homer bear tours by boat

Scenic Bear Viewing Tours from Homer, Alaska

Classic grizzly bear tour.

Embark on an exhilarating Alaskan adventure. Gently soar over majestic landscapes, and land on a remote beach to see grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Kids, 12 yrs and under are $960. $60 per person discount for Crypto payments and no booking fee, total $120 savings, email us for Crypto payments before booking online. We accept Ethereum, or Solana.

• Hour Glass 4.5 - 7 Hours
• User All Ages

ABOUT SCENIC BEAR VIEWING

Experience a breathtaking scenic flight to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park in one of our 5-passenger seat bush planes. Then enjoy a professionally guided hike to see free roaming brown bears/Grizzlies in their natural habitat. Bear viewing is the #1 activity in Alaska. We also offer overnight room and board accommodations before and after your trip. We have one bedroom available in a house in Homer, a cool 1972 airstream and a rare 1996 Serro Scotty Motorhome.

WHY GO BEAR VIEWING WITH US?

This is our video that went viral and still is going viral.

Don’t worry we don’t get charged like this often. One time in 9 yrs.

When you visit the Alaskan wilderness and see bears in their domain, it can be a soul charging experience that will last a lifetime. People tell us it was highlight of their Alaskan vacation.

The Scenic Bear Viewing crew, Matthew, Martin, Sam and Kaea. Between Martin has 14,600 hours of flight experience. Experience means safety in aviation.

We fly to wild remote beaches on the coast of Alaska. There are no large crowds of people where we go. We also practice leave no trace behind. Our fuel storage tank is even solar powered.

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Fly out guided Bear Viewing trips from Homer, Alaska to Lake Clark & Katmai National Park Est: 2016 1-907-231-0342

TOP RATED ALASKAN BROWN BEAR TOURS FROM HOMER ★★★★★

What a great day! Martin is an excellent guide and pilot. Beautiful flight over and back with a tour of the mountains on the return trip. Several hours on the ground, got up close (15 feet or so) to several brown bears that were digging for clams on the beach. We recommend Martin 100%!

What an amazing experience. First off, Martin is an exceptional pilot. Secondly, he definitely has some sort of connection with the bears. They are at ease around him which allows you to get closer then you'd expect. I cannot say enough good things about this trip and it was worth every penny. If you are looking to book a trip to see bears, look no further.

My husband and I recently went on the bear sighting tour. Within 5 minutes of landing we walked out to a mama and two cubs. The cub put on a great show for us and got within a couple feet of us. Martin is very knowledgeable about the bears and told is exactly what to do. I felt calm and comfortable with in his care. This is a one in a lifetime experience. The bear just ate clams while we watched. Martin took us out despite the not so great weather. Even in the rain we had a great time. We will do it again. Worth the money.

When we got to the hanger Martin gave us quite an extensive briefing about the plane we were going to fly in and the Bears we were going to see , he was extremely knowledgeable about the Bears that we saw on the mud flats today . one of the highlights was flying by a snow covered volcano and then landing on the beach . The mother bears and her cubs would walk right by us , it was an outstanding trip

Our family joined Martin on June 25th. Everything about it was awesome. He is passionate about the bears and very knowledge. The flight over is beautiful. I took more pictures on this tour that the rest of the time i was in Alaska combined. You can not go wrong with this experience.

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Bear Viewing

Is bear viewing on your bucket list? You've come to the right place! Homer is the gateway to the best bear viewing in the State of Alaska.

Homer's location is the closest to Katmai National Park & Preserve and Lake Clark National Preserve and our bear viewing operators are ready to take you to see the bears in their natural habitat.

From June through September, brown bears congregate on coastal sedge flats and streams in the vast wilderness of the parks. The bears feast on abundant grasses and clams in the Spring, then on salmon swimming home to spawn, and finally on berries and seeds as they prepare for Winter.

More than 98% of this country's brown bear population lives in Alaska with many of them in the wilds on the West side of Cook Inlet. 

The growing popularity of bear viewing can be attributed to the fact that people can see these wild animals up close in relative safety and comfort. Well-equipped lodges and guides are the norm. From the time bears leave their dens in late May, until they go back into hibernation in late fall, visitors can see them in their natural surroundings. They are omnivores, and range over hundreds of square miles looking for food sources as they fatten up for winter.

Different kinds of bear viewing experiences are available from our local air tour companies depending on your comfort level and how much time you want to spend on this activity. You can fly for a day, stay in a lodge or remote camp for a longer period, or stay on board a boat and go ashore during the day. Access is by boat, float plane, or wheel plane, which may determine where you view the bears. Bear viewing can be done from elevated platforms near their feeding grounds. Other tours feature a more intimate experience with bears and humans in close proximity showing respect for one another.

When you check bear viewing off your bucket list, the experience will be one of the best memories of your lifetime!

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Alaska Bear Viewing

By sea or by air, we will take you to the bears!

