The Best Time of Year and Top Locations for Bear Viewing on a Cruise to Alaska

Bear Viewing in Alaska

By Alara Shannon, Marketing   |  June 01, 2013      ( Comments)

Alaska has the world’s highest concentration of Brown, Black and Polar Bears in the world. So it is no wonder Alaska bear viewing is a popular visitor attraction.

When to see bears in Alaska and where to see bears in Alaska is a priority for many cruise passengers that may only get to make the journey to the Last Frontier once in their lifetime.

There are many opportunities to see grizzly bears (brown bears that live inland) on an Alaska Cruisetour that combines a cruise with several days in Alaska’s northwest interior. But if you are unable to extend your vacation, there are plenty of chances to see bears in Alaska’s southeastern cruise ports.

• When can you see bears in Alaska?The Alaska cruise season begins in late April and continues through September. This coincides with the best time to view bears in Alaska - July through early September.
• Where can you see bears in Alaska? Follow the fish, and the local bear viewing tour guides.

From July through early September bears appear near the mouth of streams and rivers to feast on spawning salmon. This salmon run from the ocean to the upper reaches of Alaska’s rivers is a lure for much of Alaska’s wildlife on the coast and a reliable (but not guaranteed) time for bear viewing opportunities. Sightings are more frequent when bears are actively searching for food, at dawn and just before dusk.

There are two routes that Alaska Cruises follow, Round-trip Inside Passage itineraries and One Way (Northbound or Southbound) Gulf of Alaska Glacier itineraries. The Inside Passage is the area that makes up the Southeast Region of Alaska, with cruises typically sailing from Vancouver or Seattle. One Way Gulf of Alaska Cruises travel further up the coast and allow you to spend more days in Alaska ports or National Glacier Parks at Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay as there are fewer days at sea compared to a round-trip cruise. But, your departure and arrival ports will be different so transportation costs may be higher.

If you are hoping to see brown and black bears on your Alaska Cruise, below we’ve listed the bear viewing spots in each port of call with the best chances for a sighting success!

TIP: Don’t forget your binoculars and long camera lens! These majestic creatures are best viewed from afar, for obvious reasons.

Ketchikan

Most bear viewing in Ketchikan is available by floatplane or boat to remote areas where you have a chance to see black bears in their natural habitat feeding on salmon. The flightseeing before your search for bears is impressive in and of itself, with views of pristine and remote mountains, lakes, tundra and rivers that are otherwise inaccessible.

• Anan Observatory - accessible only by floatplane, this is a top bear viewing location and one of the few places where brown and black bears can be found together. Following a short hike through the rainforest you enter a covered observation area to take in all of the natural beauty and, hopefully, bears! Visiting Anan Bear Observatory requires a permit and space is limited, so it is best to plan as far in advance as possible.
• Neets Bay - accessible by floatplane or boat, Neets Bay is another premier bear viewing location. On the floatplane tour, a brief rainforest hike leads you to the viewing area where black bears congregate to feast on salmon. Travel to Neets Bay by boat and you will search the shoreline for bears and other animals.
• Other areas around Ketchikan to see bears include the Misty Fjords National Monument Fish Creek Bear Viewing Area (Near Hyder, AK), the lesser developed Margaret Creek Wildlife Observation and Herring Cove, the only bear viewing site accessible by vehicle.

Juneau

The Juneau area, with its abundant sources of food and resources from the Tongass National Forest, is a rich habitat for black and brown bears.

• Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area - located 30 minutes by plane from Juneau. Pack Creek sits on the eastern shore of Admiralty Island which is home to more than 1,600 brown bears - one of the highest concentrations in Southeast Alaska. This protected habitat allows visitors a chance to view and photograph bears with minimal impact. Permits are required and no visitor facilities are available.
• Bear viewing in Alaska can also be found on Chichagof Island, a 30 minute scenic flight from Juneau, or by walking the trails at the Mendenhall Glacier, black bears and eagles draw in close to the visitor center following the salmon’s return to Steep Creek.

