Kodiak Island Brown Bear Experience

Arrive independently to Anchorage and join your included flight to Kodiak City. From there you will take your float plane service to the remote Kodiak Brown Bear Center & Lodge, an exciting flight that will see you fly over some breathtaking scenery. During your flight you may even be able to spot some of the wildlife of the area from the air, including humpback whales and sea otters in coastal fjords, mountain goats on rugged peaks, Sitka black-tailed deer roaming through meadows, and bald eagles soaring overhead.

After checking in to your modern and comfortable cabin, there will be time for lunch, where you may even spot your first bears, before setting off for your first of many dedicated brown bear viewing adventures.

Over the course of the next 2 days you will continue your exploration of this remote and incredibly scenic area, enjoying thrilling, expertly guided brown bear viewing experiences. This area is home to the highest concentration of brown bears on Kodiak Island, and one of the highest concentrations in the whole world. You will travel in a small group with a maximum of 8 people, giving you unprecedented access to sightings, and allowing for there to be minimal disruption to the bears as they go about their daily lives.

In the safe hands of expert guides who know these animals like no other, each viewing location will bring a new and unique experience. You will be able to immerse yourself into the lives of these remarkable animals, learning all about their habitats and mannerisms, and enjoying time to study and observe them and gain a deeper understanding of their everyday lives. There are a number of different areas and habitats which may be visited to witness these animals as closely as possible, all free from boardwalks and crowds of tourists. This is authentic bear watching!

Areas for exploration include Thumb River, a short 5-minute boat ride from the lodge, where there are 2 fantastic viewing areas situated on elevated bluffs overlooking the river which allow for incredible vistas whilst keeping a respectful distance from the bears. Another area for exploration will be O’Malley River, which is closed to the public but is exclusively accessible to guests staying at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center & Lodge. Access here in bad weather can be difficult due to the rugged, brushy, and uneven trails, so a visit here will only be possible in good weather conditions. Other areas include Karluk Lake Outlet and a number of other shoreline viewing options. There will also be plenty of chances to see other wildlife here including abundant birdlife, deer, beaver, foxes and otters.

A typical day here usually involves an early breakfast followed by a guided excursion on a heated catamaran vessel to one of the primary bear viewing locations. After returning to the lodge for lunch, you will then set off for another excursion to a different location before returning to the lodge for dinner around 6pm. Evenings can be spent relaxing in your excellently appointed cabin or enjoying a nightcap around the firepit with your fellow guests.

This morning there may be time for one more exciting excursion before you check out of the lodge and take your float plane service back to Kodiak, followed by your flight back to Anchorage. A hotel stay in Anchorage is included tonight. Should you wish to spend more time in Anchorage, we will be happy to help arrange this for you and offer advice on places to go, and things to do and see.