Chichagof Island has been named "Bear Island" by National Geographic because it has the highest concentration of bears in the world at 1-2 brown bears per square mile. This Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience that the large group tours simply cannot offer.
On this 4-hour van tour, there are many exciting things to see, such as a the scenic view of a muskeg, some of the ten varieties of edible berries found on the island, viewing an old growth forest, and potential sightings of the king of the island: brown bears.
Based on current bear movements, feeding habits, and daytime temperatures, there are short stops in key locations to scope out a magnificent view of these captivating creatures - and your wildlife guide knows them all! They will also share information about the area and the Tlingit Native population.
There is also a host of other wildlife that are quite frequently spotted during excursions, including mink, marten, red squirrels, otter, beaver, ducks, sea birds, Sitka black-tail deer, and plenty of bald eagles. So be sure to bring your camera.
Please note: The departure time for this tour is 30 minutes past the cruise ship arrival. Please check your ship's itinerary and select the appropriate time. Wildlife is not guaranteed. Duration: 4 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip guided scenic transportation to wildlife viewing locations
- Bottled water
Duration: 4 hours
- 4 hours narrated scenic drive around the island
Meeting Instructions:
- This tour meets at the Icy Strait Adventure Center. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.
ADA Accessibility of Tour:
- This tour is limited mobility accessible. Guests must be able to climb 4 steps into and out of the van. There is limited space for collapsible wheelchairs and walkers. There is no storage available for motorized scooters. Please leave a comment during checkout if accommodations for collapsible equipment will be required on tour.
How many passengers does the tour van hold?
Tour van size can vary from 6 to 14 passengers.
What are our chances of seeing bears on this tour?
Our success rate for seeing bears is very high, however wildlife CANNOT be guaranteed. Our area has more bears per square mile than any other place in Alaska with 1.7 bears per square mile.
How large can the bears get?
A large male brown bear can be over ten feet from tail to nose and weigh up to 1800 lbs.
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