Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search in Hoonah, United States
Hoonah, United States

Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search

Outty Ranking 62 3.9 · 214 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $164
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.9/5

Based on 214 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 214 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 (214)
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 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 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

    1. 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 10 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

    Hoonah Coastal Brown Bear, Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search in HoonahSow & Cub, Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search in HoonahChichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search in Hoonah, photo 4Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search in Hoonah, photo 5Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search in Hoonah, photo 6Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search in Hoonah, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 214 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    7 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    214 verified traveler reviews for Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    121
    4 star
    22
    3 star
    24
    2 star
    24
    1 star
    23
    Sort
    chrissieb94 · September 2026

    Interesting Tour

    Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and were lucky to watch a brown bear. We moved along the walkway as the bear made his way along the river looking for fish.

    via Tripadvisor

    mitchell_m · September 2026

    No. Beppars

    No bears 3 hours on a back road try bumpy with holes to avoid. 2 stops with no bears in sight. Disappointing to say the least

    via Viator

    karen_f · September 2026

    Saw bears and learned about Icy Strait Point and Hoonah.

    Good bear guide. Cora grew up in Hoonah and was very skilled, informative and helpful. Saw several bears and learned how to look for brown bears.

    via Viator

    S8505UGchristopherl · September 2026

    No bears

    A complete waste of time. Spent 3 hours on a pot holed track. No bears. Saw lots of bear poo if that counts.

    via Tripadvisor

    Rob_F · September 2026

    Brilliant tour although...

    Brilliant tour although overpriced. We went to several different locations and did eventually see one bear. Tour guide was very knowledgeable.

    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
    75
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 62

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)26
    Review evidence (18% weight)88
    Booking momentum (14% weight)85
    Value for money (12% weight)95
    Listing quality (10% weight)68
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 214 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    Around 75 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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, Hoonah Whale-Watching Cruise - Near Icy Strait Point, "Catch of the day" Whale-watching, Icy strait point, Hoonah. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search?

    +

    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; and Government fees. Not included: Gratuities (Never expected always appreciated). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 4 listed pickup locations in and around Hoonah. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.

    What languages is Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Hoonah. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search?

    +

    Across 214 reviews averaging 3.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search.

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