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Alaska

7

Reasons To
Visit Alaska

  • Bears

    Alaska, the USA’s largest state, has to be some of the best bear watching territory anywhere in the world. Black and brown bears (sometimes known as grizzly bears) can be found, when they want to be, nearly everywhere in the state.

    Bears

  • Cruises

    Alaska offers some truly spectacular cruising opportunities on a wide variety of ships. Some of the country’s most awe-inspiring scenery lies around its magnificent coastline; places such as Glacier Bay, Admiralty Island and Tracy Arm.

    Cruises

  • Fishing

    Famous for its salmon, fishing is a popular pastime in Alaska and there are many places in which to partake in the sport. If you are in Homer don’t miss the opportunity to land a prize-winning halibut in this self-proclaimed Halibut Fishing Capital of the World!

    Fishing

  • Glaciers

    Along the coast of Alaska, some of North America’s highest mountains feed more than half the world’s glaciers, an epic sight as they carve icebergs into chill waters. Expedition cruises operate in these waters using zodiacs to discover breathtaking coastlines and a plethora of wildlife.

    Glaciers

  • Landscape & scenery

    Home to magnificent glaciers, endless tundra and pristine fjords, as well as being the home of North America’s highest mountain, Mount Mckinley, Alaska’s scenery rivals that of New Zealand, except everything can be seen here on a larger scale.

    Landscape & scenery

  • Wilderness

    In a state where moose outnumber humans, it’s no wonder Alaska is considered one of the world’s last true wildernesses. Here you can find entire ecosystems still intact and vast areas of land untouched by human hands.

    Wilderness

  • Wildlife

    One Alaskan animal you are likely to see a lot of are the delightful sea otters. These enchanting animals spend most of their lives floating on their backs, furry faces and paws in the air.

    Wildlife
 
 

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Excursions in Alaska: Admiralty Island Bear Viewing

The remote wilderness area of Admiralty Island lies just 15 miles off the coast of Juneau. Locally known as "Fortress of the Bear", this large island is home to over 1,600 grizzly bears, one of the highest concentrations in the world with approximately one bear per square mile!

Floatplane at Admiralty Island
Pack Creek, Admiralty IslandFloatplane at Admiralty IslandBrown Bear at Pack Creek, Admiralty Island

Admiralty Island Bear Viewing

Juneau, Alaska
  • Air, Helicopter & Balloon
  • Wildlife & Nature

The remote wilderness area of Admiralty Island lies just 15 miles off the coast of Juneau. Locally known as "Fortress of the Bear", this large island is home to over 1,600 grizzly bears, one of the highest concentrations in the world with approximately one bear per square mile!

Departing from Juneau Airport, your thrilling seaplane flight will begin with a superb bird's eye view of Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier and the Gastineau Channel before landing deep within the Admiralty Island National Monument. En route it is often possible to spot whales, bald eagles and bears.

After a brief induction, it's a short hike along the shore to Pack Creek or any number of nearby popular bear spots. Your pilot and guide, Butch Laughlin, has been conducting bear tours since 1991 and knows this unique landscape very well. Although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, with such experience, your chances are greatly increased.

Depending on the season, it is possible to see bears feeding on sedge grass in spring or salmon from mid July to September. Admiralty bears seem to prefer chum salmon to leaner pink salmon and when the salmon are plentiful, the bears become more selective with what parts of the fish they eat. Despite being solitary animals, the bears will tolerate each other during the salmon runs while there is enough food to go around, meaning it is possible to see several in bears in any one area.

Visitor numbers are tightly controlled and every effort is made to not impact the bears. The return flight to Juneau is via a different route providing another look at this spectacular landscape including mountains, alpine lakes and the temperate old growth rainforest.

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{55AB3E29-067D-4C6B-8288-5D52D6704EFC}Alaska Bear Watching

No visit to Alaska is complete without seeing either a grizzly (brown) or black bear. Use this guide to find out a few facts about both types, plus the best places to go bear watching in Alaska.

Read Travel Guide

Further reading:
AlaskaWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout AlaskaCountry Guides

Other countries in Canada & Alaska:
Canada

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