Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska in Ketchikan
Ketchikan, United States

Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska

Outty Ranking 57 4.9 · 34 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $595

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September 2026

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Adults

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

57/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 34 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska worth booking?

Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska is a 3-hour experience in Ketchikan, United States, from $595 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 34 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
57 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (34)
Duration
3 hours
From
$595 per person

Upon arrival to the platform, you will be at a prime vantage point to see Alaska’s REAL fisherman! Watch the true champions of the tour – the 5 species of salmon battling in the last part of their life, to arrive upstrea

What you get

    About this experience

    Upon arrival to the platform, you will be at a prime vantage point to see Alaska’s REAL fisherman! Watch the true champions of the tour – the 5 species of salmon battling in the last part of their life, to arrive upstream to spawn. They are fighting not just the swift current but also the bears. See the black bears fattening up for winter, plunge into the rushing water with jaws wide, to eat the wild salmon heading upstream to spawn. Besides bears feeding, you are also likely to see Bald Eagles feeding on salmon scraps left over by the bears. The Highlights - Visit a World Class bear viewing facility. - A round trip floatplane flight over the Tongass National Forest is included. - Listen to a personalized flight narration – no recorded tracks - There is a high likelihood of seeing black bears, eagles and salmon. - Enjoy a nature walk of approximately ¼ mile round trip. - Be accompanied by an experienced Alaska Bear Guide. -Tour length is 3 hours with up to 45 minutes of flightseeing.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private transportation
    • Bottled water

    Not included

    • Alcoholic beverages

    What you'll see and do

    1. Ketchikan

      The Traitors Cove Bear Viewing experience begins with a short 20 minute floatplane flight over the lush wilderness of the Tongass National Forest. Your pilot will narrate along the way, pointing out key points in the area. After you touch down in Traitors Cove, you will be met on the floatplane dock by your personal Alaska Bear Guide who will drive you about one mile down a United States Forest Service (USFS) road to a trailhead. Your guide will safely escort you down the trail (approximately 250 yards) to the Margaret Creek Bear Viewing platform. Along the trail, your guide will point out the flora, fauna, berries and trees as well as any wildlife you encounter. Keep your eyes peeled all around – bald eagles and even bears are known to perch high above in the trees. The Margaret Creek Bear Viewing observatory is maintained by the USFS whose policy allows bear tours from late July into late September. We operate our bear viewing tours from the late July- mid September.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Thu
    Group size
    Up to 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Seawind Aviation, Inc

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska in Ketchikan, photo 2Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska in Ketchikan, photo 3

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 32 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    32 verified traveler reviews for Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    29
    4 star
    3
    3 star
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    2 star
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    1 star
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    Sort
    SD_TIM57 · August 2026

    Bear sighting trip without the bears

    Fun flight, good host at the destination but no bears. The problem is that they have a tight schedule so you don’t have an opportunity to give it time to see if any bears decide to show up. There is a lot of state maintained hiking trails available when you get to Traitors Cove so if you are able to get there by some other means you would have time to discover .

    via Tripadvisor

    KristiHenn · August 2026

    Top notch

    If you are considering a flight of any kind in Ketchikan this is the company to choose! Everyone we dealt with from the first inquiry call to the end was amazing. After reading reviews I had narrowed it down to two companies and called both. The warm response I got at seawind prompted me to book. We were given very clear instructions for pick up and were driven from Ward Cove to the seaplane location. We then had a wonderful day with Russ and Kim. The real kicker came at the end when Lesley, the owner, noticed us stranded at the dock and drove us to the shuttle bus location and sent a cab to make sure we had a ride back to the port. You don’t often experience people who truly care about others like this! What an amazing experience!

    via Tripadvisor

    jackyogib · August 2026

    Awesome Bear Tour out of Ketchikan!

    Excellent Traitor’s Cove Bear Tour out of Ketchikan with SeaWind Aviation! We were coming in on a cruise ship and they were very communicative with us before we even left home and worked with us in terms of timing our tour around when we'd arrive. We had a great flight over to Traitor's Cove and hiked a little ways in to observe bears in their natural habitat, catching salmon, climbing trees and playfully fighting. All the staff, guides and pilot were very friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend SeaWind Aviation to anyone visiting Ketchikan.

    via Tripadvisor

    annetteh609 · August 2026

    Incredible tour

    Incredible bucket list tour. Professional, easy to get to from cruise ship. Cheaper than cruise ship. Had the most amazing time with knowledgeable, funny, warm Kim from uk. Can’t believe we saw 2 sets of mothers and babies, one set of teeny bear cubs and another playing out a whole drama of teaching the baby cub how to cross the water. Was an experience I will never forget actually brings me close to tears it was sooo fantastic. It’s expensive but really worth every penny. Incredible

    Response from the operator: I enjoyed every minute of this trip with you too! Thank you for your words and as the bear guide, I am as excited as you to see the cubs playing. It is always a special experience to get out there and I appreciate you coming as it means I get to go too! Kim

    via Tripadvisor

    Daydream40507091616 · September 2025

    Our favorite excursion while visiting Alaska!

    Excellent experience watching the bears feed on salmon, highly recommend! Very professional outfit, from booking with Lesley months prior, to the seaplane flights, and our guide on the island was great. By far our favorite excursion while we were in Alaska for twelve days. (2nd week of August)

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Thu
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    12
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 57

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)89
    Review evidence (18% weight)51
    Booking momentum (14% weight)43
    Value for money (12% weight)12
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)61
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ketchikan.

    How much does Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska cost?

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    Prices start at $595 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 in Ketchikan, Alaska 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 Ketchikan is not rushed.

    Is Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 34 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 in Ketchikan, Alaska?

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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 in Ketchikan, Alaska 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 Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska?

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    Around 12 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Traitors Cove Bear Viewing in Ketchikan, Alaska 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?

    +

    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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