Best Wildlife Tours in Alaska: Bears, Whales & Everything in Between

Alaska is one of the last places on Earth where wildlife outnumbers people. Grizzly bears fish for salmon in pristine rivers, humpback whales breach in glacial waters, bald eagles perch on every shoreline, and moose wander through neighborhoods like they own the place.

The question isn't whether you'll see wildlife in Alaska—it's which animals you want to see and how close you want to get.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the best wildlife tours in Alaska, organized by animal type, season, location, and experience level. Whether you're chasing bears, whales, caribou, or all of the above, this guide will help you choose tours that maximize your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters.

🐻 Why Book a Wildlife Tour Instead of Going Solo?

Yes, you can spot wildlife on your own in Alaska. Moose cross highways, eagles perch near boat docks, and bears occasionally wander into parking lots.

But here's what guided wildlife tours offer that independent exploration doesn't:

Local expertise

Guides know migration patterns, feeding schedules, and where animals are most active during different seasons. They read landscapes, weather, and tides to position you in the right place at the right time.

Safety

Getting close to Alaska wildlife requires knowledge and respect. Guides understand animal behavior, maintain safe distances, and know how to react if encounters get too close.

Better sightings

Tour operators track animal activity daily. If bears are fishing at a certain creek or whales are feeding in a specific bay, they know about it—and they'll take you there.

Photography opportunities

Guides position boats, stop vehicles, and time approaches to give you the best possible shots. They also know the lighting, angles, and backgrounds that make photos spectacular.

Education

Learning about animal behavior, ecology, and conservation efforts transforms sightings from "cool" to genuinely meaningful.

Bottom line: Wildlife tours dramatically increase your chances of seeing animals in their natural habitat—safely, ethically, and with expert guidance.

Best Bear Viewing Tours in Alaska

Alaska has three bear species: brown bears (grizzlies), black bears, and polar bears. Here's how to see them.

1. Katmai National Park Bear Viewing (Flightseeing Day Trip)

• Location: Katmai National Park (fly from Anchorage)

• Season: June–September (peak July–August)

• What you'll see: Brown bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls

• Cost: $800–$1,200 per person

Katmai is the most famous bear viewing destination in the world—and for good reason. During salmon runs, dozens of brown bears gather at Brooks Falls to catch fish leaping upstream. You'll watch from elevated platforms just yards away as massive bears plunge into the water, snatch salmon mid-air, and feed their cubs.

What's included:

• Round-trip floatplane from Anchorage (flight time ~1 hour)

• Several hours at Brooks Camp viewing platforms

• Park ranger guidance

• Incredible photo opportunities

Why it's worth it: You'll see more bears in one day than most Alaskans see in a lifetime. The experience is surreal—being this close to wild brown bears in their element is bucket-list material.

Best months: July (peak salmon run), early September (bears fattening up for winter)

2. Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing

• Location: Lake Clark National Park (fly from Anchorage)

• Season: June–September

• What you'll see: Coastal brown bears fishing, digging for clams, grazing

• Cost: $750–$1,000 per person

Lake Clark offers a more intimate bear viewing experience than Katmai. Groups are smaller, crowds are thinner, and you'll often have entire beaches to yourself. Bears here are accustomed to observers and go about their business—feeding, playing, napping—seemingly unbothered by human presence.

What makes it special:

• Smaller groups (6–8 people vs. 40+ at Katmai)

• More flexibility (guides move locations based on bear activity)

• Stunning coastal scenery (mountains, beaches, tidal flats)

Best for: Photographers and travelers who want a quieter, more personalized experience.

3. Wildlife Viewing Along Turnagain Arm & Seward Highway

• Location: Anchorage to Seward corridor

• Season: May–September

• What you'll see: Black bears, Dall sheep, moose, eagles

• Cost: $100–$200 per person (guided tours)

You don't need to fly to remote parks to see bears. The drive along Turnagain Arm and the Seward Highway passes through prime black bear habitat. Guided wildlife tours stop at known viewing areas, use spotting scopes, and help you identify animals from safe distances.

