Juneau Bear Viewing Tours
All of the tours are customized to accommodate cruise ship passengers
Waterfall Creek Peak Season Brown Bear Viewing
Chichagof Island
From $989 per Person | Top Notch Bear Viewing!
| 7 Hours | Ages 12+
Begin your wilderness adventure with a scenic 30-minute floatplane flight. Be sure to have your camera ready as you glide over amazing landscapes and look out for marine wildlife below before touching down at Waterfall Creek. This is a relatively unknown, remote wilderness location that provides unmatched brown bear viewing during the peak of the
salmon run, late July-August.
After landing, disembark from the floatplane and wave goodbye to the Alaskan bush pilot. The primary viewing spot is a short walk down the rocky shoreline. Follow the sounds of the waterfall and splashing salmon, as the guide hikes the
group to the viewing location.
Brown bears may be seen at any time while ashore. The guide will direct to the best spots for viewing and photography. Groups will spend most time seated, quiet, and still to enhance the opportunities of seeing bears. While we do occasionally have close encounters, our goal is for the bears to ignore us and engage in their natural behaviors.
After enjoying four hours of brown bear viewing, hike back to where your floatplane is waiting to whisk you back to Juneau. This is truly an Alaskan wilderness adventure!
Itinerary
About 7 hours
30 Minutes port to ABAK office for outfitting
Van transport to Juneau’s floatplane base for check-in and outfitting
45 Minutes Gear outfitting & orientation, transport to the float pond
Get the run down, the safety check, and acquainted with your guide.
30 Minutes Floatplane flight to Chichagof Island
A view of Juneau and surrounding majestic wilderness like no other. Buckle up and enjoy your flight.
4 Hours Brown Bear Viewing at Waterfall Creek
Cache your food in the designated area!
30 Minutes Floatplane flight back to Juneau
Your Floatplane Pilot will meet you at the beach.
45 Minutes Transport to ABAK office, change out of gear, and dropoff downtown.
Included In The Price
- Professional Guides
- Roundtrip van & float plane transportation
- All required permits
- Rain gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants)
- Picnic lunch and hearty snacks
- Souvenir water bottle (we strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to help minimize waste)
Not Included In Price
- Hot shower at the end of the day, but you can book your unique stay here.
- Professional Photography
- Gratuity for your Guide: If you feel that your guide went Above and Beyond to facilitate an exceptional experience, a gratuity is a welcomed way to show your appreciation.
Guest Pickup Information
Located at the base of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, the C-Sign is ABAK’s primary downtown meeting location for cruise passengers and clients staying in the downtown area.
Important Tour information is below. Please take the time to read it carefully.
Meeting Locations
Client Pickup Information
Located at the base of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, the C-Sign is ABAK’s primary downtown meeting location for cruise passengers and clients staying in the downtown area.
CLIENTS ARRIVING AT AJ DOCK:
Clients who dock at the AJ Dock within 30 minutes of the ABAK pick-up time will be picked up directly from AJ DOCK.
Clients Staying Locally:
Clients can be picked up from any major hotel in the Mendenhall Valley.
Clients staying at major hotels in the Downtown area will meet at our Downtown meeting location.
ABAK is unable to provide pick-up in residential neighborhoods.
Cancellation Policy
All reservations have a $50 non-refundable service fee. If you postpone, reschedule, or transfer your booking, you will retain the full value of your reservation. You may use your credit toward any reservation at any time in the future. If you still must cancel your reservation, we will retain a $50.00 non-refundable service fee.
Your tour is 100% refundable minus the $50.00 fee noted above if you cancel at least 30 days before your tour date. A refund may be subject to a 3% administrative fee if you request a check refund and your original payment was via credit card. Cancellations 15-29 days prior to your tour date will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be honored for no-shows or cancellations within 14 days of the tour date. Credit card refunds are generally processed immediately, check refunds may take up to 14 days to process.
Tour Photos
Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews
Carol T Brentwood, TN Wrote a review
A dream come true!!
From beginning to end, the trip was top notch! The float plane was great, couldn’t wait to experience it! Seeing the bears up close was a dream come true and the best birthday present a girl could wish for! My guide, Miles, was the best ever! I highly recommend this wonderful company, every contact I had with ABAK was friendly and professional! Hope to return for whale watching some day!
Sam B.Wrote a review
Most beautiful day ever
Absolutely the best day ever! The views from the plane were gorgeous and of course the bears eating salmon stole the show. Really appreciate our guide Brooke, she was so friendly and knew so much about the bears we saw.
Important Information
Group Size: Minimum of 4, Maximum of 5; 5 to 1 client to guide ratio
Minimum Age Public Tour: 12 years old. Everyone must be in good enough physical condition to enter and exit the floatplane and walk up to 1 mile.
