Polar Bear Viewing – Facts to Know about Them and the Tour
If you thought Alaska is only about grizzly bears you are wrong. Alaska is also home to a huge population of polar bears. Polar bear viewing generates interest in adventure seekers due to the complexities involved. Whether it is the terrains, the landscapes, and abundant wildlife, an Alaskan bear viewing experience will be truly a remarkable one.
These pristine white animals are rare to spot and once you do, you will remember the moment for your lifetime. These tours have gained popularity over the years. However, this could be a slightly off-beat tour because the more popular ones include grizzly and black bear watching. But the Arctic belt offers lovely views of these regal creatures in their natural habitat. It is one of the most fascinating sights in the world.
Seeing a polar bear in Alaska in the wild will be a humbling and extraordinary experience. Surviving in extreme conditions, polar bears are native to the Alaskan backcountry. Winter would be the best time for viewing the polar bears. If you wish to find out more about polar bear viewing, join the team of Mel Erickson, who is an experienced tour operator conducting polar bear viewing tours in the Arctic belt.
If you’re fascinated by these creatures and yearn to learn more, delve deep into “Meet Alaska’s Bears: An In-Depth Look at Alaska’s Majestic Creatures“ where we explore not only the polar bear but also their brown and black counterparts.
Places to Spot Polar Bears without Mistake
- Prudhoe Bay – This is an oil field operation that provides opportunities for polar bear viewing.
- Utqiagvik (Barrow) – This is the northernmost town in the USA and the beginning point of the bear tours
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – As the name suggests, this is a remote area that protects the rare polar bear species.
- Kaktovik – This is a small Inupiat village on Barter Island known for bear viewing.
It is always wise to choose guides for the tours instead of going alone because they can arrange for authorizations to travel to otherwise restricted areas.
The Best Time to View Polar Bears in Alaska
- Spring – April and May when the ice starts breaking up, the beasts gather along the coast waiting for the ice to clear. This is one of the best seasons to view the polar bears.
- Fall – This is the period between October and November when the bears wait on the shore for the sea to turn into ice. This period is the most accessible viewing time for the guests.
- Winter – From December to March the polar bears are out on frozen seas hunting seals. However, viewing during this time requires icebreaker ships.
The summer is the season when you cannot view polar bears because they follow the retreating ice north making them invisible to viewers.
Some Factors to Keep in Mind while Viewing Polar Bears
- Limited access to the region thus permitting only small groups to view polar bears
- Cold weather protective gear like parkas rated at -40 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary even during fall.
- Small bush planes are equipped to carry light transport luggage. The bigger luggage items like cameras will be transported as shipments
- Multiple-day tours have to be organized considering the weather and the areas.
They inhabit the southern Beaufort Sea region shared with northern Canada. They are less studied than the more accessible bear species.
For those keen on witnessing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, “Your Ultimate Guide to Bear Viewing in Alaska: An Unforgettable Experience!“ offers insights on where and when to embark on this adventure.
Conclusion
Check your bucket list for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Viewing polar bears in their natural habitat is a rare experience due to the difficulty involved in traveling to the region. The tour costs may be slightly high in comparison to the others due to the degree of difficulty involved and also it requires planning and permits.
Visit https://bearviewinginalaska.com/ to talk to an expert. Get to know the details about the tours and book a tour with us to make your life worthwhile. Call or text us at 1-907-398-1744 or email us at gamefish@alaska.net
