Best Alaska Wildlife Tours

If we had to describe Alaska with just one word, it’d probably be wild. The Last Frontier boasts some of the most beautiful scenes nature has composed, with a bevy of beasts and a cacophony of creatures large and small. So, are you ready to get wild? We’d love to help.

Read on for our picks for the best Alaska wildlife tours:

1. Ketchikan Neets Bay Bear Encounter by Land & Sea

Port: Ketchikan

Experience the thrill of Southeast Alaska's wilderness on a guided bear-watching adventure to Neets Bay.  Sail through pristine waters, spot whales, eagles and sea lions, and witness bears in their natural habitat along salmon-filled streams.  With expert guides, breathtaking scenery, and unparalleled photo opportunities, this small-group excursion promises an Alaskan memory for anyone's wildlife bucket list. 

2. Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

Port: Juneau

Do you dream of witnessing a majestic humpback whale in its natural environment? This tour guarantees that your dream will come true, or your money back! You’ll also be in search of killer whales, sea lions, porpoises, and much more as you enjoy the open water from our comfortable and custom-designed boats. With plenty of time out on the water, you're sure to see an array of spouts, tails, breaches, and more. Then it’s off to the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier. You’ll take in this mighty river of ice with 45 minutes to explore the walking paths that surround it as well as the U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center, with its wealth of knowledge. Make sure you bring your camera to snap photos of black bears feeding on wild Alaskan salmon!

3. Icy Strait Wildlife & Bear Search Tour

Port: Icy Strait

Chichagof Island has been named "Bear Island" by National Geographic because it has the highest concentration of bears in the world. This exclusive small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience as you search for bears whilst viewing muskeg, an old growth forest; and a variety of other wildlife species, including mink, marten, red squirrels, otter, beaver, ducks, seabirds, Sitka blacktail deer, and plenty of bald eagles. Your experienced wildlife guide will know all of the spots to see these amazing creatures, as well as sharing all kinds of information about the area and its indigenous people.

4. Glacier Point Wilderness Safari Tour

Port: Skagway

This excursion will start aboard a boat that’s custom designed to provide and up-close sightseeing expedition. You’ll journey through the deepest fjord in North America, spotting seals, whales, and cascading waterfalls. Next up, it’s canoe time! After a venturous drive over glacial moraines, you’ll board a voyager canoe for a paddle around the lake and then enjoy a picnic-style lunch on a secluded Alaskan beach.

5. Sitka Wildlife Cruise

Port: Sitka

Departing from Sitka, this marine sightseeing cruise explores the waters of Sitka Sound aboard a modern expedition catamaran, following routes chosen based on seasonal conditions and recent wildlife activity.  Along the way, guests may spot bald eagles, sea otters, porpoises, whales, and other marine life while learning about the area's natural and cultural history from the captain and crew.  The wildlife cruise offers comfortable indoor seating as well as outdoor observation decks for wildlife viewing and photography.