Bear Viewing; to choose or not to choose
 

EMERALD AIR SERVICE or BALD MOUNTAIN AIR?Which service is perferred for bear viewing and why? Prices and duration of tour are equal so why choose one over the other? Any and all replys are welcomed.

We decided to go with Emerald next year because they do not take people bear hunting in the fall. Bald Mountian does. Do search on this forum under "bear watching" and decide for yourself

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Hi Amesinc
I have been on all the bearviewing excusions out of Homer area and Emerald Air is by far the preferred bear viewing.

With Emerald Air, the wife is a naturalist and the husband is the pilot. You actually go away from the bearviewing learning about the bears and their habitat. We also walked on the tundra and forded a couple of streams and walked among the bears. It was very moving and I saw 33 brown bears that day. Emerald air was featured in Imax Theatre "bears in Alaska"

The folks at bald mountain are nice. You won't walk or learn much about the bears but I saw 22 brownies when I went with them in June.

Have fun!

Agree about Emerald Air. Went with them at least seven-eight times. Make your reservation very soon, they became very popular lately and I think it is our fault

ttt for FLtraveler

for Javier

I think they are both good second choices to Hallo Bay Wilderness Camp on Katmai. Theis is the only camp on Katmai coast and the staff all live there all season. Check out their website for great photos and good info. Would do again in a heartbeat.
hallobay.com

I agree with jq regarding Hallo Bay. Talk about knowing the bears, they live with them four plus months a year. We thought they were great.

Went once with Hallo and once with Emerald. With Hallo Bay we stayed in one spot and waited for bears. With Emerald we walked to where bears were. Both were worthy but Emerald wins hands down

we booked with Emerald but the trip was cancelled due to weather conditions. We were very lucky to find the last 2 seats next day with Bald Mountain on our very last day of our vacation as Emerald was already fully booked.
It was great !!
We saw up to 20 bears on the Katmai coast end of august. Emerald air follows the bear tracks and probably more professional... next time we will try again with Emerald !

Please exceuse this dumb question,I am interested in planning to see the bears,but how is it that you are allowed to walk among them,and lunch 30 yards from them?

Need a recomendation for lodging in Homer ,what about the Alaskan suites?

It is truly amazing to walk among the bears and eat a few feet from them. Chris( W/ Emerald Air) shows you how to do this very carefully. The bears have not had human food and you do not leave any for them. Chris methodically walks you right up to the bears but you must follow her and she will help you understand the bears and how close you can safely get. It is a real experience to be so close to them.
As far as a place to stay in Homer, we stayed at Land's End which is right on the tip of the Homer Spit. Ok - location was good. Next time I think we'll try a bed and breakfast. No doubt, bear viewing is one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had.

lonestarcars,

We stayed at the Alaskan Suites last July. Very nice cabins--each with it's own barbecue. You can barbecue dinner, and watch the sun set.

Amazing view--with a hot tub overlooking the water.

We would definitely come back. Wonderful place to stay.

we stayed at The Heritage Hotel in Homer but honestly I would not recommend it !

Nevertheless I agree that the bear trip is the highlight no. 1 in Alaska, followed by Denali NP, as second.

Don't miss it !!!

We'll be in Homer June 13, 2007. Is this a bad time to take a bear-viewing trip?
Thanks
Sue

SanDiegoSue,

Mid June is a good time for a trip out of Homer for Katmai bears. Unlike Brooks, where this would be too early, there will be bears in other parts of Katmai. They will probably be spending a good deal of time in the sedge grass meadows at this time.

We have our reservations with Emerald Air(July 2007)I invited my niece and sister,need a specail B and B that serves breakfast,any suggestions(for Homer)Alaskan suites look good,but a bit pricey and I would like my niece to have the experience of a B and B,she is 14