Expedition Black Bear

Observe Wildlife On A Ketchikan Bear Viewing Tour

Your Six-Pack licensed captain guides you on a saltwater safari through the Tongass Narrows, Clover Passage, and temperate rainforest to Traitor’s Cove or Neets Bay, navigating the vessel on a path of scenic sanctuaries, stunning bays, and inlets, and past a majestic lighthouse seeking marine and coastal wildlife viewing opportunities along the way.

Quite often we’re able to observe the captivating behavior of whales breaching and tail-slapping, revere bear trails and salmon streams, and marvel at bald eagles feasting on salmon leftovers from the bears foraging.

Your captain/guide is well equipped and very familiar with travel in bear country, as well as knowledgeable about local flora, fauna, and wildlife that inhabit the rainforest.

Traitor’s Cove

In mid-summer and early fall when the salmon arrive to spawn, Margaret Creek in Traitor’s Cove is host to a high concentration of black bears making it the perfect place for Ketchikan, Alaska bear tours.

Traitor’s Cove is located 26 miles north of Ketchikan and approximately 60 – 70 minutes (one way) by boat. At Traitor’s Cove dock your adventure continues as you drive 1.25 miles by private van to the Margaret Creek trailhead. From here you continue on a short 250-yard walk along a rainforest trail to the bear viewing falls.

Neets Bay

At Neets Bay black bears line the shore catching as many protein-rich salmon as they can. Watching them fish and interact with each other in a natural setting is an amazing experience. Keep an eye out as you may also spot Sitka black-tailed deer, mink, marten, and seals that populate the area.

While wildlife is abundant, sightings are not guaranteed.