Kodiak Private Wildlife Cruise
Katmai National Park and Preserve offers spectacular bear viewing opportunities.
Alaska Adventure Cruises offers one of the finest opportunities to view some of the 2,200 brown bears that inhabit Katmai National Park and Preserve. This Alaskan peninsula boasts a higher population of bears than human inhabitants.
AAC gives you the opportunity to see these phenomenal animals in their natural environment and visit spectacular unaltered habitats of these majestic bears. The park employs rangers and scientists that work together with the public to maintain this fragile ecosystem. The bears that inhabit this preserve are able to live out their lives virtually undisturbed by outside influences.
Respect for the bears is key to maintaining this very important habitat. Staying safe in bear country is of utmost importance. This is paramount before obtaining the perfect photograph or procuring the best fishing location with your fly rod. Bears need to be left undisturbed in the wild, giving them the opportunity to live their lives as nature intended and keep them wild.
You can see these spectacular coastal bears in many areas on the Pacific Coast of the Katmai National Park, unfortunately heavy vegetation and difficult terrain can make bear viewing extremely difficult. The best areas to view these magnificent creatures in the spring and early summer are on the mudflats and meadows where they feed on clams, salmon and sedge. As summer progresses and turns into fall they will move along the salmon streams where they can more easily be viewed.
Travel options are as follows! Your trip with Alaska Adventure Cruises could start with a phenomenal sight-seeing flight provided by pilots who will take care of you as soon as you arrive in Kodiak. It will commence with M/V Rogue One working and anchored within Katmai National Park. After taking a shuttle service to the float plane terminal you will fly to the island where the yacht is anchored. While on this flight you will have spectacular views of Kodiak's archipelago landscape and experience the island’s beauty. The breathtaking island is enhanced by the possibility of seeing the first whales of your tour. While flying across Shelikof Strait, your flight will angle towards the ice fields of the Alaskan Peninsula in the distance. From here you will see your first glimpse of the Katmai Preserve. There are options of landing in Halo Bay, Kukak Bay or Geographic Harbor, depending on numerous factors related to date of travel, weather, and wildlife migration pattens, as well as salmon runs. Upon arrival you will get acquainted with the yacht, settle in your stateroom and be introduced you to your natural surroundings. Or, your trip could begin in the Kodiak Harbour, where you would embark on an epic journey on the M/V Rogue One through the Kodiak Archipelago to your destination Bay. En route, you can view all the sea life as well as the deer, goats, elk, fox and bears boasted by the Kodiak Island itself! Settle in on the yacht to watch your first sunset aboard, while motoring to Katmai National Park & Preserve.
As this is primarily a bear watching expedition, we may visit a new area daily, or stay put if conditions are right. Many factors play into bear watching, and in your week you will experience an exceptional adventure with Alaska Adventure Cruises, viewing stunning vistas of coastline and watching land animals and marine life in it’s natural and unspoiled habitat.
What to expect on day’s adventure with Alaska Adventure Cruises: Following a good night’s sleep and a chef prepared breakfast, you’ll don our hip waders and board the skiff which will take you to the tidal flat at the river mouth of Geographic Harbor. You will have been briefed on what to expect in social behavior in bears before boarding the skiffs. At this point we will decide together where the best spot will be to begin our observations of these majestic bruins. Factors in determining this will vary, but may include the number, gender and maturity level of the animals, the tide, and where they are feeding. It is important that we keep ourselves removed from the bear’s natural habitat so that we may continue to observe the predator-prey interactions without the disturbance of humans. These interactions are mesmerizing and time will pass quickly due to the awe of watching nature’s presentation. Afternoon activities will be discussed over lunch and we will decide if we will continue our bear watch, or pursue marine activity for that location in kayaks or small craft. As we visit the different bays we have the opportunity to see unique terrain for each specific area which offers a different experience each day.
The evening brings another delicious chef made meal customized to your tastes and dietary restrictions. We feature local seafood and other area specialties. Beer and wine can be served at dinner to compliment the chef’s creations, to be consumed in moderation.
Relocating is usually done in the evening if the weather is conducive to travel so we can be in a new bay by the time we turn in for the night. However, the fresh air and day’s excitement and the gentle movement of the ship could lull you to sleep before we reach our next location. If you can resist turning in, the relocation trip again offers the wonder of nature with views of the coast and it’s abundant wildlife.
Our next location could take us to Kukak Bay, or Halo Bay about 30 miles north. Actual locations will be based on migration patterns at tour time, determined by our knowledgeable staff. Both bays are well protected and offer excellent kayaking. You may also see bears fishing and digging for clams, sea otters frolicking on Little NinagiakIsland and other wildlife, such as infrequent visits of wolves fishing. In the distance are Devil’s Desk and Hallo Glacier rising high above the sea.
Although watching bears is hard to beat, you may choose to further explore the bays in the dinghies or kayaks, to see beaches painted white in volcanic ash, rock formations, harbor seals, bears that have traveled away from the rivers, a variety of loons and as always Alaska’s jester, the sea otter in his endless comedic performance.
