Travel Information, Trip Planning & Terms
Alaskan travel and polar bear recommended resources and websites to help you plan your holiday viewing the majestic polar bear.
As of July 27th, 2023, we checked in with ANWR staff and they were able to let us know that “…the Refuge would not issue permits authorizing boat-based viewing in 2023.” We will post here if/when things do change for the 2024 season.
Update as of January 7, 2022 - We received the linked letter from the ANWR stating that “circumstances have not changed” and that they are still under orders from Fish and Wildlife Service not to issue permits; the community of Kaktovik remains closed to all non-essential travelers; and they remain committed to maintaining health and safety as the highest priorities. We are NOT booking tours at this time. If anything changes, we will post an update here.
Due to COVID-19, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge suspended issuance of all permits for commercial polar bear viewing on Refuge waters in 2020 and 2021. We hope to resume our boat tours in 2022 but it will depend on the status of COVID-19 in Alaska and issuance of permits. Please check back in with us in later winter/early spring of 2022. For more information, please visit the ANWR website.
Welcome to our Travel Resources page. Planning your vacation can be just as rewarding as the trip itself. Below are links to our favorite hotels, people, books, conservation groups, and more to inform, excite and prepare you for your polar bear viewing adventure!
City of Kaktovik on Barter Island
Flights
RAVN Airlines was the only commercial airline that flew into Barter Island daily. They filed for Chapter 11 due to COVID-19 then were sold.
Other carriers (Everts Air, Wright Air) may start offering flights to Barter Island as well and once we have that information, we will post it here.
Charter flights can be arranged for groups.
Important things to consider regarding flights to and from Barter Island:
Delays and cancellations do happen and the airlines will either try to work with the weather or reschedule to get people in or out as soon as they can.
It's a good idea to leave a day or two on the back end of your trip in the event the airline needs to reschedule you for a day or two later.
Lodging
All meals and ground transportation are included with your stay.
Waldo Arms Hotel - Email Walt Audi at waltaudi@aol.com, phone (907)640-1212
Marsh Creek Inn - Email Tim Kamaka at ddamanagementsrvc@gmail.com, phone (907) 640-5500
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover delays or cancellations that affect you getting to your destination which is viewing polar bears. The town of Kaktovik, Barter Island, is in a remote region of Alaska. The weather in the arctic can be very unpredictable. We are not responsible for the weather and airline decisions. Flights can get cancelled and rescheduling may not be an option. Travel insurance can cover expenses affected by delays or cancellations, including affected flights, any additional nights of lodging, missed boat tours, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
It is important to get full coverage. Getting out on the boat to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lagoon waters is the ultimate destination and delays due to flights and weather could affect getting there. Generally, insurance providers have several policies to choose from and some policies only cover tours if operations shut down for at least 24 hours, and others cover the tours and all out-of-pocket expenses no matter the amount of time.
Please call the insurance companies and talk with them about the coverage versus just signing up online. Some credit card companies offer the insurance as an added service to card holders. Two companies we suggest are:
AIG Travel Guard (Gold Plan) - http://www.travelguard.com
Allianz (One Trip Prime) - https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Check out this article on Travel Insurance - https://www.reviews.com/travel-insurance/Getting out on the boat to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lagoon waters is the ultimate destination and delays due to flights and weather could affect getting there. Generally, insurance providers have several policies to choose from and some policies only cover tours if operations shut down for at least 24 hours, and others cover the tours and all out-of-pocket expenses no matter the amount of time.
Hotels in Fairbanks
You will want to arrive in Fairbanks the day before you fly to Barter Island as flights depart early the following morning. There are many hotels in the area and most have airport shuttles.
La Quinta Inn & Suites - 3 minutes from the airport with breakfast included starting at 6 AM.
Pike’s Waterfront Lodge - Spacious rooms and a 24 hour shuttle upon demand.
Hampton Inn & Suites - Moments from the downtown business district, the Chena River and Fairbanks International Airport
If the forecast for the evening sky is clear, check in with the hotel on the northern lights forecast and best viewing areas.
For more ideas on what to do in the Fairbanks area - Alaska.org, Explore Fairbanks
Packing Suggestions
Bring a good pair of warm winter boots, a hat and gloves, thermals, down layers, and if it's early in the season (August through mid-September) rain gear would be good. We also highly recommend bringing the 5-hour hand and foot warmers that you can get from outdoor retailers. We have extra warm gear and arctic parkas for those who may need it. Pack as if you are going skiing but with extra gear since you are not moving aerobically.
TERMS & DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Akook Arctic Adventures/Left Eye Productions Inc. are not responsible for any delays and cancellations or problems with flights (RAVN or charters).
Akook Arctic Adventures/Left Eye Productions Inc. are not responsible for any issues with the hotels.
Akook Arctic Adventures/Left Eye Productions Inc. not be responsible for any missed flights or connections.
For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer booking assistance on RAVN Airlines, with charters, and at the Waldo Arms Hotel as a courtesy to our our customers.
The number of bears a tour sees varies greatly, but most visitors see at least one bear if not more. Please note, we cannot guarantee bear sightings. This is the wild arctic of Alaska.
Akook Arctic Adventures/Left Eye Productions, Inc. reserves the right to make changes and alterations to your trip as necessary for safety, and proper handling of your trip/tour(s). We work to ensure a safe trip, but outdoor activities of this nature are not entirely “risk free.” We cannot and do not accept any liability for any injuries to or death of tour participants, for loss or damage to personal belongings, or for any other additional time or expenses incurred by tour participants. We are not responsible for the cost of delays resulting from weather, sea conditions, construction, transportation, mechanical failures, government regulations, acts of God, or any other cause.
Articles
Matador Network - 7 Best Places to See Polar Bears in the Wild, 2018
Monroe News - Article by Charles Rumschlag who visited in 2018
Images
Left Eye Productions, Inc. - Stock Image Licensing Services Available
Polar Bear Facts & Conservation
Alaska Wilderness League - Leader in the effort to preserve Alaska's wild lands and waters.
National Resources Defense Council - the nation's most effective environmental action group. Working to curb global warming and protect polar bears.
Polar Bears International - Polar bear conservation group—dedicated to saving polar bears by saving their sea ice habitat. Lots of polar bear facts, pictures, and information.
RESERVATIONS
Please contact us with any questions, to check availability, and to make your reservations for our unforgettable Barter Island polar bear viewing and photo boat tours.