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Ketchikan, US

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Discover the untamed wilderness of Alaska with Island Wings Air Service's Traitors Cove Bear Viewing tour. Owned and operated by veteran pilot Michelle Masden, Island Wings is dedicated to helping you fulfill your Alaskan dreams. Soar above majestic mountains, serene islands, and endless seas as you experience the freedom of flight. Arriving at Traitors Cove, you'll witness the incredible spectacle of bears feasting on freshly caught salmon, eagles scavenging leftovers, and salmon battling their way upstream. With a knowledgeable bear guide by your side, you'll embark on a short hike along a boardwalk trail to the Margarete Creek Bear Viewing platform, capturing stunning photos along the way. This exclusive four-hour tour includes a scenic floatplane flight, ground transportation, and three unforgettable hours at Traitors Cove. Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness Alaska's wildlife in action - book your adventure now!

About this experience

Non Refundable There is no return, refund or cancellation possible with this product
Admission Included
4 hours 15 minutes
Suitable for 1-12 Participants
Private Tour, Small Group Tour
Guided Experience & Audio Guided

Highlights

Fly by floatplane along beautiful waterways
Experience bears feeding on wiggling salmon
See bald eagles picking over bear scraps
Capture beautiful scenery and wildlife in photos
Limited access allows for a unique and exclusive experience

Included

We operate well maintained six-passenger dehavilland beaver floatplanes
Guaranteed window seats for all passengers
Voice activated, noise cancelling headset for each passenger
Interactive narration with your pilot
Pick-up and drop-off by island wings van from the ketchikan visitors bureau on cruise ship berth 2
Us forest service special use permit for bear viewing within tongss national forest
All inclusive tour

Not included

No food or beverages, except bottled water, allowed on the flight
Gratuities

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Alaskan wilderness with Traitors Cove Bear Viewing, a tour offered by Island Wings Air Service. Owned and operated by veteran pilot Michelle Masden, Island Wings has been making Alaskan dreams come true since 1993. This tour allows you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of the mountains, the islands, and the endless sea from a unique vantage point: the sky.

What to expect?

During this 4.25-hour tour, you can expect an unforgettable adventure. You will fly by floatplane through the picturesque waterways of the lush Tongass National Forest, arriving at the Margarete Creek Bear Viewing platform at Traitors Cove. Witness bears displaying their extraordinary fishing skills as they plunge into the rushing water to catch salmon. Alongside the bears, you will also spot bald eagles scavenging for scraps left by the bears. This tour offers the perfect opportunity for wildlife photography enthusiasts to capture Alaska's real fishermen in action.

Who is this for?

This tour is for anyone who seeks a remarkable wildlife experience and a deeper connection with nature. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or someone seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Traitors Cove Bear Viewing welcomes individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Join fellow nature lovers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts on this incredible journey into the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.

Why book this?

By booking Traitors Cove Bear Viewing, you gain exclusive access to a truly unique and limited opportunity. The tour offers a combination of a scenic floatplane flight, a van ride on a US Forest Service road, and a short hike on a boardwalk trail to the viewing platform. With only a limited number of permits issued by the US Forest Service, this experience provides an intimate and authentic encounter with Alaskan wildlife. Prepare to capture mesmerizing moments and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Good to know

It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and ensure your camera is fully charged for this adventure. The Traitors Cove bear viewing tour is available from July 20th to September 30th, and it is advisable to book early due to limited availability. The total duration of the tour is approximately 4.25 hours, including the flight, three hours at Traitors Cove, and fifteen minutes for pick-up and drop-off. Island Wings Air Service prioritizes the quality of your experience, from the moment you make your reservation to the equipment they provide. Embrace the full splendor of Alaska with Island Wings, a trusted provider with over 25 years of experience in creating unforgettable memories.