What you'll see:

• Black bears foraging on hillsides

• Dall sheep on cliffsides above the road

• Moose browsing in roadside wetlands

• Bald eagles along the coast

These tours work great as half-day trips from Anchorage and pair well with other activities.

4. Denali National Park Wildlife Tours

• Location: Denali National Park (4–5 hours north of Anchorage)

• Season: Late May–September

• What you'll see: Grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, Dall sheep

• Cost: $150–$300 per person (park bus tours)

Denali's backcountry is home to the "Big Five" Alaska animals: grizzlies, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. Park bus tours take you deep into restricted-access areas where wildlife sightings are practically guaranteed.

What's included:

• Narrated bus tour (4–8 hours depending on route)

• Frequent stops for wildlife viewing and photography

• Stunning views of Denali (weather permitting)

Pro tip: Book early—summer bus tours fill up months ahead.

While Denali requires a longer commitment (overnight stay recommended), the diversity of wildlife makes it worth the trip.

Best Whale Watching Tours in Alaska

Alaska's coastal waters host humpback whales, orcas, gray whales, and occasionally belugas. Here's where to see them.

5. Kenai Fjords Wildlife & Glacier Cruise

• Location: Seward (2.5 hours from Anchorage)

• Season: May–September (peak June–August)

• What you'll see: Humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, puffins, sea lions, glaciers

• Cost: $180–$250 per person (includes transport from Anchorage on some tours)

This is Alaska's most popular wildlife cruise—and deservedly so. You'll cruise through Resurrection Bay into Kenai Fjords National Park, passing tidewater glaciers and abundant marine life.

What you'll see:

• Humpback whales – Breaching, tail slapping, bubble net feeding

• Orcas (killer whales) – Hunting in pods

• Sea otters – Floating on their backs, cracking open shellfish

• Steller sea lions – Hauled out on rocky islands

• Puffins – Nesting on cliff faces

• Bald eagles – Soaring and diving for fish

• Harbor seals – Lounging on ice floes

Cruise options:

• Half-day (4–5 hours) – Resurrection Bay wildlife only

• Full-day (6–8 hours) – Deeper into Kenai Fjords, more glaciers

Best for: First-time visitors who want maximum wildlife diversity in one trip.

Pro tip: Morning cruises typically have calmer seas and better lighting for photography.

6. Prince William Sound Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

• Location: Whittier (1.5 hours from Anchorage)

• Season: May–September

• What you'll see: Humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, harbor seals, 26+ glaciers

• Cost: $150–$220 per person

Prince William Sound offers incredible wildlife viewing with fewer crowds than Seward. The protected waters are calmer, and the sheer number of tidewater glaciers makes every cruise visually stunning.

Why choose Whittier over Seward:

• Closer to Anchorage (shorter drive)

• More glaciers per cruise

• Calmer waters (better for those prone to seasickness)

• Less touristy atmosphere

Many cruises include transportation from Anchorage, making this an easy, accessible day trip.

7. Whale Watching Tours from Juneau

• Location: Juneau (Southeast Alaska)

• Season: May–September

• What you'll see: Humpback whales (nearly guaranteed), orcas, seals

• Cost: $150–$250 per person

Juneau's waters have some of the highest whale concentrations in Alaska. Humpback sightings are so common that many operators offer "whale guarantees"—if you don't see whales, you get a voucher for another trip.

What makes Juneau special:

• Shallow feeding grounds bring whales close to boats

• Bubble net feeding is common (spectacular to witness)

• Excellent guide narration on whale behavior

Best for: Cruise ship passengers or travelers visiting Southeast Alaska.

Best Multi-Species Wildlife Tours

Want to see as many animals as possible in one trip? These tours maximize diversity.

