Brooks Falls Katmai Bear Viewing in a Float Plane
Recommended by 90% of travelers
Homer, USA
- 6 to 7 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Visit Brooks Camp for the chance to see Alaska’s famous bears in the wild—from the security of a viewing platform. This tour takes you to Brooks Camp by floatplane, so you can admire the rugged landscape from the air before landing on a lake and taking a hike to the bear viewing area. This trip is a must for photographers hoping to get up-close photos of bears.
- Take a floatplane tour to one of Alaska’s most famous bear viewing locations
- A maximum of 7 participants ensures a small-group experience
- Enjoy a hike to the viewing platform, at your own pace
- Bring a camera for bear photos and aerial photos from the floatplane
What's Included
- Friendly Staff
- All Fees and Taxes
- Snacks
- Tips for Pilot/Guides
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 3589 Brown Bear Lp, Homer, AK 99603, USA
Alaska Bear Safaris is Located on Beluga Lake right behind McDonalds Check in time is 15 Minutes before your flight departure time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Brooks Falls
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Due to weight / balance of the aircraft, passengers must weigh less than 225 lbs.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Do NOT bring bear spray
- Bring camera, rain gear, water and a snack Do NOT bring fish products of any kind
- Not reccommended for travelers with mobility issues
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 7 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Weidman_J
What an amazing day! The flight over and back had spectacular views. Wear good walking shoes as the trails are 100% worth taking to see amazing bears, cubs and salmon. We saw at least 12 different bears and 3 cubs. A mama bear and 2 cubs came out by the planes as we were leaving. A great day!
Reviews
4.7
based on 41 reviews
Lutz_A, Sep 2025
Phantastic experiance! The flight in the very small plane with a nice pilot is an experiance on its own, but better be not too much afraid of hights( depths) when sitting at the window, can be scary( that's no Boeing or Airbus!!) . . then unforgettable bear sightings. There is an instruction how to behave at a bear encounter as there is no guide! You are on Your own.... No bear spray allowed ( only the rangers have one). We were confonted with a bear two times directly on the path and had to retract behind the trees and let the bear pass in only 5 yards distance, once in a lifetime experiance!!! At Brooks Falls watching the bears catching and eating salmons, view and foto from a safe platform ( no extreme tele-lenses necessery unless You want a closeup of bear teeth) Highly recommendable!
Margit_E, Sep 2025
We had a wonderful flight and an amazing time with the bears - unforgettable and exiting! We'd like to do it again!
Natalie_t, Sep 2025
Although expensive, it is worth it if you like to see bears up close in their natural environment and not in the zoo.
Carol_W, Aug 2025
Long flight but worth it. Saw only a few bears but saw one catch several fish. Looked like it had been feeding for quite some time!!
Victoria_P, Jul 2025
Excellent experienced pilot and person!! Loved every minute. From the time we took off I fekt very safe. We flew over beautiful landscape. Our pilot was clear with instruction when we landed. The bears & experience were phenomenal.
Helena_G, Jul 2025
Wonderful experience. Smooth plane ride with great views. Amazing experience watching the bears. Staff was friendly and helpful
Marsha_G, Jul 2025
well worth the trip! taking a float plane was an adventure in itself but the highlight to see the bears in their protected environment, catching salmon on the falls and in the river was amazing. make a little time at end of the trip with a drink at the lodge before flying back to Homer
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much, It was a spectacular day! Your group really knows how to have fun! Glad I was a part of it.
Weidman_J, Jul 2025
What an amazing day! The flight over and back had spectacular views. Wear good walking shoes as the trails are 100% worth taking to see amazing bears, cubs and salmon. We saw at least 12 different bears and 3 cubs. A mama bear and 2 cubs came out by the planes as we were leaving. A great day!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you very much, It was a great trip! I always love to see the faces of guests with the excitement of seeing the bears!