Alaska is world-renowned for giving visitors an up-close and personal experience with majestic Coastal Brown Bears. Around 98% of our country’s brown bears live in Alaska and hundreds of these incredible animals live right across from Homer on the western side of Cook Inlet.  Homer Ocean Charters offers vessel-based bear viewing on our Multi-Day Custom Cruises . Travel in the safety and comfort of our 82-foot yacht, the  Pacific Shadow II,  and take in the scenery and excitement of a true Alaskan adventure at your own pace. 

If traveling by air is what you're looking for, we are proud to offer our guests the opportunity to fly by floatplane or wheel plane into the heart of Katmai and/or Lake Clark National Parks to spend the day watching these great animals.  Visit  Northwind Aviation  for more information and awesome photos!

Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park and Preserve is located across from Kodiak Island and encompasses over 4 million acres.  Home to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, this park provides an unparalleled experience for its visitors to observe the aftermath of volcanic eruptions.  Katmai is also home to  Hallo Bay .  This oceanside area is best described as a sanctuary within a park.  A few of the signature attributes of Hallo Bay are meadows filled with wildflowers, snow-capped mountains, glacier-fed creeks, and lots of bears!     

Within Katmai Park lies the world-famous  Brooks Falls .  Fly via floatplane to Naknek Lake where you’ll meet your skilled bear guide and begin an extraordinary tour of Brooks Falls.  During the height of the salmon season, it is possible to see 50 or more brown bears feeding in the river only a few feet from the observation platforms.

Lake Clark National Park

Lake Clark is as rugged as it is beautiful and 1000+ bears call it home.  This park offers multiple opportunities to experience the best of Alaska.  You’ll fly over ice fields, volcanoes, glaciers, and crystal clear lakes full of trout and grayling on your way to  Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek, or Crescent Lake .  These are just a few of the popular viewing areas beckoning to be explored within Lake Clark National Park.

Each of these locations offers incredible opportunities to observe 800-1200 lbs. bears in their natural environment.  After a short safety briefing, you’ll put on a pair of waterproof hip boots, and climb aboard one of our bush planes.  Many customers have commented that the flight from Homer into Bear country was worth the price of admission.  Your route will take you over and around several volcanoes, glaciers, and rivers where you’ll land on long sandy beaches or one of many floatplane lakes or rivers.  From there, you and your trained guide will hike into the backcountry for a photo safari where the incredible scenery and wildlife are around every corner.  It will take your breath away.  Watch as the bears dig for clams, graze on sedge grasses, establish dominance, and teach new cubs how to catch salmon in the river.  Spend the day with us in the heart of bear country and make Alaska-size memories that will last a lifetime!

Homer Ocean Charters Great Experience!

Fantastic Crew, Outstanding Views!"

"If you're visiting the town of Homer, and want to get a birds-eye view of the area, we cannot recommend Northwind Aviation enough. They're safe; they know and understand the area more than most; and their pricing is fair for the level of service provided. Thanks again for a great tour!"

-Bhyn  (Trip Advisor)

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Alaska Bear Adventures

Guided wilderness bear viewing, coastal trips, brooks falls, mcneil river.

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$50 off per person for coastal classic day trips taken in june 2024., awesome alaska bear viewing tour options.

Once In A Lifetime Bear Viewing Opportunity

We fly by Cessna bush plane to the remote wilderness grizzly watching area of Katmai National Park, Alaska which has the highest concentration of protected brown bears in the world!

Our grizzly bear tours cater to both wildlife photographers and wildlife viewers. The flight from Homer, AK to Katmai National Park or Lake Clark National Park to the bear watching area is an adventure by itself with magnificent flight-seeing including volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains all set against the backdrop of the azure ocean.

Alaska Bear Viewing Tours In Katmai & Lake Clark

One of our rigorously trained guides will take you on your Bear Adventure. We keep tabs on the bears for over 100 miles of Katmai and Lake Clark park coastline. We go to the best bear viewing location for the day of your trip.

Daily Alaska Bear Viewing Tours Alaska Bear Adventures in Homer Alaska

• Daily Alaska Bear Viewing Tours From Homer
• Bear Viewing is Our Main Event
• Family-Owned Company
• Operating from Homer Airport
• Trained Naturalist Guides
• Mind Blowing Photography Opportunities

• (907) 299-7498

Bear Viewing Homer

Homer, Alaska is one of Alaska’s crown jewels. There are countless things to do in Homer but no trip would be complete without visiting one of the best bear viewing locations in the world. At Alaska Ocean Pros, we offer Homer bear viewing tours to world-famous Chinitna Bay. Located in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Chinitna Bay is where big brown bears gather to feed throughout the season.

