Last updated: November 2025

Alaska has some of the world’s highest concentrations of brown bears and black bears, and for many visitors, seeing these animals in the wild is a highlight of an Alaska cruise.

Because many travelers may only visit Alaska once, knowing when to see bears in Alaska and where to see bears in Alaska is an important part of trip planning. With the right timing and ports of call, your chances of spotting bears during your cruise can be quite good.

There are many opportunities to see grizzly bears (brown bears that live inland) on an Alaska Cruisetour that combines your cruise with several days in Alaska’s interior. If you are not extending your vacation with a land tour, there are still plenty of reliable places to see bears in Alaska’s southeastern cruise ports.

• When can you see bears in Alaska? The Alaska cruise season runs from late April through September. The most reliable time to see bears along the coast is July through early September, when salmon runs draw bears to rivers and streams to feed.

• Where can you see bears in Alaska? Bears follow the salmon. Your best chances to see them are at river mouths, creek inlets and estuaries, especially at dawn and dusk when bears are actively searching for food. Booking a guided bear-viewing tour in port can significantly increase the likelihood of a sighting.

There are two main routes that Alaska cruises follow:

• Round-trip Inside Passage itineraries, typically sailing from Seattle or Vancouver

• One-way Northbound or Southbound Gulf of Alaska itineraries, ending in Seward or Whittier

Inside Passage sailings offer more time in Southeast Alaska, where many of the top bear-viewing locations are found. One-way Gulf of Alaska cruises allow more time in Alaska overall and can be paired with inland cruisetours.

If you are hoping to see brown and black bears on your Alaska cruise, the following port-by-port guide highlights the locations with the best chances for successful bear viewing.

TIP: Bring binoculars and a camera with a long lens. Bears are best viewed from a safe distance.

Best Ports for Bear Viewing on an Alaska Cruise

Below are the strongest bear-viewing opportunities by port.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is one of Alaska’s top bear-viewing destinations. Most viewing areas are accessed by floatplane or boat and take you to remote habitats where bears feed on salmon.

Top bear-viewing areas in Ketchikan include:

• Anan Wildlife Observatory – Accessible by floatplane. One of the few places where brown and black bears can be seen together. Requires permits and advance booking.

• Neets Bay – Reached by floatplane or boat. Known for reliable black bear sightings near salmon streams.

• Herring Cove – Vehicle-accessible and one of the easiest places to look for black bears near town.

• Misty Fjords National Monument and Fish Creek – Additional opportunities for remote bear viewing.

Juneau

The Juneau area, surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, supports abundant wildlife and is excellent for both brown and black bear sightings.

Top bear-viewing sites near Juneau include:

• Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area – A protected habitat on Admiralty Island, home to one of the region’s highest brown bear densities. Requires a floatplane and permits.

• Mendenhall Glacier / Steep Creek – During salmon season, black bears and bald eagles gather along the creek near the visitor center.

• Chichagof Island – Known as “Bear Island,” accessible by scenic flight.

Skagway

Skagway and the surrounding area offer several accessible bear-viewing opportunities.

• Chilkoot Trail and Taiya River – Popular hiking areas along salmon streams where both brown and black bears may be seen.

• Klondike Highway – Occasional roadside bear sightings.

• Haines – A short ferry ride from Skagway. The Chilkoot River area is one of the most reliable places in Southeast Alaska to see brown bears, especially during salmon season. Haines also hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world.

Seward

Seward is frequently included on one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises and provides access to Kenai Fjords National Park.

• Kenai Fjords National Park – Home to both brown and black bears. Opportunities include viewing near Exit Glacier by road and spotting wildlife from boat tours in the fjords. Visitors may also see whales, seals, mountain goats and dramatic tidewater glaciers.

Whittier

Whittier is a smaller and less-developed cruise port but provides access to the wilderness of Prince William Sound.

• Hiking trails such as Portage Pass Trail and Salmon Run Trail offer the potential for bear sightings, especially during salmon season.

• Prince William Sound cruises focus primarily on marine wildlife but may offer occasional shoreline bear sightings.

Sitka

Sitka, located on Baranof Island, is known for its protected forests and wildlife-rich landscapes.

• Fortress of the Bear – A non-profit rescue center for orphaned brown bears with elevated viewing platforms and educational displays.

• Starrigavan Recreation Area – Salmon return from July through September, attracting bears and other wildlife.

Icy Strait Point

Located on Chichagof Island, Icy Strait Point is one of the best bear-viewing destinations on an Alaska cruise itinerary.

• Spasski River excursions – Offer excellent chances to see brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, eagles and other wildlife.

• Chichagof Island is known for having one of the highest densities of bears per square mile in the world.

Scenic Cruising

Even when your ship is not in port, bears may occasionally be seen along shorelines, particularly in the protected areas around:

• Glacier Bay National Park

• Tracy Arm Fjord

• Hubbard Glacier

In addition to bears, guests may see whales, harbor seals, sea otters, moose, and seabirds during scenic cruising days.

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