Fortress of the Bears Kayak
Kayak into the Fortress of the Bears on this Juneau day trip
Grab a paddle for an unforgettable wildlife kayaking experience into the "Fortress of the Bears" on Admiralty Island in groups of no more than 10 guests!
After being transferred from the pier to the float plane dock, approximately 30 minutes away, you will check in for your flight. This is followed by a 25-minute scenic float-plane flight to Windfall Island. Following a safety briefing and kayaking orientation, paddle in two-person sea kayaks about a mile to the edge of the Pack Creek Brown Bear Sanctuary located on Admiralty Island, home to the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world. This world-class wildlife sanctuary provides protected habitat for brown bears, while affording visitors an opportunity to view and photograph wildlife close up.
You will spend approximately three hours looking for bears on this Juneau shore excursion. A short beach walk brings you to the mouth of Pack Creek, where you can hope to see Alaskan brown bear fishing for salmon or feeding in the beach meadows. On this Juneau tour, you may also be taken for a short hike through the old growth coastal rain forest to an observation tower on upper Pack Creek.
You will then kayak for approximately 1 hour back to Windfall Island, where the float plane will pick you up and transport you back to Juneau. This is truly one of the gemstones of Southeast Alaska!
The best chance to view brown bears is July and August during salmon spawning season. May and June are also good months, as it is 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!
Please Note: Permits to enter Pack Creek are very limited. The tour operates in rain or shine. Once this tour is confirmed, there is no refund for the permit fee, currently $50 US per person. We suggest booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment. This tour sells out!
The Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area is within a wilderness area with no facilities on site. There is no dock, bathrooms, shelter from the elements (except an observation tower at Pack Creek), or cell phone service. All food is required to be stored in bear-proof lockers at the entrance site. Guests must stay together and within designated travel routes as a group with their guide at all times, and must never leave gear or personal belongings unattended. Every participant on the trip must sign a waiver form at the start of the trip.