July/August Guided Bear Viewing at Katmai
Hiking Tour in Katmai National Park
Adventure Details
Timeframe: When bear activity is optimal during the last week of July and month of August. July 25- August 25, 2025 (exact dates vary season-to-season)
Tour Duration: 7-8 hours
Age Requirement: 11 years or older. *For groups with young children 8-10 years old, inquire about our private charter options.
Weight Restrictions: We have a weight limitation of 250 lbs. per person. We want everyone to enjoy bear viewing, so we only require you can safely enter/exit the aircraft and wear a PFD.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Departure/Return: approx. 8:30-10am / approx. 3:30-5pm
Number of Guests: 5-7 per day
Walking Distance: 4-5 Miles over the 4-hour time on the ground. This is undeveloped, uneven wilderness terrain and you will be wearing hip waders the entire time. Physical agility is required for this trip since we will be crossing creeks, getting up/ down river banks, walking in the mud and over slippery rocks, and crossing uneven tundra and meadows..
Our cancellation policy: We offer full refunds on all payments up to 30 days before your tour date. Within 30 days of your scheduled trip, deposits are non-refundable, and cancellations by the guest for any reason will not be eligible for a refund. However, should a mechanical issue, weather cancellation, or any service disruption occur on our end, deposits will be refunded in full. We will do our best to rebook your group on an alternative day if availability allows. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unforeseen events that may prevent you from taking your trip within 30 days of departure.
What’s Included
Packing list of what to bring and what to wear at confirmation
Flight in our iconic De Havilland Beaver floatplane- take off and land on water
Flight safety presentation by Pilot Wes
Flight time of 1-1.5 hours each way
Guests will have headsets to listen to a narrated tour full of history and educational facts!
Great views from every seat in the plane
Bear safety presentation provided by staff & guide
Hip waders
Guided tour by a Naturalist Guide (not your Pilot)
4 hours on the ground for walking tour in a small group
This is a remote wilderness setting, and an immersive backcountry experience. There are no facilities, no restrooms, and no covered areas. Expect to be out in the elements all day viewing bears in their natural environment.
Finish the day taking photos with the plane & Pilot
A map and drawing of your flight path, as well as a Beluga Air sticker
Memories beyond compare!!
Safety is our number one priority. We take immense pride in upholding rigorous standards and embrace the distinction of being the most cautious company on the lake. This commitment to safety may result in delays or trip cancellations if our pilot feels uncomfortable with the conditions. There is nothing we want more than to see you fulfill your dream of seeing the bears - that objective is only surpassed by our dedication to ensuring your safety above all else.
Visit our FAQ’s page for more information as well as Beluga Air policies and conditions of tours.
Alaska offers a multitude of wildlife viewing opportunities, but for many visitors the main attraction is the iconic Alaska coastal brown bear (the grizzly bear). Summer populations of brown bear thrive in coastal Alaska due to abundant food sources such as sedge grass, intertidal shellfish, and salmon returning to spawn.
Bear viewing from Homer, Alaska is an excellent addition to your Alaskan adventure. We offer guided hikes in Katmai National Park & Preserve during the months of June, late July, and August. For a really special experience, consider a guided bear trip. Our trips are limited to small groups to enhance the tour experience. We specialize in offering small-group professional-naturalist guided tours. Our pilot, while we love him dearly, is there to fly the plane :)
Our Guide ensures guests are learning about bear biology and behavior while getting incredible up-close access to bears for viewing and photography.
Katmai Preserve in Late July - August
In late-July through August we venture out to the north side of the Katmai Preserve. By this time in the season, the salmon have made their way to the interior of the park. We land in a beautiful alpine lake and hike out onto the moraine to watch bears feast on salmon in streambeds. This adventure is a walking tour with a professional naturalist You can expect 4-5 miles of hiking on uneven wilderness terrain in hip waders (which we provide). If you have hip, knee, or ankle issues this may not be the tour for you. This is a remote wilderness location where there are no services or restrooms. The flight time is 1.2 hours each way, during which you will have amazing views of Mt. Augustine Volcano and the coastline of Cook Inlet as we make our way to the Katmai Preserve. Keep a lookout for other wildlife you may see during the flight!
During flight, in our iconic De Havilland Beaver floatplane, each person will be given a headset to listen in on a great narrated tour! You will learn a lot about the Homer area, Kachemak Bay, the Cook Inlet, Katmai National Park and many more historical and geography facts about Alaska! By air you will get a better understanding of how vast and beautiful Katmai National Park truly is!
Moraine Creek
During late July-August we head out on a grand backcountry adventure in the alpine tundra of the Katmai Preserve! Bears have moved interior to the creeks where the salmon are making their run and spawning. Watch the live action as bears display various techniques to catch their salmon and feast to pack on weight before winter approaches!
