Know Before You Go: Alaska Adventures

Alaska is one of the best places in the world for wildlife viewing. With vast ecosystems ranging from tundra to temperate rainforest, visitors can encounter an incredible diversity of animals, including grizzly bears, moose, whales, caribou, puffins and wolves. Whether you’re watching brown bears fish for salmon or spotting sea otters among coastal kelp, Alaska's wildlife experiences are unforgettable. 

Bears of Alaska

Three species of bears roam Alaska: brown bears (often called grizzlies), black bears and polar bears.

• Brown bears: Fpimd om Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks (especially during July-September salmon runs) 

• Black bears: Smaller and more elusive, found throughout interior and coastal forests 

• Polar bears: Best seen near Kaktovik along the Arctic coastline in late summer and fall 

What’s the Best Way to See Grizzly Bears in the Wild in Alaska?

The best way to see grizzlies in the wild is through guided bear-viewing trips to Katmai or Lake Clark. Expert naturalist guides lead travelers to prime viewing sites, often accessed by floatplane.. 

"Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp is a remote, off-grid sustainable base camp in one of the wildest places on Earth. Set along the shores of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, the expedition team is comprised of bear naturalists and professional photographers working in tandem with World Wildlife Fund." —Forbes 

Moose, Caribou and Other Mammals 

Alaska’s wilderness hosts iconic large mammals and secretive predators across tundra, forest, and alpine terrain.

• Moose — Towering herbivores that roam wetlands, lakeshores and spruce forests; often seen alone or with calves, especially in areas like Denali National Park 

• Caribou — Nomadic herd animals that travel hundreds of miles each year across tundra and taiga; follow traditional migration corridors shaped over millennia 

• Wolves — Social predators that live in packs; range across Denali National Park and northern wilderness regions; most active at dawn and dusk 

• Foxes — Red, Arctic and cross foxes inhabit tundra, forest and shoreline; known for their agility, curiosity and seasonal coat changes 

• Lynx — Elusive, solitary cats adapted to cold climates; recognizable by their tufted ears and large paws; found in forested areas across interior Alaska 

• Dall sheep — Sure-footed white sheep with curled horns; commonly spotted on steep cliffs and alpine ridges in Denali and Wrangell-St. Elias 

• Mountain goats — Thick-coated climbers with short horns; inhabit rocky slopes and glaciers in coastal ranges like Kenai and Chugach 

• Beavers — Skilled aquatic engineers that build lodges and dams in forested wetlands; active year-round and often seen at dawn or dusk 

 
Marine Wildlife in Alaska 

Alaska’s coastal waters host an incredible diversity of marine life. Humpback whales migrate here in summer to feed on krill and small fish, often breaching and bubble-net feeding in full view of onlookers. Orcas are frequently seen in Southeast Alaska, hunting in pods and cruising alongside boats. Sea otters float belly-up in kelp beds, using rocks to crack open clams, while puffins dig burrows on windswept cliffs above the sea. Other marine mammals—like harbor seals, Steller sea lions and porpoises—add to the richness of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. Tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into waters teeming with plankton, which in turn draw fish, birds and mammals from every link of the food chain. 

Whales to Watch For

• Humpbacks — Most commonly seen in the Kenai Fjords and Inside Passage from May to September 

• Orcas — Often travel in pods throughout Southeast Alaska, especially near Sitka, Juneau and Glacier Bay 

• Gray whales — Seen during spring migration along the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea coast 

Other Marine Highlights

• Sea otters — Raft together in kelp beds; common in Prince William Sound and Kodiak 

• Steller sea lions — Large, vocal groups haul out on rocky islands and coastal haulouts 

• Harbor seals — Haunt ice floes and glacier bays, often seen lounging near tidewater glaciers 

• Dall’s porpoises — Fast-moving, black-and-white porpoises often seen riding boat wakes 

• Puffins — Tufted and horned puffins nest in large colonies on coastal cliffs throughout the Gulf of Alaska 

Birding in Alaska 

Alaska is one of the best birding destinations in North America, with more than 500 recorded species across its vast and varied ecosystems. Alaska’s coastal cliffs, boreal forests, tundra plains and wetlands attract both migratory and resident birds. 

• Bald eagles — Common along coastal shorelines and salmon-rich rivers throughout summer and early fall 

• Puffins — Nest in large colonies on coastal cliffs in Kenai Fjords, Chiswell Islands and Kodiak 

• Sandhill cranes — Seen in Copper River Delta, Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Tanana Flats during spring (April–May) and fall (August–September) migrations 

• Loons and grebes — Nest on interior lakes in Denali and Lake Clark 

• Owls — Great gray, snowy and boreal owls thrive in tundra and taiga, most visible in fall and winter 

• Shorebirds and waterfowl — Peak viewing at Potter Marsh, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during spring migration 

Wildlife Photography in Alaska  

For nature photographers, Alaska is one of the world’s best destinations. The variety and proximity of wildlife, dramatic lighting and vast landscapes offer endless inspiration. Whether capturing the action of bears fishing or the elegance of whales breaching, each encounter offers a unique story to tell. 

Top Wildlife Moments to Photograph in Alaska

• Bears fishing for salmon — Brooks Falls, Latmai; Chinitna Bay, Lake Clark 

• Whales breaching against glacier backdrops — Kenai Fjords and Southeast Alaska 

• Puffins nesting — Kenai Fjords, Kodiak and the Pribilof Islands 

• Caribou migrations — Denali and the Arctic Refuge and interior valleys 

• Bald eagles soaring over rivers — Widespread along coastlines and salmon streams 

• Foxes, moose and wolves — Often spotted near backcountry lodges and protected parklands 

What are the best times and places for wildlife viewing? 

Alaska's wildlife viewing peaks during its short summer season. Different species shine in each month. 
 

Where can I see bears fishing for salmon in Alaska? 

You can see bears fishing for salmon in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks, especially during the peak summer runs. These world-renowned brown bear habitats offer extraordinary viewing of bears catching salmon in rivers and waterfalls. At Brooks Falls in Katmai, bears gather in high numbers to fish at the famous viewing platform. In Lake Clark, remote spots like Chinitna Bay also provide excellent sightings, often with fewer people. 

Can I see puffins in Alaska? 

Yes—tufted and horned puffins nest on Kenai Fjords, Kodiak Island, the Pribilof Islands and Chiswell Islands from May through August. Boat tours and cliffside hikes offer excellent viewing.

Are there polar bears in Alaska? 

Yes—polar bears inhabit the Arctic coast near Kaktovik and Barter Island. Guided, conservation-focused tours in late summer and fall offer the best—and safest—viewing opportunities.

When is the best time for Alaska wildlife viewing?

May to September is ideal for most wildlife. Spring brings migratory birds and whales, summer features salmon-feeding bears and nesting puffins, and fall showcases caribou migrations and the northern lights.

What are the best Alaska wildlife tours?

Small-group tour companies like Natural Habitat Adventures offer expert naturalist guides, remote wilderness access and conservation-focused travel. Tours often include floatplane flights, backcountry lodges and exclusive bear-viewing sites. 

How does responsible travel support Alaska's wildlife and or local communities? 

Wildlife tours that partner with World Wildlife Fund, Indigenous guides and local communities help protect fragile ecosystems while supporting rural economies and cultural heritage.