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Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea

4.5 (12)
Ketchikan, US
4.5 (12)
Ketchikan, US
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Experience the ultimate Alaskan adventure with the Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea tour. This exclusive tour takes you to the Neets Bay Bear Observatory, a location that is closed to the public without a permit. With our company's exclusive rights to these permits, you will have the rare opportunity to witness bears in their natural habitat. Join us for a fully narrated coach tour from downtown Ketchikan to Clover Pass Lodge, where you will board a comfortable boat and embark on a one-hour exploration of the breathtaking Tongass National Forest. Arriving at the observatory, you will enjoy a guided walk through the forest before observing bears feeding in the stream. Although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, bears are spotted 99% of the time. Don't miss this extraordinary chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. Book your Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea tour today!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-6 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Self Guided Experience
  • Close proximity to bears in the wild
  • Exploration of Tongass National Forest from a comfortable boat
  • Guided walk through an incredible forest
  • Opportunity to observe bears feeding in the stream
  • Fully narrated tours with knowledgeable guides
  • Snack

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More about this experience

Introduction

The Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea is an exclusive tour that offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska's wildlife. With the exclusive rights to the permits for Neets Bay Bear Observatory, only a select number of guests will have the privilege of getting up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. This tour promises an unforgettable adventure in the wild, where guests can observe bears in their natural habitat while ensuring their safety.

What to expect?

During this 285-minute tour, guests will embark on an exhilarating journey through the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. Starting from downtown Ketchikan, a fully narrated coach tour will take you to Clover Pass Lodge, the oldest operating fishing lodge in Alaska. From there, a comfortable and fully enclosed boat will transport you into the heart of the wilderness, providing a one-hour exploration of the breathtaking Tongass National Forest. The highlight of the tour is the visit to Neets Bay Bear Observatory, where guests will embark on a guided walk through the enchanting forest. As you reach the mouth of a salmon spawning stream, you'll have the incredible opportunity to quietly observe bears feeding in their natural habitat. Please keep in mind that while bear sightings are highly likely, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Who is this for?

This tour is designed for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts who want to immerse themselves in the untamed beauty of Alaska. Whether you're a wildlife lover, a photographer, or simply someone who appreciates nature's wonders, this experience is bound to captivate you. The tour is suitable for individuals and groups of all ages, as long as they are physically capable of walking through the forest and boarding the boat.

Why book this?

Book the Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea for the opportunity of a lifetime. This exclusive tour offers an unparalleled experience of witnessing bears in their natural habitat, something that few people ever get to do. The chance to observe these magnificent creatures up close is not only thrilling but also incredibly educational. Expert guides will enrich your understanding of bear behavior and the delicate balance of their ecosystem. With the convenience of a fully narrated coach and boat tour, you can sit back, relax, and let the beauty of Alaska unfold before your eyes. The combination of panoramic views, a guided walk through the forest, and breathtaking moments of bear sightings make this tour truly unforgettable.

Good to know

It's important to note that the Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea is a popular tour, so bookings should be made in advance to secure your spot. The tour includes all transportation, including a fully narrated coach and boat tour, making it easily accessible for all guests. However, please ensure that you wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers to adapt to Alaska's ever-changing weather conditions.

Reviews

Guests who have experienced the Alaskan Bear Encounter by Land & Sea rave about the mesmerizing encounters with bears and the knowledgeable guides who enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight how this tour exceeded their expectations, describing it as a wildlife lover's dream come true. The combination of scenic beauty, adventure, and educational insights makes this tour a top-rated choice for those seeking an unforgettable Alaskan experience.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Ketchikan

You will enjoy a fully narrated coach tour from downtown Ketchikan (or Ward Cove dependent upon your ship) to Clover Pass Lodge, the oldest operating fishing lodge in the state of Alaska.

Clover Pass Resort

Upon arrival you will board our comfortable boat, fully enclosed and meet your Captain and crew. You'll be whisked away into the wilderness for a one hour exploration of the wild and wonderful Tongass National Forest, all from the comfort of your boat.

Alaska

Our destination is Neets Bay Bear Observatory. We will arrive at the mouth of a salmon spawning stream and then enjoy a walk through the incredible forest, fully guided. You'll then arrive at the observatory where we will stay on the lookout for bears feeding in the stream. While we do see bears 99% of the time, WILDLIFE IS NEVER Guaranteed. You'll spend 30 minutes quietly observing these magnificent creatures before we make our way back to the boat.

Ketchikan

Fully narrated boat tour return to Clover Pass Lodge

Ketchikan

Fully narrated coach return to downtown Ketchikan

Reviews

(12)

4.5 (12)

236CarolynA

Excellent trip, tour guide Bridger was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant. We were able to stop and see eagles and seals along the way. Took a walk thru the rainforest and had an excellent seafood feast with plenty of food! Bonus homemade chocolate chip cookies. Great trip!

