Top Alaska Nature and Wildlife Tours

Combine a helicopter flight, dogsled tour, and guided glacier walk for a multi-activity excursion you’re unlikely to experience elsewhere. Let someone else deal with the logistics while you enjoy aerial views of the glacier, before exploring its crevasses and melt pools. Plus, spend time with Alaskan sled dogs, for an experience few travelers get to enjoy.

Get out of the city and deeper into the Alaskan wilderness than is typical on a sightseeing tour. This tour takes you to Chugach National Forest, Beluga Point, Portage Glacier, and more to spot brown bears, wolves, bison, and belugas. Enjoy live commentary and learn about the unique landscapes of Alaska from your expert guide.

Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 3.5-hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay from Seward Harbor. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, eagles and mountain goats.

Watch the Alaskan wilderness awaken on this 6-hour morning cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel customized for comfort, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and take in a bounty of wildlife sightings, including whales, sea lions and birds. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board, and visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries. Don’t miss one of Alaska’s most popular wildlife and glacier cruises!

Kick up your adrenaline with this guided ATV adventure in the backcountry of Denali National Park. Hop aboard a Polaris Side by Side ATV, accommodating two passengers, and rev off along the Alaska Range, speeding through stunning mountain scenery up to 25 miles per hour. On Black Diamond Peak, marvel at views of Healy Valley. After the ride, enjoy a full-service backcountry meal. Hotel transport is available for this 3.5-hour outing.

Ride an electric bike to the end of Ketchikan's 'road to nowhere' and then hike thorough a wildlife-rich rain forest on this combo eco-tour. Pedal from the marina to the end of the island's paved road system on a battery-powered bike, and then dismount to trek through the wilderness of the Tongass National Forest, following a trail that passes an active salmon-spawning stream, a waterfall, beach views, and dense foliage that's home to an array of native Alaskan wildlife.

Explore the Alaskan wilderness on a 2.5-hour tour by ATV from Denali. Stop to view Denali National Park landmarks such as Otto Lake, Healy Valley, and the Alaska Range, and look for wildlife such as moose. Ride either an automatic single or double ATV through rugged terrain, splashing through water (weather permitting) and traversing rocky creek beds on an ATV that can reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph). Includes guide, use of equipment, and pickup and drop-off at select hotels.

Ketchikan is one of Alaska’s most visited cruise ports, renowned for its salmon fishing, wildlife, and indigenous heritage. On this tour, take in all the highlights with a local guide. See the famous salmon ladder, admire the traditional totem poles at the Saxman Native Village, enjoy whale-watching from Rotary Beach, and look out for seals, eagles, and bears at Herring Cove.

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. Then, set sail on a thrilling whale-watching cruise along the coast and look out for humpback whales, as well as other wildlife such as bald eagles and blue heron.

Experience up-close views of glaciers and wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park on this cruise. Enjoy 100 miles (round-trip) of jaw-dropping scenery as the captain and crew explain the surrounding geology and wildlife. Sail past the majestic Holgate Glacier and witness chunks of glaciers break off and crash into the water. Get your camera out near Chiswell Islands, home to thousands of nesting seabirds. In addition to the sights, enjoy a complimentary brunch or deli lunch.

Drive your own ATV off–road during a fun 3-hour experience in the wilderness of Alaska. Enjoy a thrilling ride, breathtaking scenery and a delicious backcountry meal. Your guide provides ATV instructions then leads you on a memorable spin down dirt roads and through dry creek beds. Stop for photo ops of the Alaska Range and look for wildlife, then celebrate with a full breakfast, lunch or dinner before returning to Healy.

Go on an outdoor adventure in Alaska with this small-group helicopter tour with glacier landing. Take off on a scenic flight and admire views of the Knik River, Great Gorge, and Whiteout Glacier. Land directly on the glacier and get the experience of drinking glacial water. Set out on a guided glacier hike before the return flight. Keep an eye out for wildlife like moose, bears, and mountain goats.

The Turnagain Arm boasts abundant Alaskan wildlife within easy access of the city of Anchorage. Learn about the local ecosystem from a guide with extensive knowledge about the area as you drive down the peninsula, with opportunities to spot wild animals in their natural environment as you go. A visit to the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a drive past the glaciers on Portage Glacier Road are also included.

Let someone else take care of planning and driving on this Denali backcountry excursion. A driver and guide take you sightseeing along the entire Denali National Park Road to the Backcountry Lodge. After lunch there, choose an activity like gold panning, a naturalist-guided hike, or a botany walk. For convenience, you’re picked up directly from major hotels near Denali.

