Alaska Bear Adventure & Flightseeing

43

Powered by

EXCLUSIVELY SOLD ON BOARD ALL MAJOR CRUISE LINES, LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

*Check with your Shore Excursions Officer after boarding your ship to check availability. Limited space available.

Fly into the ultimate adventure, bear-watching in Alaska.

Our veteran Alaska bush pilots are your ticket to an awesome Alaska experience. This tour is only available to a small number of visitors, thanks to a special U.S. Forest Service permit. It’s designed to land you in a world of wildlife unlike anything you’ve ever seen…

A short guide to the adventure ahead.

You’ll take off from the Ketchikan waterfront in a DeHavilland Beaver or Otter floatplane, rising above the harbor, historic homesteads,  and over the shimmering waters of Alaska’s fabled Inside Passage. Now that would be a thrilling experience right there. You’ll fly for about 20 minutes over forested mountains and pristine lakes on your way to a remote site in the Tongass National Forest.

Here’s a big feature of your trip:  A bear guide, at your service.

Frankly, when it comes to wildlife, we plan the perfect trip.  An Alaska naturalist/bear guide will meet your plane, and you’ll be driven by van about a mile to a trailhead. From there, you’ll take a short and visually stunning hike along an improved trail that leads to a viewing platform overlooking rapids, as a fast flowing creek cascades towards the sea.

You will find yourself – literally –  in the middle of an Alaska forest ecosystem.

This is where black bears gather to feed on runs of pink, Coho and Chum salmon, as they head upstream to spawn. You may see bald eagles perching in the surrounding trees waiting for scraps left by the bears. And if that weren’t enough for the photographers and nature lovers among you, a variety of birds, Sitka black-tailed deer, mink and marten are often within viewing range. Plan on asking your guide just about anything, like, “How fast do black bears run?” The answer? “Faster than any human.”  If you’ve been wondering where and how to see bears in Alaska, you’re headed for the right place because you’ll be safe and sound with us – a Five star Medallion Shield Carrier.  

Please Note: This flightseeing tour is conducted from July through mid-September on a daily schedule and  with a four fare minimum. Weather could alter flight routes for safety and enjoyment. While wildlife sightings are frequent and expected, they cannot be guaranteed.

Passenger names and weights are required by the FAA for weight and balance calculations and flight manifesting. To ensure aircraft weight and balance is within operating parameters, guests weighing 250 lbs. (clothed weight) or more may be required pay an additional surcharge of $150 over the published fare direct to the tour operator. A no-bag policy applies; however, if you have medical needs that require a carry-on bag, please see the Shore Excursion office on board. All other bags brought to our terminal will be stored until you return from your flight.

If the weather is not suitable for a flight you will have an option to join Herring Cove’s Black Bear & Wildlife Exploration and your onboard folio will be credited the difference in the flight portion.

Taquan Air operates this tour under a special use permit issued by the United States Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

NEED TO KNOW

3.25 hours, including transfer

Comfortable hiking footwear, layered clothing and rain gear are recommended

Aircraft weight/balance may require guests 250 lbs or more to pay surcharge

Shopping opportunities will be available at Taquan Air's terminal

Difficulty Level: Moderate

This experience involves an increased amount of physical activity including walking over uneven terrain and extended periods of standing. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended.

About Taquan Air

Taquan Air takes pride in being known for its exceptional fleet in the skies of southeastern Alaska, operated by passionate locals dedicated to sharing their love for the region. With a strong emphasis on exceptional customer service and state-of-the-art safety standards, we provide an authentic Alaskan experience through the eyes of those who cherish it. Committed to community and environmental well-being, Taquan Air, with over 40 years of service, is recognized for its safety culture and sustainability efforts, certified under the Adventure Green Alaska program. Our iconic planes, like the Beaver and Otter, are not just a mode of transport but symbols of engineering excellence tailored for Alaska’s rugged beauty.

guest reviews

My wife & I took the “bear tour”. We flew in old DeHaviland Beaver float planes from Ketchikan to Traders Cove, about 20 minutes each way. Our pilots (one for each direction) were excellent & experienced & provided helpful info. We were met by a guide & taken to a...

My wife & I took the “bear tour”. We flew in old DeHaviland Beaver float planes from Ketchikan to Traders Cove, about 20 minutes each way. Our pilots (one for each direction) were excellent & experienced & provided helpful info. We were met by a guide & taken to a stream full of salmon. We saw 2 bears catching and eating & an eagle helping himself to leftovers. We had 45 minutes on the viewing platform which passed very quickly.

The pilot took us on a different route going back. Views were incredible- also a little scary!

 

MGOLDIN

- LOS ANGELES

OMG !!!!!!!!!!!! What a professional group, best excursion of our cruise trip. The pilots, planes, bus driver and staff ... A+++++++ Allie our Bear guide was the best, very friendly and knowledgeable about Alaska and the bears. Would highly recommend seeing Alaska via a sea plane.

OMG !!!!!!!!!!!! What a professional group, best excursion of our cruise trip. The pilots, planes, bus driver and staff ... A+++++++ Allie our Bear guide was the best, very friendly and knowledgeable about Alaska and the bears. Would highly recommend seeing Alaska via a sea plane.

DHALL0519

- KANSAS

The bears and Salmon ladder are amazing- nothing like it. The float plane ride was very authentic and our pilot was right out of Northern Exposure. I would absolutely do it again. Our guide to see the bears was dedicated and very knowledgeable.

The bears and Salmon ladder are amazing- nothing like it. The float plane ride was very authentic and our pilot was right out of Northern Exposure. I would absolutely do it again. Our guide to see the bears was dedicated and very knowledgeable.

MICHELLE C

- Alabama

EXCLUSIVELY SOLD ON BOARD ALL MAJOR CRUISE LINES, LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

*Check with your Shore Excursions Officer after boarding your ship to check availability. Limited space available.

More Tours

(13)

Black Bear & Wildlife Exploration

(383)

Misty Fjords Flightseeing

(43)

Adventure Kart Expedition

(77)

Rainforest Sanctuary, Totem Park & Eagles