Alaska’s Premier Bear Viewing Experience
Emerald Air Service is proud to be one of Alaska’s premier guided bear viewing and flightseeing operators, and Homer’s longest-standing bear viewing company. For over 35 years, we have delivered exceptional, first-class experiences, sharing our deep respect, knowledge, and passion for Alaska’s Coastal Brown Bears with guests from around the world.
Based in Homer and specializing in fly-out adventures to Katmai National Park, including the world-renowned Brooks Falls, we offer both fully guided and self-guided bear viewing experiences to match your style of adventure. Your journey begins the moment you step onboard, where each guest is equipped with an aviation headset through which you’ll hear live narration from experienced bush pilots and, on select adventures, dedicated naturalist guides throughout the flight.
With a flawless safety record and a commitment to comfort, professionalism, and personalized service, Emerald Air Service delivers a refined Katmai bear viewing experience that goes far beyond transportation.
Bear Viewing Paradise
Katmai National Park
Spanning over 4 million acres, Katmai National Park is the world’s top bear viewing destinations, hosting more than 2,200 majestic brown bears. Experience premier Alaska bear watching in this vast wilderness, perfect for unforgettable Homer bear tours.
Time-Tested Aircraft
De Havilland Aircraft
Discover Alaska from above aboard our meticulously maintained, float-equipped turbine Otters and Beavers, among the finest aircraft of their kind. Your journey spans over 100 miles of breathtaking wilderness, offering a smooth ride, spacious seating, and uninterrupted panoramic views. From takeoff to landing, every detail is designed for comfort, refinement, and an exceptional experience.
The Most Complete Trip in the Industry
5 hours on the ground
While many bear viewing tours limit your time on the ground to just a few hours, we believe more time matters. Our guests enjoy five hours in Katmai National Park, which is significantly longer than most operators and allows for a more complete and unhurried bear viewing experience.
Safety is our Top Priority
35 Years of Safety
With over 35 years of experience operating in Alaska’s demanding wilderness, safety is at the core of everything we do. Our commitment to excellence and expert judgment ensures every flight and bear viewing experience is conducted with the highest level of professionalism, giving you complete confidence from takeoff to landing.
Your Experience Begins in the Air
immersive, narrated flight experience
We provide a safe, immersive, narrated flight experience, where each passenger is equipped with an aviation headset to hear live narration and fully engage with Alaska’s landscapes and wildlife from the moment you take off.
Learn to Share Their World
naturalist guides
Our expert naturalist guides are at the core of every Alaska bear viewing experience, providing a safe and professionally guided environment while sharing deeper insight into brown bears and the wild places they call home. Their knowledge and experience bring each moment to life, creating a more meaningful and memorable bear viewing experience.
Guided EXPEDITION
Katmai National Park
WORLD-FAMOUS
Brooks Falls
some videos taken by our guests
Experience Emerald Air Service’s signature Homer, Alaska bear viewing trip—an unforgettable day in the remote Katmai National Park and Preserve. Escape crowds, trails, and platforms with a scenic flight into the authentic Alaskan bush. Join a small group led by a naturalist guide who introduces you to Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears and their stunning habitat. Locations shift with the summer season, following the bears’ food sources for the ultimate Alaska bear watching adventure.
Witness the unforgettable sight of salmon battling upstream and leaping waterfalls, only to meet the jaws of Coastal Brown Bears on our Brooks Falls self-guided bear tours from Homer, Alaska. After a brief safety briefing from Katmai National Park Rangers, explore at your own pace. A short 1-mile walk from the Visitor’s Center leads to the falls, where bears gather to fish in stunning numbers. Beyond prime Alaska bear watching at the falls, join ranger-led programs, stroll the beach, or savor a hot meal or coffee at Brooks Lodge.
See What It's Like
to join a guided expedition.
See What It's Like
to venture to Brooks Falls.