Minimum Age Private Tour: 8 years old – Requires a minimum of 5 guests to book to make Private.
Size Restrictions: Weight limit of 250 pounds per person due to float-plane weight capacity. The smallest shoe size we can accommodate is youth 2 size. Largest shoe size we can accommodate is men’s size 14.
IImportant Notes
Bear Sightings are not guaranteed. This is wild Alaska!
Due to aircraft restrictions, there is a 250 lbs per person weight limit on this tour. All passenger weights need to be provided at time of booking. Passengers may be weighed by float plane operator – those over 250 lbs may be subject to an additional fee.
Waterfall Creek is a wilderness area with no facilities, restrooms, or shelter on site. All garbage and waste must be packed out.
All participants must agree to follow all guide direction, always stay with the group, store all food items in designated areas, and keep all personal belongings on their person.
This trip operates in all weather conditions (barring unsafe conditions, to be determined by ABAK) – it is very important to dress to get wet.
Due to the inherent risks involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.
Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
Every participant must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk Form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the form are not permitted.
Due to various fitness abilities and weather variables, we prefer clients not schedule other excursions directly before or after our trip. Please let us know if you clients have another excursion booked on the same day.
ABAK reserves the right to cancel any trip due to inadequate sign-ups, unsafe weather or route conditions, clients not meeting our physical requirements, and any other safety issues. In such an event, a full refund is given if the trip has not yet departed, but ABAK is not responsible for additional expenses incurred (i.e., non-refundable airline tickets, meals, accommodations, etc.)
Departure Times: Daily late July – August
Dates of Operation: July 25 – September 1st, 2024
Group Size: Minimum of 4, Maximum of 5
**For groups of 6 or more, please contact our office to arrange a custom departure
Minimum Age: 12 years old
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate
Documentation Needed:
Group Size
Name of client(s)
Cell phone contact number of client
Desired trip date and departure time
Name of cruise ship or hotel
Participants’ ages, especially anyone under the age of 18
Rain gear & shoe sizes (please specify male or female)
Any pertinent medical issues, allergies or dietary restrictions
Primary language spoken, if other than English
Fortress of the Bears - Pack Creek Bear Tour
Pack Creek Sanctuary on Admiralty Island
Limited Permits Available! From $989 per Person |
8 Hours | Ages 12+
Join us for an unforgettable brown bear viewing adventure at the renowned “Fortress of the Bears” within the Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary, the premier coastal brown bear viewing area on Admiralty Island. Your day begins with a trip briefing and safety orientation lead by your experienced wilderness guide, followed with a breathtaking 25-minute floatplane flight to Pack Creek. Upon landing, you’ll be warmly greeted by the dedicated rangers of Pack Creek. Your guide will then lead you on a journey along the very paths the bears tread, guiding you through shoreline and forest trails to prime brown bear viewing locations.
Known as the “Fortress of the Bears,” Admiralty Island holds the Tlingit name Kootznoowoo, and it lives up to its title with an impressive brown bear population of approximately 1,800 brown bears. This island boasts one of the highest bear densities in the world, with roughly one brown bear per square mile. It’s home to about 10% of Alaska’s entire brown bear population, making it one of the most densely populated brown bear areas on the planet.
From the banks of Pack Creek, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to observe bears in their natural habitat, whether they’re clamming or foraging on beach greens, salmon fishing in the creek, or enjoying a nap in the tall grass. While we can’t guarantee wildlife sightings, the abundant bear population in the Pack Creek vicinity seldom disappoints. Brown bears are most active during mating season (late May – June) and annual salmon runs (late July – August).
***Kayaking can be included June 20th – July 20th due to limited bear activity. Enjoy the scenic, wilderness paddle along the coastline as you approach Pack Creek.
Itinerary
About 8 hours
1 Hour Pick up from Downtown Meeting Location
Van transport to ABAK base for outfitting and transport to floatplane base
30 Minutes Scenic Floatplane Flight
Enjoy the views of mountains and oceans as you leave the city behind
5 Hours Brown Bear Viewing at Pack Creek
Cache your food in the bear-proof lockers!
**June 20th – July 20th kayaking will be included. Kayak portion 2 hours total and bear viewing 3 hours total.
30 Minutes Return Scenic Floatplane Flight to Juneau
Your van transport will be waiting to return you to the main office
1 Hour Return to ABAK Base
De-gear at ABAK base and return transport to meeting location – Thanks for joining us!
