Overview
This package will be a 4 day & 3 night package with an 11am AST departure from Kodiak to Camp Island via a 45 minute float plane ride, times subject to vary. This adventure offers visitors unparalleled access and opportunities to observe and study these legendary bears in their natural habitat and surroundings from viewing areas strategically located in the field as well as from a 30' catamaran.
About this trip
What to Expect
What to Bring
Included
- Get exclusive and propietary access to over 112,000 privately owned acres with the Refuge
- Roundtrip flights from Kodiak to the Kodiak Brown Bear Center on Karluk Lake
- Daily Guided Kodiak Brown Bear Viewing
- You will receive a welcome and safety orientation upon your arrival at KBBC
- Deluxe cabins with private bath and high end interior finishes
- All meals during stay
- Gratuity is in included at $250 per person double occupancy rates apply
Excluded
- Alcohol - Spirits / Beer / Wine etc
- Ground Transportation to and from Air Charter (Island Air)
Day 1 Arrival
On your departure day from Kodiak you will embark on a 45 minute Alaska bush plane flight to the KBBC located on Camp Island on Karluk Lake. Karluk Lake has over 30 miles of shoreline with countless tributaries creating one of the richest & highest salmon concentrations on Kodiak. This adventure offers visitors unparalleled access & opportunities to observe & study these legendary bears in their natural habitat & surroundings from viewing areas strategically located in the field as well as from the 30’ aluminum catamaran. After a safety orientation & lunch you will be immersed into a guided bear viewing adventure. The evening dinner is served in the dining cabin. After dinner you will settle into your comfortable & well-appointed cabin for your first overnight stay at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center
Day 2
Camp Island affords a lodging buffer from the abundant bear activity around the perimeter of the Lake and provides a curious and entertaining population of local wildlife such as deer, fox, and river otter. After breakfast you will embark for another day of guided bear viewing to one of three prime viewing areas and enjoy a scenic and wildlife tour of the 36 square mile Karluk Lake aboard their heated catamaran vessel. All guest cabins are directly at the water’s edge and each cabin has a private outdoor deck where bears and other wildlife can often be seen as well. Lunch and dinner included with another night in your deluxe and well appointed cabin at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center..
Day 3
On day 3 you will find this is one of the most researched bear Habitat areas in the world and you will likely have opportunities for interactions with researchers and wildlife photographers. There is a good chance to see bears all summer as the area is great habitat for sows and cubs. However, starting August 1st the bear concentrations are beginning their peak due to the prolific salmon runs entering Karluk Lake through the Karluk River and this significantly increases the chance to see the bigger male bears called boars.
Day 4 Departure
In the morning after breakfast you’ll check out and prepare for the return flight to Kodiak at approximately 12:00pm (12:00H), you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a guided activity (bear viewing, Kayaking, paddle boarding or hiking). You'll return for lunch and then depart on a scheduled flight from Camp Island to Kodiak.
More stays with KBBC
4 Day / 3 Night Photo Workshop 2025
This package will be a 4 day & 3 night photo workshop package with an 11am AST departure from Kodiak to Camp Island via a 45 minute float plane ride, times subject to vary. This adventure offers visitors unparalleled access and opportunities to observe and study these legendary bears in their natural habitat and surroundings from viewing areas strategically located in the field as well as from a 30' catamaran.
Reservation & Cancellation Policy
Terms & Conditions
About this trip
This package will be a 4 day & 3 night photo workshop package with an 11am AST departure from Kodiak to Camp Island via a 45 minute float plane ride, times subject to vary. This adventure offers visitors unparalleled access and opportunities to observe and study these legendary bears in their natural habitat and surroundings from viewing areas strategically located in the field as well as from a 30' catamaran. Please be aware that Kodiak has very inclement weather at times and you can often experience delays that are uncontrollable due to weather. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to catch your float plane charters and times may be slightly altered if the weather was bad the day before or the weather is expected to change to insure everyone gets where they need to be safely.What to Expect
On the day of Departure you will leave from Trident Float Plane basin in the City of Kodiak for a 45 minute float plane ride for some of the most breathtaking scenery of everything from the wildlife, rugged mountains, to all the surrounding and inland waters that Kodiak has to offer on your way to KBBC. Once at the KBBC Campus, your daily schedule may vary depending on bear movement & activities. A typical day will consist of two outings, morning and afternoon. During these outings, you’ll receive an orientation and safety briefing from your guide. You’ll then board our catamaran which will take you to one of our three prime bear viewing locations. Each location has a different level of difficulty to access via a hike over uneven terrain. If you have any physical limitations, please inform us so we can choose the bear viewing location that will best meet your needs. Your private guest cabin has 24-hour electricity, full bathroom facilities with hot running water, towels, toiletries, wireless internet access, and a deck overlooking the Karluk Lake. All meals are provided during your stay. We encourage guests to use the included Guest Registration form to inform us of any dietary restrictions so we may accommodate your needs to the best of our abilities. At the conclusion of your stay, our float plane service will take you back to Kodiak, where you will get one last scenic view of the island.Why Join Our Photography Workshop
Run by award winning Kodiak Photo Workshop - Outex and Think Tank Photo ambassador Dan M Lee. Every bear viewing spot provides a distinctive perspective into the daily lives of these majestic creatures, showcasing the splendor of Kodiak Island. Come and create stunning visual imagery and work alongside Dan as he will show you the beauty of Kodiak Island. From Wildlife photography, landscape and editorial photography, you will have an opportunity to try your hand at capturing images from a large array of wild subjects. Receive photography coaching and learn new skills. Therefore you are guaranteed an exclusive and unique experience as our group is small and the only one in the area, we will have the best possible bear photography experience while minimizing the impact and disturbance to the bears. Bears can get accustomed to humans quickly and by making the groups small we can manage and limit the contact bears have with outside influences. This means we truly see bears as they are meant to be, wild ! We take no more than eight clients at a time to one of our bear viewing locations throughout Karluk Lake, plus we have permission to explore some native land. The O’Malley River, nestled between two significant salmon spawning lakes, is a brief yet shallow watercourse that presents optimal feeding opportunities for bears. Notably, the bear feeding area along the river is the sole section within the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge restricted to the public. Accessing the O’Malley River proves to be one of our more challenging bear viewing experiences due to its rugged, brushy, and uneven trails. Consequently, we limit visits to days with favorable weather conditions, ensuring a safe and rewarding adventure for our guests.What to Bring
Guests are limited to 50 pounds each for their luggage You should plan to bring: Clothing: *Shoes or slippers to wear in Bear Den no outside shoes allowed* Dress in layers Hats, gloves Sunglasses Waterproof hiking boots * Equipment: Carbon fiber tripod (such as Sirui W-2204) with a ball head. Long lens like a 70mm-400mm f/4 or better. Wide angle lens 15mm-30mm f/4 or better. Circular Polarizer and UV Filter (Tiffen or Hoya at a minimum spec). Waterproof backpack. Full frame cameras are preferred, APS-C and MFT with long glass. Many batteries and chargers (5 batteries and 2 chargers as a suggestion) Walkstool Misc. Insect repellent / sunscreen Alcoholic Beverages Prescription medications *ITEMS LISTED ABOVE ARE SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE. THE KBBC PROVIDES RAINGEAR & CALF-HIGH WATERPROOF BOOTS, HOWEVER YOU ARE WELCOME TO BRING YOUR OWN. Guests should not bring: Animals (dogs & cats) Illegal drugs
Reservation & Cancellation Policy
Terms & Conditions