Our single-day Homer bear viewing excursions are perfect for anyone visiting by road, air, or cruise ship. You will travel by boat through Kachemak Bay where all sorts of marine wildlife are routinely spotted, including humpback whales and orcas. Your destination is Chinitna Bay where coastal brown bears spend their lives feeding among estuaries abundant with food. The backdrop is an unspoiled wilderness where no roads and few people can be found.

Bear viewing Homer has never been easier. Would you like to experience a Homer bear viewing adventure? We guarantee that it’s an experience you will never forget. Contact us today to book your Homer Alaska bear viewing tour.

Bear viewing Homer Alaska - An overview

Homer, Alaska is the gateway to some of the most incredible bear viewing opportunities in the world. Arguably, the most incredible Homer bear viewing tour takes you and your group to Chinitna Bay in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Massive coastal brown bears call this place home throughout the season because of its rich abundance of foods rich in protein.

Bear populations in Chinitna Bay are some of the densest in the world, and it’s not uncommon to see 20 bears at one time when you’re on the tour. Lake Clark’s coastal brown bears grow to great sizes of over 1,000 pounds because they feed on vegetation, clams, and other high-protein food sources. Bear viewing Homer Alaska tours to Chinitna Bay is unique because so many massive bears can be found in one location.

Visitors who take our tour often say it was the highlight of their trip. There is something magical about seeing wild bears in their natural habitat free from worry about their close proximity. While you view the bears, you may see them feeding, playing, or even sleeping without a care in the world. You may see bear cubs frolicking or a massive bruin dig deep into the sandy beach to find a tasty clam. Some lucky visitors get to see it all. Maybe next time, it will be you.

Homer Bear Viewing

Traveling to and from your Homer Alaska bear viewing tour can be just as thrilling. You will be riding in comfort from the Homer Spit through Kachemak Bay en route to Chinitna Bay in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Along the way, there are countless opportunities to see wild marine animals and birds in their natural habitat.

Marine mammals commonly spotted include humpback whales, orcas, otters, sea lions, and just about anything else you can see in the state of Alaska. There are countless birds that call Kachemak Bay home, so be sure to bring your identification book and a pair of binoculars.

When on your Homer Alaska bear watching tour, the stunning backdrop is like something out of a movie. Just some of the incredible sights you will likely see include:

• 4 Peaks Glacier
• Offshore Gas Rigs
• Charter Fishing Boats
• Commercial Fishing Boats
• Cook Inlet (Named after famed explorer Captain Cook)
• Kachemak Bay
• Novarupta volcanoes eruption
• Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
• Aleutian/Alaskan Peninsula

Tips for photographers - Bear viewing Homer

Obviously, you’re going to want to get some amazing photos from your once-in-a-lifetime Homer bear viewing tour. While you can certainly get some quality photos from a cell phone or point-and-shoot camera, we recommend investing in a camera with a quality zoom lens and familiarizing yourself with some photography basics.

Digital SLR cameras are ideal for photographing just about anything you’ll encounter on a Homer Alaska bear viewing tour, especially the mighty brown bruins. A quality zoom or telephoto lens is also suggested. Lenses up to 200mm can be handheld under normal lighting conditions. Higher powered lenses may need image stabilization features and/or support from a tripod. Obviously, large brown bears are often moving so it’s important to use the highest possible shutter speeds.

The viewing platforms from which the Homer Alaska bear viewing tours take place offer plenty of space and support for extra gear but only you can determine when gear is getting in the way of your experience. Sometimes it’s better to keep things simple and enjoy your bear viewing experience rather than miss something amazing because you were trying to find the perfect F-stop setting.

A wide-angle to an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens is also recommended. Many photographers prefer to use a 17mm to 40mm zoom for its versatility. Wide Angle lenses allow you to compose amazing landscape and panoramic shots while traveling through Kachemak Bay and once you reach the bear viewing platforms.

Again, lenses capable of shooting in low light are best so consider using F2.8 lenses if they’re within your budget. Lastly, we recommend a waterproof backpack to carry your gear so that it’s protected from the elements at all times.

Bear Viewing Homer Alaska

What follows is a list of other items you may consider bringing on your Homer Alaska bear viewing tour.

Binoculars - If you don’t have binoculars, you’re going to wish you did. You don’t want to be that guy missing out on something incredible or asking to borrow someone else’s pair. Binoculars come in handy while viewing bears from the platform and on the boat ride to and from Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. If you’re a bird watcher, binoculars are essential.

Rain gear - You never know what the weather is going to be like, so it’s important to bring a jacket that will protect you from the elements. Modern rain gear isn’t heavy or bulky and can be stored safely in a backpack.

Layered clothing - In Homer and the surrounding region, the weather can change at any moment. A sunny 75-degree day can quickly turn into cold and wind. Your tour lasts all day and half of it is spent on the water so you need to be prepared for any scenario to get the most from your Homer bear viewing tour. We recommend one or two base layers of Merino wool or synthetic material, a fleece layer, and a wind and water-resistant outer layer. If you get cold easily, a puff or down jacket may also be a good option.

