
Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles
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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
4.5/5
Based on 84 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles worth booking?
Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles is a 2-hour experience in Sitka, United States, from $100 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 84 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (84)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $100 per person
Explore the wildlife highlights of Sitka on a 2-hour tour with knowledgeable local guides who share their expertise on this remarkable and beautiful area. Walk among the towering totem poles of Sitka National Historical
What you get
About this experience
Explore the wildlife highlights of Sitka on a 2-hour tour with knowledgeable local guides who share their expertise on this remarkable and beautiful area. Walk among the towering totem poles of Sitka National Historical Park, watch the antics of the brown bears at Fortress of the Bear, and gaze at the breathtaking scenery around Sitka. You’ll also see Japonski Island, the O’Connell Bridge, Alaska Pioneer Home, Sheldon Jackson Museum and St Michael’s Cathedral. This small-group tour ensures a more personalized experience.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Customizable, small-group tour
- 2-hour scenic tour of Sitka by 10-passenger van
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Sitka National Historic Park
Learn about our totem poles, local plants and see a eagle nest
20 minutes here · Admission included
Fortress of the Bear
View our local resident bears
20 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sitka
330 Harbor Drive
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
330 Harbor Drive
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
- Sitka Wildlife Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes as the weather in Sitka is always different. The van has a heater for your comfort, but you will want to get out and enjoy the fresh air
- A maximum of 10 people per booking
- Please note: Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed
- ALL tours start at Harrigan Centennial Hall 330 Harbor Drive Sitka Alaska 99835.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meeting Instructions: All TOURS START DOWN TOWN AT: "Harrigan Centennial Hall" 330 Harbor Drive by “SITKA WILDLIFE TOURS” We are dressed in bright blue jackets with yellow signs. 1. SITKA SOUND CRUISE TERMINAL INSTRUCTIONS: Book your free shuttle ticket [HERE](https://www.sitkadock.com/) book your shuttle ticket for one hour before your tour meeting time at Harrigan Centennial Hall Downtown! (Follow booking instructions above) and take the FREE SHUTTLE to downtown provided. Your tour representative “SITKA WILDLIFE TOURS” will be in the Vendor Sales Area, 30 minutes before your tour departure time. Please allow a minimum of 45 minutes for the shuttle to downtown. 2. CRESCENT HARBOR INSTRUCTIONS: Your tour departs from the street side of Harrigan Centennial Hall located near the top of the ramp. Your local tour representative “SITKA WILDLIFE TOURS” will be OUTSIDE the building in the Vendor Sales Area starting 30 minutes before your tour departure time. 3. O’CONNELL BRIDGE TENDERING INSTRUCTIONS: When your ship will transport you by tender boat to shore. You will then need to walk 1.5 blocks to "Harrigan Centennial Hall" 330 Harbor Drive. Your local tour representative “SITKA WILDLIFE TOURS” will be OUTSIDE the building at the Vendor Sales Area starting 30 minutes before your tour departure time. Contact Information: Sitka Wildlife Tours, at 1-907-738-1733.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 82 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
82 verified traveler reviews for Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing Sitka
Really great experience, I booked directly on their website and I have no issues, they were on time on the meeting point. Our tour guide - cannot remember her name - was awsome, she is part tlingit so she gave us a lot of intormation regarding heritage and nature of Sitka, the Fortress of the Bear was amazing, we were able to see both black and brown bears. On one stop along the way, we saw seals on the sea. Totem park is beautiful, is a great place to be surrounded by nature. Our lovely tour guide took us some great photos!
via Tripadvisor
A shore excursion worth the trip
This was a very good shore excursion. The bears were all healthy and well cared for. We particularly enjoyed the informative talk about the bears.
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic day fantastic team! Highly Recommend!
Awesome Experience Great information. Entire trip was amazing start to finish! Very professional booking process! Great tour with our tour guy Larry. He was very informative about Sitka made the trip fun and enjoyable for everyone. Would recommend this for anyone looking to see the best of Sitka and great information of the town!
via Tripadvisor
Very Interesting Tour
We had a wonderful time on this tour! We had a small group of seven people, and Bon, our guide was fantastic. He's a retired Forest Service employee and knows a lot about the flora and fauna of southeast Alaska. We stopped to see fish processing factories, Fortress of the Bears (a home for orphaned bear cubs), Silver Bay, and salmon spawning at Totem Park. Highly recommended!
via Viator
Informative and fun tour
Larry was an awesome tour guide and really made the tour fun and informative. He was on time to pick up our family of 10 in a comfortable van. He shared about his life in Sitka, and drove us around to all of the cool sites. We especially loved learning about the edible plants and seeing the gorgeous Sitka National Historic Park with the salmon swimming upstream. Fortress of the Bear was so fun!! I don’t know how else we’d get to observe black and brown bears so close and safely. The tour is the perfect amount of time, great for our group of young kids and seniors.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 29
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sitka.
How much does Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles cost?
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Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sitka usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Sitka is not rushed.
Is Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 84 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sitka, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles?
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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 Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles?
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Around 29 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 Sitka 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 Sitka and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sitka Sightseeing Tour including Fortress of the Bear and Totem Poles 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 Sitka 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 Sitka?
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Sitka runs sea otter and whale quest boats, bear and raptor rescue centre visits, Tongass rainforest hikes, kayak paddles through the islands and Russian colonial history walks. On Outty we rank every Sitka experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour, Best of Sitka Land Tour / Bears, Raptors, Totems, Guided Hike | TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST. 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 Sitka?
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May to September. 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 Sitka?
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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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