Kayak the shores of Admiralty Island

3 Day – Kayaking the Fortress of the Bears

Dates (3 days)

Between August 8-11 2025

Location

Juneau / Admiralty Island / Pack Creek

Cost

Cost - 2 people  $3065 per person Cost - 4 people  $2035 per person

3 Days by Kayak in "Kootznoowoo" the Fortress of the bears

An incredible opportunity to explore the rich waters of Seymour Canal and the shores of Admiralty Island.  A combination of rich natural and cultural history, Kootznoowoo and the waters that surround it are truly a unique place to experience and one you will never forget.

Itinerary

As we leave Juneau, the capital city, we leave behind the busy city life and step into the deep wilderness of Southeast Alaska. Admiralty Island or Kootznoowoo as the Tlingit people named it long before the Russians appeared, translates roughly to “Fortress of the Bear”. Located on the east side of Admiralty Island is Seymour Canal, a long narrow inlet only accessible by boat or float plane and  will be the beginning of our adventure.  We will spend the next 3 days exploring the shores of Seymour Canal and the forest that surrounds it.  In the spring, this area historically will see large congregations of herring that come here to spawn. This brings in tremendous numbers of marine mammals and sea birds who are welcoming one of the first large appearances of biomass of the season and which provides great opportunities for these species to feed.  Humpback Whales and Orca, along with Stellar Sea Lions and Harbor seals, just to name a few, will appear in these waters in great numbers.  Later in the spring and summer, salmon enter the creeks along the shores of Seymour Canal, bringing brown and black bears to their shores and creates wonderful opportunities for bear viewing.  In fact this area is home to Pack Creek a world renowned bear viewing area and one of our stops on this week long adventure in Southeast Alaska

Day 0

Meet your guide in Juneau for pre-trip meeting.

Day 1

Meet in the morning to load our gear aboard our float plane and depart for Admiralty Island and Seymour Canal.  Once we have landed and unloaded our gear, we will pick up our kayaks, stow our gear and shove off into the waters of Windfall Harbor.  Paddling north out of Windfall Harbor we can skirt the shoreline looking for grazing Brown Bears, or head further north toward Swan Cove or King Salmon  Bay.  Our first night we will camp on one of the many beaches in the area, peering out from our camp, looking for whales or other marine mammals while we enjoy a relaxing fire.

Day 2

Waking on our first morning we can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea on the beach followed by breakfast with a view to die for.  After breakfast we will pack up our kayaks and if the weather cooperates we can cross over to the east side of Seymour Canal and explore the shoreline, as we head back south. Rounding Swan Island, we can stop for lunch, and to stretch our legs with some beach combing, or a short hike.  After lunch we will head toward Staunch Point where we will set up camp for our second evening.  We have positioned ourselves with in striking distance of Pack Creek where we are headed tomorrow.

Final Day

We can rise slowly if we like and have one last breakfast on the beach.  Once ready we will pack our kayaks and head to Pack Creek, a world renowned brown bear viewing area where we will be treated to a guided tour of this unique area, where brown bears and humans coexist.  The guides at Pack Creek have been educating people about bears for decades and we will spend at least part of our last day learning and observing the bears of Admiralty Island or Kootznoowoo as the Tlingit people have called it for thousands of years.  Later in the afternoon we will board our float plane and head back to Juneau, where a well deserved shower awaits

Included

Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tour

Food while in the field

Group camping gear

Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads

Kayak, paddle, PFD, safety gear

Professional guide service

Not Included

Lodging while not in the field

Food while not in the field

Personal equipment

Gratuity for guide(s)

Book a trip now

Fill out the form below to book or request information regarding one of our trips.

Book now