Important Information – Please read carefully before booking:
Katmai Water Taxi operates June 1 – September 20 (subject to change based on weather conditions) from KING SALMON, AK. The price per seat is $400 per person round trip. We will accept bookings beyond September 20 for parties of 8 or more.
You must book online using the form provided below. If booking only one way/ or late season, call and book over the phone, or reach out to [email protected] with your request.
Once your seats are booked they are non refundable regardless of reason. Please do not book your seats if you do not understand our terms and conditions, or our cancelation policy.
We reserve the right to change and modify trips due to adverse weather concerns or for unforeseen circumstances. Once your seats are booked, there is a $25 per seat change fee for any changes required prior to departure. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who is abusive to our staff, or who pose a risk to the safety of other passengers and crew, and to those who refuse to follow captain and safety instructions. We reserve the right to change our pricing at any time (pricing changes will not affect already purchased tickets). Please do not complete your booking if you do not understand or agree with our terms and conditions, or our cancelation policy.
Booking for the departure and return trips are handled in two separate forms. Please make sure to book your return trip after booking your departure from King Salmon. If you do not pre book your return trip, we cannot guarantee you passage on the boat for your return from Brooks Camp. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PRE BOOK A RETURN, AS SEATS DO SELL OUT. Make sure that the name and number of tickets booked for departure matches the number of tickets for your return. After successfully booking your departure trip, after payment, you will receive a confirmation email with a link and password to the page where you will book your return trip. Return trip cost is included in initial booking. Please use the same name, email address, and number of seats reserved in both bookings.
***Please note that once you book your seats, they are non refundable for any reason. We do not refund for late arrivals or early departures. If you miss your scheduled departure or return, you can contact us to schedule on the next AVAILABLE DEPARTURE OR RETURN. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect your purchase. If you are not able to travel on your originally booked voyage, we will work with you to move your seats to a future time or future season with 7 days advanced notice.
Please see the King Salmon schedule below for a full list of departure and return times.
The water taxi departs every odd hour starting at 7 AM with the last departure at 5 PM. The water taxi returns from Brooks Camp every even hour starting at 8 AM, with the last return at 8 PM in June and July, 6 PM in August, and 4 PM in September as long as lighting, and weather conditions allow. We reserve the right to modify or change any trip due to adverse weather, or unforeseen circumstances. Safety is our top priority…. Please read the last statement again.
- Please allow yourself at least one hour prior to water taxi departure time for approved lodge pick up, and at least 45 minutes for airport pick up prior to your scheduled departure. * Example: If your flight lands at 8:25 AM, your safest bet is to schedule the 11 AM water taxi.
- The water taxi shuttle will pick up at the airport or the Sockeye Saloon approximately 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. Example…If you land at 8 AM, and you booked the 9 AM water taxi, you will wait approximately 30 minutes before the shuttle will arrive to pick you up. If you land at 11:20 AM, and you booked the 1 PM water taxi, The shuttle will arrive at the airport at 12:30 to pick you up.
- Please allow yourself at least 3 hours from Brooks Camp return time for same day airport departures. * Example: If your flight departs at 7:20 PM, your safest bet is to take the 4 PM or earlier return.
- We do not recommend booking the 1 PM departure and the 4 PM return in the same day (or any short run around times). This will realistically only give you 2 hours at Brooks Camp. If there are any delays you will be greatly disappointed and we will not offer you a refund. Please be realistic and make sure you understand that Brooks Camp is in a remote wilderness location, and the water taxi can be effected by unpredictable natural elements beyond our control.
- Katmai Water Taxi Services is a transportation service only. Once you disembark the boat you are self guided at Brooks Camp and surrounding areas. It will be your responsibility to check in at the Brooks Camp Visitors Center to participate in the mandatory bear viewing orientation class hosted by Katmai National Park staff.
