Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search

Chichagof Island has been named "Bear Island" by National Geographic because it has the highest concentration of bears in the world at 1-2 brown bears per square mile. This Exclusive Wildlife and Bear Search small group tour will give you a flexible, up-close experience that the large group tours simply cannot offer.

There are many exciting things to see, such as a the scenic view of a muskeg, some of the ten varieties of edible berries found on the island, viewing an old growth forest, and potential sightings of the king of the island: brown bears.

Based on current bear movements, feeding habits, and daytime temperatures, there are short stops in key locations to scope out a magnificent view of these captivating creatures, and your wildlife guide knows them all. They will also share information about the area and the Tlingit Native population.

There is also a host of other wildlife that are quite frequently spotted during excursions, including mink, marten, red squirrels, otter, beaver, ducks, sea birds, Sitka black-tail deer, and plenty of bald eagles. So be sure to bring your camera.

Please note: Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. However, this tour can re-position quickly, and there is a much higher chance of sightings than with the slow moving, large tour groups. Due to the remote environment, the bathroom facilities are limited and there is one restroom break provided in the middle of the tour for guests. Please take this into consideration when booking this tour.

Alaska's Juneau City & Mendenhall Glacier Tour

Start your Mendenhall Glacier Adventure right in the center of Juneau's downtown. Before or after your trip, have a stroll around the stores and restaurants. Our little, modest village spans just six square blocks. Your Dock Rep will promptly transport you and your tour guide on your way in a compact, big windowed bus that can fit no more than thirty people.

After departing on your narrated trip along the picturesque Gastineau Channel, which passes by several boat harbors and marshes, you will be at your destination in 20 to 30 minutes. Juneau is unique in that it is a dead end at both ends, boasting only 45 miles of road. During your tour, you will explore 13 miles of this road and arrive at the famous Mendenhall Glacier. It is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska accessible by road and ranks as Alaska's third most popular attraction.

You will have one and a half hours to explore the Visitor Center, take a stroll along the Photo Point Trail and Nugget Falls, or just relax on one of the numerous boardwalks through the woods. From mid-July to mid-September, it's not uncommon to see local bears feasting on spawning salmon. Natural history and information on the resident bears is available from Forest Service interpreters on site. A wealth of information on the Juneau Icefield, the Glacier, bird migrations, and informative signage about the numerous songbirds will be obtained at the Visitor Center.

The Arctic Tern nesting colony is another attraction. An easily accessible location to witness the champion migrant up close in all of America. This location is full of unending grandeur. At the appointed time, meet your local representative for the trip back to Downtown Juneau, to complete your narrated tour.

Please Note: At the Visitor Center, Mendenhall Glacier is visible across Mendenhall Lake. This tour doesn't include walking on Mendenhall Glacier. Children ages 0 to 2 are not given a seat; children ages 2 to 12 are counted and given a seat.

Skagway City and White Pass Summit

Sure to be a highlight of your Alaskan experience, the Skagway City and White Pass Summit Tour begins with a guided tour of Skagway's Historic District in a mini-coach holding no more than 32 passengers. Your guide will explain why Skagway was known as the toughest town on Earth during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-99.

On this Skagway excursion, you will visit historic points of interest such as the Pitchfork Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Bridal Veil Falls are the trailhead for the "Valdez Goat Trail", which is a section of the Trans Alaska Military Packtrain Trail, created during the Klondike Gold Rush.

As you journey up the scenic Klondike Highway, you will travel parallel to the historic White Pass Trail much of the way to the 3,292 foot summit. Along this glacier carved valley are glaciers, thundering waterfalls, majestic mountain vistas and pristine wilderness. Once at the summit, you will descend into the daunting Tormented Valley in British Columbia, Canada. It is this area which inspired the classic authors Robert Service and Jack London. The Tormented Valley is an eco-tone; two separate ecosystems transform to become the other. After visiting this area of 300 to 400-year-old trees known as "Krummholz", many of which are no taller than chest-high, you will return to Skagway.

During your Skagway excursion, various photo stops will be made to help you maximize your Alaskan experience.

PLEASE NOTE: All tour stops are subject to change based on weather and road conditions. This tour will be crossing the Canadian border and then back across the U.S. border. All U.S. and Canadian citizens 16 and older traveling between the U.S. and Canada are required to present a valid passport (or government authorized "enhanced" driver's license, currently issued in MI, MN, NY, VT, and WA.) We recommend you bring a photo I.D. as well. U.S. and Canadian citizens who are 15 years old or younger may travel with a certified birth certificate. People of all other citizenship are required to have a photo I.D., a passport, and visa (if required).

All minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Children that are 2 years old or younger are free when occupying an adult's lap. If you would like your child to have his/her own seat, you are required to count them as an adult while booking.

If placed on an 11:30 AM departure, your tour will depart from Downtown, about a 10 minute walk from the pier or short shuttle ride. Full details will be provided in your electronic ticket.

Sitka Snorkel at Magic Island

Our tour kicks off with a quick check-in to collect your snorkeling equipment. Here, our friendly and expert staff will efficiently fit you with state-of-the-art wetsuits and snorkeling gear to ensure your comfort and safety during the adventure.

Before heading into the water, you'll participate in an orientation lasting approximately 45 to 60-minutes, covering essential information about the dive site, local ecosystem, sustainability practices, and wetsuit safety. This session is led by our knowledgeable guides, who specialize in oceanic life and intertidal ecosystems, ensuring an enriching and educational experience..

A short drive takes us to the enchanting snorkeling spot of Magic Island. As you walk down the gravelly, rocky shore into the crystal-clear waters, our safety-oriented guides will brief you on the adventure ahead and accompany you every stroke of the way. You'll enjoy approximately 60 to 80-minutes of snorkeling, exploring the vibrant underwater world with a 1:5 guide-to-guest ratio, allowing for a personalized and immersive experience.

Because the town of Sitka is located on the Outer Coast, you will witness a wide diversity of marine life, including colorful rockfish, sand dollars, sea stars, needlefish, and even Giant Pacific Octopi. The shoreline and surrounding waters also attract bald eagles, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, and even the occasional humpback whale.

After your snorkeling adventure, we'll return to the snorkel shop, where you'll receive a towel and have the opportunity to change out of your wetsuit. Once you're comfortable, warm up with complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, or tea--the perfect way to end your exhilarating excursion.

This tour is proudly partnered with the Sitka Sound Science Center, reinforcing our commitment to marine education and sustainability.

We're dedicated to ensuring you return in time for your cruise departure, so you can leave with nothing but wonderful memories of your time at Magic Island. Book now for an extraordinary snorkeling experience in Sitka, Alaska, where the magic of the sea meets the charm of the port!

Please Note: All guests participating in our tours or activities must sign a waiver form acknowledging the inherent risks and confirming their good physical condition. For participation, guests should have no respiratory conditions, heart issues, or uncontrolled high blood pressure. Additionally, guests interested in snorkeling must be proficient swimmers. Those with concerns are encouraged to consult their personal physician before engaging in any potentially strenuous activity. Please print out and bring a completed wavier form with you to the meeting location. To print out the required wavier form, please CLICK HERE.