We will be by the large bronze statue and rain gauge next to the Visitor's Bureau on berth 2 in downtown Ketchikan.Meeting Instructions for Ward Cove Guests: Please take the complimentary shuttle into town. We recommend getting in line for the shuttle at least one hour prior to your tour.
Description
Your experience will start with a scenic coastal drive to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. The only drive to bear viewing areas in Southeast Alaska….
This experience is curated strictly for seeing black bears in their natural habitat. When you arrive at the sanctuary, naturalist guides will join you, bringing the rich forest to life as you walk along an improved trail. You’ll be surrounded by magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar trees. And soon you’ll be watching for wild bears in search of spawning salmon and ample berries. These are safe, protected raised boardwalks, exclusively for bear tours only.
Your guide will lead you along another boardwalk system perched over the grassy wetlands alongside Herring Creek. You’ll have the chance to observe a rich run of spawning salmon and the bears and seals that come to fish for them, along with bald eagles and other birds that wait for scraps in the tidal estuary nearby.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
32 times a day, 12:00 AM–8:00 PM
Adult (ages 8+)
$200
Out at sunset: the 4:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:43 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 960 of the next 960 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
Ketchikan Black Bear Express
Itinerary
Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
Admission included60 min
Your experience will start with a scenic coastal drive to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary.
When you arrive at the sanctuary, naturalist guides will join you, bringing the rich forest to life as you walk along an improved trail. You’ll be surrounded by magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar trees. And soon you’ll be watching for wild bears in search of spawning salmon and ample berries. These are safe, protected raised boardwalks, exclusively for bear tours only. You can expect to have an intimate viewing experience and to reduce environmental impacts, only a limited number of groups have access to this private bear viewing area.
Your guide will lead you along another boardwalk system perched over the grassy wetlands alongside Herring Creek. You’ll have the chance to observe a rich run of spawning salmon and the bears and seals that come to fish for them, along with bald eagles and other birds that wait for scraps in the tidal estuary nearby.
What's included
Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.5
6 reviews
5
5
4
0
3
0
2
1
1
0
How it compares in Ketchikan
Starting price $200 is 60% above the typical $125 for tours of similar length in Ketchikan
Excurgo comparison of 141 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ketchikan Black Bear Express take?
Ketchikan Black Bear Express lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Ketchikan Black Bear Express cost?
Prices start at $200 per person for this Ketchikan experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Ketchikan Black Bear Express run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 32 departures a day between 12:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
Does Ketchikan Black Bear Express sell out?
It can: 960 of the next 960 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Ketchikan Black Bear Express for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We will be by the large bronze statue and rain gauge next to the Visitor's Bureau on berth 2 in downtown Ketchikan. Meeting Instructions for Ward Cove Guests: Please take the complimentary shuttle into town. We recommend getting in line for the shuttle at least one hour prior to your tour. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Ketchikan Black Bear Express offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 30 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Ketchikan Black Bear Express worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 6 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Kawanti Adventures.
Reviews(6)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
audreyl798
September 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Bears for a bargain!
Booked this on my own while stopping in Ketchikan. Same excursion through Princess was $369 but I got it for $199 through Tip Advisor. Saw a bear immediately as we walked out on the boardwalk! It was an incredible experience and the naturalist guides were super knowledgeable. Easy pickup right at my ship and dropped back in town anywhere I wanted.
Operator response
Thank you for joining us on the Ketchikan Black Bear Express!
We’re glad you had such a great experience — and even happier you spotted a bear right as you stepped onto the boardwalk. Moments like that make the rainforest feel alive 🐻🌲
Our naturalist guides will appreciate your kind words; they work hard to share real insight into the wildlife and ecosystem while keeping the tour smooth and enjoyable. Easy pickup at the ship and flexible drop‑off in town are part of making the day stress‑free for travelers 💚⛰️
We’re grateful you chose to explore Ketchikan’s bears with us and hope you’ll visit again on your next trip north!
E
Eileen_G
September 3, 2026 · via Viator
Bear Experience was just ok
It was ok but not great. The van driver was very aggressive and almost crashed into a tractor trailer. Guides at the park were very nice but not informative at all. We went on another bear experience earlier in our trip and the guide was so informative. We did see 4 bears but overall the hour at the park was not worth the cost
U
Ulia_G
August 24, 2026 · via Viator
Great experience
We had an absolutely fantastic time on the Black Bear Express Tour in Ketchikan, Alaska! Our guides, Matt and Nick, were knowledgeable, friendly, and made the experience so enjoyable. Our bus driver was great as well and did an excellent job getting us back to our shuttle bus in time.
The highlight of the tour was getting to see four bears! It was an incredible experience and definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Alaska. We highly recommend the Black Bear Express Tour to anyone visiting Ketchikan!
D
David_N
August 22, 2026 · via Viator
Highly Recommend.
Amazing experience. There was an outside the area pod in the bay that provided us an amazing experience!
Y
Yelitza_N
August 12, 2026 · via Viator
I booked the black bear...
I booked the black bear express tour and it was great. We went in early August and saw many black bears, even a mama bear with her 2 cubs catching salmon. The tour is overpriced in my opinion at $200pp, but all the guides from the different groups work together in doing their absolute best so everyone can see a bear. Matt was wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity and privilege to see these beautiful black bears in their natural habitat!
E
eringP8308UG
September 11, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Bear walk
We did the bear tour with Amy and Kari. They were very knowledgable guides. We learned that bears and wildlife come out more when it’s raining so if it’s a rainy day you’ll have better luck. We saw 14 bears! Highly recommend!
Operator response
Glad to hear you enjoyed the bear walk. Amy and Kari bring a lot of knowledge about the Tongass 🌲 and rainy days really can make wildlife more active. Seeing fourteen black bears is an incredible day out there 🐻 Appreciate you joining us for the tour, and sharing your experience!
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