July 29 too early for bears in Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary?

Trying to plan for 6 people with various interests is a big challenge! We are working on Ketchikan. I originally was hoping we could take Island Wing's float plane to Traitor's Cove. But we have 2 non-fliers in the group. And we are already splitting up in Skagway (4 of us are taking a heli ride to glacier).

At any rate, I am trying to come with something good for the whole group in Ketchikan. My brother wanted to do the Misty Fjords boat tour, but I'm thinking my kids (a teen and a tween) will be terribly bored with that long of a trip. And i hear it doesn't get that far into Misty Fjords, so that kind of defeats the whole purpose.

I was hopeful about bear watching in the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. The private walkway over the salmon creek sounded like a perfect solution--an interesting walk/hike to see bears. But I read another post on here suggesting July 29 was a bit too early? This is a pricey tour, so I really don't want to fork over that kind of cash unless we are likely to see bears.

I also contacted them to see if maybe we can combine ziplining with the bear watching. They don't offer that combination, but I wondered if they could work something out for us. My boys would love to zip, and with the addition of the helicopter ride in Skagway, we don't have time that day.

Not sure why this port is causing so much of a challenge.

There is no "bear watching" per se on this trip. You hike or zip thru the forest, and sometimes the bears are in the forest. On the hike you walk out across the meadows and past the salmon hatchery. There are frequently bears there, with pretty much a guarantee of bears when the salmon are running. I've seen them there in June and July.

How about the Deadliest Catch tour? It seems very popular with all ages.

I have heard people mention "Deadliest Catch." I havne't looked it up--if it's fishing related, I'm going to say no. There are at least 2 of us that would be kind of upset by fishing. I know--a little odd--it just gets to me, though (even though I am not a vegetarian).

There does seem to be a dedicated bear watch component to this tour. It is a fairly new tour (at least as best as I can tell--maybe a few years old). It's hard to assess reviews on TripAdvisor--they are mixed in with the Rainforest walk (less expensive, does not use the bear watch rope bridges). Here is the description. I contacted them to see if we could combine with ziplining since really in the same place. I am doubtful they will arrange something special for me, and the price is already super high for this tour.

Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition

3.25 Hours Including Transfers

Brand new Bear viewing opportunity in Ketchikan!

Ketchikan's finest bear viewing accessible by road! Visit Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary for this unique opportunity to see black bear in their native habitat. Your tour begins with a narrated city tour and eight mile coastal drive to the sanctuary. Your naturalist/guide will bring the rich forest to life as you meander along an improved trail, leading to an elevated boardwalk and platform system amongst magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar. Watch for bears from the safety of the raised boardwalks which maximize your viewing and provide protection. To limit resource impacts, only a limited number of small groups have access to this exclusive bear viewing area.

Leaving the private elevated wildlife viewing system, the rainforest trail transforms to an additional boardwalk perched over grassy wetlands alongside Eagle Creek, home to a rich run of spawning salmon. Here bears and seals come to fish for Alaska's abundant salmon. Bald eagles and other birds wait for scraps in the tidal estuary. After taking in the sights at more choice wildlife viewing locations, visit the Alaska Raptor Center, a non-profit organization. Take the opportunity to see raptors up close as raptor specialists explains the heritage and habitat of the different species. You will also be guided through the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company Sawmill before observing a master Native carver crafting a large totem pole.

The group size will be limited to ensure an intimate experience. The focus of your tour will be to view black bears in their natural habitat. Your guide may change the order of the tour or time spent in any one spot to give you the best chance to view bears. The half-mile long trail is upon relatively flat terrain. Although the chances for seeing bear are excellent, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Visit our General Store and enjoy a complimentary smoked salmon snack, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at the conclusion of the tour.

Space is extremely limited, please call 907-225-5503 for reservation details.

NOTES: Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothing. Tour operates in all weather conditions. Rain ponchos provided if necessary. Wildlife viewing time is approximately 60 minutes. Minimum age for safety reasons is 12 years old and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No food or drink is allowed on the trail. Guide instructions must be adhered to at all times to ensure guest safety.

I have heard people mention "Deadliest Catch." I havne't looked it up--if it's fishing related, I'm going to say no. There are at least 2 of us that would be kind of upset by fishing. I know--a little odd--it just gets to me, though (even though I am not a vegetarian).

