Alaska is a destination that leaves a distinct impression on every traveler.
Known for its breathtaking landscapes, the journey begins even before landing, with stunning views of mountains, glaciers, and marinas filled with colorful old fishing boats from the airplane.
While Alaska is famous for its glaciers and national parks, its geographical diversity includes volcanoes and temperate rainforests teeming with dense vegetation.
Wildlife abounds in Alaska’s forests and frigid waters, featuring brown bears, black bears, orcas, minks, humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, and a variety of local marine life along the coast.
**Arriving in Juneau, Alaska**
The capital city, Juneau, is nestled between the Gastineau Channel and the majestic Coast Mountains.
The stunning backdrop is particularly captivating, especially with iconic glaciers like Mendenhall Glacier in Tongass National Forest, which was the first stop after landing.
For those looking for unique gifts and local art, it’s worth venturing beyond the tourist shops on Franklin Street near the cruise port to find treasures at Kindred Post, The Bear’s Lair, Juneau Artists Gallery, Treetop Tees, Drip Drop Wonder Shop, Cordova’s, and Alaska Robotics.
Foodies will not want to miss Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos, known for their fresh blackened fish tacos.
My stay was at the Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection, a historic hotel situated in the heart of the city.
Built in 1939, the hotel showcases a charming art deco style complemented by local artwork.
**Finding Coastal Brown Bears in Juneau**
Juneau offers an array of activities, but my primary goal was to observe coastal brown bears in their natural habitat.
I achieved this through Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Tours offered by Above and Beyond Alaska, expertly led by guide Kelsey.
The eight-hour tour included everything necessary for a comfortable experience—rubber boots, a dry bag, a coat, binoculars, waterproof pants, a foam layer for sitting, a souvenir water bottle, plus healthy snacks and lunch.
It is highly recommended to wear layers and also bring a camera, bug spray, and any other personal necessities.
Reaching the location requires a short flight, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.
After a picturesque 25-minute float plane ride to Pack Creek, our group landed and made our way to a clearing with an excellent view of the forest line and the coast.
We quickly spotted our first coastal brown bear in the distance, amusingly playing in the water.
To our delight, the bear moved closer, munching on grass, hiding amongst flowers, and even chasing a deer playfully.
After observing this bear for a significant time, we returned to our disembarkation area for lunch when we spotted a mother bear and her three cubs digging for clams on the beach during low tide.
Though the bear family was some distance away, we utilized the binoculars provided by the tour for a closer look, and the rangers were kind enough to allow us to use their telescope for safer viewing.
**Whale Watching in Juneau**
Following an exhilarating day with the bears, my next adventure involved whale watching.
I joined two different tour companies, starting with Gastineau Guiding.
This boat was uniquely smaller than other whale-watching vessels I had encountered, accommodating about 25 passengers.
The tours were intentionally booked at 80% capacity to allow everyone adequate room to move.
The main section of the boat featured windows that could be opened, providing excellent photo opportunities even in rainy conditions.
We quickly located humpback whales engaging in a rare cooperation known as bubble net feeding.
This unique technique sees humpbacks diving beneath schools of fish and releasing bubbles to trap their prey into a disoriented mass known as a bait ball.
As the whales ascended with their mouths wide open to feast, our group watched in amazement for nearly two hours.
Gastineau Guiding enhanced this remarkable experience by deploying a hydrophone to enable us to hear the whales’ thunderous vocalizations just before they surfaced together, creating a mesmerizing chorus that felt like an invitation to join in.
Later that same day, I opted for a more intimate experience with Juneau Lighthouse Tours, where the vessel was designed for private bookings and could accommodate just six guests.
This smaller boat allowed us to tailor our experience based on our preferences; we could choose to focus solely on whale watching or include views of bird life, sea otters, and sea lions.
As luck would have it, the whales were still actively bubble net feeding on our tour as well, and we were able to see a playful calf alongside its pod.
The humpback calf entertained us by slapping its tail against the water, breaching, and even frolicking alongside a sea lion.
It felt as though I was in the pages of a children’s book, witnessing nature at its most whimsical.
We wrapped up our whale watching with a scenic trip along the shoreline, observing chatty sea lions before indulging in king crab legs, crab chowder, and crab cakes at Tracy’s Crab Shack.
**Whale Watching in Sitka**
Next, I continued my adventure with a seaplane flight to Sitka and began my day at the Fortress of the Bears with Beyond the Dock Tours.
This educational bear rescue initiative provides a sanctuary for orphaned cubs unable to survive in the wild, ensuring they receive proper care from trained naturalists.
My next stop was the Alaska Raptor Center, a facility that rehabilitates injured birds, serving hundreds of avians each year.
