I've been thru all of the thread, but can't seem to get a clear answer on this one.

We'll be in Homer for two full days... plan to use one of them to go on a bear viewing day trip via floatplane. So my two questions are:

1) Which guides? I've seen good things about Emerald Air.

2) Do I have to book it ahead or can I play it by ear once I get to Homer?

Thanks!

When are you going?
If you really want to go you need to book your trip well in advance. Emerald air is booked weeks in advance for certain dates.
Read posts on bear watching with Emerald

For Hallo Bay Bear Tours, I think you also have to book in advance. They have to arrange with the planes to bring you over to Katmai, where their camp is.

We did an overnight at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge across the Cook Inlet. They also do day trips. We loved it, flew a small plane and landed on the beach. Going to the Lodge watched, up close, as a grizzly happily caught a fish. We saw many bears, bald eagle, canoed on their lake to a loon's area and had good food. They do salmon and halibut fishing, mussel and razor clams trips and boating to a puffin island.

Pricing was very competitive but nothing was lacking.

(888) 872-5666

www.silversalmoncreek.com/

Thanks for all of the advice... we ended up booking a day trip with Emerald Air Service.

Thanks again!

You made a right choice. Emerald Air is known as the best company here in Alaska. Therefore you have to book them ahead. I know that for some dates in July and August they are fully booked months in advance

for Javier