Anan Creek Bear Viewing Observatory
From July 4th to August 31st you can experience a once in a lifetime trip and visit the world renowned bear observatory at Anan Creek. Fly along the beautiful waterways of the Tongass National Forest to Anan Creek which hosts one of the largest pink salmon runs in Southeast Alaska. The presence of the salmon draws a large dinner crowd, including both black and brown bears, seals, river otters, mink, marten and eagles.
Anan Creek is staffed by the US Forest Service personnel at the trailhead and also at the bear viewing platform. You will be transported by floatplane to the trailhead at Anan, and once there will receive a briefing from a U.S. Forest Service Park Ranger. After the briefing you will hike up the half mile trail along the river to the bear viewing platform. From there bears can been seen & photographed while fishing. The salmon are the true stars of the show as they make their way against a massive waterfall.
Throughout your stay at Anan you will be escorted by our bear guide. Island Wings is the only air service operating out of Ketchikan that offers fully guided service to Anan Creek Bear Viewing Observatory. All other operators provide transportation only. This trip is a total of 4 hours. No food or camera flash is allowed on the trail and comfortable shoes are recommended. Visitation to Anan is by permit only and is highly limited. Restricted permits were established to protect the bears and their habitat. It is wise to book early!
Trip Includes: 40 minute flight each way, 2.5 hours at Anan Creek Bear Viewing Observatory and Bear Guide
Season: July 4th through August 31st
Price: $460 per person
Traitor's Cove Bear Watching Observatory Tours
Between August 15th and September 30th you can visit the bear observatory at Traitors Cove. Fly by floatplane along the beautiful waterways of the lush Tongass National Forest across Revillagegedo island to the to a US Forest Service maintained trail and the Margarite Creek Bear Viewing observatory platform.
Bears can be seen as they plunge into the rushing water to retrieve their meals of wriggling salmon. This is a perfect opportunity to photograph Alaska's real fisherman in action! In addition to bears feeding, you will also see Bald eagles picking up scraps left by the bears and of course the real stars of the show, the salmon, as they battle their way upstream to spawn. Your journey will be accompanied by a naturalist who will provide information of the flora and fauna along the way. Combine a short hike, beautiful scenery and a magnificent wildlife experience in one trip.
This is a three hour guided tour that includes a floatplane flight, a 1 mile drive by van on a US Forest Service road and a short hike along a boardwalk trail to the viewing platform. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring plenty of film! The US Forest Service restricts access to Margarite Observatory by permit. As a result, only small numbers of people have the opportunity to visit this beautiful site so book early!
Tour Includes: 20 minute flight each way and 2 hours & 15 minutes at Margarite Creek
Season: August 15th through September 31st
Price: $369 per person
Whale Watching Adventures
This tour combines the highlights of all the other tours we offer all rolled into one. Wildlife, whales, spectacular scenery, glaciers, and a shore stop in a quaint fishing village. Shortly after departing Ketchikan, you'll fly over a sea lion colony at Grindall Island. From there we proceed north to Frederick Sound where the largest congregation of humpback whales spend their summer months feeding. You'll see them from above and weather & water permitting land near a pod and watch them from water level. Their massive lengths and graceful moves are a delight to watch.
After the whales we'll fly to the Norwegian settlement of Petersburg for lunch at Helse's Deli and a tour of the fishing fleet. On the return flight we'll fly over the LeConte Glacier and its iceberg filled bay. A view of the Stikine River valley and the return flight back to Ketchikan top this off as a trip of simply the best that Southeast Alaska has to offer!
Tour Includes: 6 hours combined flight time and stopovers in Petersburg and Whale Watching
Season: July, August and September only
Price: $700 per person (4 person minimum) or $500 per
person for 5-6 passengers
