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Yes, the boat is arguably the safest way! However the bears are quite shy and recognise the tourist boats far away, which makes it easy for them to avoid us! In a small group by foot, the chances of seeing one would be better.

I thought they'd attack if they encounter small groups on foot.

Yes, probably if you run on them really close by surprise. However, close encounters are quite rare and you usually see them from hundreds of meters away, in which case both the human and the bear try to typically avoid the confrontation.

Nice, now I want to go and see a polar bear :)