Sitka Bears, Raptors & Totems Guided Tour
See Sitka’s bears, raptors, totems, and coastal scenery in one easy van tour
Duration
2.5 - 3 hrs
Ideal For
Up to 14 people
Includes
Admissions, drinks, snacks
Highlights
Explore Sitka’s coastline and three leading attractions with a local guide. Travel by van between wildlife, cultural landmarks, and a scenic photo stop.
- Visit Fortress of the Bear, Alaska Raptor Center, and Sitka National Historical Park
- Ride along Sitka’s coastline in a van with large windows and cushioned seats
- Discover resident bears, raptors, totem poles, forest trails, and beach views
- Stop at a scenic location for photos along the way
- Learn local stories and details from guides who live in Sitka
What's Included
- Van transportation
- Attraction admissions
- Drinks
- Snacks
Important details
- Bring a charged mobile phone to receive pre-tour instructions
- Follow the meeting point listed in your tour confirmation, as departure locations vary by schedule
- Infants age 2 and under must sit on an adult’s lap
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations 1 month or more before the tour date are refunded. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or ship cancellation.
Product ID: 2E4TXM
FAQs
Your departure point depends on your tour time. Most morning tours depart from the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, and most afternoon tours depart from Harrigan Centennial Hall in downtown Sitka. Check your confirmation email for your exact meeting point.
If your meeting point is in downtown Sitka, you will take a free 10–12 minute shuttle ride and you must book shuttle tickets in advance. If your meeting point is the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, do not take the shuttle to town.
Look for a guide holding a black-and-white “Captain Gary's Sitka Adventures" sign.
More about Fortress of the Bear
Fortress of the Bear sits just a short drive from downtown Sitka, tucked into the lush rainforest of Baranof Island, and it is one of the most memorable stops on the Best of Sitka Land Tour. This nonprofit rescue center is home to orphaned brown and black bears that would not have survived in the wild, and it offers something you simply cannot find on a typical Alaska sightseeing stop: an up close, respectful look at these massive animals in spacious, naturalistic enclosures built inside former pulp mill clarifier tanks. The setting feels wild and quiet, framed by towering Sitka spruce and the distant sound of running water, giving visitors a real sense of the coastal wilderness that defines this corner of Southeast Alaska.
On the tour, your guide brings you to Fortress of the Bear at an unhurried pace, leaving time to walk the elevated viewing platforms and watch the resident bears wrestle, splash, and forage just below. You might see a young brown bear flipping logs in search of treats, or a pair of black bears lazing in the grass after a swim. Staff are often on hand to share each bear's rescue story, explain the sanctuary's conservation mission, and answer questions about bear behavior in the wild. Compared to the totem trails and raptor center also featured on the tour, Fortress of the Bear delivers a raw, powerful encounter that tends to be the highlight people talk about long after the day ends.
This stop is perfect for families with curious kids, wildlife photographers, and anyone who wants to understand Alaska beyond its scenery. Travelers who care about animal welfare will appreciate that Fortress of the Bear exists to give these bears a safe forever home, and seeing them thrive makes the visit feel meaningful rather than performative. If you want a Sitka day that blends culture, nature, and a genuine wildlife connection, the time spent at Fortress of the Bear will be the moment you carry with you.
Related locations
Sitka National Historical Park
Admission includedStanding at the confluence of the Indian River and Sitka Sound, Sitka National Historical Park draws you into one of the most consequential moments in Alaska's past. Towering Tlingit totem poles line forested paths, their carved figures watching silently as ravens call overhead. Sitka National Historical Park is Alaska's oldest federally designated park, and its grounds carry the weight of that distinction gently. The air smells of spruce and salt, and the trails feel unhurried, inviting you to linger at each pole and read the stories etched into cedar.
