Juneau is one of the few places in Southeast Alaska where you can observe brown bears in their natural habitat without a long bush plane ride. Bear watching tours depart from the downtown cruise port and take you by floatplane or boat to remote coastal streams where bears gather to feed on spawning salmon. These are small-group, guide-led experiences designed to maximize wildlife sightings while keeping a safe distance.

The Waterfall Creek Bear Tour is a full-day expedition operated by Above & Beyond Alaska that flies you by floatplane to a remote creek on Admiralty Island, home to one of the highest brown bear densities in North America. Your naturalist guide leads the group along established bear trails to viewing areas near active salmon streams. The tour runs approximately 6 hours and holds a perfect 5-star rating. For a different setting, the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing tour visits the legendary Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island, a federally managed viewing site with elevated platforms overlooking the tidal flats where bears fish, play, and nurse cubs.

Bear watching season in Juneau runs from mid-June through mid-September, with peak salmon runs in July and August producing the most reliable sightings. Tours include all floatplane transportation, bear-resistant gear, and expert naturalist guides. Group sizes are kept small to minimize impact on the bears and maximize your viewing time. Browse the options below to find the right bear watching experience for your Juneau port day.