FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Beryl Air operates two Cessna 206s on floats. The true “bush plane” of Alaska. Each aircraft can accommodate up to 5 passengers up to approximately 800 pounds, although weight restrictions vary. Each passenger will be seated at a window and equipped with headphones, allowing the pilot to share stories, point out landmarks, and answer any questions you have along the journey. These aircraft allow us the flexibility we need for trips of all kinds. Whether you are off on a bear-viewing adventure, headed to the backcountry for a hunting trip, or taking in the sights from the sky, our aircraft are comfortable, dependable, and offer a truly unique way to explore the last frontier.

Most of our trips have a max load of approximately 800 pounds. However, there may be exceptions based on location. We typically limit individual weight to approximately 240 pounds, but if a member of your group exceeds this weight limit, please contact us. We also ask that our day trip guests keep their daypacks to a maximum of 10 pounds. When providing your weight, please include all clothing, shoes, camera equipment, lunch, water bottles, etc. All passengers will be weighed with their belongings on the day of their flight. Remember, it is essential that each passenger is physically able to enter and exit the aircraft with minimal assistance. Private Charter Guests must inquire directly to obtain accurate load requirements based on departure/arrival locations.

Of course! Since we operate two aircraft, we can accommodate groups up to 10. If booking as a group, we will ensure your party departs and arrives simultaneously, allowing you to explore your destination together. Have a larger group? We work closely with local operators enabling us to accommodate even bigger groups. Please email or call prior to booking your large group to ensure availability.

Many of our tours are available to research, check real-time availability, and book all online. However, should you see a trip that is not bookable online or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email or phone. We are standing by to assist with your Alaskan adventure in any way we can.

Upon booking, we collect a 10% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance due will be collected on the day we fly in conjunction with our cancellation policy.

A non-refundable deposit of 10% will be collected at the time of booking. Cancellation within 30 days of the trip will be charged 50% of the quoted price. Cancellation within 14 days of the trip will be charged 100% of the quoted price. Weather cancellations (at the pilot’s discretion on the day of the flight) will receive a full refund. Attempts will be made to reschedule. Contact us by phone or email to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged at full price.

Bear Trips & National Park Ground Tours: Dress warmly and bring rain gear (including jacket and pants). Do NOT expect the destination weather to be the same as in Homer. Layers are great. So are hats and gloves. Wear good walking shoes. Bring a lunch and water. Bring your camera! Binoculars are recommended, as is bug repellent. Do NOT bring pepper spray, firearms, or bear bells.

Scenic Flights: Dress in layers, as it can be a little cooler in the aircraft than on the ground. Guests are also welcome to bring a water bottle and camera. Binoculars don’t work well from the aircraft, but you will be able to get great pictures with your cell phone or camera.

Yes! We have dedicated parking, and you are welcome to leave your vehicle with us while on tour. If you have an RV, please let us know ahead of time to ensure we have a space for you. Keep in mind that the parking area is not monitored, and Beryl Air is not responsible for theft or damage to your vehicles or their contents.

We sure do! When you stay with us, you will be steps away from your floatplane adventure and provided the opportunity to stay on Homer’s only fully functioning seaplane base. The Homer Seaplane Base offers several cabins, an event center, an outdoor recreation area, and a full-service restaurant with a wide selection of beer and wine options.

At Beryl Air, we pride ourselves on safety and have an extremely knowledgeable and passionate crew. From our reservations team to our mechanics and pilots, we consistently provide guests a safe and memorable experience. In addition, flying on floats allows us to access truly remote locations, and our unique multi-park tours allow guests to maximize their time in Alaska.

Bear viewing is somewhat seasonal, but we always have a good grasp on where to go. See below for a general idea of where we are going and when.

June – Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park

July, August, and September – Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park

August and September – Crescent Lake, Lake Clark National Park (On Request)

Weather is always a consideration when touring Alaska. Our best recommendation is to keep your plans flexible and, when booking, clear your whole day if possible. Guests must remember that we want to fly as much as they do, but safety is always our top priority. We will fly rain or shine, but various weather conditions may prevent us from flying. We will try to delay a flight before we cancel. If we cannot fly, we will do our best to reschedule your group with consideration of our existing schedule. All weather delays/cancellations are made by the pilot on the day of the flight.

Our Hallo Bay Bear Viewing day trips have a minimum age requirement of 12 years old. However, you know your children better than we do, but it is essential that participants on our Hallo Bay trips, regardless of age, are able to walk up to 4 miles in provided hip-waders across small creeks, in hip-high sedge grass, and on uneven terrain. Guests will also need to follow the pilot’s instructions precisely. Remember you will be in bear country, and we want to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests. If your child does not meet the minimum age requirement, please contact us to discuss your group’s needs.

All other tours are suitable for guests of any age with the consideration of mobility requirements.

In Alaska, we joke that we experience two seasons, winter and road construction season. In the summer months, the 225-mile drive from Anchorage to Homer can take anywhere from 4 – 6+ hours. For this reason, it is imperative that you allow yourself enough time to travel between Anchorage and Homer. In addition, we do not recommend booking your tour on the same day as your arrival or departure from Homer. Scenic flights may be the exception to this rule, but the more flexible your plans are, the better your chance to complete your experience with us.

Our standard day trips depart and end in Homer. However, if you are looking to fly to/from Anchorage or another location not listed, we offer a wide variety of private charters. Beryl Air flies to and from several locations around Alaska. If you are looking for a trip not listed on our website, please contact us via email or phone; we would be happy to customize a trip that works for you.

Absolutely! Beryl Air is an excellent option for backpacking trips, rafting tours, backcountry hunting, and more. Email or call for current rates and load limits.

Of course! You will find that Beryl Air offers unique combo trips allowing you to visit multiple parks in one day. This allows our guests to maximize their time in Alaska and cut down on costs. Please see our full list of combo tours on our bear viewing and national park pages. Feel free to email or call with any questions.

At this time, we do not offer any discounts. However, you will find our prices extremely competitive, and we provide a unique opportunity to explore multiple national parks in one day, which can reduce costs.