Explore Denali on your own terms on a self-guided Jeep tour that lets you escape the crowds, avoid tour buses, and experience National Geographic Traveler’s #2 Drive of a Lifetime. While most rental car companies restrict which roads you can travel and require you to stay on paved routes, this tour encourages independent travel and lets you take your 4WD Jeep Renegade on gravel roads for a true Alaskan adventure.

Experience Alaska from the only zipline course in the Denali National Park region. Soar over the trees during a 3-hour ziplining experience just outside Denali National Park, with expert guides who lead you along a course with six suspension bridges and eight ziplines. Fly through the boreal forest and over the tundra on this memorable tour that promises exhilarating thrills, incredible scenery and a fun challenge.

Watch the Northern Lights from Murphy Dome, one of the best viewing spots around Fairbanks. During your tour, your guide shares informative commentary about the Northern Lights (aka Aurora Borealis) and other natural wonders of Alaska. Hear about the history of the former Air Force Station on Murphy Dome, and keep warm with complimentary hot beverages and snacks. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Fairbanks.

If you’re a fan of the Discovery Channel’s hit TV show 'Deadliest Catch,' you saw the Aleutian Ballad, a commercial fishing boat, escape a rogue wave in the Bering Sea. On this fisherman’s tour from Ketchikan, hop aboard the Aleutian Ballad and navigate through the tranquil, protected waterways of the Inside Passage with a seasoned fishing crew, and marvel at the variety of marine creatures caught in barrel pots and hauled up on deck. Touch some of the catch, take photos, and listen to entertaining sea lore.

Discover the Denali area on a 3.5-hour ATV tour that takes you through the boreal forest of Alaska. Have the option to tackle the rugged terrain in a single-rider ATV or a multi-passenger side-by-side ATV. Reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/hr) as you ride for about 2.5 hours on trails that are challenging for all experience levels. Stop periodically for photo ops and wildlife sightings on a tour that includes guide, use of equipment, and transport from select locations in Denali.

Journey deep into the Alaskan wilderness on this full-day cruise from Seward through Kenai Fjords National Park. Aboard a spacious vessel customized for comfort, travel past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and take in a  bounty of wildlife sightings, including whales, sea lions and birds. Visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries. Enjoy an onboard lunch and stop at a private lodge on Fox Island for a delicious dinner.

Spend three hours exploring the scenic and remote Chichagod Island on this small group tour that showcases life on the tiny island. Learn from your local guide about the Alaskan wilderness and wildlife while you explore this island that's home to the largest concentration of bears on earth. With just 750 residents, you'll feel far off the beaten path on this tour that's perfect for nature lovers.

While in port in Ketchikan, take to the skies over stunning Misty Fjords National Monument on this 1-hour flighted tour. Board a floatplane and fly over the lakes, sheer cliffs and waterfalls of Misty Fjords, a part of Tongass National Forest covering more than 2 million acres (900,000 hectares) of alpine wilderness. Keep an eye out for any wildlife including bears, eagles and other marine life. Tour duration includes a 1-hour flight, safety orientation, loading and unloading time and gift shop time.

Admire the icy blue waters of Resurrection Bay as your boat glides past glaciers, snowcapped mountains and dramatic cliffs. On this 5-hour cruise into the Kenai Fjords across Resurrection Bay, keep watch for whales, puffins and otters with the help of a wildlife guide. Step onto the shores of beautiful Fox Island, and sink into a mouthwatering lunch at a private lodge. This Resurrection Bay cruise gives you the chance to learn about the area’s natural history and skip stones at a pebble beach.

Make the most of your time in port in Ketchikan and discover Alaska’s natural wonders and cultural heritage. Enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest, stopping to admire a natural waterfall and see the native flora. Then, visit a Totem Park, learn about the ancient Alaskan tradition, the cultural heritage of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people and explore a magnificently carved clan house. This small-group tour ensures a more personal experience and includes pick up at the cruise port.

When your ship anchors in Juneau port, get ready for a shore excursion pumped with adventure and incredible views. First, soar by helicopter over Juneau Icefield, and then land on Herbert Glacier to explore the remote landscape by foot. Learn about the surrounding Alaskan wilderness and capture memorable shots during your icefield walk. Cruise ship passengers please note that the shuttle will pick up one hour before listed flight time.