Food and drink - Please bring along your own lunch and beverages. There are places to refill a water bottle but you should plan on ensuring you have enough calories for a busy day.

Medications - If you take medication, you must bring it with you. Your bear viewing tour is deep in the Alaskan wilderness so it’s vital that you carry everything you need for the tour.

Seasick medicine - Kachemak Bay can get rough. Large swells and chop can make anyone seasick, so if you’re prone to motion sickness we urge you to take the proper medicine and follow the directions to the letter. Remember that once you get sick, motion sickness medication will not work as long as you remain on the water.

What else is there to do in Homer, Alaska?

Homer is located on the south end of the Kenai Peninsula. It’s been called “The End of the Road,” “The Halibut Capital of the World” and “the Cosmic Hamlet of the Sea.” Homer is known as one of the most picturesque places in Alaska. It is also the jumping-off point for some of the best bear viewing on the planet.

(907)435-1111

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4470 Homer Spit Rd.

Homer, AK 99603

Bear Viewing From Homer, Alaska To Lake Clark or Katmai National Parks Landing on the beach in a wheeled airplane

This is a great outdoor activity for visitors or homer alaska locals. your alaska adventure awaits. .

Come experience a day in the life of the magnificent Alaskan brown bears on a bear tour. Whether you are a professional photographer or an outdoor enthusiast, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks.

The glacier capped volcanoes provide a beautiful backdrop for the various wildlife found in the national parks. We will land on the beach where you may instantly see bears digging for clams, scouting the rivers for fish or just basking in the sun. We guarantee you will see bears on our tour.

Brown bear cubs typically live in the coastal areas we visit. The playful cubs prove to be guests' favorite as they wrestle and torment their mothers. We strive to be unintrusive to these magnificent animals.

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Welcome to Bear Viewing in Alaska

Bear Viewing in Alaska, your trusted gateway to unforgettable wildlife adventures. Our expertise lies in crafting captivating tours that present an unparalleled chance to observe the majestic Alaskan brown bears in their native habitat. Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, we will get you amazing images. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a devotee of nature, or an individual in pursuit of a singular, unforgettable encounter, our expeditions pledge an adventure filled with amazement and marvel amidst the untouched splendor of Alaska’s wild expanses.

Alaska Bear Viewing by Boat to Chinitna Bay & Silver Salmon Creek

Interested in Bear Viewing tours in Alaska? Captain Mel Erickson is a renowned Bear Viewing Guide with a commercial operator permit from the National Park Service, that offers you the best bear watching trips. When you plan a once in a lifetime trip to Alaska. Chinitna Bay Bear Tours will take you by boat, or plane to the remote pristine wilderness of Lake Clark National Park.

We are the first and only bear viewing charter service that accesses Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek via boat 7 days a week departing daily at 7:30 am. Our boat specifically designed to get into very shallow water and can access the bear coast at any stage of Cook Inlet’s extreme tides. The boat experience and skills of the captain allows us to access locations along the coast at any stage of tide in any weather conditions that no other boats can get into.

Another extremely important feature which allows you to walk out on the tide flats so you can see bears dig clams is we provide our guests with waders, & hiking pole’s. Many other bear watching tours dont provide these so you either get your feet wet or dont see the bears up close digging clams.

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Chinitna Bay Bear Tours

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An unforgettable bear watching experience in alaska, a journey to spot the majestic brown bears (grizzly bears) of alaska.

Your experienced Bear viewing guides will get you Close to Alaskan Brown (Grizzly bears) safely. This is an awesome adventure whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, naturalist, or photographer.

At Bear Viewing in Alaska, we strongly believe that each wildlife expedition should be as distinctive as those participating in it. This is why we meticulously organize every aspect of our Alaskan brown bear tours, guaranteeing that your adventure aligns with your interests, expectations, and comfort level.

Your brown bear viewing tour begins in Anchor Point, Alaska which is close to Homer. After departing Anchor Point, you cross the beautiful Cook Inlet to Chinitna Bay in Lake Clark National Park. Once we arrive we get out of the boat and walk a short distance to watch the bears.

We provide a broad range of tour choices, each tailored to meet varied tastes and adventure thresholds. Whether you opt to partake in the thrill of bear viewing by boat in Alaska, or venture on a spectacular voyage to Chinitna Bay for a unique bear viewing experience, we pledge to provide a wildlife encounter that will be etched in your memory for years to come.

Thinking about visiting the park’s Cook Inlet coastline? This short film offers a spectacular introduction to what your day may include and how to stay safe and protect the park’s bear populations. Viewing this video is required by the National Park Service for all travelers to the park.

Top 5 reasons access to Chinitna Bay & Silver Salmon Creek by boat is better than plane!

• Safer, & more affordable than going by plane,several plane accidents have happened on beach landings the last few years.
• Better view of marine life such as whales, seals, sea lions, and sea birds
• Option to dig clams.
• low clouds & visibility don’t prevent us from going on our tour.
• We can access many other areas that planes cant go,& often see bears very close from the boat walking the coastline.