There's no actual fishing involved, but the tour is based on the Deadliest Catch TV show, which is about crab fishing and they do talk about it. They also bring up specimens of various sea life, not randomly caught but in pre-set cages. The thing about this tour that bothers me (and thrills others) is that they feed bald eagles to attract them for photos. If you have members of your party that would be upset by fishing, they might have issues with this aspect of the tour as well.

As for the bear tour you mentioned, I did the Rainforest Walk (not the bear tour) years ago in mid-August, and we did see one bear there.

Over the years I've only read a couple of trip reports where people saw bears at Herring Cove. The last one was Stiley's report visiting in late june 2014 if you want to look it up. They went via a taxi cab tour; drove back a few times and finally had success.

We have also booked this bear excursion the same week as you (via Carnival). I'm also hoping we see bears. I'll be very disappointed if we don't! :eek:

Over the years I've only read a couple of trip reports where people saw bears at Herring Cove. The last one was Stiley's report visiting in late june 2014 if you want to look it up. They went via a taxi cab tour; drove back a few times and finally had success.

We saw 3 bears at Herring Cove two weeks ago on a tour with Ketchikan Taxi Tour!

Good to know that a few of you have seen bears at Herring Cove!

Here's what has transpired since I last posted: I finally got in touch with someone at Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. They seem very busy there! Booking directly through them, I was able to arrange simulaneous transfer for our party of 6 in two groups--3 doing the bear tour and 3 doing the ziplining. (My boys decided they would rather zipline than do the bear tour, itself, but as I was saying, we wanted to try to stay together as much as possible on our Ketchikan day). When I called NCL, I was told we would be transported separately if we booked two different excursions (even to the same location).

Our bear tour and ziplining tour start within 15 minutes of each other, but the transport vehicle picks us all up at the "rain guage" at 8:00 a.m. So we get to ride up and back together, and may (if I'm reading between the lines correctly) all wind up in the raptor sanctuary at the end.

I'll post back afterward and report what are group(s) thought of these two tours and if we saw bears.

Here's something interesting: there was, as expected, a financial advantage booking the bear tour directly through the company instead of through the cruise ship. However, we wound up losing money booking the zipline directly through the company. The reaosn for this is that NCL offers a child rate for a 12-year-old. The actual company only offers a child rate for those up through age 11.

Also, the cancellation policy, if we had booked the cruise line, would have been much more flexible and forgiving. I'm honestly a little nervous with what I was told by Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. They only offer partial refunds after 30 days and even less of a refund under 2 weeks. No exceptions made for illness/injury. We all need to stay healthy, and my kiddos need to not get themselves injured in any way that would prevent ziplining (try telling that to a 15 and a 12-year-old). I didn't ask about what happens if we dock late (hopefully we will have enough of a buffer, as are supposed to get to Ketchikan by 6:00 a.m.).

I am finding that booking through the cruise ship can have its advantages, at least in certain situations.

Hoping this all works out well for us--and for others who choose these tours.

It's pure luck to see any bears at Herring Cove and the Sanctuary. You HAVE to be accepting of not seeing any, which is usual, and most likely, especially off peak.

I have been to Herring Cove numerous times, including this year, and over the years- during peak, with a rental car, and having all the time I want, and have never seen bears there. :) I have seen bears, every time, I am on the bear tour flights, which I've taken to all 3 of the Ketchikan locations, Anan, Traitor's and Neets. All at least twice.

It's pure luck to see any bears at Herring Cove and the Sanctuary. You HAVE to be accepting of not seeing any, which is usual, and most likely, especially off peak.

 

I have been to Herring Cove numerous times, including this year, and over the years- during peak, with a rental car, and having all the time I want, and have never seen bears there. :) I have seen bears, every time, I am on the bear tour flights, which I've taken to all 3 of the Ketchikan locations, Anan, Traitor's and Neets. All at least twice.

I guess that answers my question. My husband wants to see bears badly; however, the expense of the flight seeing was over budget. We are driving up to Denali after the cruise and maybe we will try to drive down to Hidden Creek in Kenai Peninsula area as well the last day if we haven't seen any by then.

I guess that answers my question. My husband wants to see bears badly; however, the expense of the flight seeing was over budget. We are driving up to Denali after the cruise and maybe we will try to drive down to Hidden Creek in Kenai Peninsula area as well the last day if we haven't seen any by then.

Go to at least Eielson in Denali Park and you have a 97% chance of seeing bears. Go in twice, close to 100%.

Bears on the Kenai Peninsula are VERY peak salmon dependent. Low chances otherwise.