Kingfisher focuses on viewing bears on Kodiak Island and the Katmai Coast. Summer is the ideal time to observe bears and our season starts in mid May and runs through October. Depending upon the time of year, the bears will be feasting on clams, grass or salmon, while congregated together in small areas along the beach or various river systems. It is not uncommon at times to see anywhere from 3 to 8 different bears at a single moment. Keep in mind that on any given day, the environment may change, and the numbers of bears may vary.

The trip starts in Kodiak, where you will climb onboard one of Kingfisher's Bush Hawk or DeHavilland Beaver floatplanes. Your pilot will deliver you and up to 5 other passengers a thorough safety breifing about the aircraft before departing the seaplane harbor. Voice-activated headsets are provided to enhance your experience and provide communication between everyone onboard. A scenic hour flight over the emerald isle’s serene fiords and majestic mountains holds the opportunity to see whales, bears, and deer from the air on the way to the bear viewing area. Depending upon the best bear viewing at the time of your visit, we will take you to a place located in either Katmai National Park or the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours with about 1-2 hours of bear viewing on the ground. Tour destinations and experiences vary depending on the season. Our smaller group tours typically depart about 8:00AM and again at 2:00PM, but we are flexible to meet your needs. We typically advise passengers to spend a couple of days in Kodiak, to allow flexibility in rescheduling in case of weather delay.

Find out more about the bear viewing tours by clicking any of the following:

or call toll free USA: 1 (866) 486-5155