Explore Tongass rainforest on Chichagof Island and seek brown bears amid stunning wilderness.
Transfers, Guide
Venture deep into the Tongass National Forest on Chichagof Island and search for the legendary brown bears that thrive here. Travel with a local guide who knows the wildlife hotspots and shares insights into this rugged Alaskan wilderness.
Children must be at least 5 years old. Tour is limited to 10 guests, or 12 when booked as one group.
Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the date of your experience. Full refund also provided if your cruise ship does not call or if the operator cancels due to weather. No refund for cancellations less than 24 hours before the date, incorrect bookings, or no-shows. Policy differs for private charters. Online booking fees are refunded only on full cancellations.
108 Cannery Rd, Hoonah, AK 99829
Visitors consistently rave about the exceptional whale watching experiences led by knowledgeable captains like Denise, Lisa Marie, and Paul. These guides don't just know where to find the wildlife—they share fascinating local stories, traditional oral histories (shared with elder permission), and personal insights about life in Hoonah that make the tours memorable beyond the animal sightings. The smaller boat size gets mentioned as a real advantage for getting up close to the action. The wildlife encounters are genuinely impressive. Guests regularly spot humpback whales and orcas at remarkably close range, with multiple reviews mentioning whales breaching, bubble net feeding, and even circling the boat. Sea otters, sea lions, and eagles round out the sightings. What stands out is how the crew combines these wildlife moments with cultural storytelling, creating an experience that feels both educational and deeply personal. The fast boats help reach sighting locations quickly, and captains communicate with other charters to maximize viewing opportunities.
This was one of our favorite excursions. Denise Gray was our captain and she was wonderful. Very knowledgeable. When we came out of the marina a group of 6 whales were right there. We followed them for a while and saw net feeding, and much more. We had a lot of time left since we didn’t have to find the whales, so Denise took us to find sea lions, sea otters, and we even saw a brown bear. This excursion is highly recommended and was fun!
Robert Bucher
July 17, 2025
This was one of our favorite excursions. Denise Gray was our captain and she was wonderful. Very knowledgeable. When we came out of the marina a group of 6 whales were right there. We followed them for a while and saw net feeding, and much more. We had a lot of time left since we didn’t have to find the whales, so Denise took us to find sea lions, sea otters, and we even saw a brown bear. This excursion is highly recommended and was fun!
Robert Bucher
July 17, 2025