8. Coastal Wildlife Day Trips

• Locations: Seward Highway, Turnagain Arm, Girdwood area

• Season: Year-round (peak May–September)

• What you'll see: Moose, black bears, Dall sheep, eagles, beluga whales

• Cost: $100–$200 per person

Guided wildlife drives along Alaska's most scenic highways stop at prime viewing areas for multiple species. Guides use spotting scopes, share ecological insights, and position you for great photos.

Typical sightings:

• Moose – Browsing in wetlands along Turnagain Arm

• Black bears – Foraging on hillsides (spring and fall)

• Dall sheep – On cliff faces above the highway

• Bald eagles – Perched near streams and coastlines

• Beluga whales – In Turnagain Arm (summer months)

These tours work perfectly as half-day trips from Anchorage and require no rental car.

9. Flightseeing Tours (Wildlife from Above)

• Locations: Denali, Lake Clark, Katmai regions

• Season: May–September

• What you'll see: Bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep from the air

• Cost: $250–$700 per person

Flightseeing tours aren't just about glaciers—they're incredible wildlife spotting platforms. Flying low over valleys, rivers, and coastlines, you'll see animals in their natural habitat from a perspective most people never experience.

What you might see:

• Brown bears fishing in remote streams

• Caribou herds migrating across tundra

• Moose browsing in alpine meadows

• Dall sheep navigating cliffsides

While wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed on flightseeing tours, pilots often circle animals when they spot them.

→ Explore K2 Flightseeing Tours

For a different aerial perspective, helicopter tours fly lower and slower, offering even better wildlife viewing opportunities.

→ Check out Alaska Helicopter Tours

Best Birding & Seabird Tours

Alaska hosts over 470 bird species, including eagles, puffins, and migrating shorebirds.

10. Puffin & Seabird Cruises

• Locations: Seward, Homer, Kodiak

• Season: May–August (peak June–July)

• What you'll see: Horned and tufted puffins, murres, kittiwakes, cormorants

• Cost: Included in most glacier cruises

Puffins nest on rocky cliffs throughout Alaska's coastline. The best viewing happens on boat cruises that pass near nesting colonies.

Where to see them:

• Kenai Fjords – Puffins nest on cliff faces near glaciers

• Homer (Kachemak Bay) – Known for dense seabird colonies

• Kodiak – Remote islands host massive puffin populations

Most wildlife cruises from Seward and Whittier include puffin sightings as part of the experience.

11. Bald Eagle Viewing

• Locations: Statewide (especially rivers and coastlines)

• Season: Year-round (peak November in Haines)

• What you'll see: Hundreds to thousands of bald eagles

Alaska has more bald eagles than the rest of the United States combined. They're so common that Alaskans barely notice them—but visitors are always amazed.

Best viewing:

• Haines – 3,000+ eagles gather during late fall salmon runs

• Homer – Eagles perch near fishing docks year-round

• Turnagain Arm – Eagles hunt along the tidal flats

Bald eagles are visible on almost any coastal wildlife tour, cruise, or scenic drive.

Best Land-Based Wildlife Adventures

Not all wildlife tours happen on boats or planes. Here are the best ground-based options.

12. ATV & Backcountry Wildlife Tours

• Location: Hatcher Pass, Talkeetna Mountains

• Season: May–September (summer ATVs), October–April (winter snowmobiles)

• What you'll see: Moose, bears, caribou, ptarmigan, foxes

• Cost: $200–$350 per person (includes transport from Anchorage)

Riding an ATV through Alaska's backcountry gives you access to remote areas where wildlife thrives. Guides know where animals feed, rest, and travel—and they'll stop for photos whenever you spot something.

What makes ATV tours unique:

• Access to remote areas cars can't reach

• Hands-on adventure (you drive the ATV)

• Stunning alpine scenery with wildlife sightings

• Seasonal variations (moose calves in spring, bears fattening up in fall)

Hatcher Pass ATV Tours operates year-round and regularly encounters moose, bears, and mountain goats.

