Neets Bay and some serious black bear watching. Our bush pilots make your flights to and from Neets Bay an experience you’ll long remember. You’ll be tuned to a Digital CD audio system through your individual headset, looking out through extra-large windows at the wilderness, lakes and mountains below.

You’ll be flown to Neets Bay, where you’ll disembark and meet one of our friendly and experienced bear guides who will lead your group on a short hike along a quarter-of-a-mile wilderness trail through the old growth Tongass National Rainforest.  Your hike will end at the Neets Bay Salmon Hatchery. This facility is owned and operated by SSRAA (Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association) SSRAA’s (pronounced ‘Sarah’) mission is to enhance the number of salmon available to commercial and sport harvesters in the area and to ensure minimal impacts to naturally reproducing salmon stocks. SSRAA operates four hatcheries in the region.

Every year the salmon run is at its most spectacular from mid-July through September.

Spawning salmon enter the bay, swim up the stream and start to jump up the cascading water and hatchery fish ladders. This is big time feeding for black bears! You’ll be able to see one of the most spectacular sites on earth, from a secure, covered bear viewing area. You’ll have a closeup of the bears feeding in their natural habitat. Photographers take note!  Be on the lookout for other wildlife, too. Eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, mink, marten, and seals all populate this area.

And after generous time on the platform, our floatplanes will take you back to Ketchikan.

This is bear-watching in Alaska at its best.

Please Note: The rainforest walk is over uneven and sometimes difficult terrain with a few steps and narrow passageways. This tour is not recommended for guests with physical limitations.

Passenger names and weights are required by the FAA for weight and balance calculations and flight manifesting. To ensure aircraft weight and balance is within operating parameters, guests weighing 250 lbs. (clothed weight) or more may be required to pay an additional surcharge of $150 over the published fare direct to the tour operator. A no-bag policy applies; however, if you have medical needs that require a carry-on bag, please see the Shore Excursion office on board. All other bags brought to our terminal will be stored until you return from your flight.

If the weather is not suitable for a flight you will have an option to join Herring Cove’s Black Bear & Wildlife Exploration and your onboard folio will be credited the difference in the flight portion.