An Alaskan Classic
Juneau Bear Viewing Tours
Wild Coast Excursions provides Juneau bear viewing tours in the world-class brown bear habitats of Admiralty and Chichagof Islands. Our Private, Waterfall Creek, and Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tours offer once-in-a-lifetime encounters with Alaska’s coastal brown bears.
All of our bear viewing locations are accessed by a scenic floatplane flight with our partners at Ward Air, offering guests a rare aerial perspective of Southeast Alaska before landing in true wilderness. Each destination shines at a different time of the season, and during peak season we can arrange multi-day, multi-location bear viewing itineraries for guests seeking the most in-depth experience.
Whether you’re interested in Pack Creek’s historic early-summer brown bear activity, Waterfall Creek’s salmon-driven peak season, or a private trip tailored to your schedule, our Juneau bear viewing tours are designed to provide safe, responsible, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. All trips are carbon-negative and led by expert local naturalists.
Shee Kaax – Chichagof Island
Waterfall Creek
Waterfall Creek is one of the most spectacular brown bear viewing locations in Southeast Alaska — and the premier peak-season bear viewing experience accessible from Juneau.
From mid-July to mid-September, Chichagof Island’s brown bears gather beneath the waterfall to fish for returning salmon, creating remarkably consistent, close-range viewing in a true Tongass wilderness setting.
Juneau’s peak-season bear viewing trips are $999.
Xootsnoowú – Fortress of the Bears
Pack Creek
Pack Creek is one of the most historic and reliable coastal brown bear viewing locations in Alaska—located on Admiralty Island, Xootsnoowú (“Fortress of the Bears” in Lingít). Protected from hunting since the 1930s, this iconic site supports a thriving population of habituated xóots (brown bears) and provides the most consistent early-summer brown bear viewing accessible from Juneau.
Pack Creek bear viewing tours run May 10–June 20 (spring courtship and shoreline foraging) and August 26–September 16 (late-season salmon activity). We also offer a limited number of mid-summer dates (July 15–August 25) for day trips each year. Because Pack Creek bear viewing permits are extremely limited, early booking is essential.
Pack Creek Bear Tours are $999.
Wilderness Exclusive
Private Bear Tours
Our custom private bear viewing tours give you exclusive access to the best brown bear habitats near Juneau—including Pack Creek on Admiralty Island and Waterfall Creek on Chichagof Island. Designed for families, photographers, yacht guests, and VIP travelers, these private trips offer flexible timing, personalized logistics, and the most intimate bear viewing experience in Southeast Alaska.
Private itineraries can be tailored to your schedule, with the option to add flightseeing over the Juneau Icefield or additional wilderness landings. Whether you want early-summer Pack Creek bear viewing or peak-season salmon activity at Waterfall Creek, our private tours deliver the most customized wildlife experience in Juneau.
Private bear viewing starts at $999.
What Our Guests Say About Juneau Bear Viewing
“This is the best thing to do in Alaska. Wild Coast provides everything you need! Boots, waterproof pants, binoculars and a yummy lunch! Matt is so respectful of the wilderness and the bears, which is so important to me as an animal rights person.”
★★★★★ — Christina G.
“I had such an amazing time with Wild Coast Excursions at Waterfall Creek. As soon as we got off the floatplane and walked around the corner — there was a bear right at the waterfall! It was truly one of the coolest and most unforgettable experiences”
★★★★★ — Callie C.
What Our Guests See Bear Viewing in Juneau
Learn More About Bear Viewing in Juneau
Our latest bear-viewing guides help you understand Pack Creek, Waterfall Creek, and Alaska’s brown bears.
Contact Us
What Will You Discover?
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