→ Book your Hatcher Pass ATV Adventure

13. Wildlife Hiking & Trekking Tours

• Locations: Denali, Chugach State Park, Kenai Peninsula

• Season: May–September

• What you'll see: Varies by location (bears, moose, Dall sheep)

• Cost: $100–$300 per person

Guided wildlife hikes take you into bear country with experienced naturalists who know how to minimize risk while maximizing sightings. You'll learn to read tracks, identify scat, and spot animals before they spot you.

Safety matters: Never hike in bear country without bear spray, noise makers, and knowledge. Guided tours provide all three.

Seasonal Wildlife Viewing Guide

Alaska's wildlife activity changes dramatically with the seasons. Here's when to see what.

Spring (April–May)

What's active:

• Bears – Emerging from hibernation, foraging on beaches

• Moose – Calving season (newborn moose with mothers)

• Eagles – Nesting and raising chicks

• Migratory birds – Shorebirds arriving by the thousands

Best tours: Coastal wildlife drives, bear viewing (late May), birding tours

Summer (June–August)

What's active:

• Bears – Salmon runs bring bears to rivers (peak July–August)

• Whales – Humpbacks, orcas feeding heavily

• Puffins – Nesting on cliffs (peak June–July)

• Caribou – Migrating across tundra

• All species – Maximum activity and visibility

Best tours: Everything—this is peak wildlife season

Fall (September–October)

What's active:

• Bears – Fattening up for winter (hyperphagia phase)

• Moose – Rutting season (bulls fighting for mates)

• Eagles – Gathering near late salmon runs

• Fall colors – Stunning backdrops for wildlife photography

Best tours: Bear viewing (early September), moose tours, scenic wildlife drives

Winter (November–March)

What's active:

• Moose – Browsing in valleys and near towns

• Eagles – Congregating near open water

• Ptarmigan – Mountain birds in white winter plumage

• Northern Lights – Not wildlife, but incredible bonus

Best tours: Winter wildlife drives, snowmobile tours with wildlife viewing

Most marine tours shut down in winter, but land-based wildlife viewing continues year-round.

For winter-specific activities, explore our Winter Tours page.

How to Choose the Right Wildlife Tour

Not sure which tour fits your interests? Here's a quick decision guide.

If you want to see bears:

• Best option: Katmai or Lake Clark (flightseeing day trip)

• Budget option: Turnagain Arm wildlife drives

If you want to see whales:

• Best option: Kenai Fjords full-day cruise

• Closer option: Prince William Sound from Whittier

If you want maximum animal diversity:

• Best option: Kenai Fjords cruise (whales, otters, seals, puffins, eagles)

• Land option: Denali National Park bus tour

If you want adventure + wildlife:

• Best option: ATV or helicopter tours with wildlife focus

• Budget option: Guided wildlife hikes

If you're visiting in winter:

• Best option: Snowmobile tours or winter wildlife drives

• Bonus: Pair with Northern Lights tours

→ Browse all Alaska Tours to compare options.

Wildlife Photography Tips

Getting great wildlife photos in Alaska requires preparation. Here's what works:

Gear Recommendations

• Camera: DSLR or mirrorless with telephoto lens (200–400mm ideal)

• Smartphone: Modern phones work surprisingly well (use zoom sparingly)

• Binoculars: Essential for spotting distant animals

• Tripod or monopod: Helpful for stability on boats

• Extra batteries: Cold drains power fast

Photography Tips

• Shoot in burst mode – Animals move unpredictably

• Focus on the eyes – Sharp eyes make or break wildlife shots

• Use fast shutter speeds – 1/500 or faster for action

• Respect animals' space – Never approach for a better shot

• Golden hour lighting – Dawn and dusk provide the best light

Most tour guides are happy to help with camera settings and positioning.

Wildlife Viewing Ethics & Safety

Alaska wildlife is wild. Here's how to observe responsibly:

Safety Rules

• Maintain distance – 25 yards from most animals, 100+ yards from bears

• Never feed wildlife – It's illegal and dangerous

• Make noise in bear country – Talk, clap, use bear bells

• Carry bear spray – And know how to use it

• Listen to your guide – They know animal behavior

Ethical Viewing

• Don't alter animal behavior – If an animal changes course because of you, you're too close

• Stay on trails and platforms – Protects habitat and keeps you safe

• Minimize noise – Loud groups stress wildlife

• Pack out trash – Leave no trace principles apply

Reputable tour operators prioritize animal welfare and safety. Choose tours that follow these principles.

