Chichagof Island Brown Bear Search Tour from Hoonah

Search for bears on the island with the highest bear density on Earth

A 3-hour small-group tour of Chichagof Island's wilderness from Hoonah with a local Native guide, van pickup at the Icy Strait Excursions Hub, and USFS park entry included. Groups stay under 10 with individual seating, and the guide navigates the island's uninhabited terrain where bear sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Children must be at least 8 years old and accompanied by an adult.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hoonah and local shopping

• Shop at Hoonah's #1 Gift Store

The experience

Chichagof Island holds the highest concentration of bears per square mile anywhere on Earth, and this tour puts you in a van with a local guide who knows where to look. The island itself is almost entirely uninhabited wilderness: the community of Hoonah, with around 850 year-round residents, sits at its northern edge. You're picked up and dropped off at the Icy Strait Excursions Hub, and the 3-hour route covers the terrain where bears actually live, not a visitor center or boardwalk.

A local Native guide leads groups of no more than 10, each person with their own seat in the van rather than bench seating. The USFS park entrance fee is included, so there's no separate payment at the gate. The tour is built around what the island offers on any given day: sightings are possible but never guaranteed, and the guide adjusts the route based on conditions and recent activity.

After the tour, you can stop at Hoonah's gift store for snacks and local items before heading back. Meet 15 minutes early at the hub so the van can depart on time.

What’s included

• Van pickup and dropoff at Icy Strait Excursions Hub.
• local Native guide leading the search.
• small group limited to 10 travelers with individual van seating.
• USFS park entrance fee.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 11 May 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Hoonah Travel Adventures LLC

Is this one for you?The van departs from the Icy Strait hub, so you don't need a car or local knowledge to reach the island's interior. The guide handles navigation and timing, which matters if you're arriving by cruise ship or staying in town without transportation.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 12 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What is Chichagof Island like as a place to search for bears?

Chichagof Island is almost entirely uninhabited Alaskan wilderness and has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth, making it a genuine wildlife habitat rather than a managed viewing area.

How does the pickup work if I'm staying in Hoonah or arriving by cruise ship?

The tour picks up and drops off at the Icy Strait Excursions Hub. Cruise ship passengers should provide their ship name at booking so the operator can coordinate timing with your port call.

What's included in the price?

Pickup and dropoff at the hub, the local Native guide, a van with individual seating for up to 10 people, and the USFS park entrance fee are all included. Gratuities are never expected but always appreciated.

Are bear sightings guaranteed on this tour?

The tour is designed to search for bears in their natural habitat, but sightings cannot be guaranteed. The guide adjusts the route based on conditions and recent activity.