Reviews

Feedback from individuals who have embarked on the Traitors Cove Bear Viewing tour unanimously highlights the awe-inspiring beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and the captivating encounters with bears and eagles. Travelers appreciate the knowledgeable and friendly bear guide accompanying them on this journey, offering insights into Alaska's unique flora and fauna. Guests rave about the opportunity to witness bears catching salmon firsthand and the breathtaking scenery throughout the tour. The exclusivity of the experience is greatly appreciated, with guests cherishing the small group size and the chance to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Traitors Cove. Embark on this unforgettable adventure and experience the magic of Alaska's wildlife with Traitors Cove Bear Viewing.

About this product

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

Tongass National Forest

Between July20th and September 30th you can visit the bear viewing observatory at Traitors Cove. Fly by floatplane along the beautiful waterways of the lush Tongass National Forest across Revillagegedo island to a US Forest Service maintained trail and the Margarete Creek Bear Viewing platform. Bears can be seen plunging into the rushing water to retrieve their meals of wiggling salmon. This is a perfect opportunity to photograph Alaska's real fisherman in action! In addition to bears feeding, you will also see bald eagles picking over the scraps left by the bears and of course, the real stars of the show, the salmon as they battle their way upstream to spawn. Your journey will be accompanied by the Island Wings bear guide who will provide information about the flora and fauna along the way. Combine a short hike, beautiful scenery and a magnificent wildlife experience in one trip. This is a four hour tour that includes a floatplane flight, a one mile drive by van on a US Forest Service road and a short hike along a boardwalk trail to the viewing platform. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring plenty of camera batteries! The US Forest Service restricts access to Margarete Observatory by permit. As a result, only small numbers of people have the opportunity to visit this beautiful site, so book early! The four hour Traitors Cove bear viewing tour includes: a thirty minute flight each way and three hours at Traitors Cove. All tours include complimentary ground transportation to and from our dock which adds fifteen minutes to the beginning and the end of your tour. For this four hour tour you will need to budget four and a half hours total time. Season: July 20th through September 30th.

Admission Included

Additional information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please wear layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
All passengers MUST provide us a contact phone number when booking or call us at (907) 225-2444 to confirm a tour time.
Passengers travelling via cruise ship MUST provide their cruise ship name to us so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Reviews

(32)

5 (32)

teaforgirls

Our family (2 parents, teen daughter) enjoyed our Traitors Cove Excursion. Communication from the time of booking was excellent. They picked us up at the Liquid Sunshine Gauge very near our cruise ship. Michelle had excellent info during our flight and Anika was an excellent guide on land. It is a well run company and we felt safe and well informed the entire time.

Rovadia

Service was excellent. We had the most beautiful flight with amazing views. Michelle our pilot and Annika our guide were great. Sadly, there were no bears. We saw some Salmon, one bald eagle and that was it. We knew there was no guarantee we'd see bears but still it was so disappointing.

C4162ILkimz

For months prior to taking my mom on her bucket list trip to Alaska by cruise, I did hours of research on public NTSB records. Having a background in aviation quality and safety, signing up for an excursion by floatplane in Alaska can be rather daunting - Alaska has a less than stellar safety record compared to the lower states because the lower 48 are not as reliant on air travel to get around. I chose Traitor's Cove Bear Viewing because of the flawless safety record of Island Wings Air Service, and I was not disappointed. If you have any hesitancy or questions, I encourage you to just call Island Wings because they provide a very personalized experience. Less than five-star reviews make mention of not seeing bears. We saw only one, but the description makes it clear what you should expect based on the time of year you visit. Mom & I went in mid-September 2022 after the bears were past prime feeding season, so we did not expect many to be visible. To me, you are entrusting your life to a pilot, and Michelle is impeccable. Michelle and her team cannot control bears, but they set reasonable expectations on what you will see depending on time of year and climate conditions. They also (in addition to safety) provide very knowledgeable, accommodating and entertaining guides. This was a completely wonderful experience for both me and my mom. My greatest appreciation to Michelle and her crew.