What to Wear on Wildlife Tours

Dress for Alaska weather—even in summer, conditions change fast.

Summer Wildlife Tours

• Layers (t-shirt, fleece, waterproof jacket)

• Long pants (for boat spray and wind)

• Closed-toe shoes (hiking boots or sneakers)

• Hat and sunglasses

• Sunscreen and bug spray

Winter Wildlife Tours

• Insulated jacket

• Warm base layers

• Waterproof boots

• Gloves, hat, neck gaiter

• Hand warmers

Most boat tours provide rain gear. Check with your operator about what's included.

For detailed packing lists, visit our FAQ page.

How Much Do Wildlife Tours Cost?

Prices vary widely based on tour type and duration:

Budget-friendly ($100–$200):

• Half-day wildlife drives

• Scenic highway tours with wildlife stops

Mid-range ($200–$400):

• Full-day glacier and wildlife cruises

• ATV tours with wildlife viewing

• Multi-hour boat tours

Premium ($700–$1,200):

• Katmai or Lake Clark bear viewing (includes flights)

• Private wildlife charters

• Multi-day wildlife expeditions

Money-saving tips:

• Book early for lower rates

• Travel in shoulder season (May, September)

• Choose land-based tours over flightseeing if budget is tight

Can You See Wildlife Without Booking a Tour?

Yes—Alaska wildlife is abundant, and independent sightings are common.

Where to See Wildlife on Your Own

• Turnagain Arm – Beluga whales, Dall sheep, eagles (drive yourself)

• Anchorage Coastal Trail – Moose, eagles (free walking trail)

• Potter Marsh – Waterfowl, moose, occasional bears (free boardwalk)

• Exit Glacier area – Black bears, mountain goats (free trails)

Why Guided Tours Are Still Worth It

• Higher success rates – Guides know where animals are

• Safety – Especially important in bear country

• Education – Learn about behavior, ecology, conservation

• Better photos – Guides position you perfectly

• Access to remote areas – Many animals live far from roads

If you're comfortable with independent exploration, Alaska offers plenty of DIY wildlife viewing. But for guaranteed sightings and expert guidance, tours are invaluable.

For ideas on what else to do in Alaska, check out our guide: Best Things to Do in Anchorage (2026 Guide)

Combining Wildlife Tours with Other Alaska Adventures

Wildlife viewing pairs beautifully with other Alaska experiences.

Wildlife + Glaciers

• Most Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound cruises combine both

• Flightseeing tours often include wildlife spotting

• Helicopter tours can add glacier landings to wildlife viewing

→ Explore K2 Flightseeing and Helicopter Tours

Wildlife + Northern Lights

• Winter wildlife drives can transition into aurora viewing

• Snowmobile tours sometimes include evening Northern Lights stops

→ Book Greatland Northern Lights Tours

Wildlife + Adventure

• ATV tours through backcountry often yield wildlife sightings

• Sea kayaking tours pass through marine mammal habitat

→ Try Hatcher Pass ATV Adventures

Final Thoughts: Alaska's Wildlife Is Worth the Trip

Alaska offers wildlife experiences unlike anywhere else on Earth. Where else can you watch brown bears catch salmon, humpback whales breach alongside glaciers, and bald eagles outnumber pigeons?

The key is choosing tours that match your interests, budget, and comfort level—and trusting experienced guides to put you in the right place at the right time.

Whether you're chasing bears in Katmai, whales in Kenai Fjords, or moose along Turnagain Arm, Alaska's wildlife will leave you speechless.

Ready to start planning?

→ Browse our complete lineup of Alaska Tours → Read more travel tips on our blog → Have questions? Check our FAQ page

See you in the wild.