Why Go Bear Watching Tours in Alaska with Us?

At Bear Viewing in Alaska, we offer an experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Our commitment to delivering authentic, safe, and informative wildlife encounters is what sets us apart. Here’s why you should choose us for your bear watching tours :

• Authentic Encounters:  With us, you’ll get the opportunity to observe Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. Our expeditions are crafted to offer a genuine wildlife encounter, enabling you to observe these majestic beings thriving uninhibited and untroubled in their natural environment.
• Safety:  Ensuring your safety is our utmost concern. Our seasoned guides possess thorough training in understanding bear behaviors and following safety protocols, making certain that your bear viewing journey is not only exhilarating but also secure.
• Educational:  We believe in offering more than just a viewing experience. Our tours aim to educate our guests about the bears, their habitat, and the unique Alaskan ecosystem. Our knowledgeable guide Captain Mel Erickson will share fascinating facts, insights, and stories about Alaskan brown bears and the breathtaking wilderness they call home.

What To Bring / What we provide

We provide Waders, & hiking pole’s for all our guests to keep your feet dry getting off, & on the boat. Plus this allows us to walk across the tide flats and cross creeks to get closer to some bears in different locations other than the main viewing spots. Many other bear viewing companies dont provide waders or allow their clients to walk out on flats to see the bears clam digging.

Explore the Wild – Book Your Bear Viewing Tour Now!

And this is not it. A total of five snow-capped volcanoes rise up 10,000 feet from sea level in an exquisite American national park just for you. Also, available from us is bear viewing with an Alaska bush plane to explore the other beautiful locations.

Get Explore Your Bear Viewing Tour Now!

(907) 435-4011

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HALLO BAY BEAR VIEWING

About hallo bay bear viewing.

Nestled at the base of Mt. Douglas along the Katmai coastline, Hallo Bay is a haven for dozens of Brown Bears, creating a spectacular natural habitat. This extraordinary area boasts towering volcanoes, expansive sedge grass meadows, miles of sandy beaches, and salmon-filled streams. 

What to Anticipate:

• Scenic Flight is approximately 1.5 hours each way
• Beach landings on big tundra tires/bushwheels
• Small group led by pilot/guide
• Encounter the Largest Coastal Brown Bears
• Activities include digging clams, eating sedge grass, fishing, and foraging for berries
• Up-close and personalized experience
• Turbo Airplane for extended time with the bears
• Faster, Safer, and Quieter Planes

Trip Details

• Duration: 5-6 Hours
• Capacity: Up to 15 Seats
• (Plus taxes, park fees, fuel surcharge) 
• *3% processing fee will be applied to all credit card payments. Wire transfers and checks accepted.
• Private excursions are available!

Call to Book! (907)435-4011

A Day Going to Hallo Bay!

Begin your adventure with an early visit to our Beluga Lake office, where our friendly reservations team awaits your arrival for an official check-in.

Once paperwork is completed and the flight manifest is finalized, board one of our shuttles for a quick transfer to the Homer airport, where your pilot and bear guide await. After a brief safety briefing, embark on an exhilarating journey aboard one of our Turbo Beavers or Cessna 206 wheeled planes for a breathtaking flight to Hallo Bay. Departing from Homer, the flight takes you southwest along the Kenai Mountains, to the end of the Kenai Peninsula, across the Barren Islands, over to Afognak Island near Kodiak, and finally, across the Shelikof Straits to descend into Hallo Bay.

Load up your camera cards and ensure fresh batteries for the next 3 hours, as you explore the beach, meadows, and streams, capturing incredible moments of Brown Bears engaged in wild activities in their natural environment. Witness bears of all sizes and shapes feasting early in the season, preparing for the upcoming winter hibernation. Their high-fat and protein diet includes clams, sedge grass, and salmon, and occasionally, the shores might be graced with a feast from a dead Humpback whale, lasting nearly the entire summer.

The backdrop for your photography is unparalleled, with snowcapped Mt. Douglas, part of the Ring of Fire, soaring into the skyline. Conclude your adventure with a return to Homer, carrying full camera cards and broad smiles. Immerse yourself in a day of bear watching in Hallo Bay, Alaska!

The best of Alaska by land, air, and sea.

Office 907-235-7482, office cell 907-435-4011.

Current local time is :

• (907) 235.1805

• Rates & Reservations

Katmai Day Bear Viewing Tour:

For Day Tour options and availability, please contact Beluga Air Service at [email protected] or 907.235.8256.

RESERVATIONS

Cancellations and refunds, bears by boat tour rates, bear by boat tour price.

• Dates: Summer 2024 Dates – To be determined
• Price: $9999.00 per person
• Tour begins and ends in Homer, Alaska

Includes: 7 days of onboard ship accommodations, guide, photo instruction, all meals while on the tour, double occupancy accommodations.