- We do not have the capability to store your excess luggage. Please store at the accommodation where you are staying (and make arrangements to have that lodge deliver your luggage to the airport for you if needed), or at the airport luggage storage facility in Anchorage. The King Salmon Airport does not offer luggage storage.
- Each passenger is allowed 50lbs of gear with their ticket. There is a charge of $2.00 per pound for any weight over 50lbs. The boat has plenty of cargo space, so all gear will travel with you.
- Adverse weather is common in Katmai and the King Salmon Area. Although the water taxi is not generally effected by fog; High winds can occasionally cause delays and cancellations. You are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance as we do not offer any refund for delayed or cancelled voyages. However, we will make every effort to reschedule you on the next AVAILABLE departure when it is safe to continue service, or issue you a credit to use at a future date. Travel insurance will protect you in the case of travel interruptions, and in many cases cover the cost of lodging and flights, if you miss your flight or for any other travel interruption! Travel insurance can be independently purchased through companies such as Global Rescue and AIG Travel Guard. Please read the last paragraph again before completing your reservation.
- There is a $25 change fee for each ticket, for changes made to your reservation after booking. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
The Katmai Water Taxi shuttle: If coming in for a day trip, the shuttle will pick you up 30 to 40 minutes prior to your scheduled water taxi departure; either at the King Salmon Airport, or The Sockeye Saloon (located just 3 doors down on the same side of the street as the airport/ there is a sign in front that says Katmai Water Taxi Shuttle Stop). If you are staying at an approved lodge (see below for approved lodges where we offer shuttle service), the shuttle will pick you up 40 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Please be specific on your flight arrival time and /or the name of the approved lodge you are staying at. If you just list “lodge” on your booking form, we won’t know where that is, and will not pick you up, and will not call around to find you! The shuttle makes several stops, so please be patient. We will pick you up in a timely manner and some flexibility is required. * Please note that in 2024 we will only pick up from Alaska’s Gold Creek Lodge, The Sockeye Saloon, and the King Salmon Airport*
Approved lodges for shuttle pick up (2023):
- Alaska’s Gold Creek Lodge (907) 246-4653 (All inclusive lodge)
- Katmai Bed And Breakfast 1-833-252-8262
- The Bear Trail Lodge
- The King Salmon Suites
- The BlueFly Bed and Breakfast
- The Sockeye Saloon shuttle stop for all others not staying at approved lodges
- We do not offer shuttle service from any Air BnB, The Bear Trail Cabins, or The King Salmon Lodge. You will need to arrange with the host at those locations to transport you to The Sockeye Saloon shuttle stop. If you would like a rental car, we recommend Alaska’s Bristol Bay Rentals (907) 246-3652 as a great option.
*Note that starting in 2024, we will only pick up from Alaska’s Gold Creek Lodge, The Sockeye Saloon, and the King Salmon Airport*
Returns: If you do not book your return trip or do not show up to your booked return time, we cannot guarantee you passage returning from Brooks Camp unless there is room to do so. Please be at the boat at least 10 minutes prior to departure time from Brooks Camp. The boat leaves on time. Any costs that you incur if you miss your scheduled voyage or if you don’t schedule your return are your responsibility. We will not refund you if you miss your departure or your return.
There is no valet service for luggage once you disembark the vessel at Brooks Camp. If you will require extra assistance with your luggage, please prearrange with Brooks Lodge to meet you at the beach upon your arrival.
CAMPERS AND BROOKS LODGE GUESTS:
PLEASE CHECK IN WITH THE VISITORS CENTER THE EVENING BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED DEPARTURE, AND THEN AGAIN BEFORE 9 AM ON YOUR DAY OF DEPARTURE. IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE TO YOUR VOYAGE DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER THE VISITORS CENTER MAY HAVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOU! THIS IS A REMOTE LOCATION WITH LIMITED INTERNET AND PHONE ACCESS. IN THE EVENT OF BAD WEATHER, WE DO OUR BEST TO COMMUNICATE WITH PARK STAFF, HOWEVER MESSAGES DO NOT ALWAYS GET THROUGH. YOUR FLEXIBILITY AND UNDERSTANDING IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
IF YOU ARE ASKED TO RETURN EARLY OR AT A DIFFERENT TIME FROM YOUR ORIGINAL BOOKING DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER, AND YOU REFUSE TRANSPORT AT THE REQUEST OF THE CAPTAIN, WE WILL NOT OFFER YOU A REFUND.