ahmad_a, Jul 2025
Please read this before booking with this company
Overall, our experience was decent, but we were disappointed by the lack of engagement from the pilot—he wasn’t very helpful or friendly, and we didn’t receive any briefing or information about what to expect during the trip. Additionally, this tour was significantly more expensive than similar options offered by other companies that include more time, better service, and even meals. I would recommend looking into other providers who offer a more comprehensive and customer-friendly experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Ahmad, thank you for taking the the time to leave a review. We go to great lengths to get our guests the best experience possible. Our day begins with a briefing describing what to expect on the trip, once everyone is ready we go to the plane to board for the flight Where the pilot gives a safety briefing for the flight, When we land at Katmai the pilot explains how to get to the rangers for your "Bear Orientation" Briefing. While you are attending the orientation the pilot is busy securing the aircraft then comes back to meet up with the guests before they walk to the platforms to see the bears. As far as expense, Any tour that involves flying is expensive, We do market research to make sure our prices are competitive and are most times less than other companies in our area. I know there are some companies that are not FAA certified air carriers, possibly they offer a "Cheap" trip??? We may not be the cheapest but we are certainly no where near the most expensive. We strive to give our guests the best experience possible!
Daniel_S, Jul 2025
Incredible opportunity to experience flying in a floatplane, and seeing bears out in the wild in their natural habitat. Truly amazing!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for going too see the bears with us!
Terry_A, Jul 2024
Bears everywhere !!!! What a treat. It was fun to fly in a such a well maintained DeHavilland Beaver too. This trip made our Alaska trip something very special.
Dana_S, Jul 2024
Outstanding experience to safely view bears in a stunning, natural and scenic river! The flight over was smooth and seamless.
Robert_M, Jul 2023
Watching the bears fishing at Brooks Falls was an unforgettable experience. I would definitely recommend it. While the 90 minute plane ride was very scenic, it was very crammed and uncomfortable inside the aircraft, and my wife was the one unlucky passenger who didn't get a window seat.
William_J, Jul 2021
Trent has years of experience flying in Alaska. He got us there before the crowds. We were the second plane there. It was great not having to wait in line. Great, safe flight. We'll maintained aircraft, with modern safety guidance equipment.
Shanshan_L, Jul 2021
Pilot has 27 years of flying experience! Feels very trust worthy! The whole experience was wonderful! Highly recommend.
Steve_W, Jul 2021
Our mid-July journey to Katmai NP began with a scenic 90 minute float plane ride from Homer at 7 am. As we landed on Lake Brooks, we immediately spotted a mother bear with her 2 cubs walking along the shore in front of the park visitor center.
The viewing conditions were perfect to see dozens of bears on this sunny 65 degree day. Seeing bears from various elevated platforms felt very secure. We only encountered 1 bear (75 yards away) during our 45 minute trail walk to Brooks Falls while avoiding lots of bear skat - so we knew they were close !! After a mandatory safety orientation from the park ranger, we spent about 3 hours viewing bears. After talking our photo with the park sign - our pilot Trent had us board his 7 passenger float plane for the smooth return flight to Homer.
Arturo_C, Jul 2021
The bears at Brook Falls. Also, the pilot-Trent-was very personable and very capable. He made you feel safe en route.
Barry_K, Jul 2019
The trip itself is a no=brainer... you must do it if you can! The bears are wonderful to see and Katmai has a class act. This particular operator is fine, but just fine. The pilot is also the owner and needs a little grooming on his customer service skills. He did not introduce himself, did not give us any sort of safety training regarding the plane, did the old "point and waive" to "show" us where to go once we arrived at Katmai, and basically did just the basics he had to. It would have been nice to know that the plane got super cold while in the air, it would have been nice to be shown where to go, etc. He got us there and back, and was pleasant "enough" but don't go thinking you are making a new friend!
Fokelien_R, Aug 2024
Een onvergetelijke ervaring in Katmai National Park, de vlucht met watervliegtuig van 2 uur er naar toe was al bijzonder met uitzichten op sneeuwtoppen etc. Maar de ervaring met de beren, zo dichtbij, onvergetelijk! Alsof je in een natuurfilm loopt. Wij waren in de namiddag half juli 2024 en het was erg rustig op het platform, er zat bij ons geen tijdslimiet in, waarschijnlijk omdat we voor de namiddag hadden gekozen. FANTASTISCH!
From $1,295.00
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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