. (Gena and Genna) we saw bears eagles both catching salmon from the river. I can imagine anything nicer. Would highly recommend.

Mike S.

- 2023

Tour was more than we expected! Got to see Mama bears with their cubs. Also, Mickey and Gina were amazing guides. Highly recommend!!!

Tour was more than we expected! Got to see Mama bears with their cubs. Also, Mickey and Gina were amazing guides. Highly recommend!!!

Diana M.

- 2023

Had an amazing time on the bear walk! We saw so many bears. Daniel and Mickey made it both interesting and fun. They had a great dynamic and were incredibly kind and patient with all the questions. Especially from the kids. We got so lucky with so many bears, and...

Had an amazing time on the bear walk! We saw so many bears. Daniel and Mickey made it both interesting and fun. They had a great dynamic and were incredibly kind and patient with all the questions. Especially from the kids. We got so lucky with so many bears, and salmon and eagles!

Elaine Z.

- 2023

Very personal experience with Reese our guide who was very knowledgeable. We Saw two bears having salmon lunch! Highly recommended.

Very personal experience with Reese our guide who was very knowledgeable. We Saw two bears having salmon lunch! Highly recommended.

Monica G.

- 2023

EXCLUSIVELY SOLD ON BOARD ALL MAJOR CRUISE LINES

TOURS AVAILABLE STARTING JULY 24th

*Check with your Shore Excursions Officer after boarding your ship to check availability. Limited space available.

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