Bear Observation Boat Tours
Brown bears are common on the Shiretoko Peninsula due to abundant food sources and a habitat secured by strict conservation legislation. The bears forage for food in mountains, in forests, and along the peninsula’s rocky shoreline. Encountering bears in their natural habitat is dangerous and should be avoided. However, visitors to Rausu can observe bears safely on a boat tour.
Bear sightings and dramatic geology
Tour boats skirt the peninsula’s eastern edge up to its northern tip. Bears tend to be active in this area between April and October and the possibility of sightings is high. Tour participants in September are likely to see bears gather at the mouths of rivers to catch salmon heading upstream. During the search for bears, tour-goers can view the dramatic Shiretoko terrain of high coastal bluffs and waterfalls
Tour details
Several companies run bear observation tours. Visitors should check the individual tour companies’ promotional material or ask at the tourist information counter.