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Some days change the way you see the world. For me, one of those days was stepping off a floatplane with our guide, Peter.
When it comes to wilderness adventures, you want more than a guide. That is where Peter comes in. He’s the face of Wild Coast Excursions, a company dedicated to small-group tours that feel deeply authentic. Their floatplane-accessed Pack Creek bear viewing and alpine heli-hiking trips are signature Alaskan experiences, designed to give you not only incredible memories but also a true sense of connection to this wild place.
With carbon-negative practices, intimate group sizes, and one of the most experienced guides in Southeast Alaska at the helm, Wild Coast offers more than sightseeing — they offer a way to experience Alaska like a local.
The trip began at Ward Air, where we were outfitted with waterproof boots, rain gear, and binoculars before our short flight out to Waterfall Creek. Even then, Peter had already set the tone. He explained what to expect before we even needed to know it, making sure we felt prepared and at ease.
We boarded our floatplane for the short flight to Waterfall Creek, the remote corner of Admiralty Island where we’d spend the day at watching bears. From 9:45 to 1:00, it was just us, the rushing falls, and viewing the wild brown bear of Alaska.
When we arrived, the wilderness wasted no time showing off. Over the course of the day, we saw more than a dozen bears — including a mother with her two cubs. A few even walked right past us, so close you could hear their footsteps crunching on the gravel. Thanks to Peter, those encounters weren’t frightening — they were awe-inspiring.
And that’s because Peter never took his eyes off us or the environment. While other guides lingered in conversations, he was scanning the treeline, pointing out signs of bear activity — fresh scat, partially eaten salmon — so we understood what to look for. When bears drew near, he had us crouch calmly, always putting safety first while still making it feel like an intimate experience.
It wasn’t lost on me that not every group had that same level of care. I watched other guides chatting while their guests stood uncertain. But Peter’s vigilance gave us the rare luxury of being fully present — of marveling at a mama bear and her two cubs fishing in the stream without fear.
Here is just another reason that Peter is amazing: he’s about creating an experience for his guests. He had actually built two simple wooden benches and flown them out on the plane so older travelers wouldn’t have to sit on rocks while waiting at the falls. That kind of care and foresight goes so far beyond what you’d expect from a guide.
There was even a lighthearted moment when another local jokingly called our oversized boots “Alaskan sneakers.” It made us laugh, but in truth, those clunky boots felt like a badge of belonging as we stepped into the wild.
By the time we flew back to town, I wasn’t just grateful for the bears we’d seen — though they were magnificent — I was grateful for the way Peter made us feel: safe, cared for, and fully present in one of the wildest corners of Alaska.
If you’re planning the Pack Creek bear viewing in Juneau, don’t just book a trip — book peace of mind. I cannot recommend Peter enough. He turned a good adventure into a once-in-a-lifetime memory, and that is a rare gift.
Because in the wilds of Juneau, the right guide doesn’t just lead you to the bears. He makes sure you’re able to truly experience them.
Wild Coast Excursions
(775) 572-WILD
info@wildcoastexcursions.com
