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Traitors Cove Bear Viewing

Overview
Island Wings Air Service is owned and operated by Alaska veteran pilot Michelle Masden, who started flying in 1977 and began her business in Ketchikan in 1993. Island Wings takes the time and makes the effort to help you realize your Alaskan dreams. Share our love of flying through our vast Alaskan wilderness. Experience the freedom of flight over the wild grandeur of the mountains, the islands and the endless sea. In business since 1993, Island Wings takes the time and makes the effort to help you realize your Alaskan dreams. Our focus is the quality of your experience. From the handling of your reservation, to the equipment we operate, to the places we visit; we don't compromise and neither should you. The total time for this tour is 4.25 hours including: the flight, three hours onsite at Traitors Cove Bear Viewing Observatory, and fifteen minutes for the pick-up and drop-off.
City: Ketchikan
Tue 24 Dec
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You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $499.00
Tue 24 Dec
Starting at $499.00
Make a reservation
What's Included
We operate well maintained six-passenger DeHavilland Beaver floatplanes
Guaranteed window seats for all passengers
Voice activated, noise cancelling headset for each passenger
Interactive narration with your Pilot
Pick-up and drop-off by Island WIngs van from the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau on Cruise Ship Berth 2
US Forest Service Special Use Permit for Bear Viewing within Tongss National Forest
All inclusive tour
Additional Info
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adultā€™s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please wear layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
  • All passengers MUST provide us a contact phone number when booking or call us at (907) 225-2444 to confirm a tour time.
  • Passengers travelling via cruise ship MUST provide their cruise ship name to us so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
What To Expect
1
Tongass National Forest
Between July20th and September 30th you can visit the bear viewing observatory at Traitors Cove. Fly by floatplane along the beautiful waterways of the lush Tongass National Forest across Revillagegedo island to a US Forest Service maintained trail and the Margarete Creek Bear Viewing platform. Bears can be seen plunging into the rushing water to retrieve their meals of wiggling 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 over the 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 the Island Wings bear guide who will provide information about the flora and fauna along the way. Combine a short hike, beautiful scenery and a magnificent wildlife experience in one trip. This is a four hour tour that includes a floatplane flight, a one 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 camera batteries! The US Forest Service restricts access to Margarete Observatory by permit. As a result, only small numbers of people have the opportunity to visit this beautiful site, so book early! The four hour Traitors Cove bear viewing tour includes: a thirty minute flight each way and three hours at Traitors Cove. All tours include complimentary ground transportation to and from our dock which adds fifteen minutes to the beginning and the end of your tour. For this four hour tour you will need to budget four and a half hours total time. Season: July 20th through September 30th.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Traveler Photos
Reviews (29)
Sinfathisar
Sep 2019
Could not be happier with the service and care of the Island Wings team. We had a fantastic experience. I highly recommend this tour and this company.
TexasTxtraveler
Sep 2019
My family of 4 booked with Michelle and Island Wings after reading all the great reviews. Flying in a float plane was a first for us and we felt safe with Michelle flying us out to Traitor's Cove. Her experience was obvious. Jensen was our guide to the observation deck. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We spent more time observing bears than other companies. Adam flew us back and we really appreciated his knowledge about flying airplanes. We highly recommend Michelle and Island Wings!
Lori0610
Sep 2019
Island Wings team does an AMAZING job!! They give you more time with the bears than any other tour and trust me I did my research obsessively! If you want to see bears and cubs in their true natural environment enjoying their lunch then this is the trip for you!!! Now please know each day is a different experience but I can tell you I spent over 2.5 hours watching the bears with a smile on my face the entire time!! We saw Patches (an older fat male), 2 momma bears with 3 cubs, and 2 other adult bears!! But remember, bears come and go as they eat all day and that is why you need the most time possible on the observation deck if you don't want to leave Alaska disappointed that you didn't see a bear and that is why Island Wings is the best!! Michelle is an amazing pilot and shows you things as you fly to the rainforest including a submarine. Jenson does a great job explaining bear behaviors and fun facts including his great knowledge of Salmon. Highly recommend anyone with a passion and love for wildlife to enjoy their bear experience Island Wings provides. First class team and operation!!
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