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Alaska wildlife holidays

4.8/5

Average Customer Score
Based On 1280 Reviews

4.8/5

Average Customer Score
Based On 1280 Reviews

Overview

From majestic grizzly bears to endearing sea otters, the wildlife in Alaska is as spectacular as the scenery. Close encounters with wildlife both on land and on sea are a likely feature of most Alaska holidays, whether you travel by car, rail, coach or boat making this vast state a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

From the Inside Passage to Denali National Park, wild and remote Nome to the Kenai Peninsula, look out for whales breaching, moose grazing, bald eagles soaring, otters playing and so much more.

Our collection of wildlife holidays in Alaska are designed to help maximise your chances of seeing the state’s wild residents. To observe brown bears, we recommend visiting the grizzly hotspots of Katmai National Park and Admiralty Island or – to see the giant eponymous bears – Kodiak Island. For a multitude of whales, sail the Icy Strait or Frederick Sound.

Wherever you choose travel in Alaska, watching its wildlife is sure to be a highlight of your holiday.

Doug in Nova Scotia Canada Myth busting time. The days of last-minute bargains are long gone. The best places always sell out, so stop dithering and get booking.
Plan Your Trip
  • Sea otter

    Highlights

    Look out for bears, wolves, whales, otters and bald eagles

  • Highlights

    Enjoy up-close grizzly bear viewing from specially designed platforms in Katmai National Park

  • Steller sea lions and kittiwakes

    Highlights

    Cruise in the wildlife rich waters of Kenai Fjords National Park

Wildlife holidays in Alaska

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alaska southwest katmai np bears atia

When is the best time to see bears in Alaska?

During spring, the warmer temperatures and longer hours of daylight stir bears from hibernation. Optimum bear viewing coincides with the salmon runs when grizzlies concentrate around rivers. In prime spots, like Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park, this occurs during July. When the salmon are not running, bears (both black and brown) range further afield and can be found foraging along coasts or prowling the tundra of inland national parks like Denali.

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Humpback whale

When is the best time to see whales in Alaska?

Summer witnesses the arrival of humpback whales, migrating from Hawaii to feed in Alaska’s coastal waters, including the Kenai Fjords and Inside Passage. June and July are the best months to observe their unique bubble-net feeding tactics. Summer is also prime time for spotting Alaska’s resident pods of orca. Blue whales are rarer and more often seen further offshore, while beluga whales are frequently sighted in Cook Inlet near Anchorage.

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