Just like how the Amazon takes travelers into a world of forests, green and wilderness, Alaska is on the complete opposite scale where white glaciers, icy fjords and sharp blue waters show a different world – and perhaps the only one of its kind.

This is the part of the world where you spot humpback whales, pods of orcas, wolves and bison as well as sealions and sea otters lounging on the cold waters. But how do you know where to go and what to pick? To make it easier for you, we have listed the best Alaska wildlife tours where you get to see what only dreams can conjure.

So, pack your bags, read through the below and get ready to tick off your bucket list whether that’s a whale watching experience or learning the wildlife of the tundra.

Alaska Whale Watching Tours

There’s something almost magical about standing on a boat as the cold Alaskan wind brushes your face, the sun glinting off endless waters and suddenly a massive humpback whale arcs into the air just a few meters away. Whale watching is one of the most celebrated Alaska wildlife experiences, and for good reason: the sheer spectacle of these gentle giants is unforgettable.

Popular whale-watching hubs include Juneau, Seward, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point. In these areas, humpback whales, orcas, and Dall’s porpoises frequently appear close to the shore, making encounters almost guaranteed during peak season from May to September.

For travelers seeking both adventure and education, whale-watching tours are ideal. Small-boat options provide intimate experiences with wildlife, while larger cruise vessels offer combined experiences to other locations.

Here’s how to catch the best whale watching experience in Alaska.

• Juneau – Auke Bay is known for reliable humpback sightings along with other marine mammals.
• Seward – Take a 4-hour cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park, where beautiful glacier views meet wildlife.
• Icy Strait Point & Sitka – Get an amazing drone footage of your whale watching experience in Icy Strait or catch orca sightings along with whales in Sitka!

Booking a guided tour ensures you not only see the whales but also learn about their behaviors, migration patterns, and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Sea Lions and Sea Otters in Sitka

While whales command attention with their sheer size, Alaska’s coasts are home to smaller, equally charismatic creatures. Sea lions and sea otters bring a playful energy to the region’s bays, inlets, and harbors.

The waters in Sitka are some of the best spots for spotting these animals. This tour takes travelers on a breath-taking wildlife encounter via a small boat trip with guided commentary. You’ll watch otters floating lazily on their backs, cracking shellfish with dexterous paws, or sea lions lounging on sun-warmed rocks while barking at any curious onlookers.

For families and casual travelers, you can also take private customizable wildlife cruise tours for a gentle introduction to Alaskan wildlife as you require, needing only minimal physical exertion but offering maximum delight. Bonus: they’re perfect for photography, with close encounters that create frame-worthy memories.

Bears Viewing in Tonga National Park

Few wildlife encounters in Alaska deliver a punch quite like watching bears in their element, and this Ketchikan tour captures that experience at its absolute best.

The journey begins on the water, gliding through the rainforest-lined channels of the Tongass. It sets the tone for what comes next: a rare chance to step onto the shores of Neets Bay, a designated bear-viewing sanctuary that isn’t open to the general public.

Only this tour company holds permission to access the Neets Bay Bear Observatory which means this isn’t one of those crowded, overrun viewpoints you have to elbow your way through. Instead, visitors follow a quiet forest trail with a naturalist guide, reaching a viewing platform beside salmon-rich streams where bears often come to feed.

Brown and black bears appear with a kind of raw, unfiltered presence here: fishing with precision, tearing into salmon, or padding silently along the water’s edge.

The whole experience combines sea, forest, and wildlife in a way that feels authentically Alaskan and because access is so limited, it’s one of the rarest and most intimate bear encounters available anywhere in the state. For travelers who’ve dreamed of seeing Alaska’s wildlife without the crowds, this is the tour that actually delivers it.

Reindeer Meet and Greet at Fairbanks

Alaska is one of the few places where travelers can experience the magic of reindeer up close. Unlike wild herds, controlled meet-and-greet tours allow for safe interaction, where visitors can feed, pet, and photograph these iconic Arctic animals.

This short Reindeer meet-and-greet in Fairbanks nails that experience perfectly. At Basecamp, visitors get a rare chance to meet Alaskan-born reindeers that live onsite year-round in a spacious, natural enclosure.

A guide walks you through how these animals survive the Arctic seasons, what they eat, how they migrate, how they’re cared for through the long winters, turning the encounter into a quick but surprisingly rich look at life in the far north.

Then comes the part everyone remembers – feeding them. Reindeer have a calm, gentle way of approaching people, and getting that close. Kids, adults, first-timers… everyone gets the same goofy grin when a reindeer decides you are interesting enough to grab the carrot off your hand.

Because this experience is short, personal, and easy for all ages, it fits perfectly into a day of exploring Fairbanks. It’s a lighter, warm-hearted counterpoint to Alaska’s tougher, wilder adventures. And for travelers who want a guaranteed, unrushed moment with these iconic animals, this is the one experience that actually delivers it.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

For travelers who want guaranteed wildlife encounters without chancing it to weather and probabilities, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is a great option.

Located near Portage, this 200 acre sanctuary focuses on the rescue and rehabilitation of Alaska’s native wildlife, including bears, moose, bison, wolves, and more. AWCC is an ideal stop for those who want to learn about conservation efforts while still enjoying up-close observation.

Skip the line at the conservation center with this online ticket and observe animals in naturalistic enclosures.

This experience complements wild safaris perfectly. It offers a safe, educational, and highly photogenic environment, making it ideal for travelers who want memorable encounters without venturing into remote or rugged terrain.

Bison Sightings in Anchorage

Bison are among Alaska’s most impressive terrestrial residents. Though more commonly associated with the lower 48 states, especially the Yellowstone National Park, Alaska is home to thriving bison populations, especially in the Copper River Basin and around wildlife refuges. These massive herbivores move with surprising grace, grazing open meadows and navigating river crossings with ease.

This Anchorage trip takes you on a guided experience to sight bison among wolves, bears and other wildlife combine scenic drives with guided wildlife spotting. Travelers may also encounter other tundra wildlife during these excursions, such as moose, caribou, and migratory birds. Photographers particularly appreciate the chance to capture these animals against the backdrop of Alaska’s expansive landscapes—rolling hills, distant mountains, and vast skies that feel larger than life.

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