Traitors Cove Bear Viewing
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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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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 43 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Traitors Cove Bear Viewing worth booking?
Traitors Cove Bear Viewing is a 4.3-hour experience in Ketchikan, United States, from $550 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 43 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (43)
- Duration
- 4.3 hours
- From
- $550 per person
Island Wings Air Service is owned and operated by Alaska veteran pilot Michelle Masden, who started flying in 1977 and began her business in Ketchikan in 1993. Island Wings takes the time and makes the effort to help you
What you get
About this experience
Island Wings Air Service is owned and operated by Alaska veteran pilot Michelle Masden, who started flying in 1977 and began her business in Ketchikan in 1993. Island Wings takes the time and makes the effort to help you realize your Alaskan dreams. Share our love of flying through our vast Alaskan wilderness. Experience the freedom of flight over the wild grandeur of the mountains, the islands and the endless sea. In business since 1993, Island Wings takes the time and makes the effort to help you realize your Alaskan dreams. Our focus is the quality of your experience. From the handling of your reservation, to the equipment we operate, to the places we visit; we don't compromise and neither should you. The total time for this tour is 4.25 hours including: the flight, three hours onsite at Traitors Cove Bear Viewing Observatory, and fifteen minutes for the pick-up and drop-off.
What's included
Included
- We operate well maintained six-passenger DeHavilland Beaver floatplanes
- Guaranteed window seats for all passengers
- Voice activated, noise cancelling headset for each passenger
- Interactive narration with your Pilot
- Pick-up and drop-off by Island WIngs van from the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau on Cruise Ship Berth 2
- US Forest Service Special Use Permit for Bear Viewing within Tongss National Forest
- All inclusive tour
Not included
- No food or beverages, except bottled water, allowed on the flight
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Tongass National Forest
Between July20th and September 30th you can visit the bear viewing observatory at Traitors Cove. Fly by floatplane along the beautiful waterways of the lush Tongass National Forest across Revillagegedo island to a US Forest Service maintained trail and the Margarete Creek Bear Viewing platform. Bears can be seen plunging into the rushing water to retrieve their meals of wiggling salmon. This is a perfect opportunity to photograph Alaska's real fisherman in action! In addition to bears feeding, you will also see bald eagles picking over the scraps left by the bears and of course, the real stars of the show, the salmon as they battle their way upstream to spawn. Your journey will be accompanied by the Island Wings bear guide who will provide information about the flora and fauna along the way. Combine a short hike, beautiful scenery and a magnificent wildlife experience in one trip. This is a four hour tour that includes a floatplane flight, a one mile drive by van on a US Forest Service road and a short hike along a boardwalk trail to the viewing platform. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring plenty of camera batteries! The US Forest Service restricts access to Margarete Observatory by permit. As a result, only small numbers of people have the opportunity to visit this beautiful site, so book early! The four hour Traitors Cove bear viewing tour includes: a thirty minute flight each way and three hours at Traitors Cove. All tours include complimentary ground transportation to and from our dock which adds fifteen minutes to the beginning and the end of your tour. For this four hour tour you will need to budget four and a half hours total time. Season: July 20th through September 30th.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Island Wings Air Service
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please wear layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
- All passengers MUST provide us a contact phone number when booking or call us at (907) 225-2444 to confirm a tour time.
- Passengers travelling via cruise ship MUST provide their cruise ship name to us so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 43 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
6 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
43 verified traveler reviews for Traitors Cove Bear Viewing. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful experience even though the bears didn't cooperate!