Included In The Price
Professional guides
Roundtrip van & float plane transportation
US Forest Service permits
Rain gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots and pants)
Picnic lunch and Hearty Snacks
Souvenir water bottle (we strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to help minimize waste)
Not Included In Price
Hot shower at the end of the day, but you can book your unique stay with us.
Professional Photography
Gratuity for your Guide: If you feel that your guide went Above and Beyond to facilitate an exceptional experience, a gratuity is a welcomed way to show your appreciation.
Guest Pickup Information
Located at the base of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, the C-Sign is ABAK’s primary downtown meeting location for cruise passengers and clients staying in the downtown area.
Important Tour information is below. Please take the time to read it carefully.
Meeting Locations
Client Pickup Information
Located at the base of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, the C-Sign is ABAK’s primary downtown meeting location for cruise passengers and clients staying in the downtown area.
CLIENTS ARRIVING AT AJ DOCK:
Clients who dock at the AJ Dock within 30 minutes of the ABAK pick-up time will be picked up directly from AJ DOCK.
Clients Staying Locally:
Clients can be picked up from any major hotel in the Mendenhall Valley.
Clients staying at major hotels in the Downtown area will meet at our Downtown meeting location.
ABAK is unable to provide pick-up in residential neighborhoods.
Cancellation Policy
- CANCELLATIONS: Please note, there is a $60 non-refundable fee per person upon booking. This is non-refundable for any reason, including for weather cancellations.
Tour Photos
Five Star Trip Advisor Reviews
Robbyne L
Waiheke Island, New Zealand A Wrote a review
Heart warming adventure with the bears
When in Juneau this is an absolute highlight. The sea plane flight was exquisite and the bear viewing an incredible opportunity to experience wildlife. Arthur our guide, was both incredibly knowledgable of the bears, but also as a professional photographer, he was a huge help in sharing his wisdom to capture the most amazing images. We had a mother and her cubs quietly walk by and were able to capture her feeding her cubs. This was a truly heart warming day. Small and intimate with plenty of time for bear and eagle viewing. We will definitely return. The entire staff was amazing.
Marla R Wrote a review
Once in a life-time, transformative experience!
We love this company! We had a once in a lifetime experience bear watching with Brooke. We sighted several bears grazing, cooling off in the water pools and had the privilege and honor to witness 2 bears courting and making a love connection! ;) Brooke among the best guides we've had, always coming from a place of reverence, appreciation and illumination for these incredible creatures. The staff from the floatplane to the HQ are all around top notch. They all played a role in our magical day.
Important Notes
Important Notes
Bear Sightings are not guaranteed. This is wild Alaska!
Due to aircraft restrictions, there is a 250 lbs per person weight limit on this tour. All passenger weights need to be provided at time of booking. Passengers may be weighed by float plane operator – those over 250 lbs may be subject to an additional fee.
Our kayaks can accommodate a maximum torso (waist-chest) diameter of 55 inches (140cm). Maximum weight limit is 600 lbs (272kg) for double kayaks. People taller than 6’2” find operating the rudder challenging, as the pedals only adjust to a certain maximum distance; however, people as tall as 6’8” have been able to paddle our kayaks.
The Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area is a wilderness area with no facilities, restrooms, or shelter on site. All garbage and waste must be packed out.
All participants must agree to follow all guide and ranger direction, always stay with the group, store all food items in designated bear proof lockers, and keep all personal belongings on their person.
Participants must be able to confidently hike 1-2 miles in the wilderness. Kayaking is offered June 19th-July20th and must be able to paddle up to 2 miles roundtrip.
This trip operates in all weather conditions (barring unsafe conditions, to be determined by ABAK) – it is very important to dress to get wet.
Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
Every participant must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk Form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the form are not permitted.
Due to various fitness abilities and weather variables, we prefer clients not schedule other excursions directly before or after our trip. Please let us know if you clients have another excursion booked on the same day.
Due to the inherent risks involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.
Departure Times: Daily, dependent on permits.
*Please contact us for departure times and availability.
Dates of Operation:
May 15 – June 19th and July 21st – September 10: Guests will fly directly to Pack Creek.
June 20th – July 20th: Guests will fly to Windfall Island and Kayak to Pack Creek
Group Size:***Pack Creek Permits from July 5 – August 25 are extremely limited
Minimum of 4, Maximum of 5
Minimum Age:
12 years old – public tour
8 years old – private tour – must book out the full plane of 5 seats to make private
Activity Level:
Easy to Moderate
Documentation Needed:
Name of client(s)
Cell phone contact number of client
Desired trip date and departure time
Name of cruise ship or hotel
Participants’ ages, especially anyone under the age of 18
Rain gear & shoe sizes (please specify male or female)
Any pertinent medical issues, allergies or dietary restrictions
Primary language spoken, if other than English