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Admiralty Island Fortress of the Bears Kayak with Alaska Shore Tours
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak
  • Admiralty Brown Bear Viewing & Kayak

$939.00

4.6 out of 5 based on 5 customer ratings
(5 )

Admiralty Island Fortress of the Bear Kayak

Arriving

8 Hours Duration

From pick-up to drop-off


An Exclusive Experience

With small groups and expert guides


Multi-Activity Adventure

Float plane, sea kayaking, trekking


Best Bear Opportunity

Most up close and personal experience available

Pack Creek bear viewing on Admiralty Island is an experience not to be missed. Enjoy a thrilling ride in a float plane, spot brown bears in the wild, and enjoy a coastal paddle in a sea kayak on this full-day excursion filled with fun and adventure. Juneau is bear country, and the very best place to view the coastal-dwelling, salmon-eating brown bears in the wild is Admiralty Island, also known as The Fortress of the Bears. This wilderness island is home to one of the highest-density brown bear populations on the planet, as well as to a large population of nesting bald eagles. Admiralty Island bear viewing is a great experience for the whole family, as you can observe these furry giants up-close in a beautiful wilderness habitat. In salmon-spawning season, you may even see bears catching salmon with their claws or in their mouths as the salmon swim upstream to mate. For this tour, your group will fly into Windfall Island before paddling to the shores for Pack Creek bear viewing. After a 20-minute flight, your float plane will land on the shores of Windfall Island, where you’ll sea kayak along the coast to Pack Creek to observe the bears and learn about their habitat and behavior from your knowledgeable guides. Then it’s time for a relaxing and delicious lunch on the beach before the return journey to Juneau.

Your eight-hour round-trip Admiralty Island bear viewing experience begins with pick-up right at the Juneau cruise docks followed by transportation to the float plane base. After your gear-fitting and safety instructions are finalized, it’s time to board the float plane for the 20-30 minute flight to Admiralty Island for Pack Creek bear viewing, where you can view brown bears from an observation tower, and for Windfall Island, a remote and rugged outpost. On your sea kayak paddle along the tranquil coastline toward your bear-viewing destination, keep an eye out for seals, humpback whales, and on-shore wildlife like minks, martens, and deer. At the conclusion of your visit to The Fortress of the Bears, a delicious picnic lunch will be served on the beach before you paddle back to your float plane for the flight back to Juneau and transportation back to the cruise docks. Admiralty Island bear viewing is the most exclusive Juneau tour we offer, and it’s a true Alaskan wilderness experience you will never forget!

Please note: Kayaking is only included from June-August. In May & September a direct flight is taken to the Pack Creek area to maximize bear viewing time.

If you’re heading to Skagway and are looking for another exclusive tour, check out our Private Emerald Lake Tour.

Port

Juneau

Type

Float Plane, Wildlife Viewing

Length

8 hours

Adult Rate

$939

Child Rate

There is no child rate for this tour. All participants will be charged at the adult rate.

Accessibility

Guests must be under 250lbs., The kayaks can accommodate a maximum torso (waist-chest) diameter of 52 inches (132cm)., Must be fit enough to paddle a kayak for 3 miles and hike about 1 mile (Note: kayaking portion is about 8 miles round trip if going to Windfall Harbor)., People taller than 6’2″ (198cm) have a hard time operating the rudder because the pedals only adjust to a certain maximum distance., However, people as tall as 6’6″ have been able to paddle in our kayaks.

Minimum Age

The minimum age for participants is 12 years old, except if booking a private tour (minimum 8).

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 14-days before your tour for a refund, less any non-refundable fees., If for any reason the tour is canceled (due to unpermitting weather, for example), or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund minus any non-refundable fees., This particular trip requires a $50 deposit per person, which is non-refundable even in the event of weather cancellations.

Customer reviews

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    What is the difference between the Pack Creek viewing area and Windfall Harbor?

    Answer: Of the 2 viewing locations on Admiralty Island, Pack Creek is slightly more accessible with designated viewing areas and a tower platform suitable for up to 8 people. Windfall Harbor requires a longer kayak paddle and a 1-mile hike through the rainforest and lacks any type of infrastructure or platforms - this one is true brown bear country!

    When is the best time for seeing bears? Are we guaranteed to see them?

    Answer: The best chance to view brown bears is July and August during salmon spawning season. May and June are also great months because it’s brown bear mating season. The number of bears a group sees varies greatly through the summer, but most visitors see at least one bear if not more. However, bear sightings are not guaranteed. This is wild Alaska!

    How many guests are on this tour?

    Answer: There can be up to 10 passengers on this trip, and there is a minimum of 2 guests for the trip to operate. With advanced notice, we can accommodate larger groups on private tours.

    Do I need previous kayaking experience?

    Answer: Nope! This trip is rated as 'Easy' or 'Moderate', and we can accommodate even beginner kayakers. There is a recommended fitness level with the ability to paddle for 3 miles and hike about 1 mile (Note: kayaking portion is about 8 miles round trip if going to Windfall Harbor).

    What about restroom facilities along the way?

    Answer: You'll have a chance at the base to use the restroom, but after that we will be entering the great outdoors. We recommend all guests follow 'Leave No Trace Principles' and should the need arise, we request packing all trash from the trip including toilet paper. If this is of concern for you, we recommend bringing toilet paper and a ziploc bag for easy packing.

    Will the trip still operate if it is raining?

    Answer: Because much of SE Alaska is a rainforest, these Juneau tours do operate rain or shine. Rain jackets and pants are provided on this trip. If weather conditions are unsafe, the trip will be canceled and we will provide a refund (minus non-refundable deposit).

    What if our ship is delayed or doesn't make it into port? Refund?

    Answer: It's very rare that a ship is delayed into port, but in those cases we will try our best to work with you to reschedule the tour to a later time. If that is not a possibility or your ship doesn't make it into port, we will refund you (minus non-refundable deposit).

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