Not included: travel to/from Homer, Alaska, lodging in Homer before or after the trip, or gratuities for crew and guide.

To reserve your space, send a 50% payment within 10 days of booking your tour. To reserve your space, send a 50% payment within 10 days of booking your tour. Final payment is due by May 15. Reservations made after May 15 require full payment. All participants are required to purchase trip insurance for this tour.

RESERVATIONS and PAYMENTS

Booking your tour early allows you to choose the dates and length of stay that are best for you! When planning your trip dates you should allow for one “buffer” day prior to your departure and two “buffer” days when returning. These “buffer” days are to allow for any weather delays and by incorporating them into your schedule you can have a more relaxed trip.

To reserve your space, send a 50% payment within 10 days of booking your desired dates. Final payment is due May 15. Reservations made after May 15 require full payment. The Cancellation Policy is in effect and we do require that you purchase trip or travel insurance.

AK Adventures’ deposit and payment policy is required due to the following reasons: The area is very remote, logistics are planned months in advance, the groups are small and low volume, and Alaska’s travel season is short.

We prefer payment be made by check, wire transfer or money order. However, we do accept most major credits with an additional 3% convenience fee. Checks should be made payable in U.S. funds to AK Adventures, Inc. Payments should be mailed to the address below:

AK Adventures P.O. Box 2828 Homer, AK 99603

AIR TRANSPORTATION

AK Adventures will schedule your flight for day tours or to our private chartered boat after you make your reservation. The allowable baggage weight is 50 pounds maximum per person or a combined total weight of 275 pounds per person including personal gear.

Cancellation for Any Reason Prior To Tour Date

If the cancellation occurs prior to 121 days before your arrival date, you will be charged a 50% cancellation fee per person. Within 120 Days of your arrival date NO REFUND will be allowed on cancellations prior to trip date for any reason once the trip is booked. A travel or trip insurance policy is required for all multi-day excursions.

Cancellation For Weather or Mechanical Delays.

There shall be NO REFUND for cancellation due to weather delays or mechanical breakdowns prior to arrival at the camp or marine vessel. AK Adventures is not responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays, mechanical delays or cancellations due to weather or mechanical breakdowns. Every reasonable attempt will be made by AK Adventures to provide an extended itinerary to replace lost days whenever possible. AK Adventures will not be responsible for any additional costs to clients that may be incurred as a result of a weather or mechanical delay.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

AK Adventures requires that you purchase travel or trip insurance for all multi-day excursions after booking your trip with us. The company and contact information listed below is for your convenience. Please check with your travel or insurance agent for other policy options. Purchase a trip cancellation insurance policy that will reimburse you for any non-recoverable air or land expenses should you have to cancel your trip due to personal or family illness and possibly cover any evacuation expenses should you become ill during the trip. For more information go to the InsureMyTrip.com website or call them at (800) 487-4722, (401) 773-9300 (Outside U.S.).

Begin your Alaska Bear Viewing Adventure now!

• What to Bring

Private Apartment on the Beach - Check out our Yukon Island View Room.

Bear Viewing Adventure from Homer, Alaska

Quick details.

• Checkmark What to bring: Bring warm clothes, layers of clothes, everything in your daypack, your lunch and favorite beverage
• Clock Departure time: varies with trips
• Info Trips include: all equipment, guide and Flight from Homer, pilot/guide, rubber boots, time on the ground with the bears
• Checkmark Check in point: Inlet Charters for map to departure spot

Choose A Bear Viewing Tour

Watch coastal brown bears in their natural environment. Your pilot is your guide and will fly you to the prime viewing spot in your time frame. Bear behavior varies – as does the distance from which we view bears. Each trip is unique to the day. Along with these magnificent bears you will have an opportunity to view other wildlife, neighbors of the bears that share the same remote habitat. Wolves, fox, bald eagles, occasionally moose, a wide variety of birdlife, and sea life are all species that make a home in the area.

See our tour options below: 

Bear Viewing along the Alaska coast, Katmai National Park or Lake Clark National Park!

The unforgettable scenic flight ranges from one to 1.5 hours of tach time each way. After landing, it will be you, the pilot and the bears with your feet on the ground. These bears have never been hunted or tainted by humans with fear or food or hunting thus allowing exceptional opportunity to see these amazing creatures up close. They do not see us as predators. We are just another species to them – it is all about respect. An estimated 4,000+ Alaskan brown bear inhabits these immense national parks and are home to the largest undisturbed population of bears in the world.

On the flight, you will see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. You will fly west from Homer, across Cook Inlet, past active volcanoes in the Alaska Range and the Aleautian Range, glaciers and snowcapped mountains leading you to the world’s largest concentrations of brown bears.

