Picture your day: the platforms at Brooks Falls, a remote coast reached by floatplane, a bush plane beach landing or helicopter access to bear country. Compare the details below, or bring bears, glaciers and volcano country together on a private Ultimate Safari.
Every adventure has its own character
Where would you love to go?
Brooks Falls is a destination, reached on our floatplane safari. Coastal Floatplane follows a flexible plan through coastal bear habitat. Wild Coast brings you to the beach by bush plane with tundra tires. Helicopter Bear Safari offers another way into remote bear country, while Ultimate combines bears with a private day of glaciers and volcano country.
Alaska has a say in every adventure. Weather, tides, bear activity, park access and safe operating conditions guide the plan, so a particular landing or destination cannot be guaranteed.
Five ways to plan your day
Which bear safari is right for you?
Starting prices are per guest in USD. Final availability, guest eligibility, fees and booking terms appear in the selected calendar.
Arrive by floatplane at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park, then head into bear country on established trails. After the ranger orientation, make your way to the shared viewing platforms near Brooks Falls.
Have your heart set on Brooks Falls? This is the safari for you. Share the platforms with fellow visitors and let the bears set the scene. Platform time and access follow park procedures and conditions that day.
July 1 through July 31 and September 1 through September 14, 2027
Duration
Approximately seven hours
Individual weight limit
275 pounds per guest
Who’s coming along
Up to six guests through July 15. For later dates and larger parties, check the calendar and speak with our team.
On the ground
Follow established, unpaved trails, with roughly 2.4 miles of walking to the falls and back from the visitor center, plus other walking. Allow time for bear activity along the way. Tell us about mobility needs before booking.
Guiding
We help you reach the ranger briefing and find your way. Depending on the day, you may walk with a guide or enjoy exploring independently.
Food
Snacks and water are included. Bring additional food if you wish, following park food storage rules.
02 / Water landings and wild coastal bear country
Coastal Floatplane Bear Safari
Cross Cook Inlet by floatplane, touch down on the water and explore coastal bear country with your pilot and guide. The day may take you to Katmai, Lake Clark or another suitable area.
Love the idea of following the day into wild bear country? This safari keeps the destination flexible, with weather, tides, bear activity and safe aircraft access shaping where we go.
June 1 through June 30, August 1 through August 31, and September 15 through September 25, 2027
Duration
Approximately four to eight hours
Individual weight limit
275 pounds per guest
Who’s coming along
Up to six guests through July 15. For later dates and larger parties, check the calendar and speak with our team.
On the ground
Explore beaches, grassy terrain and bear trails, with mud possible along the way. Walking may add up to a couple of miles, with the route and pace shaped by the day.
Guiding
Explore bear habitat alongside your pilot and guide.
Food
Snacks and water are included. Please plan for any additional food you need; a full lunch is not included.
03 / Bush plane adventure, beach landing, wild bears
Wild Coast Bear Safari
Head out from Homer in a Beaver bush plane with tundra tires, landing on a remote beach to explore coastal bear habitat. Wild Coast brings bush plane adventure and bear viewing together in approximately three to four hours.
A wonderful fit when you want a beach landing adventure with a shorter time commitment. Weather, tides and safe beach conditions guide the departure and destination.
Plan to explore on foot. Vehicle assistance may be available on some departures, but is not guaranteed. Let us know about walking, boarding or assistance needs before booking.
Guiding
Explore coastal bear country with your guide, following a route and pace suited to the day.
Food
Snacks and water are included. Please plan for any additional food you need; a full lunch is not included.
04 / A small group adventure into remote bear country
Helicopter Bear Safari
Set out from Homer by helicopter for remote coastal bear country. Your pilot and guide choose suitable landing areas for the day, then join you on the ground to explore bear habitat.
For those drawn to helicopter adventure, this safari pairs a small group with flexible access to remote bear habitat. Choose our floatplane safari if Brooks Falls is your destination.
Share the adventure with up to three guests aboard. Want the helicopter just for your party? Arrange all three seats for a private safari.
On the ground
Walking and natural terrain vary with the landing area. Tell us about your mobility needs so we can discuss whether this safari is a good fit before you book.
Guiding
Discover bear habitat alongside your pilot and guide.