On the last day of your cruise, we will be headed back into Kodiak, still pointing out all the beautiful sights along the way. Watch for whales, seals, sea otters and other critters as we cross the straight and cruise through the islands. As we end our bear viewing to we continue through nature’s paradise back to civilization, you can share your experiences and contact information with the crew. We strive to have shown you all the Katmai coast has to offer and hope it ranks high on your list of best life adventures and compels you to visit again with Alaska Adventure Cruises.
Activites:
We strive to make cruising with Alaskan Adventure Cruises an experience of a lifetime and one of the ways to do this is to customize each experience. Hosting small groups and using vessels that can meet each person’s needs and abilities is one of the ways we are able to do this.
Our itineraries make it possible to see a variety of wildlife, natural vistas, many glaciers and to visit small protected coves tucked into the coastline. You can hike, kayak/SUP, bear watch, and experience a myriad of other activities all in a single day and spread over many days. Our skiffs can have you on shore in no time with your camera and hiking boots or for an afternoon spent beach combing or fishing. Our experienced guides make it possible for guests to choose an activity suited for each individual. Remember, some activities will require supervision, so may need to be done as a group or while others are resting on the boat so that your guide may come along!
Wildlife Viewing
Alaska Adventure Cruises offers the opportunity to view wildlife that cannot be seen anywhere else but the wilds of the Alaskan coastline. While there are no guarantees in each location, we can assure you that you will always want your camera close by so as to not miss a photo opportunity.
Marine Life Viewing
The chance to view marine wildlife in the summer in Alaska is exciting as this is the best time to experience Humpback Whales. Bubble net feeding and breaching exhibitions are breathtaking experiences. Other marine creatures may include Orca and Gray Whales, Dall Porpoise, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and Harbor Seals.
Land and Air Wildlife Viewing
You are encouraged to keep an eye on the spectacular shorelines as you will see the Brown Bears feasting on the abundant salmon on their migratory runs, and balancing their meal out with vegetation and other bruin delicacies. You may see deer grazing, mountain goats maneuvering the cliffs and a myriad of birds. Many birding enthusiasts flock to Alaska every year as our state boasts the largest and most diverse avian population in America. Our path will mimic that of many migratory birds giving those enthusiasts the rare opportunity to view huge flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl on their annual pilgrimages.
Kayaking
Kayaking is part of the Alaska Adventure Cruises experience. Each yacht comes equipped with kayaks for use by eager cruisers. Accessing the kayaks from the yacht is easy via swim steps. This is by far one of the favorite activities on our cruises. Even if you are not experienced in using a kayak we can assure you that our guides will help you become a confident explorer. Experienced kayakers will not be disappointed as they are able to explore areas second to none in spectacular waters (ask specifics as our kayaks are not intended for open ocean waters since this is not the primary goal of the tour).
Wilderness Hiking
On shore excursions when cruising with Alaska Adventure Cruises can be designed to meet your individual needs and interests. The Kodiak and Katmai shorelines can’t be beat for hiking and exploring. While hiking you can see flora and fauna that can’t be seen elsewhere from wildflowers and berries to remains of fishing villages, mining camps, WWII remnants and whaling enterprises.
This last frontier offers a great variety of historical experiences. Excursions can be designed for every ability and age level with those who request an easy pace staying close to the shore, while more vigorous hikes can be led elsewhere, whatever you decide upon when joining our cruise.
A variety of options are offered for getting ashore, from skiffs, to kayaks. Depending on the terrain and areas being explored, the experience of getting to shore can be an adventure of its own and personalized to your needs. Flexibility is the key to giving you a nature experience that can’t be beat, and lives up to your expectations.
Photography
Alaska is one of the premiere spots for outdoor and wildlife photography. Our personal cruise experiences take you to remote locations in Alaska, unlike large cruise ships which stop
in heavily populated locations. We take you up close to nature where spectacular photos can be snapped right from the deck of your private yacht. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to capture nature up close; from bear snapping jaws around a jumping salmon, to a glacier calving or the views of the mountain ranges and surging river mouths, Alaska Adventure Cruises offers you the photo safari of a lifetime.
Fishing
The fishing in this area of Alaska is as good as it gets. From ling cod, halibut, black bass, all five species of salmon and three of trout as well as arctic grayling, and others, your fishing adventure here can’t be beat. You will also have an opportunity to drop shrimp and crab pots if in season.
Basic fishing gear and supplies are provided onboard Alaska Adventure Cruise. While they are not dedicated fishing boats you can in fact fish from the deck of the boat. What you will catch will depend on the season, but Halibut, Ling Cod and Black Bass are quite common. We can arrange for outside excursions on dedicated fishing boats with professional fishing guides for serious anglers looking to enhance their expeditions. If this is something you would like to explore, please let us know when you are inquiring about your cruise availability and we will see what can be arranged. Gear can be provided, but each traveler is responsible for obtaining the proper fishing license. These can be obtained online or at many area stores and outdoor adventure outfitters in Kodiak.
Beach Combing
Alaska’s coastal shorelines provide a treasure trove of spectacular beach combing. Pristine beaches, mountain views and stunning freshwater streams, lakes and ponds are waiting for you to explore and see what you can discover, be it marine creatures or even a Japanese glass fishing ball, or the remains of whales. No Alaska Adventure Cruise is complete without time for treasure hunting. A leisurely stroll on the beach may be just the relaxation or romantic moment you were looking for!