With a guide at your side you will walk along the beaches and meadows where brown bear are frequently observed living naturally in their secluded, wilderness habitat. Witness bear fishing, digging for clams, grubbing for roots and grasses, socializing and raising their young.

Selected not only for flying expertise, but also through understanding bear behavior, your pilot will also be your naturalist-guide. Early morning departures are scheduled according to the tide. Normally you will depart at around 8:30 AM and return at 5:00 PM. The all day safari is kept to a small group, usually four to ten people. Prime bear viewing begins in May and runs through September. Your photo safari could include a trip to Brooks river or the coast of Shelikof Strait depending on where the bears are feeding.

What you’ll find in Katmai National Park and the Alaska coast!

May 15 to July 1: In the spring our trips find us on the coast of Katmai National Park and Shelikof Strait. This is the breeding season and large concentrations of bears can be found digging clams and feeding on the sedges and sea grasses. The breeding activity sometimes becomes intense and is truly a world class experience to see.

July: Farther inland, the salmon start their migration from Bristol Bay. Within a couple of weeks every river and stream will be choked with millions of red salmon. At this time we can take you to Brooks River in Katmai Park, one of the world’s most famous places to observe bears. The Brooks River Falls acts as an impediment to the migration of red salmon and the bears have come to this feast for thousands of years. The Park Service maintains a visitor center, viewing platforms, well-groomed trails and a concession, where lunches are sold.

August: With summer well underway, we return to the coast of Katmai and Shelikof Strait. The bears, by now, have grown accustomed to feeding together and often a large gathering of bears can be found shoulder-to-shoulder in the many salmon rich streams that braid the coast of Alaska.

September: The colors are changing and the fragrance of fall is in the air. September is Coho salmon time – the floatplanes, like the silvers, are returning to Brooks Falls. The bears are “power feeding” in the urgency of this being the last run of the season. Moose may be spotted as they are gathering their harems and the caribou are starting their migration. We think this is the best time to see coastal Alaska in all its splendor.

Weight Limitation: We reserve the right to limit the amount of carry-on baggage per person. Ten to 12 pounds (a small backpack and camera equipment) is acceptable. We will also need each passenger’s weight before departure. To ensure passenger safety and comfort, passengers weighing over 300 pounds can not be accommodated on our Katmai trips. *Scales are available at the office and loading dock. *Maximum passenger weight on the helicopter is 275 pounds.

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Once In A Lifetime Bear Viewing Experience in Alaska

Alaska bear viewing, We are the only commercial operator providing  daily guided Alaska bear viewing trips by boat.  May, June, July, August

You will depart from Anchor Point, Alaska near Homer & we will take you 38 miles across the beautiful Cook Inlet to Chinitna Bay in Lake Clark National Park. A short walk up the beach to a grassy marsh where several bears congregate to feed on the sedge grasses.

On any given day we see up to 20-30 brown bears, sows with new born cubs, big boars, bears fishing for salmon, or digging clams. If the tides are right & if you want we can dig up a few clams.

All this with a back drop of 5 active snow-capped volcanos in one of the most remote, & beautiful national parks in America. We also offer bear viewing trips by Alaska bush plane to other locations.

Prices for Bear viewing are $675 per person, which are $200-$300 less than an air taxi. Depart about 7 return about 3 Please visit our partner website at bearviewinginalaska.com

View our recent bear viewing reports.

Alaska Bear Viewing Report – 03 September 2022

Walking the beach with a big guy grazing on some salad, bears are feasting getting ready for hibernation, just... read more

Alaska Bear Viewing Report – 30 Aug 2022

Beautiful day in bear country, flat glassy seas , some sunshine, dug up some clams for dinner and saw... read more

Alaska Bear Viewing Report – 02 Aug 2022

First time I’ve seen a sow take down her cub this violently, usually they only give em a swat... read more

Thinking about visiting the park's Cook Inlet coastline? This short film offers a spectacular introduction to what your day may include and how to stay safe and protect the park's bear populations.

Welcome To Chinitna Bay & Lake Clark National Park

Have a safe trip & be bear aware, be cautious and make noise as you travel to the marsh. Traveling on established trails reduces the chances of surprising a bear. Ensure all gear is on your person & do not leave unattended. Don’t Feed the wildlife, ensure food is properly stored at all times. A park ranger station is located 1 mile east of the bear viewing site.

Munching in the Marsh

The Chinitna Bay salt marsh is part of a unique, & small network of coastal marshes that provide critical early season nutrition for bears.

With their fat reserves depleted from a long winter hibernation, bears emerge from their dens in need of high protein. Fresh sedges in the salt marsh are the most important early season food source for coastal bears because they are available before the salmon arrive.

The geography of the Chinitna Bay marsh allows both females with cubs, & solitary males to feed through the May, & June mating season. Broad and open, it is a place where males can be seen approaching allowing mothers with cubs, & yearlings to retreat to the safety of the forest. A safe place to graze on rich sedge grass the Chinitna Bay marsh is critically important in the life of the bears.

