Sitka shore excursion: Bears, eagles & totem forest, small group

Rescued bears and bald eagles in a single afternoon, with ancient totems in the rainforest

A 2.5-hour small-group shore excursion in Sitka combines three stops: Fortress of the Bear for rescued brown and black bears, Alaska Raptor Center for injured raptors, and Sitka National Historical Park for one of Alaska's largest totem pole collections set among spruce and hemlock forest. A professional local guide leads the tour, with transport and return to ship included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Fortress of the Bearpassing by
2. Alaska Raptor Center1h · entry included

Explore Sitka's wildlife and culture

• Scenic drive through Sitka
• Visit Fortress of the Bear
• Observe birds at Alaska Raptor Center
• Walk through Sitka National Historical Park

The experience

Two and a half hours is tight for a port day, but this tour compresses Sitka's signature wildlife and culture into stops that don't overlap. You start with a scenic drive through town where the guide explains the place (Russian history, Native heritage, the way wilderness shapes daily life) before pulling up to Fortress of the Bear. There you watch rescued brown and black bears in spacious natural habitats, and the guide tells their individual stories. It's the kind of close look the big bus tours skip.

From there you move to Alaska Raptor Center, where injured birds of prey are being rehabilitated. Bald eagles and other raptors are on view, and you learn what conservation work keeps them alive. The final stop is Sitka National Historical Park, a walk through coastal rainforest among towering spruce and hemlock where totem poles stand: one of the largest collections in Alaska. The trail is easy and the forest is quiet enough that you notice the size of the trees and the age of the carvings.

Transport runs on schedule timed to your ship's departure window, and the guide is a local who knows the place. A camera is worth bringing. The bears and eagles photograph well, and the totems against the forest backdrop is the kind of shot people actually use.

What’s included

• Professional local guide fluent in English.
• scenic drive through Sitka with local history and context.
• entry and close-up viewing at Fortress of the Bear.
• entry and observation at Alaska Raptor Center.
• guided walk through Sitka National Historical Park and its totem pole collection.
• return transport to your ship with departure guarantee.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

AgesAdult (12 to 95 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 tour moves at an easy pace with short walks at each stop, so it suits anyone with basic mobility who wants to see bears, eagles and totems without a full day commitment. Small-group size means you stay closer to the wildlife and hear the guide's stories clearly, unlike the larger cruise ship tours that fill the same port time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What are the rescued bears at Fortress of the Bear like?

Fortress of the Bear holds rescued brown and black bears in spacious natural habitats where you can watch them move and interact. The guide shares the individual story of each bear, so you understand how they came to be there and what their personalities are.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour is easy and suitable for all fitness levels. The main walking happens at Sitka National Historical Park, where you stroll a forest trail among the totem poles. The other stops involve shorter walks at the wildlife centers.

Will I have time to get back to my ship?

Yes. Return to ship is guaranteed, and the tour is timed to your disembarkation and re-boarding times, which you provide at booking. Transport runs on schedule to get you back before departure.

What is Sitka National Historical Park like?

Sitka National Historical Park is a coastal rainforest with towering spruce and hemlock trees and one of Alaska's largest collections of totem poles. The walk is relaxing and set among the poles, so you see the carvings in their natural setting rather than in a museum.

Is the Alaska Raptor Center part of the tour?

Yes. At the Alaska Raptor Center, you observe bald eagles and other raptors that are being rehabilitated after injury, and learn about the conservation work that protects Alaska's wildlife.

What should I bring?

A camera is advised. The bears, eagles, and totem poles against the forest are worth photographing. Dress for coastal weather and wear comfortable shoes for the forest walk.