Laura G

Took boat ride, that was wonderful. We were told things along the way. Amazing view. It was raining a little when we started, but the sun came out, and it was an amazing day . Got to see Bears and Seals,Salmon . Water treats on way ,the guys were amazing too. Thanks for the amazing day. First time there and not the last

nigelmayer

I was just on the Luminosa in mid August and did the Bear Encounter by Land & Sea and paid $1000 for two tickets to this in Ketchikan. The description does not mention that the tour involved 3 hours of transportation and only 25 minutes of viewing one bear! I wanted to complain and want my money refunded. This was not what I signed up for. This was our 25th carnival cruise and we’ve never complained up until now. These excursions are very expensive and between the ports we spent over $3000 in excursions. All others were awesome and their descriptions met the criteria and result. This however did not and was extremely misleading. There were no wildlife sightings on the boat either and the boat ride back was late to our ship because of the bumpy waters which isn’t anyone’s fault. But some people were sick. I wasted in 3 hours of boring transportation between the bus and the boat. Don’t waste your money worst excursion ever! Oh and the host on the boat ride was annoying as … well, I’ll be nice. She wouldn’t shut up about her father and family the whole hour ride over. She also has one of these piercing voices that I had to put ear buds in. Once on the property you’re rushed up a pathway by a lovely lady to the viewing area and you basically are rolling a dice to see if a bear shows. We were lucky and saw the back of one eating salmon. She gave us 25 minutes and then took us back to our boat. Now for $1000 i would say don’t do this! Especially if you’re on carnival as they’re charging $100 each person more than it’s listed for on here. I’ve complained to carnival to no avail! Typical!

juliefleming55

We were collected by bus at the cruise terminal and drove to Neets bay. The driver was very informative about places we were passing. On arrival we were greeted by staff and shown were to wait. It was only a short wait before our guide Rainy showed us to our boat, on the way across the water Rainy was very knowledgable about the area and pointed many things out to us. We saw sea lions on route. Once at the hatchery we were greeted by another lady (who’s name has slipped my mind sorry) she guided us up to the hatchery where within minutes there was a bear just in front of us, then another and another. A total of 5 bears were there right in front of us. Rainey’s record sighting. Poor salmon but the bears were hungry that day and it was amazing to see how they scoop the salmon out of the water and feed of their eggs. What an amazing interesting and informative tour. Would recommend to anyone to take this trip. We had great weather too which added to the day.

susana925

This was an amazing boat ride to a very remote salmon hatchery. It’s such a beautiful place! The people who greeted us were genuinely glad to see us. We learned a lot about the area and the habitat. During this time of year the bear come to the creek to feed on the salmon coming back home to spawn, so sightings are common. LUCKY US! But we also saw a momma bear and a young cub, which is rare so we really felt lucky. Such a great experience!!

danwC7972VP

This was our favourite excursion of all on our Alaskan Cruise. Seeing these beautiful black bears up close and watching them eat salmon was a bucket-list item for us, and this trip made it happen! the boat ride over to the salmon hatchery in Neets Bay was beautiful and educational, and the bonus was all the other wildlife we got to see congregating around the area -- eagles, blue herons, seals etc. truly memorable. Tour guides on the boat and at the site were excellent and friendly.

JoanAnne1961

It was a great experience for children and adults to see the bears with there cubs and how they catch the salmon and all the insects that help mother nature. The ride on the boat was also interesting.

Sallyhigg

Amazing ! Complete bucket list stuff. To watch bears in their natural habitat was amazing but even better watching the salmon spawn upstream and see the bears fish them was the “icing on the cake”. We saw about 7 or 8 bears in total. We booked from our ship, Celebrity Cruises, and was transferred to the port where we boarded a boat for approx 45 minutes and taken to a Salmon hatchery. Our guide at the hatchery was extremely knowledgeable, I think she was only one of 6 who lived there. We arrived around 4pm which was perfect dinner time for the bears. Our safety was their paramount concern especially when one fella got a little too close…..we felt completely safe in their hands however. After 4 trips to Canada and many failed attempts to see bears, I felt like I worked for National Geographic ! Amazing day out - dont hesitate to book !

334anjir

Been on 5-6 cruises, this excursion was hands down best I’ve ever experienced. Why? Rainey and Trevor. They are warm, friendly, innovative and a wealth of knowledge not only about the excursion but also of the surrounding area. Rainey spent the time going around talking to each customer which added a personal touch. Most excursions don’t have snacks, not only did they pass them out twice but they were FREE! I previously mentioned innovation. They passed out business cards and another card that had a QRC code that it made it easier to provide a review. Not stopping there, Rainey displayed 3 T shirts so you could see the quality and buy on their website if you wanted a souvenir without adding to an already heavy suitcase. Some may say this was “hawking their goods”. I vehemently disagree bc Rainey was not pushy at all, you could see the quality first hand, it solved a potential overweight problem with baggage and it was great marketing. Overall very knowledgeable guides (saw 5-6 bears up close safely), definitely worth the money, well run business and SUPERB excursion. Bruce Ray

mary g

What an amazing experience!! We safely saw 6 bears in the wild. Our guides Rainey & Trevon we’re kind and made the trip educational and comfortable
Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners
2024-06-14 20:18