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Admiralty Island Fortress of the Bear Kayak

4.5

Admiralty Island Fortress of the Bear Kayak the 2nd Next Tour Image

6 Hours Duration

From pick-up to drop-off

Best Bear Opportunities

Most up close and personal experience

Multi-Activity Adventure

Through Juneau's remote wilderness

An Exclusive Experience

With small groups and expert guides

Description

Hands-down the most exclusive Juneau bear watching tour offered, this full-day excursion provides wildlife encounters on another level. Flying out to Admiralty Island, also known as 'the Fortress of the Bears', a float plane drops you off in a remote wilderness where you will sea kayak along the coast of what is home to one of the highest density brown bear and nesting bald eagle populations on the planet! Pull the kayaks on shore, and find a viewing location with your guide to observe brown bears in their native habitat; no walls, no fences. Check out Windfall Island when you land before heading over to Admiralty Island for your bear viewing experience at Pack Creek, which encompasses true Alaskan wilderness and unparalleled wildlife opportunities.

Start this Juneau bear tour with a pick-up right at the cruise docks and transportation to the float plane base, which allows an opportunity for gear fitting and safety instructions for the day. A 20-minute float plane flight culminates on the shores of Windfall Island, where sea kayaks await for the next leg of this journey. From here, you will paddle ato Admiralty Island, keeping your eyes peeled for brown bears, bald eagles, and even whales and seals which frequent these waters. Extremely knowledgable guides share insights into the ecology of your surroundings and wildlife behavior, providing an excellent narrative to complement the stunning scenery in all directions.

Guests in late summer will enjoy watching spawning salmon returning home, swimming upstream to mate, which of course is a popular location for brown bears as well. Enjoy lunch on the beach, savoring this wilderness area and the sensitive ecological balance that accompanies it. Photographers will fill up their SD cards with some of the most amazing up-close bear shots, and there is enough time to really observe and deepen your appreciation for these majestic animals. Eventually, make the return trip home via kayak to the float plane location for the return flight back to Juneau. It will undoubtedly be hard to put this experience into words upon your return, but the imprint will surely stay with you.

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.

What's Included

Roundtrip Transportation

Knowledgeable Guides

All Necessary Safety Gear

Rain Gear (Jacket/Pants), Rubber Boots

Hearty Snack & Bottled Water

USFS Permit

Guide Gratuities

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the tour still operate if it's raining?

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 fees).

Do I need kayaking experience?

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 if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?

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, then you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable fees.

What about restroom facilities along the way?

You'll have a chance at the gear 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.

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

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?

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?

There can be up to 12 participants 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.

Know Before You Book

Minimum Age: 12 years old • Maximum Weight: 1 lbs

Weight limit of 250 pounds per person due to float-plane weight capacity.

Pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.

The smallest shoe size we can accommodate is youth 2 size. Largest shoe size we can accommodate is men’s size 14.

Clients must be able and conditioned to paddle 2 hours roundtrip and hike on uneven terrain up to 2 miles.

A rescue fee of $250 per client will be charged for any rescue based on the client’s inability to complete the tour due to undisclosed medical conditions/limitations or an insufficient level of physical fitness that significantly inhibits the group’s pace. Clients that require a rescue due to an injury incurred on the trek will not be charged rescue fees, nor will those who have disclosed information regarding medical conditions (and have been approved to participate) prior to the trip date

Once this trip is booked, there is a $50 non-refundable fee per person. This is non-refundable for any reason, including weather cancellations. Cancel up to 14-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 14-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship\'s schedule changes, you will receive a refund minus any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.

Quick Facts

City

Juneau

Itinerary • 8h 00min • 6 activities

Begin your tour with convenient pick-up right next to the cruise docks, or arrange alternative transportation if necessary.

Duration

30 minutes

Gear up and paddle the pristine waters around Windfall Island for at least one hour round trip in tandem kayaks while your guide teaches you about the local ecosystem. Trips in May & September do not include kayaking.

Duration

1 hour 30 minutes

A stunning floatplane tour over Juneau that holds 5 guests, a pilot, and your guide for this small group excursion.

Duration

30 minutes

Guests will hike for 1-2 miles while searching for the 1800 brown bears on Admiralty Island. The best chances to view bears are in July & August during the salmon spawn, or late May & June during brown bear mating season, though no sightings are guaranteed.

Duration

3 hours

Hop back in your kayaks for your return paddle to Windfall Island with more views and information along the way.

Duration

1 hour

Take a short return flight to the Wings Airways base before hopping in your shuttle back to the cruise ship docks.

Duration

30 minutes

Customer Reviews 8

Total score

4.5