
Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 203 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search worth booking?
Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search is a 3-hour experience in Hoonah, United States, from $164 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 203 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (203)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $164 per person
Embark on a small-group, 3-hour land based tour of Chichagof Island. The community of Hoonah, with a year round population of approximately 850, is located in the northern part of Chichagof Island. The vast majority of t
What you get
About this experience
Embark on a small-group, 3-hour land based tour of Chichagof Island. The community of Hoonah, with a year round population of approximately 850, is located in the northern part of Chichagof Island. The vast majority of the island is pure, uninhabited, Alaskan wilderness teeming with wildlife! Chichagof Island has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth.
What's included
Included
- Picks Up & Drops Off at Icy Strait 3rd Party Excursions Hub
- Local Native guide
- Small Group Tour - Max of 10
- All individual seating in van, no bench seating
- Government fees
Not included
- Gratuities (Never expected always appreciated)
What you'll see and do
The Shops By HTA
Shop at Hoonah's #1 Gift Store! Gifts, Snacks, Drinks!
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Hoonah
DO NOT USE THE 108 CANNERY ROAD ADDRESS ON GOOGLE TO FIND THE PICK UP POINT. IT IS NOT CORRECT IN GOOGLE AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THAT!! We meet guests at the Icy Strait Exclusive 3rd Party Excursions Hub. The Excursions Hub is a short 5 minute walk from where the ships dock or tender in to.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
DO NOT USE THE 108 CANNERY ROAD ADDRESS ON GOOGLE TO FIND THE PICK UP POINT. IT IS NOT CORRECT IN GOOGLE AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THAT!! We meet guests at the Icy Strait Exclusive 3rd Party Excursions Hub. The Excursions Hub is a short 5 minute walk from where the ships dock or tender in to.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hoonah Travel Adventures LLC
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour Time is Departure time. Please meet 15 minutes prior at the Icy Strait Excursions Hub
- Each Child on tour must be accompanied by an adult
- No Smoking
- At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide ship name
- Children Under the age of 8 are not permitted on this tour
- While we endeavor to find bears on this tour we cannot gurantee sightings
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 200 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
200 verified traveler reviews for Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
great experience
excellent tour guide, she was so pleasant and knowledgeable. service with Hoonah was great in regards to communication, pick up and drop off. we went to two different locations to bear watch and were fortunate to view bears at both sites.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful experience!
Cora was wonderful and taught us so much about native culture and the land. We saw bears and became educated about Tlingit culture. Thank you so much!
via Viator
Our guide was a lifetime...
Our guide was a lifetime resident of Hoonah and knew exactly where to take us for the best odds of bear sightings…and we saw 2! Between all the history he shared and watching the bears fish & play, it was the best experience.
via Viator
Cora shares enthusiasm...
Cora shares enthusiasm and great stories about growing up and raising her family in Hoonah. We learned a lot about life in a small village and living off the land. She taught us how to spot bear and we were treated to two sightings. There was plenty of time to observe bears being choosy about which salmon looked the tastiest. A good experience.
via Viator
Amazing guide who found us some bears
I had an excellent day with Cora on our Wilderness tour. Although seeing bears are not guaranteed we were so thrilled to see 5 bears during our tour. Cora has spent her whole life in the Tongass National Forest, growing up in Hoonah and really knows the area well. She has a deep respect for all of the animals and nature. I enjoyed getting to know her and learn more about her beautiful village. I highly recommend if you are visiting Icy Strait to book this tour.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 71
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hoonah.
How much does Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search cost?
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Prices start at $164 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Hoonah usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Hoonah is not rushed.
Is Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 203 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Hoonah, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search?
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Around 71 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Hoonah can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Hoonah and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Hoonah within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Hoonah?
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Hoonah, AK packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Hoonah by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Hoonah experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kayak Tours, "Catch of the day" Whale-watching, Icy strait point, Hoonah, Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Hoonah?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Hoonah, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Hoonah?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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