- A note from the National Park Service: Alaska parks are different. Plan, prepare, and know before you go! Trips in Alaska National Parks require research, planning, and Flexibility. Be prepared for last minute changes in weather conditions, or routes to be more strenuous and take longer than expected. This is especially true when planning a trip into the backcountry. With less than 5 miles of maintained roads, Katmai is a wilderness park. It’s backcountry is filled with limitless possibilities for adventure, challenge, exploration, and solitude. Wilderness travel can be by foot, kayak, canoe, raft, boat, or airplane. Planning and flexibility are key to a successful trip.
WEATHER: Alaska can experience unpredictable and adverse weather conditions. Katmai Water Taxi reserves the right to cancel any trip if it is deemed unsafe. Katmai Water Taxi reserves the right to change your departure or return for the safe handling of the passengers and crew due to adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances. . If you are asked to get on an earlier water taxi return due to adverse weather conditions, and you refuse, we cannot guarantee that you will be retrieved from Brooks Camp that day. We will not put the lives of our crew at risk. TRAVEL INSURANCE is strongly recommended to protect your purchase. We will not be held responsible if you do not purchase travel insurance, or if you don’t purchase a policy that allows cancelation for any reason. It is your responsibility to purchase the proper travel insurance. Katmai Water Taxi does not offer refunds for any reason. However, we will make every effort to reschedule you or your group on the next available departure when it is safe to continue service. If you have to cancel for sickness, or any other reason. We will work with you to move your seats to a future date with advanced notice. If you do not show up for your departure or return, and you do not notify us, no refund or credit will be given. IF ADVERSE WEATHER CAUSES DELAYS YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND. ANY COST YOU INCUR DUE TO DELAY OR CANCELATION ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. YOU USE THE WATER TAXI AT YOUR OWN RISK.
- By purchasing with Katmai Water Taxi you are agreeing and acknowledging that your tickets are non refundable, and that you will abide by Katmai Water Taxi’s terms of service. Please do not book with us if you don’t understand that you are entering into a remote wilderness environment with potentially harsh and unpredictable weather conditions, that can cause delays or cancellations on occasion.
- Please do not book with us, if you do not understand that the shuttle will pick you up 30 to 40 minutes prior to your scheduled Water Taxi departure from King Salmon (this may mean, that you will have to wait at the airport if you arrive before your shuttle pick up time).
- Please do not book with us if you are impatient and inflexible.
- Please do not book with us if you do not understand that we operate only from King Salmon, Alaska.
- Please fill out the booking forms completely and accurately. The information that we ask for is important.
Flexibility is key to a successful trip into Katmai!
You are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages or food while on the water taxi or in water taxi shuttles. We reserve the right to refuse passage to anyone who exhibits drunk or disorderly behavior.
The tickets you are purchasing are non refundable. Do not continue with your booking unless you fully understand that the tickets you are purchasing are non refundable.
King Salmon Departures to Brooks Camp
24 Seats Available
7AM
9AM
11AM
1PM
3PM
King Salmon Departures to Brooks Camp
15 Seats Available
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Book your seat:
IMPORTANT!
Please make sure to book your return trip after completing this booking.
After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with the link and password to the page to book your return trip. If you do not pre book your return trip, we cannot guarantee you passage on the boat for your return from Brooks Camp.
If you would like to pay via wire transfer or over the phone for large groups, please call 1 (907) 246-4654 to complete your booking.