Anan
Creek Bear Viewing Observatory
From
July 1st to July 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 1st through July 31st
Price:
$495 per person
Traitor's
Cove Bear Watching Observatory Tours
Between
August 1st 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 1st through September 30th
Price: $389
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