Skagway

All of Skagway is Bear Country making it one of the more affordable bear viewing locations in Southeast Alaska. Here, you’ll find generations of brown bears, bald eagles, mountain goats, river otters and, of course, salmon.

• There are many hiking trails through the dense wilderness including the famous Chilkoot Trail, a popular day hiking spot that passes along the Taiya River salmon run attracting brown and black bears. The Klondike Highway even provides roadside bear viewing opportunities.
• Haines, Alaska - Haines is located on the shores of the northern Lynn Canal, the deepest, longest fjord in North America. Take the ferry from Skagway for a 14 mile trip by water, by vehicle the trip is much longer - 350 miles along the Haines Highway ( but it is one of the most spectacular drives!). Haines is a perfect spot to see brown bears along the Chilkoot River and has the largest known gathering of bald eagles in the world.

Seward

Typically a departure or arrival point for a One Way Gulf of Alaska Cruise, if you have a chance to spend time before or after your cruise a visit to Kenai Fjords National Park will not disappoint.

• Kenai Fjords National Park - located just to the west of Seward, this glacial paradise is 669,982-acres and home to both brown and black bears. The park is named for the numerous fjords carved by glaciers moving down the mountains from the ice field. Exit Glacier is reachable by road and the remainder of the park is primarily accessible by boat. Visitors get the chance to see land and marine wildlife including bears, whales, seals and mountain goats as well as dramatic fjords and tidewater glaciers.

Whittier

Like Seward, Whittier is typically a departure or arrival point for Alaska Cruises, although much less developed and populated. Until recently, Whittier was only accessible by boat or train but with a tunnel roadway completed in 2000, this small gateway to the Prince William Sound marine wilderness is only an hour from Anchorage. Prince William Sound encompasses 3,800-miles of coastline inhabiting an abundance of marine and land animals. Don’t miss hiking the Portage Pass Trail or the Salmon Run Trail.

Sitka

One of the most beautiful seaside towns in Southeast Alaska, Sitka is only accessible by boat or plane. Situated on Baranof Island its protected forests cover abundant wildlife, including brown bear, Sitka black-tailed deer, and mountain goats.

• Fortress of the Bear - located 5 miles from the cruise ship dock (shuttle available) this is a three-quarter acre non-profit rescue center for orphaned Brown Bear cubs complete with covered viewing areas.
• Starrigavan Recreation Area - salmon return to Starrigavan creek from July through September, attracting the occasional river otter or brown bear.

Icy Strait Point

Owned by Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point is located 35 miles west of Juneau in Hoonah, Alaska on the Chichagof Island. Chichagof Island – dubbed “Bear Island” – has the highest concentration of bears per square mile of any place on earth! This private port is available to guests of Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

• Excursions by boat or vehicle to the Spasski River provide opportunities to spot bald eagles, woodpeckers, Sitka black-tailed deer and brown bears.

Scenic Cruising

The areas around Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier are renowned for wildlife protected within dense forests. Whales, harbor seals and otters swim, brown bears, moose and black-tailed deer roam ashore, and a wide variety of seabirds can be spotted as you cruise these scenic waters.

Viewing any wildlife in their natural environment is a privilege, please be respectful of the animals and your own safety by following these tips:

• Give wildlife plenty of space – avoid crowding. Never approach a bear, always allow them room for retreat.
• Let them know you’re there – avoid surprising. If you are hiking through bear country, make your presence known–especially where the terrain or vegetation makes it hard to see. Make noise, sing, talk loudly or clap. If possible, travel with a group. Bears are wary of humans and will go out of their way to avoid them.
• Don’t share your lunch – avoid attracting. Store your food properly, do not leave it out or neglect to dispose of trash. Feeding bears, moose, and some other wildlife is illegal in Alaska except under terms of a permit issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Have you had an opportunity to see bears in Alaska? Is there a great bear viewing spot we should add to the list? Tell us in the comments below!