ECOTOURISM

Grizzlies: From Kodiak to Katmai

Coastal Katmai, just off famed Kodiak Island, is home to hundreds of massive grizzly bears, which come to the pristine shorelines to search for fish and dig for clams in preparation for winter’s freeze. As a company that focuses on taking people to see wildlife as it lives, wild and free, they are extremely proud to offer this incredibly authentic nature experience. This special trip is operated from a small boat rather than from land, so there is available access to areas where very few others have been, stopping to go ashore in one of the planet’s most prolific grizzly bear areas. Adventure seekers will be able to come remarkably close to these animals as they concentrate on their feeding, rarely paying attention to outside observation. The company is thrilled to bring this inspiring trip to those looking for an experience they will never forget - grizzly bear viewing at its best!

Tour Details

Day 1: Arrive Kodiak Island, Alaska
Upon arrival visitors will be met by their Natural Habitat Adventures’ Expedition Leader or a representative in Kodiak and transferred to the Buskin River Inn. That afternoon (approximately 3:00pm), the group will gather for the first time to explore Kodiak’s native and Russian heritage with a local tour guide providing insight into this area’s fascinating blend of cultures. Destinations may include the National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, St. Paul Harbor, Pillar Mountain Overlook, Baranov Museum, Alutiiq Museum, Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church and Fort Abercrombie State Park, where enormous guns were placed at the ready to protect against an invasion during WWII.

Day 2: Kodiak Island
In the morning the group will venture on an easy sea kayak or boat journey along Kodiak’s coastal waters and rocky shores. This adventure includes a tour of Kodiak’s inner island, with incredible coastal scenery. Travel along remote shorelines, out through tidal pools, and past offshore kittiwake rookeries, amid sea lions, otters, puffins and soaring bald eagles. Kodiak is a unique and remote destination indeed and the guide will use this afternoon to explore the island’s unusual combination of sites, including the local winery, as well as the many trails that may reveal some of the area’s wildlife including red fox, river otters and mountain goats.

Day 3: Hallo Bay, Board Ship, Grizzly Viewing
On this morning the group will meet an early morning departure (weather dependent–they may depart for Hallo Bay earlier in the trip if inclement weather is forecasted) by floatplane from Kodiak to Kukak Bay, where they will be met by the captain and crew of the ship. The plane will pull right up to the ship, which will be their home for the rest of the expedition. After the anchor is lifted, they will cruise slowly along the shores towards Hallo Bay, where bears are commonly found searching for food. As the group is totally mobile, they are assured of the best chance for bear sightings, moving from bay to bay as they please.

Days 4-6: Exploring Coastal Katmai, Bear Viewing
Bear viewing in this region is like no other place on earth! As the boat cruises the coastal waters, bears often dot the shoreline, appearing almost cuddly against the awesome backdrop of Alaska’s impressive landscape. But as the group approaches within close range, traveling ashore by skiff and disembarking to explore the beaches by foot, they may find massive grizzlies all over the place, often appearing in large numbers (some leaders have seen as many as 30 to 40 of them at a single moment!). Unlike other bear viewing areas where bears often appear to be quite lethargic, these grizzlies are active as they feed on salmon and sedge grass and dig for clams. Depending on the exact time of the trip, the bears may be mating and cubs may be seen for the first time, providing an authentic and exciting glimpse into the life of the grizzly. On many other trips, grizzlies (and other bears)are viewed from platforms or from vehicles. Not here. In coastal Katmai the group is on foot, carefully wandering the area. This trip offers a grizzly thrill beyond expectations. They have planned to travel back to Kodiak by floatplane on the evening of Day 6, arriving at the Buskin Inn at approximately 7:00pm.

Day 7: Return Home
Return home today from Kodiak. It is recommended that travelers do not take an early morning flight home in case inclement weather prevents traveling to Kodiak on the evening of Day 6 as planned.

Bear Viewing:
Unlike bear viewing at other spots in Alaska, on this trip grizzlies are watched from a small boat and from the ground. Of course grizzlies are unpredictable and can never be guaranteed, but the ship operator has been running scientists and a select few photographers to this region for over 10 years and has never missed seeing them. Furthermore, the unpredictability of the bears can lead to dangerous situations. These are wild animals and no one can never fully understand their behaviors and motivations. Travelers are asked to pay attention to the rules set forth by staff and to understand that this trip can, potentially, present harmful situations.

Special Photo-Tour:
On the Special Photo-Tour there is an extra afternoon/evening of bear photography on Day 6 plus an additional full morning of bear photography on Day 7. Guests depart the ship at approximately 1:00 pm on Day 7 and arrive back in Kodiak about an hour later (all depending on weather). They will overnight in Kodiak and travelers are free to depart any time on Day 8. It is suggested that travelers do not take an early morning flight home in case inclement weather prevents the group from flying to Kodiak on Day 7 as planned.