Home » alaska kodiak katmai bear photography workshop 2027

2027 Kodiak Wildlife & Brown Bears of the Katmai Coast

Join Cindy Goeddel in Alaska for a rare wildlife photography workshop that begins in Kodiak and continues with six nights aboard a private yacht along the Katmai Coast. Photograph brown bears fishing for salmon, mothers with cubs, whales, sea otters, puffins, eagles, and more with Cindy’s hands-on instruction throughout.

The trip opens with two full days around Kodiak—a Marine Wildlife Tour and a Kodiak Island Adventure—before flying by Beaver floatplane to our privately chartered expedition yacht. From there, you’ll spend six nights along the wild Katmai Coast, staying close to the action and ready for whatever Alaska delivers next.

This is Alaska at full strength: coastal brown bears in sweeping volcanic country, marine wildlife, seabirds, rugged shorelines, and long days built around photographic opportunity. All-inclusive from the moment the workshop begins in Kodiak, it covers lodging, meals, transfers, guides, floatplanes, yacht, and gratuities.

A true workshop, trip built for photographers who want serious wildlife opportunity, true access, and an Alaska adventure that is hard to top.

Dates: July 31–August 9, 2027
Length: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Tour Size: Cindy & Bayliss — Two leaders with 8 photographers
Cost: Double Occupancy – $13,793
Deposit: $3,793 | Balance: $10,000 due March 1, 2027

Kodiak Portion Includes

Full-day Kodiak Marine Wildlife Tour
Full-day Kodiak Island Photography Tour
All meals
3 nights lodging in Kodiak
Kodiak guide gratuities

Katmai Coast Yacht Portion Includes

All transfers
Roundtrip floatplane Kodiak–Katmai
6 nights aboard the yacht
5 full days and 2 half days in the field
All meals/snacks onboard
Crew gratuities

Not Included

Transportation to/from Kodiak
Hotel stays before/after trip
Alcoholic beverages
Waders (limited loaners available)

Marine Wildlife Tour

We’ll spend a full day on the water searching for breaching whales, puffins, sea lions, and sea otters with pups. Much of the Kodiak archipelago is protected wilderness, accessible only by air or sea, and our charter gives us the mobility to work changing wildlife opportunities from the water.

Kodiak Island Adventure

A guided full-day Kodiak Island excursion takes you through rainforests, flower-filled meadows, rocky shorelines, and dramatic coastal country. Wildlife possibilities include Kodiak bears, foxes, ermine, and seabirds, with time to explore tide pools, remote beaches, and traces of the island’s history. A gourmet local seafood picnic is built into the day.

Overview

Unlike lodge-based trips restricted by flight schedules and weather, our yacht-based workshop gives us proximity, flexibility, and time in the field. Instead of flying in and out on a fixed schedule, we live aboard a privately chartered 98-foot Coast Guard–certified vessel and work the coast from there. When weather shifts, we are already in the right part of Katmai and ready to move when conditions improve.

Operating primarily from Hallo Bay, Geographic Bay, and surrounding areas, we use a 28-foot landing craft to reach productive shorelines where bears roam against volcanic backdrops.

Activity Level: Moderate. Expect 3–4 miles of hiking/day over uneven terrain, wearing waders and carrying camera gear.

Workshop Itinerary

July 31: Arrive Kodiak, check in to hotel

Aug 1 & 2: Marine Wildlife Tour & Kodiak Island Adventure

Aug 2 evening: Welcome dinner & orientation

Aug 3: Fly to yacht via floatplane; afternoon/evening bear photography

Aug 4–8: Morning & afternoon/evening bear sessions; optional skiff outings for sea otters, puffins, eagles, seals, and possibly whales

Aug 9: Morning bear session; return to Kodiak by floatplane; connect to flights home

Bonus: Cindy’s workshops include a Zoom reunion and photo critique about 8 weeks after the workshop.

Cancellation Policy

Due to the significant time and financial commitments required to secure guides and accommodations in prime bear season, all payments (including deposits) are non-refundable unless your spot can be filled. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.