I’ve joined Traitor’s Cove bear viewing with Island Wings company with my family (my parents 65 and 66 years old, and me 36) on 11 September. I have to say that everything was perfect, from the beginning to the end! I’ve written several emails to Shona to have some informations about the tour and what to bring and she always replied me very soon. We arrived early in the morning (8:00 a.m.) at Ketchikan airport. Our tour was scheduled to begin at 10:45 but weather forecast wasn’t good at that time, so Michelle anticipated our tour. We were picked-up by Jensen directly at ferry dock. We discovered that he would be our tour guide for the day. During the short ride from the ferry to the seaplane he gave us some informations about the city.
When we arrived we had the opportunity to leave our big bags in the office so we could bring with us only what we needed for the tour. Before getting on the seaplane Michelle and Shone told us to take off some clothing layers because even if outside the weather is cold, on seaplane the temperature are hotter, and if you feel too hot you could suffer of airsickness. And they were absolutely right, keeping only my thermal turtleneck I felt comfortable.
It was our family first time on a seaplane, I suffer a little bit of claustrophobia and I was worried of a so small airplane, but I have to say I had no problems at all! First there are very big windows on the plane so you feel like the space is much bigger, second Michelle is a great pilot, the take off and landing was very smooth, much more than on traditional airplanes!
The landscape flying to Traitor’s cove and when we arrived was amazing, even if the weather was not so good. After landing we took a van for a short ride to the path that goes to the observatory platform. It looked like being in a fairy wood, it was magical! Jensen was awesome and during our easy walk gave us several informations about plants, berries, mushrooms and obviously bears! At the observatory platform we aren’t lucky, and we don’t see any bear, but several salmons, blu jays and bald eagles. While we were there (there was only my family and Jensen) arrived another group. Finally a bear spotted, at a cascade few steps before the platform. We remained there several minutes, with the other group to watch the bear, but he was lazy and looking around not really convinced to catch a salmon. The first group left, and we remained other minutes to watch the bear and finally che caught the salmon! The other group left too early and haven’t seen the scene. Island Wings is the company that let you remain the longest time in Traitor’s Cove to have more chances to see bears. You have to keep in mind that are wild animals, is not a show with a timetable, so the more time you spend there the more chances you have to see bears!
Than we moved with the van in another place were the landscape is absolutely amazing, a postcard one! And there we had the chance to see a mama bear with her two cubs and and another bear catching a salmon!!! At the end we have seen 5 bears in total, and for the period is a good sight. If you want to see more bears you have to go at the beginning of the salmon season, when bears just awoke and are hungry! At September they are quite fat and not very motivated to find other food, but as I’ve said, we have seen 5 bears, not bad!
At the end of the tour Jensen showed us a place where to have lunch and brought us there.
I suggest Island Wings because they:
1. Let you stay at Traitor’s Cove more time than the other companies, so you have more chances to see bears, and see them in action.
2. Michelle is a wonderful pilot, we always felt safe with her, and during the flight you can talk with her, you have not a recorded voice as happens in other tours.
3. Jensen is an awesome guide, gives you a lot of informations about nature and its inhabitants. Is obvious that he loves his work, he is always enthusiastic when he sights an animal, like us!
Thank all Island Wings staff to have made our experience fantastic!!!