This center also features a flying arena where visitors can observe birds before their release.
For accommodations, the Aspen Suites Hotel Sitka provides a comfortable stay within walking distance of the shoreline and downtown.
As part of my private tour, we proceeded to the Sitka Sound Science Center to learn about local marine ecosystems and salmon hatcheries that help sustain the wild salmon population essential for both fishermen and the local wildlife.
Afterward, we explored tide pools in the ideal locations during low tide, allowing us closer encounters with marine life.
**Water-Based Adventures in Sitka**
For an exhilarating experience, I joined a snorkeling tour with Selkie Snorkels.
This three-hour adventure diverged significantly from the more tropical snorkeling experiences elsewhere, necessitating the proper cold-water gear.
After getting suited up in thick wetsuits, dive booties, hoods, gloves, and snorkeling gear, we headed into the water to explore vibrant kelp forests, schools of young salmon, and an abundance of starfish.
No visit to Sitka would be complete without dining at Beak Restaurant, run by Chef Renée Trafton, a James Beard Award semi-finalist acclaimed for her emphasis on sustainable, fresh seafood.
I highly recommend trying her local prawns, gooseneck barnacles, and king salmon cooked to perfection.
The following morning, I participated in a wildlife boat tour with Captain Gary’s Sitka Adventures, which lasted just under three hours.
We scoured the coastline for wildlife and were fortunate enough to spot several humpback whales, observing their majestic tails splash on the surface.
However, the highlight remained the fluffy sea otters, often spotted in large groups floating amongst the kelp forests, some even cradling their adorable babies.
Our journey began at Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, an excellent spot to browse local vendors and enjoy a delicious platter of king crab and chowder for lunch at Halibut Point Crab and Chowder.
For a charming indoor activity, consider catching a brief film at the Alaska Odyssey Dome, which highlights the state’s stunning nature and wildlife.
Dinner at Ludwig’s Bistro should also be on your list, featuring homemade pasta dishes and delectable shareable appetizers like scallops and arancini.
**Sitka to Ketchikan: The Last Stop**
My trip concluded with a short flight followed by a ferry ride from Sitka to Ketchikan, where I stayed at the Bayside Hotel within the Inn at Creek Street collection on Stedman Street.
The rooms provide beautiful views overlooking Creek Street and the waterfront.
Every morning, I watched sea lions play in the marina while enjoying coffee from the comfort of my couch in a well-furnished room.
The hotel is equipped with a kitchen, ideal for keeping snacks, including locally sourced kelp pickles, on hand.
In the afternoon, I participated in the Hump Island Oyster and Kelp Farm Tour with Bonfire Bay Tours.
As we navigated the North Tongass Narrows, our group kept an eye out for wildlife.
Upon arrival at the farm, I learned about the oyster-growing process and was treated to a delightful tasting of grilled and raw oysters, among other snacks.
While in Ketchikan, shopping along Creek Street is essential, where you can find souvenirs and check out local shops like Bootleggers Creek and Ketchikan Dry Goods.
Don’t forget to stop at Annabelle’s Keg and Chowder before joining another adventure through the Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles tour with Lighthouse Excursions to delve into the culture and history behind the totem poles while also viewing wildlife along the coast.
For those inclined to get into the water, I embarked on the Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure with Snorkel Alaska.
As we prepared to enter the water, one group member spotted a pod of orca whales swimming toward our snorkel center.
We quickly boarded our bus for a short ride before gearing up, but we were fortunate enough to arrive just in time to see the orcas swimming by.
Additionally, we encountered numerous marine creatures, including opalescent nudibranchs, jellyfish, sea urchins, sunflower stars, and countless starfish.
The snorkeling experience in Alaska is truly one-of-a-kind!
Before heading home to New York, my trip wrapped up with a hike through Tongass National Forest with Kawanti Adventures, where we searched for black bears and bald eagles.
This region is a hotspot for wild black bears, particularly close to the creek that leads to the salmon hatchery where salmon swim upstream for reproduction.
Our guides shared insights into the native plant life in Tongass, identifying various trees, salmonberry, huckleberry bushes, banana slugs, and observing eagles soaring overhead.
At one point, our guide received a tip-off about bears in the vicinity, allowing us to witness an exhilarating sight of a black bear chasing salmon upstream.
What followed was a heartwarming encounter watching a mother bear with her two playful cubs, who tumbled and swam together, providing the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable adventure.
Alaska exceeded all my expectations, especially regarding wildlife encounters.
The stunning scenery and rich biodiversity make this a destination that I cannot recommend highly enough!
image source from：thetravel
