16 recommended locations.Please contact us for further suggestions.
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.
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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
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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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Where: Alaska interior
Ideal for viewing: American black bear, brown bear, caribou, moose, wolf
Excellent for: Bear watching,
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.
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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.
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Where: Gulf of Alaska
Ideal for viewing: Dall’s porpoise, humpback whale, minke whale, orca, Dall sheep
Excellent for: Whale watching,
Stretching along the south-eastern coast of Alaska, the Inside Passage encompasses coastal islands, fjords, and waterways. This region serves as a vital marine corridor, providing sheltered waters for a diverse array of marine life and offers visitors a front-row seat to some of nature's most spectacular displays.
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Where: South-east Alaska
Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, orca, brown bear, American black bear, bald eagle
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.
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Where: Southeast Alaska
Ideal for viewing: Dall’s porpoise, humpback whale, minke whale, orca, bald eagle
Excellent for: Whale watching,
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.
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Where: Alaska Peninsula
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, moose, caribou, pine marten, orca
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.
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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.
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Where: Southwest Alaska
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, humpback whale, orca, sea otter, bald eagle
Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching,
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.
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Ideal for viewing: brown bear, bald eagle, American black bear, caribou, moose
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.
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Where: Southeast Alaska
Ideal for viewing: American black bear, brown bear, bald eagle, humpback whale, orca
Excellent for: Bear watching,
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.
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Where: South-central Alaska
Excellent for: City stopover, Wildlife
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.
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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.
10 recommended trips.Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Under the expert guidance of 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:
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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
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Embark on a journey through Alaska's Inside Passage, where towering fjords and magnificent glaciers await. Encounter seals, whales, and bears amidst pristine wilderness. Experience adventure and comfort aboard an expedition vessel, with two exclusive days in Glacier Bay National Park.
Find out more about Alaska’s Inside Passage: Whales & Glaciers Expedition
Price
(exc. flights): 8 days
from £3,850
Trip type:
Voyage
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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
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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
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This wildlife adventure promises awe-inspiring landscapes and encounters with iconic wildlife. Explore Admiralty Island, home to the highest concentration of brown bears in the world, Glacier Bay National Park with its thriving ecosystem and array of marine mammals, and South Marble Island, a birder’s paradise.
Find out more about Alaska’s Inside Passage: Bears & Whales Safari
Price
(exc. flights): 8 days
from £5,225
Trip type:
Voyage
When to go:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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
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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: 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
7 recommended wildlife cruise vessels.Please contact us for further suggestions.
Catdaddy is a custom-built 13 metres, expedition-style catamaran and is the very best marine wildlife watching and photographing platform in Sitka. It features a spacious, heated cabin with large wrap-around windows for maximum visibility and ample deluxe seating, plus a restroom and galley.
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Island Odyssey is a 21-metre ketch-rigged yacht, designed for cruising the coastlines of British Columbia and Alaska. Originally built as a luxurious private yacht, she has been renovated to update the cabins and all safety systems. Accommodation consists of eight double cabins, showers and a lounge/library.
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A 21-metre ketch-rigged yacht, the Island Roamer is large enough for comfort, privacy and safety, yet small enough to create a good atmosphere on board. She features eight private cabins, showers, a large salon and lounge areas. On deck, a large covered seating area provides protection against the elements.
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This converted fishing boat/research vessel sails out of Katmai, and is perfect for exploring Alaska’s pristine coastal wilderness. Accommodating just eight people in four cabins, the intimate ‘grizzly ship’ offers ample space, gourmet cuisine and shore excursions by Zodiac inflatables.
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Experience the perfect blend of comfort and adventure onboard Safari Quest, an intimate yacht. Navigate into remote corners of the wilderness on board this spacious and agile vessel. Enjoy comfortable cabins and onboard amenities, such as an on-deck hot tub and kayaks for unparalleled exploration.
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This comfortable and roomy 20-metre steel-hulled motor-vessel is ideal for expedition cruising in Alaskan waters. Perfect for research and educational programmes, she sleeps 12 passengers in six private cabins, has an expert naturalist on board and carries a motorised inflatable and kayaks for island excursions.
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Embark on Wilderness Discoverer, a small ship blending classic charm with modern comfort. Enjoy comfortable cabins, inviting communal areas, and expansive deck spaces, perfect for wildlife watching. Dive into adventure with kayaks, paddleboards, and exploration by skiff, all guided by expert naturalists.
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