giely

The best part of the tour was the hydroplane flight at low altitude that allowed for breathtaking views of the sea, islands and forests. Walking in the forest was absolutely amazing. The bear-viewing was less than average. We (9 people) were taken to "the viewing platform". What a joke! The platform overlooks the river, to which a couple of black bears descended briefly to catch fish far away on the other side. But the platform is surrounded by a high wall of green tarp, which has 8 rectangular openings for viewing. The tour guide explained that this was mandated by some authority, I don't recall which. I am sure that there are other places in Alaska where one can see bears better and probably at a lower price.

dwpickup

The highlight of our 6 week tour of Alaska and Canada. Michelle, the owner, flew us to Traitors Cove for black bear viewing in her float plane. Its so hard to decide the best part of the best part of the trip, the experience and flying over the islands with fanstastic commentary from Michelle or the black bear viewing on the island, watching the bears catch the salmon and mother and baby crossing our paths a few meters away. Fabulous fabulous day..thank you so much for a memory that will last a lifetime! And the only operator who will genuinely go out of their way to accommodate disabled passengers.

Charlizzle91

Absolutely amazing experience with very professional staff. Thank you for making our honeymoon so memorable. We had spent 2 weeks in Canada travelling around the costal mountain area and the Rockies and didn't see any bears. So we were wondering if they might have been mythical! Annika (I hope I have spelled your name correctly) was brilliant. Really knowledgeable and approachable. The flight out was really smooth and the pilots were really reassuring. I had a problem when we got to Canada, in which I had my credit card details stolen and had to block the card. It was the same card that Island wings had on file as they don't take payment until the day of flight. I managed to contact them and they changed it with no hassle. Thank you again. Amber and Charlie.

LisaR319

We were on a cruise but booked this excursion privately per recommendation by our travel agent. We were not disappointed. This was by far a highlight of the entire trip to Alaska for my husband and myself. My husband is a retired airline Captain.,so being able to fly in a seaplane was a huge thrill for him especially. But the bear viewing for me was spectacular. Our pilot Adam was extremely competent and our trail guide Annika was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and the habitat. But seeing so many bears and eagles up close in their home was just breathtaking. The views from the plane out and back to Traitors Cove were stunning , even on the cloudy overcast day that it was. Everything about this experience was run very professional and top notch. We were a group of seven and so half of our group were on Michelle’s plane and they were just as happy and impressed with their ride and they were two retired airline Captains in that plane as well.

gillm976

We had originally booked a bear viewing trip to Anan Creek but the weather conditions on the morning of our flight meant that it was impossible to negotiate the cloud -however hard Adam, our pilot, tried to work around the mist. Instead, we were really pleased to be offered an alternative trip to Traitor’s Cove, where we had an excellent informative talk by our guide Onika ( forgive me if that is the wrong spelling) She was knowledgeable and very helpful, and we were delighted to have a close encounter with a beautiful black bear, searching for early salmon! We were really impressed by the professional and safe piloting of Adam, who went out of his way to ‘fight’ the weather without taking risks. And a special mention for Michelle, who was totally honest about the situation and pulled out all the stops to make this a special visit. Huge thanks to everyone - we would thoroughly recommend this company!

Steve41151

Flew with Island Wings along with my grandson to see the bears in 2020. Tried to do it again with a different grandson in 2021 but the weather stopped us. Both years we flew over Mystic Fjords and landed on an inland lake 300' above sea level. The bear viewing may have been the best excursion type trip I have ever taken. We were on a salmon fishing trip, but got there two days early for the Fjords and bear watching. Michelle is an exceptional pilot and is a great tour guide while on the ground or in the air. I plan to go back at least one more time with my wife the next time.

lmracing

I booked this trip with Island Wings for a party of 6 (me, my husband, and two couples that were traveling with us). Our day was simply incredible! Our pilot was fabulous (with 3 of us in the plane also pilots, our standards are HIGH), the views were sweeping and the scenery left us speechless...all before we even made it to traitors cove. Once ashore, we had a freaking fantastic guide to view the bears and were able to spend over an hour on the platform alone with only our group watching EIGHT BEARS (including 3 cubs) fish for their dinner. Really, this excursion takes the cake and Island Wings is THE BEST!

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2024-07-03 00:20