Ketchikan Bear Watching?
 

I did my research and tried to book an Island Wings trip to Traitors Cove. Unfortunately, they are not running trips on the day we are in port.

Can anyone recommend alternative tour operators to Traitors Cove? It's an expensive excursion and I want to make sure I am booking with a group that has a good reputation.

Thanks,
Carol

Why bears? Misty Fjord is much nicer. If the weather is crappy, then do the Traitor clove as a fall back position.

Google float plane adentures / tour operators in Ketchikan and you will find a few more leads. There are at least half a dozen operators that do float plane advntures.

Thanks for the advice -- but we place a higher value on seeing wildlife than scenery. And I've read that Ketchikan offers the highest probability of bear sightings among our ports.

Yes, there are many operators offering float plane trips -- so many that it is difficult to distinguish between them. That's why I asked if anyone had personal experience.

Carol

Taquan Air would be on top of my list. Others like Alaska Air Adventures, Family Air Tours and Island Wings all have good reputation. As the "flightseeing" industry is highly regulated, you shouldn't come across any "bad" operators. There are at least another half dozen oeprators such as Pirate Air and Alaska Floatplane.

Margaret Creek Wildlife Observation area is the destination if you are going to Traitor's Cove. You will have to hike a quarter mile from the trailhead to the observation platform. As a precaution, do not carry any food with you. Your guide will carry pepper spray just in case.

Once you are at the observation platform, you are situated above a waterfall and will see bears feeding on salmon below. More than likely, you will see eagles overhead and other wldlife.

Anan Wildlife Observatory is superior to Margaret Creek but you will be hard pressed to get a permit. Only 60 permits are issued daily. Ask around and see if permits are available. It would be more expensive and the USDA forest service set time limits at the "blind".

There are several companies that aggregate tours that might be worth a look. These include: Viator.com, Shoretrips.com, and Shoreexcursionsgroup.com. Viator and Shoreexcursions group both guarantee return to your ship,a nd will automatically refund if your ship misses a port call.

Good luck!

thanks for the advice!