Chinitna Bay

Chinitna Bay on Cook Inlets remote west side was home seasonal camps & winter settlements. The remains of sod covered houses dug partially underground, may look like simple vegetation covered depressions but from them archeologists can often piece together the story of family life and identify tools used, food eaten, and how long they were used. Each home had a central room with a hearth from which attached rooms for individual living space, sweatbaths, and food storage radiated.

The Remote Shore of Chinitna Bay Land of Two Worlds

For at least 3,000 years & probably much longer, the remote west shore of Cook Inlethas been a place of gathering for fishing, clamming, sea mammal hunting, & ritual. Along this shore ancient cultures overlapped. People from inland Lake Clark country and those from across Cook Inlet came to hunt, fish, & gather food. Though neither group established large & long term settlements here. Earlier this shore was a fluid cultural frontier between Lake Clark interior groups, & maritime societies based in the Kodiak island region.

Archaeologists have found settlements of one to eight dwellings scattered along the shore of Chinitna Bay. The largest near the bear viewing site was briefly inhabited less than 300 years ago. These may have been the Dena’ina who paddled to the mouth of the Chinitna Bayin May of 1778 to meet Captain James Cook, for which the Cook Inlet is named.

Regulations

• The Chinitna Bay Marsh in Lake Clark National Park is closed beyond the Bear viewing sites.
• Eating is prohibited at the bear viewing sites, all food must remain inside your packs.

Welcome to Katmai National Park

There is no road access to Katmai National Park, & the main departure point for visits to Katmai is from Homer on the Kenai Peninsula.

Katmai was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protect 9,000 years of human history and important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears.

Katmai National Park and Preserve is on a peninsula in southern Alaska. Its wild landscapes span tundra, forests, lakes and mountains. The park is known for the many brown bears that are drawn to the abundant salmon in Brooks Falls. Lookout platforms at adjacent Brooks Camp offer close-up views of the bears. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is an area of lava flows and ash formed by a massive volcanic eruption.

Weather at Katmai is variable, though reliably rainy or drizzly. Summer high temperatures average in low 60’s. The park supports 29 mammal species, 137 bird species, & 5 salmon species.

Mammal species that inhabit Katmai include snowshoe hare, moose, wolf, brown bear, coyote, beaver, lynx, wolverine, river otter, mink, red fox, porcupine, and marten. Marine mammals include the harbor seal, sea lion, sea otter, beluga whale, killer whale and gray whale.

The most important fish in the park are sockeye salmon, which feed bears, bald eagles and others during their spawning runs in the park’s rivers. Salmon enter in June and July and spawn from August to October.

Other activities besides Bear Viewing at Katmai include hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, kayaking, boat tours.

Bear Watching In Katmai Nation Park

Katmai is also well known for Alaskan brown bears and the sockeye salmon which attract both bears and people. Katmai contains the world’s largest protected brown bear population, estimated to number about 2,200. Bears are especially likely to congregate between Mid May, & mid-September, 40 to 70 individual bears have been seen is a single day.

The coastal areas such as Hallo Bay, Kukak Bay, Kuliak Bay, Kaflia Bay, Geographic Harbor and Chiniak Bay have very high population densities of bears year-round, due to the availability of clams, and coastal sedge as well as salmon and other fish. Other hotspots include Swikshak Lagoon, American Creek, and in the preserve, Moraine Creek and Funnel Creek.

Katmai National Park and Preserve offer spectacular bear viewing opportunities.

When most people envision Katmai, they think of bears. Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world. More bears than people are estimated to live on Alaska Peninsula.

As many bear populations around the world decline, Katmai provides some of the few remaining unaltered habitats for these amazing creatures. At Katmai, scientists are able to study bears in their natural habitat, visitors are able to enjoy unparalleled viewing opportunities, and the bears are able to continue their life cycle largely undisturbed.

Katmai’s success as a bear-viewing destination

It is important that when visiting Katmai to respect bears and go with a professional bear guide with the knowledge to stay safe in bear country. The urge to take the perfect photograph or maintain the best fishing hole with your fly rod can be strong, but bears need space to sleep, eat, rest, travel, and play. By recognizing the needs of the bears and giving them space, each of us plays a role in keeping bears wild

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Bear & Wildlife Viewing Flight Safari from Homer

Land on a remote beach along the spectacular katmai wilderness coastline..

Photo Journey:

Home » City-Based Day Tours » Homer » Bear & Wildlife Viewing Flight Safari from Homer

Day Tour Details

What's included:.

• Roundtrip scenic flights to/from Homer
• Guide services
• All taxes and fees

What's Not Included:

Meals and transfers to and from your hotel.

We returned from our amazing Alaska vacation yesterday and want to thank you for making this a flawless trip.  All our arrangements were perfect. Once again, thank you again for this memorable trip and we plan to come back.

Carla | Texas

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