Brown bears of the Katmai coast

Enter the wild world of bears.

June 29-July 6 2024

Katmai’s coastline is renowned as the ultimate spot to witness brown bears in their wildest setting. As you glance along the shoreline to see dozens of bears in a single view, you will understand the magic here.

The Surgpiaq people of Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula call brown bears Takuqua aq meaning “spirit of a human”, exemplifying a bond between humans and bears that still prevails here. It is common for bears to become fully at ease us, allowing for close-up photography opportunities without disturbing the bears.

Launching from the M/V Le Canard – an expedition yacht that will be our home in Katmai – we will go ashore to photograph fluffy springtime bears at eye-level without boardwalks, crowds, or time limits. Bears are the main attraction though wolf, eagle, seal, sea otter, and fox sightings are all also possible.

Unlike camp or lodge itineraries, a boat affords us the luxury of traversing the coast in search of the best photography spots while having a cozy place to sleep, eat warm meals, and relax.

Limited to 8 guests, we minimize wildlife impact and offer personalized guidance from Syler Peralta-Ramos, your photography expert and expedition leader.

Ability to walk 1-2 miles per day strongly recommended

Tuition: $8,295 USD per person (double occupancy)

Deposit: $3,000 USD due upon booking to reserve

Pricing Details:

What’s included:

Double occupancy lodging (single occupancy available with $1000 supplement)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks while aboard the yacht
Welcome dinner at the Chart Room in Kodiak
In-field photography instruction
One-on-one image critiques
Editing lessons in Adobe Lightroom
Carbon offsets for yacht + floatplane

Not Included:

Airfare to and from Kodiak from your place of origin
Floatplane to and from Kodiak to Katmai*
*We will be organizing floatplanes for the group though our charter has not yet determined pricing. $500-$900 per person round-trip is the likely cost range.
Alcoholic beverages on the yacht
Hotel in Kodiak on first evening
Gratuities for boat staff

Cancelation Policy

Why go with us in spring of 2024?

Spring of 2024 is likely to be a particularly special time in Katmai. The salmon runs along the coast were particularly strong in 2023 meaning that bears of all ages are going into hibernation with monumental mass. Come spring, this will translate to larger numbers of healthy, fluffy bears and likely lots of new spring cubs. We hope to see lots of mothers with tiny spring cubs as well as yearlings that look particularly cute in spring and early summer.

Late June is perfect timing to see the bears when they are looking their best ahead of their summertime fur-shed. We will likely spend much of our time in the famed Hallo bay where bears gather in vibrant green sedge meadows at the base of massive glaciated peaks and in the tidal flats searching for clams ahead of the later summer salmon run. For a sense of what we might see, check out the 2014 film “Bears” by Disneynature as most spring scenes were filmed in Hallo bay.

Accommodations:

The M/V Le Canard is a 98ft expedition-ready yacht, providing the perfect balance of comfort and function for traversing the Katmai coast. The yacht is equipped with with 6 staterooms (4 bunk rooms and 2 single rooms with larger beds for couples), each with their own en-suite bathroom.

Why travel by boat?
The only other ways to see Katmai’s remote coastline is either by staying in the region’s only lodge, or by camping. These options are immobile which can result in seeing fewer animals and scenes. Bears constantly traverse the coast as they seek food sources, so being mobile in the yacht and going to shore on the yacht’s landing craft will ensure we see the most wildlife. Further, you will have a warm and dry place to sleep, eat, and recharge (yourself and your cameras) after a long day in the field.

Unless we are traveling between bays the ship will remain virtually motionless, anchored in calm waters, so no fear if you are susceptible to sea sickness.

Itinerary

June 29 (Day 0)

Arrive to Kodiak, Alaska in the morning or the evening before.
Check-in at the Best Western Kodiak Inn where you will meet the rest of the group.
Gather for our first group dinner at the Chart Room, a lovely restaurant overlooking the Kodiak Harbor.
June 30 (Day 1)

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer with the group to the floatplane docks to catch our transport across the Shelikof straight to meet the Le Canard on the Katmai Coast. The flight over is stunning, providing ample opportunity for aerial photography along the way.
After getting settled and unpacked, we will go ashore to have our first day of encounters with the massive brown bears of the Katmai coast.
July 1-5 (Day 2-6)

Wake up early to get into the field while the light is best. Most days we will go out for a morning session, return to the boat mid-day for lunch and then return again for an evening session. Some days we may also take a cruise in the skiff to photograph sea otters, seals, bald eagles, and other wildlife.
During mid-day breaks or after dinner, we will discuss photography approaches and do 1-on-1 critiques. To ensure you leave with the images you’ve dreamed of.
July 6 (Day 7)

Start the morning early for one last session photography session. We will return to the ship by mid-morning to finish packing before departing by floatplane back to Kodiak.
There is an afternoon flight back to Anchorage where you can then connect to your destination.