We booked the Traitors Cove Bear Viewing excursion directly through Island Wings and had a wonderful experience with them from beginning to end. Booking directly was incredibly easy, communication was great, and everything felt organized and well-run. Our pilot, Adam, was fantastic. I was so glad we ended up flying with him because he seemed to know his plane like it was an extension of himself. The flight was smooth, comfortable, and absolutely beautiful & he had great taste in music, which somehow made flying over the Alaskan wilderness even more incredible. The floatplane portion alone ended up being a genuinely memorable part of the excursion. Once we arrived at Traitors Cove, Annika was our guide and she was wonderful. She was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging. I especially loved that the guiding didn't begin and end at the bear viewing area; even on the walk there, she was pointing out different plants and teaching us about the area and ecosystem around us. You could tell she really knew and appreciated the environment we were exploring. Unfortunately, the one thing nobody can control is wildlife, and we didn't see a single bear. Of course we were disappointed (you don't book a bear-viewing excursion hoping not to see a bear!) but that's the reality of seeing animals in the wild, and I wouldn't hold that against Island Wings at all. We still got to watch salmon jumping their way upstream and even had an eagle fly by, and Annika continued to make the experience interesting and worthwhile. Obviously I wish the bears had decided to show up for us, but I would still recommend Island Wings without hesitation. From the easy booking and communication to Adam's incredible flying and Annika's knowledgeable and friendly guiding, they did everything within their control to give us a great experience. And if I ever find myself back in Ketchikan during bear season, I might just have to try again - apparently I have unfinished business with the bears at Traitors Cove. 🐻😂
via Tripadvisor
An amazing tour with lovely people
We had such an incredible time on this tour. We arrived via cruise ship with weird dock timings and Shona was so helpful and even moved the time of the tour slightly so we were still able to go. We were picked up from the port in a van by the lovely Anikka and taken to the plane where we met the pilot who was Adam. We had a very smooth flight out to traitors cove where we were then driven by our guide to the start of the trail and told about bear safety. On the walk to the viewing platform we were told so much about the beautiful rainforest. Due to the very hot weather and lack of rainfall our expectations were managed as the salmon were unable to get upstream so there weren’t many bears around. Other tour groups moved to another location in the forest and didn’t see any bears on their trip, but due to the knowledge and patience of our guide we stayed where we were and were lucky enough to see a sow and her three cubs which was absolutely incredible. Would definitely recommend this tour!
via Tripadvisor
Island Wings is absolutely worth the splurge!
You've come as far as Ketchikan, it's worth it to splurge and spend a day with Island Wings. Michelle clearly runs a very smooth and responsive service, and we were not only impressed with the quality of the tour (we did the Traitors cove bear viewing trip, which didn't disappoint seeing the wildlife and all of the beautiful scenery). Bullets: It was easy to book, and they were easy to reach to confirm a detail on the day of our trip. Annika drove us in the van to and from the plane to the cruise port, and also led us on our trail hikes to and from the viewing sites, demonstrating her knowledge of the wildlife and nature. This included how to safely manage a chance encounter with black bears, which DID occur on our hike in, but was never a threat given her expertise and planning with us. Wiley was our pilot, and again, he provided everything we needed to know about a float plane, the flight itself, and his takeoffs and landings were like a smooth kiddie park ride. On our return, he even took us on a quick pass of a beautiful fjord, which was a cool bonus! On takeoff and landing, Michelle's crew moved fast and were clearly expert, efficient, and focused on protocol and passenger safety. Finally, when we returned, despite doing this for decades and flying the 1st of her 2 planes to our destination that day, Michelle came over to Wiley's plane, shook everyone's hand, and thanked us for choosing her service. Her sincerity clearly says something about her character and reflected her entire crew who provide this 'once in a lifetime' experience. We will be returning to Island Wings next time we are in Alaska!
via Tripadvisor
Perfect tour for bear viewing
This is the second time we have taken this tour. The first time was in 2017. It's a fabulous bear viewing tour. The tour provider only flies to island when it is safe. The actual bear viewing is longer than any of the other tour providers we saw. You get plenty of time. What a great company...one of our favorite tours of all our travels and our family really liked it also.
via Viator
Best day
A brilliant day out. This was a highlight. We saw seven bear!!! Including mama bear and her cub. Our pilot was Adam and our guide Jake and they were both knowledgeable friendly and relaxed. The float plane ride is fun! So glad we went with them!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $550 to $595
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Traitors Cove Bear Viewing: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ketchikan.
How much does Traitors Cove Bear Viewing cost?
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Prices start at $550 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ketchikan usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Traitors Cove Bear Viewing take?
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Plan for about 4.3 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 Ketchikan is not rushed.
Is Traitors Cove Bear Viewing worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 43 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Ketchikan, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Traitors Cove Bear Viewing?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Traitors Cove Bear Viewing suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Traitors Cove Bear Viewing?
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Around 15 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan and add a light layer if any part of the 4.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Traitors Cove Bear Viewing 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?
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Ketchikan runs short, cruise-timed excursions: Misty Fjords floatplane flights, Tongass rainforest zip lines, totem park tours, crab feasts and wildlife boats up the Behm Canal. On Outty we rank every Ketchikan experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour, Off the Beaten Path Ketchikan Photo Safari - 3 hr., Ketchikan Shore Excursion: Rainforest Canopy Ropes and Zipline Adventure Park. 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 Ketchikan?
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May to September, matching the Alaska cruise season. 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 Ketchikan?
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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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