Food
Snacks and water are included. Please plan for any additional food you need; a full lunch is not included.
05 / Your private day of bears, glaciers and volcano country
Ultimate Safari
Make a full day of wild Alaska, combining bear country, glacier landscapes and volcanic terrain with a private helicopter, pilot and guide.
Want more of Alaska in one extraordinary day? Ultimate brings several wilderness experiences together, with the route, order and accessible locations shaped by conditions.
Private safari for up to three guests, subject to loading.
On the ground
Your day may take in several remote environments. Talk with us about your preferred pace, boarding needs and comfort on natural terrain.
Guiding
Personal planning and private guiding for your party.
Food
Enjoy a catered lunch, snacks and water. Let us know about dietary needs when you book.
Planning for a larger group? With advance notice, we may be able to coordinate additional aircraft and guides. Contact us before booking so we can discuss your party.
Accurate passenger weights are required. The individual passenger limit is 275 pounds for all five bear safaris. The standard baggage allowance is 15 pounds per person. Contact us about additional equipment or any loading questions before booking. Total aircraft loading may reduce the number of guests carried.
Walking and assistance
Tell us about boarding, walking or mobility needs before you choose. We will help you understand the terrain and find a suitable adventure. Trails and remote landings vary, and each guest’s needs deserve a personal conversation.
Bears and changing conditions
Guests on a bear viewing excursion are guaranteed to see a bear. If none is seen, the guest chooses a full refund or a complimentary rebooking, subject to available space. Specific bears, behavior, proximity and destinations are not promised.
Tell us when you are coming, who is joining you and what you would love to experience. We will help you choose a safari or explore a private or custom plan that suits your party. Travelling solo? Call us to discuss current availability.
2027 planning preview. Routes and schedules remain subject to conditions. Brooks walking distance is based on the National Park Service visitor center to falls route; the actual landing point and day’s movements can add distance.
Your pilot and guide choose the route around bear activity, weather, tides and safe access, with your group’s comfort in mind.
Brooks Falls is the planned destination for our Brooks Falls Bear Safari. Coastal Floatplane, Wild Coast and Helicopter Bear Safari explore suitable bear habitat selected for the day. Ultimate combines bear country, glaciers and volcano country. Weather and safe operating conditions may change the route, landings or destination.
Guided, unhurried viewing in wild bear habitatWildlife leads the scheduleAccess chosen for the conditions
How your pilot and guide choose
A day shaped around you.
Current bear activityWeather & visibilityTides & terrainSafe aircraft accessGroup comfortFewer crowds when possible
Unscripted, close to the landscape, and completely alive. This is one of our channel’s most watched encounters, captured by the Alaska Ultimate Safaris team in the country our guests come to experience.
Certificate of Excellence and Travelers’ Choice awards
20182019202020222023202420252026
Your bear viewing day
From Beluga Lake to bear country.
1. Choose your safari
Choose among Brooks Falls, Coastal Floatplane, Wild Coast, Helicopter Bear Safari or Ultimate, then check the selected calendar for dates and availability.
2. Meet in Homer
Check in with the team and review the gear and baggage allowance for your selected safari.
3. Prepare and fly
Review bear safety and your day’s plan, then travel by the aircraft selected for your safari toward suitable bear country.
4. Watch bears and return
Spend time observing bears in wild habitat, then return to Homer.
Good to know
Questions before you book?
We want the aircraft, terrain and pace to fit your group. Tell us about mobility needs or anything else that could shape the day.
Walking varies by safari. Brooks Falls includes roughly 2.4 miles to the falls and back from the visitor center, plus other walking. Coastal beaches and remote landings have variable natural terrain. Review each offer and contact us about mobility needs before booking.
Can you accommodate mobility needs?
Tell us about boarding, walking or mobility needs before you choose. We will help you understand the terrain and find a suitable adventure. Trails and remote landings vary, and each guest’s needs deserve a personal conversation.
Is the destination guaranteed?
No specific bear, behavior, proximity or destination is promised. Weather, tides, bear activity, park access and safe operating conditions guide the plan. Guests are guaranteed to see a bear, with a full refund or complimentary rebooking if none is seen, subject to available space.
How long is the safari?
The five bear safaris range from approximately three to eight hours. See each safari for its expected duration and ground time.
