Alaska Ultimate Safaris Helicopter Bear Viewing

Alaska Ultimate Safaris offers small-group bear viewing built around access, timing, and bear behavior—not crowds or rigid schedules.

For many Alaska travelers, seeing brown bears in the wild is the defining experience of their trip. Alaska Ultimate Safaris takes a deliberate, small-group approach to bear viewing, focused on access, timing, and respect for the bears rather than volume or speed.

Based in Homer, Alaska Ultimate Safaris operates three distinct bear-viewing experiences using fixed-wing aircraft, floatplanes, and helicopters. This flexibility allows trips to be tailored to conditions, guest comfort, and bear behavior, resulting in calmer encounters, fewer crowds, and better viewing opportunities.

Bear-viewing locations are accessed through long-established relationships and managed use areas that limit traffic and prioritize responsible wildlife interaction. Each trip is designed to feel unhurried and grounded in real Alaska backcountry travel.

Big Wheels Bear Viewing

Beach Landings in Lake Clark & Katmai

This experience is for travelers who want quality bear viewing without committing to a full-day excursion.

Guests depart Homer aboard a DeHavilland Beaver equipped with oversized tundra tires, allowing landings directly on remote beaches in Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks. One common destination is Chinitna Bay, approximately 40 minutes from Homer by air, yet far removed from roads, crowds, or developed infrastructure.

After landing, guests enter prime coastal bear habitat. Depending on comfort level, visitors may walk groomed bear trails or ride in an eight-wheeled all-terrain vehicle that follows established routes through the area. Both options lead to private wooden viewing platforms positioned to observe bears clamming, grazing, or traveling the shoreline.

Group sizes are intentionally limited to maintain space and flexibility, giving guests time to observe bears behaving naturally without pressure or congestion.

• Duration: 3–4 hours
• Group size: Up to 8 guests

Floatplane Bear Viewing

Katmai Hot Spots & Brooks Falls

This classic Alaska bear-viewing experience is ideal for travelers seeking extended time on the ground in one of the world's most recognized bear habitats.

The tour begins at Beluga Lake in Homer, where guests board a floatplane for a scenic flight to Katmai National Park. Small groups travel with a pilot-guide, flying over volcanoes, rugged mountain terrain, and remote coastline before landing near Brooks Camp.

On the ground, guests walk established trails along the Brooks River, where brown bears congregate to fish for salmon. The highlight is Brooks Falls, where elevated platforms provide safe, unobstructed views of bears catching salmon as they leap the waterfall. It's one of Alaska's most iconic wildlife scenes and a favorite for photographers.

This option offers extended viewing time and a closer look at bear behavior during the peak of the salmon run.

Helicopter Bear Viewing

The Ultimate Adventure

For travelers seeking the highest level of access and flexibility, helicopter bear viewing offers a distinct advantage.

As the only Homer-based operator offering bear viewing by helicopter, Alaska Ultimate Safaris reaches remote areas of Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks and Preserves that are inaccessible by fixed-wing aircraft. Flights typically range from 40 minutes to one hour each way, with expansive views of glaciers, rugged mountain ranges, and active volcanoes.

Helicopters allow pilot-guides to adapt in real time, landing near bears actively feeding along the coast, grazing sedge flats early in the season, or fishing rivers later in the summer. Guests fly in 3- or 6-passenger helicopters with excellent visibility from every seat, creating a private experience that's highly responsive to conditions.

When possible, trips may also include glacier or mountain landings, combining wildlife viewing with Alaska backcountry flightseeing.

Approach to Bear Viewing

Alaska Ultimate Safaris plans each trip around bear behavior rather than rigid itineraries. By limiting group size, using multiple aircraft types, and maintaining managed access areas, trips remain adaptable to weather, tides, and wildlife movement.

This reduces pressure on the bears while giving guests more space, time, and opportunity to observe natural behavior. The result is a calmer experience for both people and wildlife, with consistently high-quality viewing conditions.

They also go above and beyond for their guests, providing headsets for talking with the pilot and other guests and noise protection, snacks, rain jackets, hip boots, and water.

Pilot Guides & Operational Standards

Alaska Ultimate Safaris was founded by career Alaska pilots with deep experience in both fixed-wing and helicopter operations. Founders Eric and Kirsten remain actively involved in training, oversight, and trip design, ensuring that every flight reflects the standards and philosophy that shaped the company.

All Alaska Ultimate Safaris pilot-guides are selected for more than flight time alone. Each is trained in wildlife awareness, bear behavior, guest communication, and conservative decision-making in remote environments. Trips are conducted with an emphasis on calm pacing, situational awareness, and minimizing disturbance to wildlife.

Operational standards prioritize safety, flexibility, and respect for the land. Routes, landing areas, and viewing locations are chosen based on current conditions rather than fixed schedules, allowing pilot-guides to adapt in real time to weather, tides, and bear activity.

This shared philosophy ensures that every guest experience, regardless of aircraft type or guide, is consistent, professional, and grounded in responsible backcountry travel.

About Alaska Ultimate Safaris

Eric Lee began flying at a young age and moved to Alaska in 1995, where fixed-wing flying eventually led to helicopters and their unmatched access to remote terrain. Kirsten, born in Fairbanks, built her career as a bush pilot before flying medevac missions throughout Alaska. Together, they combined aviation expertise, guiding experience, and a long-term view of land stewardship to create Alaska Ultimate Safaris.

In addition to bear viewing, the company offers glacier and volcano landings, maintaining the same small-group, intentional approach. You can also reach out to coordinate special events such as birthdays, destination weddings, combination safaris, even drop-offs for remote camping trips!