Choosing a guide-owned and operated bear viewing company in Alaska ensures that you are supporting local experts who are deeply committed to conservation and preserving the wilderness. These guides offer personalized, authentic experiences, sharing their knowledge of the bears and the ecosystem while minimizing the impact on the environment. With a direct stake in the success of the business, they prioritize sustainability and the long-term health of the wildlife and communities they serve.

You can call 907-299-6764 to make a reservation. You can also reach us at reservations@cookinletadventures.com. We love to chat with our guests and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

It's essential that every participant understands their own capabilities, as physical fitness is crucial for the safety of all guests and guides during our bear viewing tours. These adventures involve walking several miles per day in hip boots through the Alaskan rugged wilderness, at times in challenging weather conditions. This includes walking through tidal flats, mud, river crossings, slippery rocks, and sandy beaches. We want everyone to be fully prepared for the journey to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for all.

Please be honest and upfront with us about any medical conditions or recent injuries that could impact your ability to participate safely in the tour. Your safety is our top priority, and knowing about any potential concerns helps us ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Check in details will be provided in your confirmation after making a reservation. Our office is located at 2260 Kachemak Dr., Homer, AK 99603 at the Homer Airport (not the terminal).

While visiting Alaska, you should be prepared for any kind of weather. Details will be provided in our packing list, however layers are always the best recommendation. Preparing for sun, rain, warmth, cold, wind and bugs is always a good idea.

Once a booking has been made you will receive a very detailed packing list of all the things you will want to have with you.

Yes! We have a limited amount of parking for our guests at the office. We will take your keys at check in so they are waiting for you on return.

Please be sure to tell us if you are driving an RV so we can make those accommodations directly with you.

For aircraft safety purposes, we do have a maximum weight limit of 250 lbs. per person. If you are over that weight amount, please contact us as there are options for a private tour or buying multiple seats as long as that individual can safely enter and exit the aircraft without assistance.

We don’t have an age requirement, however if you have anyone in your party under the age of 6, please call us to book so we can try to accommodate your group. We want all guests to have the same grand experience and can customize trips to meet your groups needs.

Pets are allowed in the plane during charters only. For all daily, private, and custom bear viewing trips, no pets are permitted.

We are only able to offer bear viewing tours during the short Alaskan summers, so we do not offer any tour discounts of any kind.

Our local National Parks have a different processing system for visitors with our commercial permits, so having a park pass does not reduce your rate.

We accept all major forms of credit card payment. We can take American cash if you are already in town and can make payment with our office, prior to the day of your tour.

NO! You do not pay any extra fees. Our bear trip prices advertised is exactly what you pay. No credit card fees, no fuel surcharges, and your taxes and park fees are included in the price.

Due to Alaska's short tour season, our guests often book well in advance to secure their seats. To accommodate this demand, we have a strict cancellation policy and strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Our cancellation policy is as follows:

• Full refund if canceled 30 days or more before the scheduled tour date.

• 50% refund for cancellations made between 14 and 30 days prior to the tour date.

• No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 14 days of the tour date.

Please note these policies apply to all cancellations, regardless of the reason.  We offer an option for travel insurance on our booking platform. Please be sure to look out for it during the booking process.  Guests showing signs of illness or injury at check-in will not be permitted to board, and no refund will be issued.

In the event of weather or mechanical issues resulting in a tour cancellation, all guests will have the option to rebook based on our schedule availability or receive a full refund. For weather delays, we will provide as much notice as possible and make every effort to proceed once conditions improve, provided our schedule allows.  We kindly ask that you keep the entire day of your tour available, as flight times may need to be adjusted due to weather conditions.  If you have multiple days in Homer, we highly recommend booking your tour as early as possible to allow for backup rescheduling options if needed.

Katmai National Park has a different permitting and payment system than lower 48 national parks. Therefore, we pay your entry fee through our guiding permits. Having a National Park Pass does not change the price of our bear tours.

Please visit our ABOUT US page for more information.

Learn more about our fleet on the About Us page.

NO. For your own safety, other guests and pilot, no guest is permitted to carry any flares, bells, bear spray, or weapons of any kind. Our guides are professionals, please follow their instructions and listen carefully during all office, aircraft, and bear safety briefings.

For charters, some items are permitted, but you will need additional instructions. Please call our office for more information.

Our guides are passionate about helping you capture stunning photos during your experience. While we don't specialize exclusively in photography, our team is skilled in working with angles and lighting to help you get the best possible shots.

Since most travelers are flying in and out of Anchorage, we highly recommend Stewarts Photography. With great SLR and point and shoot camera’s available to rent in advance on their website, and pick up when you arrive in Alaska prior to driving down to Homer.

Gratuities are not included in our tour prices and are never required. However, if you enjoyed your experience with your Pilot/Guide, they are sincerely appreciated. We gratefully accept gratuities in cash or via Venmo.

For those seeking a specific amount, a common range of gratuity is between $20-$120 per person.

Yes! For ultimate convenience for our world wide travelers you can reach us on WhatsApp at 907-299-6764.

There is WIFI available at our office, please ask the Pilot or Agent for the password on arrival.

We do offer private tours with our custom tour options!

If you have an idea or a dream you are hoping for when it comes to the ultimate bear viewing experience, you have found the right place! Give us a call and with you, we can create a custom itinerary and price to meet your needs!

For all flights, check in is 1 hour prior to departure.

For bear tours, you will get fitted for your hip waders, fill your water bottles, and participate in a safety briefing before boarding.

Restrooms are available at the office.

When joining us for a bear tour, you will need to bring your own food, snacks, and water. A detailed packing list will be provided upon making a reservation.

To ensure the safety of both you and the wildlife, please avoid bringing food that bears might naturally encounter or associate with their habitat. This includes:

• Berries

• Salmon or other fish

• Shellfish

• Foods that crumble or spill easily

Instead, consider these safe and convenient options:

• Sandwiches sealed in Ziploc bags

• Vegetables

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

• Granola bars (avoid crumbly options like Nature Valley)

By following these guidelines, you help us maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.