# Emerald Air Service

Floatplane bear viewing and flightseeing operator in Homer, Alaska. Founded 1991. Homer's longest running bear viewing company, 35 years without incident.

Base: 1344 Lake Shore Drive, Homer, Alaska 99603, on Beluga Lake.
Phone: 907 235 4160 (call, text, WhatsApp). Email: info@emeraldairservice.com.
Season: late May through early September. One departure per day.
Fleet: De Havilland Otter (up to 10 passengers) and Beaver (up to 5), on floats.

## Trips

### Guided Katmai Bear Viewing Expedition
https://www.emeraldairservice.com/bear-viewing
Full day, about 8 hours. About 1 hour flight each way over Cook Inlet to the Katmai National Park coast. About 5 hours on the ground with a naturalist guide, walking 3 to 5 miles through sedge flats and streams. Maximum 9 guests. Minimum age 9. Pant waders and boots provided. Park fees included. Not a platform trip.

### Brooks Falls Day Trip
https://www.emeraldairservice.com/brooks-falls-self-guided-trip
Full day, about 8 hours. About 1.5 hour flight each way. About 5 hours at Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park, self guided on boardwalks and viewing platforms. All ages. Bathrooms and lunch available on site. Park fees included.

### Kachemak Bay Flightseeing and Charters
https://www.emeraldairservice.com/flightsee-and-air-charter
Glaciers, volcanoes and the coast, one hour or more. Private Otter or Beaver charters, custom routes for families and events.

### McNeil River
https://www.emeraldairservice.com/mcneil
Floatplane charters from Homer for McNeil River State Game Sanctuary permit holders.

## Policies
No hidden fees, no fuel surcharge. 4.5% booking fee on online reservations only, none when booking by phone. 50% deposit or full payment at booking. Cancellations 30 or more days out refunded minus $100 per person. Inside 30 days, non refundable. Weather cancellations rescheduled to the next day where possible, otherwise refunded in full. Guests over 260 lb including gear, call ahead. 10% military discount.

## Best time
Late May through July: bears on the coast, clamming and grazing sedge meadows. Late July through early September: salmon in the streams. Brooks Falls activity late June through September. Coastal activity historically picks up after the first week of June.

## More
FAQ: https://www.emeraldairservice.com/f-a-q
About bears: https://www.emeraldairservice.com/about-bears
Blog: https://www.emeraldairservice.com/blog
Reviews: 5.0 on TripAdvisor, 400+ reviews, Travelers' Choice 2026.