Departures

Check-in at the Homer Beluga Lake Float Plane Base on your travel date is by 8:00am or 11am, where we give a short orientation and safety briefing. We depart soon thereafter depending on how long it takes to load the aircraft. The flight to bear country is about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. We generally return to Homer by 4:30pm or 7:30pm

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Bring Lunch, Snacks, & Drinks

You will be hungry. Bring food and snacks (enough to last throughout the day). Please do not leave any garbage at the bear viewing site. Bring plenty to drink (water is best).

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What to Wear

PLEASE DRESS APPROPRIATELY for cool, wet weather. We highly recommend layering: t-shirt, turtleneck, sweatshirt, coat, raincoat, and rain pants, extra socks (for a better fit in our loaner hip boots in June and August), hiking shoes in July and September, gloves, and hat.

 

Restrooms

We are in the Alaskan wilderness, and bear-viewing sites do not have lavatories. Bring toilet paper and a plastic bag to dispose of your used tissues.

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Bugging Out

Unfortunately, many mosquitos exist in Alaska, so we suggest bringing insect repellant with at least 30% DEET. In addition, you might consider insect-repellant clothing.

 

Packing it in

You should bring a good-quality daypack that will hold your lunch, water, camera equipment, and anything else you’ll need.

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Smile for the Camera

We suggest bringing extra batteries and storage cards for your camera. Binoculars aren’t necessary, but feel free to bring a pair.

 

What Not to Bring

DO NOT bring pepper spray or bear spray. We do not need to repel bears and pepper spray can be deadly to the pilot and passengers if accidentally discharged during flight.

 

Weight Limitations

To ensure passenger safety and comfort, we cannot accommodate passengers weighing over 300 lbs. fully dressed.We must have each passenger’s weight before departure. Scales are available at the Homer Spit Office and loading dock.

 

All trips are weather-dependent, with limits set by the Federal Aviation Administration. If we are unable to go because of the weather, each passenger has the option of a full refund or to re-book another date (on a space-available basis).