National Park Bear Viewing
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By Sea: 907-690-0644
By Air: 907-435-4011
Alaska Bear Viewing
By sea or by air, we will take you to the bears!
Alaska is world‑renowned for offering rare, intimate encounters with majestic Coastal Brown Bears, and nowhere is this more exclusive than the remote shores across from Homer on the wild western side of Cook Inlet—home to hundreds of these extraordinary animals. HOC Alaska curates a refined, vessel‑based bear‑viewing experience aboard the 82‑foot Pacific Shadow, a private yacht designed for discerning travelers who expect comfort, privacy, and exceptional access. Your multi‑day custom cruise blends luxury accommodations with the thrill of exploring untouched wilderness, allowing you to observe bears fishing, foraging, and interacting naturally in some of the most pristine habitats on Earth. Between guided shore excursions, gourmet meals prepared onboard, and panoramic viewing from spacious decks, every moment is crafted to deliver an elevated, immersive Alaskan adventure at your own pace—far from crowds, schedules, and anything ordinary.
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!
Day Trip by Floatplane
Within Katmai Park lies the world-famous Brooks Falls. Your journey includes a visit to the legendary Valley of 10,000 Smokes (weather permitting), where the dramatic aftermath of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in modern history stretches across the horizon in surreal, ash‑sculpted formations. Fly via floatplane from Homer to Naknek Lake where you’ll meet with skilled park rangers for a short briefing 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.
Katmai National Park
6‑Night / 7‑Day Luxury Katmai Expedition Aboard the M/Y Pacific Shadow
Step into one of Alaska’s most extraordinary wilderness regions on a six‑night, seven‑day luxury expedition aboard the Pacific Shadow. Your private yacht becomes the gateway to Katmai National Park and Preserve—an immense, four‑million‑acre sanctuary of volcanic landscapes, glacier‑carved coastlines, and some of the densest Coastal Brown Bear populations on Earth. Each day unfolds at your pace as we navigate remote bays, towering cliffs, and pristine estuaries in complete comfort.
From Homer, we'll steam across Cook Inlet to the iconic Hallo Bay—an oceanside haven often described as a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Here, wildflower meadows meet snow‑capped mountains and glacier‑fed creeks, creating a breathtaking backdrop for observing Katmai’s famed brown bears as they forage, fish, and roam freely in their natural habitat.
Throughout the week, you’ll enjoy gourmet cuisine prepared onboard, personalized guiding, and the privacy and comfort of a fully crewed 82‑foot yacht. Whether you’re watching bears from the deck, exploring secluded shorelines by tender, or savoring a glass of wine as the sun sets over the Alaska Peninsula, every moment is crafted to deliver an elevated, intimate, and unforgettable wilderness experience.
Lake Clark National Park
5‑Night / 6‑Day Luxury Lake Clark Bear‑Viewing Expedition Aboard the M/Y Pacific Shadow
Step aboard the Pacific Shadow for a five‑night, six‑day luxury expedition into the rugged beauty of Lake Clark National Park—one of Alaska’s most spectacular and wildlife‑rich regions. More than a thousand Coastal Brown Bears roam this vast wilderness, and your private yacht serves as the perfect base for exploring its remote bays, glacier‑fed rivers, and dramatic volcanic landscapes in comfort and style.
Each morning begins with gourmet cuisine and panoramic views from the yacht before you set out by skiff/tender to some of Lake Clark’s most iconic bear‑viewing destinations, including Chinitna Bay, and Silver Salmon Creek.
After a brief safety orientation, you’ll slip into waterproof hip boots and board your landingcraft for a soft landing on a sandy beach. From there, your expert guide leads you into the backcountry for an intimate photo safari where 800–1,200‑pound bears roam freely. Watch them dig for clams along the tide flats, graze on lush sedge meadows, assert dominance, and teach their cubs the timeless art of catching salmon in the river. Every moment offers a new perspective, a new photograph, and a deeper connection to Alaska’s wild heart.
Evenings are spent back aboard the Pacific Shadow, savoring chef‑prepared meals, relaxing in refined comfort, and taking in the quiet beauty of the Alaska coastline. With personalized service, private accommodations, and exclusive access to some of the most extraordinary bear habitats on Earth, this vessel‑based adventure delivers a level of luxury and immersion few travelers ever experience.
Day Trip by Bushplane
Lake Clark is as rugged as it is beautiful, home to more than a thousand Coastal Brown Bears and some of Alaska’s most iconic viewing areas. Your adventure begins with a breathtaking bush‑plane flight over ice fields, volcanoes, glaciers, and crystal‑clear lakes on the way to Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek, or Crescent Lake. After a brief safety orientation and a quick change into waterproof hip boots, you’ll land on a sandy beach or pristine floatplane lake and set out with your expert guide for an unforgettable photo safari.
These remote locations offer exceptional opportunities to observe 800–1,200‑pound bears in their natural habitat—digging for clams, grazing on sedge meadows, asserting dominance, and teaching cubs to fish. With dramatic scenery and wildlife around every corner, a day in Lake Clark delivers the kind of Alaska‑sized memories guests talk about for years.
