Hoonah bear tour small group: Highest bear concentration

Brown bears at 1–2 per square mile, tracked by guides who know where they feed.

A four-hour small group shore tour from Icy Strait near Hoonah puts you on Bear Island, where the highest concentration of brown bears in the world, 1–2 per square mile, makes sightings far more likely than on larger tours. Your guide uses current bear movements and feeding patterns to position the group at key vantage points across muskeg and old growth forest, with stops to scope views and watch for Sitka black-tail deer, bald eagles, mink, otter and other wildlife.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bear watching and wildlife tour

• Arrive at Icy Strait near Hoonah
• Join small group bear hunt tour
• Visit key points to view brown bears
• Observe edible berries and muskeg scenery
• Learn about Tlingit Native population
• Spot other wildlife like deer and eagles
• Return from shore excursion

The experience

National Geographic named this area Bear Island for its unmatched density of brown bears. The tour works because it stays small, no more than twelve people, which lets your guide reposition quickly when bears move or feeding patterns shift. Rather than lock into a fixed route, the group stops at strategic points throughout the day, using real-time knowledge of bear behavior and temperature to find the best vantage. You'll move through muskeg, old growth forest and areas thick with ten kinds of edible berries that draw the animals in.

Your guide is a local who knows the Tlingit Native population and the island's ecology, and will share that context as you watch. Wildlife sightings can't be guaranteed, that's true of any bear tour, but the small group format and the guide's ability to chase active bears give you odds far better than a slow-moving large tour gets. Bring a camera. Mink, marten, sea birds, red squirrels, beaver and ducks show up regularly alongside the deer and eagles.

What’s included

• Local guide.
• driver/guide.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• small group size of maximum 12 people.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

AgesAdult (13 to 95 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 28 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by My Holidays Online

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and delivers commentary throughout, so anyone comfortable following a live guide can join. The four-hour pace and small group size mean you're moving and repositioning rather than sitting still, which suits travelers who want active wildlife watching over a fixed itinerary.

Traveler reviews

3.67★★★★★★★★★★

21 verified traveler reviews

5 ★11

4 ★2

3 ★2

2 ★2

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What's the actual chance of seeing brown bears on this tour?

The tour operates on Bear Island, where the concentration is 1–2 brown bears per square mile, the highest in the world. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the small group size and your guide's ability to reposition based on current bear movements and feeding patterns give you much better odds than larger tour groups get.

How does the guide know where to find the bears?

Your local guide uses information on current bear movements, their feeding habits, and the temperature throughout the day to choose which stops will offer the best views. The small group can reposition quickly if bears move, rather than staying locked to a fixed route like larger tours.

What other wildlife might I see besides bears?

Sitka black-tail deer, bald eagles, mink, marten, sea birds, red squirrels, otter, beaver and ducks are spotted regularly on the tour. The island also has ten kinds of edible berries that draw wildlife, so the landscape itself is part of what you're watching.

How long is the tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs four hours and includes a local guide, port pickup and drop-off, and a small group of no more than twelve people. Food and drinks are not included.