Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search
Trip Highlights
Explore Chichagof Island in search of Coastal Brown Bears
Learn about the wildlife, culture, and native culture from your guide
Description
Chichagof Island, or Shee Kaax, is an island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Alaska Panhandle. At 75 miles long and 50 miles wide, it has a land area of 2,048.61 square miles, making it the fifth largest island in the United States. Chichagof Island has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth and its dense rain forests are some of the last grizzly strongholds!
The community of Hoonah, with a year-round population of approximately 750, is located in the northern part of Chichagof Island. The vast majority of the island is made up of pure, uninhabited Alaskan wilderness teeming with wildlife! The Ursus arctos, or brown bear, is the king of the forest, but Sitka black-tail deer, bald eagles, minks, martens, beavers, ducks, and seabirds thrive on the island and are sometimes spotted on this tour.
This Alaskan wilderness and bear search tour is only offered May through September because those are the months that afford the highest probability of bear sightings. In late April and May, the bears are coming out of hibernation and looking for food. In June, the bears are mating and eating grasses on the tidal flats. Older males fight each other for dominance and mating rights with the females, who at times are not receptive and force the male to give chase.
In July, the salmon start their migration from the ocean up the rivers and we find the bears feeding in coastal rivers and streams. In August and September, the salmon have made it further up the rivers to shallow streams where the bears chase them.
Depending on the month and the weather, the wildlife can be found in different locations throughout the island. Your guide spends a lot of time in the forest and knows where to look.
Join us as we search for these amazing creatures!
This tour is located on the Tongass National Forest under special use permit from the Forest Service, USDA.
Tour info
Icy Strait Point Excursion Hub
Why take this tour?
Chichagof Island has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth. Don’t miss the chance to see these animals in their natural habitat!
Included
Local Guide
USFS National Park Fee $6.13
Return to Ship Anytime Shuttle Pass
Round-trip transfers from Icy Strait Point
Excluded
Gratuities
Drinks/Snacks
Frequently asked questions
Things to know
Age
Under the age of 8 are not permitted on this tour unless it is a Private Tour.
Under the age of 8 are not permitted on this tour unless it is a Private Tour.
Cancellation Policy
To receive a full refund guests may cancel up to 24hrs before the date of the experience. If your cruise ship is scheduled to stop in Hoonah and does not make it to port, or we have to cancel due to weather, this would also be a 100% refund. Please make sure you are booking the correct port. If ...
To receive a full refund guests may cancel up to 24hrs before the date of the experience. If your cruise ship is scheduled to stop in Hoonah and does not make it to port, or we have to cancel due to weather, this would also be a 100% refund. Please make sure you are booking the correct port. If book the incorrect port and do give the required notice there will be no refund. No refund for cancelations less than 24hrs from the date of the tour. This policy does not apply to Private Charters, please email or call for details.
Participants
This tour has a minimum number of required participants. You will be given the opportunity to join another group if the minimum isn't met. This tour/activity will be limited to no more than 10 participants.
This tour has a minimum number of required participants. You will be given the opportunity to join another group if the minimum isn't met. This tour/activity will be limited to no more than 10 participants.