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Wildlife Locations

15 recommended locations. Please contact us for further suggestions.

Alexander Archipelago

Along the Gulf of Alaska, in the south-eastern coast of the state lies a wildlife haven, The Alexander Archipelago. Around 1,100 submerged coastal mountains rise steeply from the Pacific Ocean to form a 480 km long chain of islands. Deep channels and fjords separate the islands and cut them off from the mainland. Find Out More

  • Where: South east Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, orca, sea otter, brown bear, bald eagle
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife photography, Photography tours With Nick Garbutt

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Considered one the ultimate virgin wildlife reserves in the Americas, the vast Arctic National Wildlife Refuge covers more than 78,000 square kilometres and supports a remarkable biodiversity. It is particularly renowned for its polar bear population who rest on the Arctic coastal plains in late summer. Find Out More

  • Where: Alaska Far North
  • Ideal for viewing: polar bear, Arctic fox, snowy owl, peregrine falcon

Baranof Island

Baranof Island lies in the northern Alexander Archipelago in the Alaska Panhandle, with a shoreline of around 1,000 kilometres. Officially designated as the South Baranof Wilderness, this forested island is famed for its brown bears and Sitka deer, and its major industries are fishing, processing seafood and tourism. Find Out More

  • Where: Southeast Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, bald eagle, Steller’s sealion, sea otter, tufted puffin
  • Excellent for: Bear watching , Wildlife cruises

Chatham Strait

Chatham Strait is a deep 240 kilometre-long strait in the Alexander Archipelago, in southwest Alaska. Once the home of explorers and fur-trappers, it is one of the few places in the world where you can see the fascinating spectacle of humpback whales ‘bubble net feeding’ on the abundant supply of herring. Find Out More

  • Where: Southeast Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, Steller’s sealion, sea otter, tufted puffin, rhinoceros auklet
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife cruises

Denali National Park

One of the world’s greatest wildernesses, Denali lies around North America’s highest peak, Mount Denali. Famed for its wildlife which includes 39 species of mammal and 167 birds, spring sees bears stirring from hibernation and birds returning, whilst late summer sees bears feasting on the salmon run. Find Out More

  • Where: Alaska interior
  • Ideal for viewing: American black bear, brown bear, caribou, moose, wolf
  • Excellent for: Bear watching ,

Frederick Sound

Surrounded by the majestic snow-covered mountains of the Coast Range, the abundant krill and herring of this body of glacial fed waters make Frederick Sound one of the premier places to observe feeding humpback whales who migrate here from Hawaii to feed on its super nutrient rich waters. Find Out More

  • Where: Southeast Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: Dall’s porpoise, Steller’s sealion, humpback whale, orca, sea otter
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

Glacier Bay National Park

This coastal wilderness near Juneau has stunning vistas of glaciers, mountains, islands and deep fjords. Each summer orca, humpback and minke whales feed in the channels, and it is not unusual to see moose and bears swimming across the picturesque bay. You can only reach Glacier Bay by floatplane or boat. Find Out More

  • Where: Gulf of Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: Dall’s porpoise, humpback whale, minke whale, orca, Dall sheep
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

Juneau

Alaska’s state capital stands on the Gastineau Channel in the panhandle. Its stunning location between soaring snowcaps and cobalt-blue inlets makes it a popular stop for summer cruises. Apart from the wildlife, attractions include Mendenhall Glacier, and opportunities to hike, bike, river raft, kayak and dog-sled. Find Out More

  • Where: Southeast Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: Dall’s porpoise, humpback whale, minke whale, orca, bald eagle
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

Katmai National Park

Katmai has two spectacular attractions: brown bears and volcanoes. Bears can be seen in huge numbers during the Sockeye salmon run in July, late August and September, whilst in August they can be spotted feeding on the shorelines. The park is home to the impressive Valley of 10,000 Smokes, lined with active volcanoes. Find Out More

  • Where: Alaska Peninsula
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, moose, caribou, pine marten, orca

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords offers excellent opportunities for whale watching, and the surrounding park has a variety of wildlife. Day cruises along depart from Seward, some 160 kilometres south of Anchorage. Towering glaciers drop into the sea and you can hear the constant cracks and rumblings of calving icebergs. Find Out More

  • Where: Southcentral Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, mountain goat, orca, sea otter, tufted puffin
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

Kodiak Island

The largest island in the Gulf of Alaska is rich in wildlife. The Kodiak bear has lived here for 12,000 years, and 3,000 live in Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which is also an important staging post for seabirds and wintering wildfowl. Summer attracts migrant birds to nest and feed on the plentiful food supply. Find Out More

  • Where: Southwest Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, humpback whale, orca, sea otter, bald eagle
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching ,

Lake Clark National Park

The landscape of Lake Clark National Park is visually spectacular as well as ecologically healthy, supporting an abundant and varied number of wildlife species. The most iconic animal to this wilderness is the Alaskan brown bear which forage in the pristine waters that annually hosts the salmon run. Find Out More

  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, bald eagle, American black bear, caribou, moose
  • Excellent for: Bear watching , Wildlife photography

Tongass National Forest

The 8.5 million hectare Tongass National Forest is the earth’s largest remaining temperate rainforest and an area of rare natural beauty. Covering much of the Inside Passage, it is home to bears grown fat on salmon, eagles soaring the endless skies and 500-year-old trees standing silently over a rich and verdant land. Find Out More

