GUIDED EXPEDITION into
Katmai National Park
9 Person group
1,595 / person
5 hours on the ground
Ages: 9+
Our Signature Trip
Embark on a scenic flight into the heart of the Alaskan bush with our Homer, Alaska bear tours, soaring past vast glaciers draping rugged mountains and steaming volcanoes. Spend an unforgettable day hiking 3–5 miles through the remote Katmai National Park and Preserve, wandering expansive sedge meadows or salmon-rich streams within its massive ecosystem. Led by a naturalist guide, your small group will dive into the world of Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears, exploring the breathtaking landscapes they call home on our signature Alaska bear watching tour.
A bear’s life centers on its food sources, shaping our journey. In early summer, we head to Hallo Bay’s sedge meadows, where bears graze on grasses, roots, clams, and other forage. By mid-to-late July, they shift inland to streams teeming with salmon migrating from the ocean to spawning grounds—salmon being their vital source of nutrition and fat for winter denning. During this peak season, we venture to Moraine Creek, offering front-row views of bears fishing, hunting, and feasting on millions of salmon surging through Katmai’s waterways.
some videos taken by our guests
Detailed Schedule
*Subject to weather and group delays
8:00am: Check-in
8:45AM: Departure
5:00PM: Return
8:15AM
8:30AM
8:00AM
Check-in at the office, sign paperwork, weigh-in
Guide is introduced and clients are taken to boot shed to change into hip boots for the excursion
Briefing from guide at deck to go over safety instructions, bear etiquette, lunch, and bathroom rules
Take off
10:15AM
8:45AM
10:30AM
Load plane and receive safety briefing from pilot
Land at Hallo Bay / Moraine Creek
Deplane and get ready for adventure!
Exploring / Bear viewing
Lunch / Snacks / Water
Bathrooms as group wants or needs
Exploring / Bear viewing
Take off
3:30PM
Return to plane and embark
4:45PM
Land in Homer and deplane
5:00PM
Cookies, take off boots, debrief, Q&A, goodbyes
Where Do We Go—and When?
Where we go bear viewing depends on where the bears are during the summer.
Hallo Bay
Early Summer Foraging
Coastal Sedge Meadows
Discover Hallo Bay’s lush 5-mile meadow, cradled between towering volcanoes and glaciers, on our Homer, Alaska bear tours. Watch Coastal Brown Bears roam the beach searching for clams and graze on sedge grasses, replenishing fat reserves lost during hibernation. Early summer marks mating season, where you might spot males patiently courting females in a ritual that can span weeks. In June, new spring cubs emerge into the bear community, while playful sub-adults revel in summer’s return—making this an ideal time for an unforgettable Alaska bear watching adventure.
moraine creek
Late Summer Fishing
Subarctic Tundra
From mid-July to mid-August, the streams and rivers along the Alaska Range fill with salmon returning to their spawning grounds. After a long winter, hungry bears eagerly await this seasonal feast. Each bear claims its favorite fishing spot, showcasing unique techniques—some plunge shoulder-deep into the rivers, while others scour the banks for weaker fish or leftovers. Our bear viewing tours from Homer, Alaska, offer prime seats just steps from the shore, letting you witness these incredible Alaska brown bears in action. Join us for an unforgettable bear watching adventure!
POLICIES
AGE LIMITATIONS POLICY
Our bear viewing tours involve hiking 3 to 5 miles on uneven terrain and last at least 5 hours, so we advise against bringing guests under 7 years old on the guided expedition. Due to the physical demands of the trip, we also recommend that guests over 75 opt out of the guided portion. However, visitors of all ages are welcome to experience the iconic Brooks Falls bear viewing area during our Alaska bear tours!
WEIGHT LIMITATIONS POLICY
Our aircraft for bear viewing tours in Homer, Alaska, has a strict weight limit. Guests weighing over 260 lbs (118 kg), should contact our office to finalize their Alaska bear tour booking. We strive to accommodate everyone while adhering to safety standards and weight restrictions. If a guest misrepresents their weight—intentionally or not—and exceeds the aircraft’s capacity, they will be unable to join the trip and will not receive a refund.
PAYMENT POLICY
When booking your bear viewing tour in Homer, Alaska, choose to pay a 50% deposit or the full amount upfront. Online bookings include a 6% convenience fee, but you can skip it by calling our office to reserve your Alaska bear tour directly with our friendly staff. We’re proud to offer a 10% military discount for service members and their dependents—simply contact us to book and claim this special rate. Thank you for your service!
CANCELLATION POLICY
If we cancel your bear viewing tour in Homer, Alaska due to weather or mechanical interruption, we’ll provide a full refund. For cancellations made 30 days or more before your Alaska bear tour, refunds are issued minus a $100-per-person fee. Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your adventure with us!
See what others have to say
Jennifer S.
— Aug 2021 —
bear-a-palooza!
This trip was unbelievable and truly a once in a lifetime experience! Our family of four (two adult kids) saw more bears than we ever thought possible: nursing mother and cubs, fighting bears, fishing bears, etc. Lance was a wonderful guide. He prepared us well, taught us much, and made us feel safe. His calm demeanor was perfect for this trip. Everyone we had contact with, from the phone reservation to Lance and his pilot, was superb, kind and professional. In addition to bears, the scenery was spectacular from both the plane and on the ground. This trip is worth every penny. Now we are just trying to determine which of our many photos to frame. Bring your best camera.
ppikrj
— Aug 2021 —
Highlight of our trip
I have been building up excitement for this trip for over two years and Emerald Air still blew past all my expectations. Melanie and Teri Ann were so friendly and helpful as we rescheduled due to Covid and were consistently responsive when I called to ask about precautions, what gear we needed, information about the flights, etc. Lance, our guide, was so knowledgeable and we always felt safe in his guidance. We had a perfect day flying past volcanos and ended up seeing upwards of 35 bears! But most of all, from the very first encounter to the cookies at the end, this was one of the best tour companies I’ve ever had experience with. Their respect and care for what they do and the bears was ever present. The whole day felt like a fairytale and we were so happy we booked
