Getting There
It’s a 45-minute floatplane ride from Kodiak to Uyak Bay, a huge inlet that nearly bisects the island.
The Bears
The bears here aren’t congregated by a falls or river, but are spread out in the bay and among several spawning streams. When the tide goes out (the tide swings in this narrow inlet are huge), salmon are caught in the shallows. Not surprisingly, this is when the bears pounce, splashing in the shallows and chasing their meal. While it’s an amazing sight, it also means the bears are more spread out. Some days, you might have to work hard to see a handful of bears, while on other days you may see 20. And later in the summer, they wander up the streams in search of spawning salmon, leaving the bay behind. You’ll find all types of brown bears here: sows with cubs, lone males, and adolescents.
The Viewing Situation
Most visitors here stay in a lodge, then explore the bay by boat or sea kayak. After the salmon have headed upstream, you’ll have to walk up spawning streams to see bears. This means you’ll need to be reasonably fit and be ready to cover some ground, so bring good boots and a sense of adventure. Fortunately, the bay is quiet, so you won’t face crowds. And if you’re truly adventurous—and familiar with wilderness travel in bear country—you could also put together a trip of your own out here.
Season
Bears congregate here from May 12-September 15.
Access
Floatplane
