Katmai Coast: Fluffy Bears and Cubs

June 29-July 6 2025 (sold out)

June 26-July 3 2026 (sold out, waitlist only)

Katmai’s coastline is renowned as the ultimate spot to witness brown bears in their wildest setting. As you glance along the shoreline to see dozens of bears in a single view, you will understand the magic here.

The Surgpiaq people of Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula call brown bears Takuqua aq meaning “spirit of a human”, exemplifying a bond between humans and bears that still prevails here. It is common for bears to become fully at ease us, allowing for close-up photography opportunities without disturbing the bears.

Launching from the M/V Le Canard – an expedition yacht that will be our home in Katmai – we will go ashore to photograph fluffy springtime bears and tiny cubs at eye-level without boardwalks, crowds, or time limits. Bears are the main attraction though coastal wolf, bald eagle, puffin, sea otter, and fox sightings are all also possible.

In contrast to other types of Katmai trip, traveling by boat ensures our time with the bears is maximized. Unlike camp or lodge itineraries, a boat affords us the luxury of traversing the coast to see the most variety of bears and other species, and have the flexibility to move to wherever the bears are most active. Further, we will not be thwarted by weather that often grounds floatplanes hoping to make daily excursions from distant lodges. Your time is valuable and traveling by boat will give you the most time with the bears, no matter what the Alaska’s unpredictable weather brings.

Limited to 8 guests, we minimize wildlife impact and offer personalized guidance from Syler Peralta-Ramos, your photography expert and expedition leader.

Ability to walk 2 miles per day on uneven terrain strongly recommended

Tuition:

Early-bird double occupancy (booked before Aug 1 2025): $9,995

Early-bird single occupancy (booked before Aug 1 2025): $11,995

Double occupancy price (booked after Aug 1 2025): $10,995

Single occupancy price (booked after Aug 1 2025): $12,995

$250 deposit due upon booking to reserve your spot and pricing

Join the waitlist

Why go with us in spring of 2026?

Spring is a special time in Katmai. Late June is perfect timing to see the bears when they are looking their best. Ahead of their summertime fur-shed, they are at their ultimate levels of teddy-bear fluff! We will spend much of our time in the famed bays of the Katmai coast where bears gather in vibrant green sedge meadows at the base of massive glaciated peaks, and in the reflecting tidal flats searching for clams ahead of the later summer salmon run. For a sense of what we might see, check out the 2014 film “Bears” by Disneynature as most spring scenes were filmed at the locations we will likely visit.

Pricing Details:

What’s included:

Single or double occupancy lodging aboard Katmai’s finest expedition yacht, LeCanard
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks while aboard the yacht
Welcome dinner at the Chart Room in Kodiak
In-field photography instruction
One-on-one image critiques
Editing lessons in Adobe Lightroom
Floatplane roundtrip to and from the yacht (not typically included in competing itineraries)

Not Included:

Airfare to and from Kodiak from your place of origin
Alcoholic beverages on the yacht
Hotel in Kodiak on first evening
Gratuities for boat staff

Cancelation Policy

Accommodations:

The M/V Le Canard is a 98ft expedition-ready yacht, providing the perfect balance of comfort and function for traversing the Katmai coast. The yacht is equipped with with 6 staterooms (4 bunk rooms and 1 queen room for couples).

Why travel by boat?
The only other ways to see Katmai’s remote coastline is either by staying in the region’s only lodge, camping, or a daily floatplane from a distant lodge. These lodge or camp trips are immobile which can result in seeing fewer animals and scenes. Bears constantly traverse the coast as they seek food sources, so being mobile in the yacht and going to shore on the yacht’s landing craft will ensure we see the most wildlife. Further, you will have a warm and dry place to sleep, eat, and recharge (yourself and your cameras) after a long day in the field.

Daily floatplane trips from a lodge can be similarly mobile in theory, but Alaska’s notoriously unpredictable weather means that most of these trips spend days stuck inside a lodge waiting for the weather to clear. On the boat, we have no such issue, allowing us more time in the field.

Unless we are traveling between bays the ship will remain virtually motionless, anchored in calm waters, so fear not if you are susceptible to sea sickness!

Itinerary

June 26 (Day 0)

Arrive to Kodiak, Alaska in the morning or the evening before.
Check-in at the Best Western Kodiak Inn where you will meet the rest of the group.
Gather for our first group dinner at the Chart Room, a lovely restaurant overlooking the Kodiak Harbor.
June 27 (Day 1)

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer with the group to the floatplane docks to catch our transport across the Shelikof straight to meet the Le Canard on the Katmai Coast. The flight over is stunning, providing ample opportunity for aerial photography along the way.
After getting settled and unpacked, we will go ashore to have our first day of encounters with the massive brown bears of the Katmai coast.
June 28-July 2 (Day 2-6)

Wake up early to get into the field while the light is best. Most days we will go out for a morning session, return to the boat mid-day for lunch and then return again for an evening session. Some days we may also take a cruise in the skiff to photograph sea otters, seals, bald eagles, and other wildlife.
During mid-day breaks or after dinner, we will discuss photography approaches and do 1-on-1 critiques. To ensure you leave with the images you’ve dreamed of.
July 3 (Day 7)

Start the morning early for one last session photography session. We will return to the ship by mid-morning to finish packing before departing by floatplane back to Kodiak.
There is an afternoon flight back to Anchorage where you can then connect to your destination.

Early-bird reservations are now open!

A $250 deposit is due to secure your reservation and early-bird pricing if booked before August 1, 2025. 25% of final payment is due by August 27, 2025. Remaining balance is due by March 27, 2026.