Our Mission:
Emerald Air Service exists to educate our guests about Katmai's majestic residents, the Coastal Brown Bear, and the country in which they live. We hope everyone who takes one of our trips leaves with excellent photographs, an understanding of bears, knowledge of how to move through their world, and a love for all wild places.

Our History:
Emerald Air Service was founded in 1991 by Chris and Ken Day. The newlywed couple set out to build a life doing what they loved together. And they succeeded—pioneering the guided bear viewing day trip industry in Alaska while touching thousands of lives as they shared this corner of Alaska and the Katmai bears. They retired in 2009, selling their business to Craig and Sarah Elg—excellent custodians of Chris and Ken's legacy. In 2019, Emerald Air Service found a new owner in Chris Freeman, whose love for all things Alaskan gave him the ambition to own not just any bear-viewing company, but this one. With his energetic vision, Emerald Air Service's fleet has grown and now has a state-of-the-art dock and lovely cabins—including the main office—on the quiet shores of Beluga Lake.

Venture to Brooks Falls, also known as Brooks Camp, to see the iconic moment of salmon fighting their way upstream, leaping up waterfalls only to be caught in the jaws of Coastal Brown Bears. Bear numbers typically peak in mid-July. Once you arrive from a scenic flight in our float plane, you will be given a safety briefing by Park Rangers at the Visitor's Center. After that, you can enjoy the park at your own pace. The falls where the bears congregate most densely for fishing an easy 1 mile walk away from the Visitors Center. In addition to watching the bears fish at the falls, you can attend one of the ranger-led programs, walk along the beach, and even enjoy a hot meal or cup of coffee at Brooks Lodge.

Arrive at Naknek Lake, a premier destination for history, fishing, and brown bear viewing. The bears congregate around the Brooks River corridor starting in June, awaiting the 200,000 to 400,000 salmon who will make their way up the falls. Watch the bears dive, run, splash, and attempt to catch as many fish as they can. You may see bears on the shores of the lake, around the camp, crossing in front of you along the pathways, and of course, from the platforms. Perched above the river, you'll have incredible views to see them and grab those iconic shots that Brooks Falls is famous for.


Detailed Schedule
*Subject to weather and group delays

- 7:30 AM: Check-in
- 7:45 AM: Briefing from the office staff to go over current camp platform conditions and bear etiquette
- 8:00 AM: Load the plane and receive a safety briefing from pilot

~~TAKE OFF~~

- 9:30 AM: Land at Brooks Camp
- 10:00 AM: Deplane and head towards the visitor center
Ranger Briefing — All camp visitors must do this in order to visit the area
Rangers provide instruction on where to store your lunch
Exploring / Bear viewing / Visiting platforms
- 3:00 PM: Return to plane and embark

~~TAKE OFF~~

- 4:30 PM: Land in Homer and deplane
- 4:45 PM: Debrief, Q&A, goodbyes

* Duration: Approximately 7-8 Hours

* AGE LIMITATIONS POLICY
Brooks does not have an age requirement. This trip is ideal for families and those who may not otherwise be physically fit for the Guided Expedition. However, it is not recommended for children younger than 3 years old.

* WEIGHT LIMITATIONS POLICY
The aircraft has a limited weight capacity. For guests who exceed 220lbs (102kb) including gear, please call 907-600-1727 to complete your booking. We do our utmost to accommodate guests while ensuring that we do not exceed our weight limit. Guests who are 275lbs (125kg) or more including gear must pay for two seats.
If a guest has intentionally or unintentionally misrepresented their weight including gear, and as a result, the weight capacity of the aircraft is exceeded, that guest will be unable to go on the trip and will not be reimbursed.

* WHAT TO BRING:
- Day Pack
All of the following items should be carried in a hands-free pack.

- Lunch, Snacks, and Water
Nothing that crumbles easily and no fish products.

- Rain Gear
Bring a jacket and pants. Your ranger will not only come in handy during a shower but act as a windbreaker while keeping you dry as you walk in tall, wet grass and sit on the ground. Light-coated nylon is best for Alaska. Unlike Gortex, it really is waterproof and considerably less expensive.

- Layer Clothing
Fleece is great in Alaska. It is light, warm, protected from wind, and dries quickly after getting wet. Click here to find more information about Katmai weather.

- Comfortable Walking Shoes
You will be on maintained paths and will not need to cross creeks.

- Binoculars
View bears more closely, or at times we can spot wolves and other wildlife further off.

- Camera and memory cards
Brooks Falls is a renowned photography location. Could you take advantage of it? A 200mm lens will typically get you really close to the bears.

- Insect repellant
Not usually a problem, but be prepared. Other bug-avoiding tips: don't wear cologne, use unscented fabric softener, and avoid wearing bright colors.

- Medication
Bring enough for two days of anything you need on a regular basis. It has never happened in Emerald Air Service's history, but any time you are in the Alaskan bush, weather can potentially cause overnight delays.

- Sunscreen
Hopefully, you'll need it!

- No smoking or vaping at any time
Please bring nicotine patches or gum if you anticipate discomfort.

*BEAR SPRAY AND FIREARMS ARE NOT PERMITTED

*FAQs:

- Can the weather cancel my flight?
Alaska is a fierce place with even fiercer weather. We operate VFR (Visual Flight Rules) so we must follow certain parameters to be able to fly. Winds and visibility are inspected every morning to determine the safety of our trips and weather calls are made the morning of the trips unless a big storm has been predicted, in which we try to contact you to give you plenty of time to make other activities plans. We may delay our departure if we believe conditions may improve. If our pilots call off the trip and we are not able to fly, we will try to reschedule your seats or we will refund 100%.

- Does Emerald Air Service guarantee bears on bear-viewing trips?
Emerald Air Service does not guarantee bears. With many years of experience, we know the bears' habits, predict and keep track of their movements, and can give our guests a great day of bear viewing. However, it is against our philosophy of bear viewing to guarantee bears because they are wild animals.

- What is the best time for me to go bear viewing?
This entirely depends on what you want to see. In the early summer, bears just coming out from hibernation are gathering in the meadows. There is a lot of bear-bear interaction and socialization. In mid-summer, fishing is what is on the bear's mind. They become very focused on the sole task of catching and eating as much fish as possible. By late summer, the bears are at their very prettiest, fat, and sleek for a long winter of hibernation. The tundra is turning from green to varied shades of autumn.

- Are there bathrooms out there?
While out on the field for 5 hours, human necessities dictate a bathroom need might arise. Worry not, we come prepared! Our guides carry zip lock bags with toilet paper and specially designed bags in case of #2. We practice "leave no trace" which means what comes with must come back out. Our guides are courteous to bring these, however, they will be your responsibility to carry and bring back to Homer.