  • Where: Southeast Alaska
  • Ideal for viewing: American black bear, brown bear, bald eagle, humpback whale, orca
  • Excellent for: Bear watching ,

Anchorage

This major port and rail terminus lies in the coastal lowland beside a fjord, but extends up the Chugach Mountains. Birdwatching, whale watching, wilderness adventures, panoramic mountain ranges, majestic glacier and over 200 kiometres of trails can be found within easy reach of the city. Find Out More

  • Where: South-central Alaska
  • Excellent for: City stopover, Wildlife

Fairbanks

Alaska’s largest inland city is the gateway to Denali National Park. Its museums house interesting exhibits on Alaska’s cultural and natural history, as well as native crafts. In summer, daylight lasts forever. and in winter you can dog-sled and watch the spectacular Aurora Borealis. Find Out More

  • Excellent for: Activity & adventure

View trips to these locations

Wildlife trips

Alaska is the USA’s largest and least populated state - a land of snow-capped mountains, towering glaciers, sparkling fjords, endless forests and salmon-filled rivers. Famed for its grizzlies, it is also home to black bear, moose, deer, wolf, lynx and fox in addition to whales, dolphins, seals, otters and more than 470 bird species.

8 recommended trips. Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Alaskan Wilderness Adventure

Embark this outstanding ‘Access All Areas’ itinerary to visit Alaska’s national parks, by car, boat, plane, train and bus. Search for wolves and bears in the shadow of Mount McKinley at Denali National Park, be amazed at towering glaciers and icebergs in the Kenai Fjords, before photographing grizzlies at Brook Falls. Find out more about Alaskan Wilderness Adventure

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £6,545
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Alaska Bear Odyssey

Combine two prime locations for seeing grizzly bears, in areas of phenomenal natural beauty. The world’s largest brown bears can be found on Kodiak Island, whilst Katmai National Park offers great opportunities to view them fishing for salmon, and here you will also find the wild volcanoes of the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. Find out more about Alaska Bear Odyssey

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £7,695
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Seldom Seen Alaska Photography

From our private catamaran, we photograph marine mammals in all their majesty, as well as bears, birds, and spectacular scenery as we explore this unspoiled frontier of Alaska. With expert guidance from a photographic tour leader this expedition is a feast for any nature photographer. Find out more about Seldom Seen Alaska Photography

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £11,150
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J

Brown Bears of Kodiak

View the grizzlies of Kodiak Island (the largest in the world) gorge on salmon that swim up the rivers to spawn. This small-group trip also spends some time in Katmai National Park on board a private vessel, which enables you to reach remote spots and encounter bears as they feed along the shoreline. Find out more about Brown Bears of Kodiak

  • Price (inc. flights): 11 days from £9,795
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Bears & Whales in South East Alaska

Take an unforgettable voyage along the coast of South East Alaska to witness brown bears gorging on salmon, a majestic glacier spawning icebergs, and humpback whales bubble-net feeding. Travelling on board a small yacht, a flexible itinerary makes the most of wildlife sightings. Find out more about Bears & Whales in South East Alaska

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £7,575
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A

Alaska’s Humpback Bubble-net Bonanza

Under the expert guidance of Nick Garbutt or Sean Weekly photograph humpback whales bubble-net feeding in the scenic waters of Sitka Sound, in Alaska. Witness multiple pods of humpback whales co-operating to force shoals of herring to the surface, where whales and fish erupt in a frenzy of activity. Find out more about Alaska’s Humpback Bubble-net Bonanza

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £7,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • M
    • A

Bears of Alaska’s Wilderness Photography Special

Immersed in the spectacular wilderness of Lake Clark National Park we explore the coastlines, rivers and meadows for remarkable opportunities to photograph Alaska’s brown bears. We enjoy exclusive use of Alaska Bear Camp for six nights during this photography special. Find out more about Z) Bears of Alaska’s Wilderness Photography Special

  • Price (inc. flights): 11 days from £6,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A

Bear Photography in Katmai

Katmai National Park is one of North America’s most pristine wildernesses and is arguably the finest location to observe and photograph brown bears. On board our chartered vessel and accompanied by photographer Chris Weston, we spend seven nights exploring Katmai to photograph the iconic bears. Find out more about Z) Bear Photography in Katmai

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £10,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

When to go

Visit from May to September, when the days are long and the weather welcoming. Late May and June are warm with bright, sunny skies; summer and fall tend to be wetter.

Seasons

  • Winter

    Nov to Apr: A full-on winter experience - not a recommended time to travel
  • Spring

    May to May: Short and sweet season
  • Summer

    Jun to Aug: The season of plenty, with burgeoning wildlife plus midnight sun
  • Fall

    Sep to Oct: The transition to winter happens swiftly

Wildlife events

  • May to Jul: Brown (grizzly) bear mating season
  • Jun to Jul: Salmon return to rivers to spawn
  • Jul to : Bears start fishing for salmon in Brooks River
  • Jul to Aug: Bald eagle chicks fledge
  • Sep to Oct: Moose migrate from the mountains to low-lying land

Wildlife cruise vessels