Norwegian Cruise: Sitka, Alaska: Sea Otters, Raptors & Bears, Oh My! Excursion Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
$259
5 Hours
Activity Level 1
NCL Description:
Observe many of Alaska’s most iconic animals by cruising the surrounding waters, visiting a center for injured birds of prey, and touring a facility for rescued bears. After boarding a deluxe catamaran at the pier, you will spend the next three hours or so viewing the indigenous wildlife in the passages and bays near Sitka. The conditions are ideal for supporting a variety of animals, and sightings are frequent wherever you look. You might gaze up to see bald eagles soaring overhead. Whales often breach the water’s surface in a magnificent display of size and power. Sea otters, sea lions and seals typically frolic near the rocky coast. You might also scan the forest edge for brown bears and black-tailed deer. A naturalist will be on board to explain the workings of this remarkable ecosystem as your skilled Captain maneuvers the vessel to provide the best-possible views. Following your viewing adventure at sea, you will drive to the nearby Alaska Raptor Center, where injured birds of prey receive medical treatment in hopes of releasing them back into the wild. A wildlife interpreter will guide you through the Bald Eagle Flight Building, and introduce you to some of the “raptors in residence” perched in outdoor habitats. Afterwards, you’ll have some time to explore the river trail and enjoy interactive exhibits. Your adventure continues with a narrated drive along a winding, coastal road to visit the Fortress of the Bear rescue facility at Silver Bay. Here, you can view and photograph brown and black bears up-close from a raised platform, and learn about an Alaskan family’s dream: offering a life-saving alternative for bears caught in conflict with their human neighbors. Following your visit, you will transfer back to the pier.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise waters teeming with whales, sea otters and other marine life.
• Watch bald eagles and other raptors being rehabilitated.
• Photograph brown and black bears up close at a rescue facility
• Learn about the wildlife from various naturalists.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
Note: This tour includes approximately 90 minutes of easy walking. There will be steps to negotiate to board and disembark the vessel and the coach.
My experience:
First we boarded our bus and headed to the raptor center. We first went through this dark and narrow hallway of sorts where we could see eagles learning to fly again after their injuries. It was tight and hot in there so next time I would just wait outside. I’m short and it was hard to see anything over the tall people.
Next, we sat through about a 15-20 minute presentation about the center and one of the trainers brought out an injured bald eagle to show us. After the presentation we got to walk outside for about 15 minutes to see the owls, eagles and birds in cages they have on property. Then we boarded our bus to the next stop: the bear center.
At the bear center we had about 30 minutes to explore. They had 2 brown bears in one area and 4 black bears in another. It was fun to see them but also kind of sad since they were in captivity. Yes, they are healing, but I found it way more exciting to see bears in the wild vs in cages.
Our last stop was a boat that took us out for about 2 hours to go otter and whale watching and we got a show. We saw lots of jumping salmon, a brown bear cub in the wild trying to catch a salmon to eat, many otters and seals and 6 different whales. No whales breached, but we did get to see them all go under and out their tails in the air, so that was exciting.
Once the boat ride was over, they drove us to the dock to get back on our cruise ship.
All in all, I would rate this a 3 out of 5. In my perfect world, I would have just liked to spend all the time on the boat trying to see as many whales and wildlife as possible. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Raptor center or the bear center, as I get more excited to see the animals in the wild than in cages, even though I know they are rescue centers. If I were to go again, I would look for an excursion that is only the boat ride and skips the bear and raptor centers.

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