Private Bear Viewing at Waterfall Creek
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Bear Creek Outfitters pioneered Waterfall Creek as one of the premier bear viewing locations in SouthEast Alaska more than two decades ago. Our local expert guides continue that tradition with excellent service and a fantastic experience.
If you are looking for an activity where you can bring kids as young as 6 then a Private Waterfall Creek Tour is perfect for your family.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not for travelers with mobility impairments
What To Expect
Marvel at Wild Grizzly Bears fishing for salmon beneath a scenic waterfall, after a 25-minute scenic floatplane flight from Juneau. Enjoy learning from your local certified guide about the bears and the nature of SouthEast Alaska. Mid-July til the end of September is when the bears go to work. The bears focus at this point is on fishing. The primary viewing location is about 5 yds from the creek with the fish, the waterfall about 75yds upstream slows the fish down and creates good fishing for the bears. Viewing is typically at 20-75yds but lucky groups my get to see bears catch and eat a fish even closer. This is when we often see the most bears in view at a given moment and the only time of year to get a picture of a bear with a fish in its mouth. Bald eagles, ravens, kingfisher, gulls, mink, and very occasionally Sitka deer are sighted on our trips. Sometimes whales and sea lions are spotted from the plane.
Tongass National Forest
25-min each way Scenic Floatplane Flight over the Tongass on our way to Waterfall Creek
Options
Private Trip 1-2 people
Private flights and guide Duration: 5 hours: May be customized to suit the group Pickup included
Solo Traveler joins group
Join a group: Opportunity to join an existing group as a solo traveler. Max group size 5 Pickup included
Private Trip 3-5 People
Private flights and guide Lunch Times can be customized Pickup included
What‘s Included
Scenic Floatplane Flight
Bottled water
Rain Gear, Binoculars, Drybag, Wildlife Spotting Scope
Snacks
Certified Guide
Van to/from town
All permit and entrance fees
Guide Gratuities are not included. (Typically 5-10%)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must see bear viewing
vickimA8015KK,Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We saw at least 6 bears catching fish at the waterfall. Our guide was knowledgeable and courteous. The pilot was friendly and a great pilot.
Once in a Lifetime “Must Do”.
626kerrymm,Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Chris did a great job keeping us safe and we appreciated that he took the time to make sure we were fitted with comfortable boots before heading out. Our pilot Nano was amazing - smoothest landing we’ve ever experienced in a float plane. The setting was ideal. We saw 3 blue heron, a king fisher, 5 brown bears (including a mom teaching her cub to fish) and a ton of salmon jumping out of the water. Even caught a glimpse of a humpback whale on the return flight.
Beautiful Wildlife Tour
brooklynp66,Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Visited Waterfall creek with Teresa this week. The views from the planes were incredible. If you know what to look for you can spot whales on the way up! One bear, Roxy stayed around the falls the whole day, giving us plenty of time to photograph her. The trip was awesome! I definitely recommend it.
Great adventure!
desireeo267,Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went out on a bear viewing trip with Bear Creek Outfitters. The trip was very well organized, from being picked up in downtown by our guide, to getting outfitted with rain gear and the flight over to the bear viewing zone. The plane ride was smooth, the views were breathtaking and absolutely stunning. At the bear viewing location, Chris, our guide lead us the the viewing point. He was very knowledgeable, entertaining and knew everything about grizzly bears and the wildlife in South East Alaska. We saw multiple bears, one came kind of close. At each point I felt safe and was not scared, since he explained to us how to behave appropriately. I would do this trip in a heartbeat again and would go again with the oldest company in town - Bear Creek Outfitters. Thanks for the wonderful adventure.
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Operated by Bear Creek Outfitters