Sea Kayaking

A number of local companies lead seasonal guided sea kayak trips within Kachemak Bay [1], or rent kayaks to do it on your own. Based on protected Yukon Island near Kachemak Bay State Park [2], True North Kayak Adventures (907/235-0708, www.truenorthkayak.com [3]) offers a range of guided trips, from half-day paddles ($105) to multiple-night packages. The all-day trip ($150 with lunch) is especially popular. All trips include a round-trip water-taxi ride to Yukon Island, sea kayaks, and a guide. Kayak rentals ($195 for 2 people with water taxi) are available for experienced paddlers.

St. Augustine’s Kayak & Tours (907/299-1894 or 800/770-6126, www.homerkayaking.com [4]) has a base in Peterson Bay, adjacent to the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies field station, with half-day ($95) and full-day ($135) trips, plus a combination version that includes a morning with naturalists at CACS and an afternoon of paddling for $155. Many people book through the Inlet Charters office on the Spit. All trips include round-trip transportation by water taxi from Homer [5].

Kachemak Guide Bureau (907/399-4542, www.kgbalaska.com [6]) sets up custom kayak trips of all sorts, including ones that include fly fishing, hiking, of flightseeing. Local water taxis have complete details on their various adventure trips.

Across the Bay Tent & Breakfast Adventure Company (907/235-3633 summer or 907/345-2571 winter, www.tentandbreakfastalaska.com [7], late May–early Sept.) has a distinctive operation that’s perfect for adventurous travelers on a budget. Guests stay in furnished canvas wall-tents set atop wooden platforms along Kasitsna Bay (8 miles out of Seldovia [8]), with showers, a sauna, and “two of the most beautiful outhouses in Alaska.” Tent and all meals are $110 per day per person; tent and breakfast only are $75 per day. You can rent a mountain bike, take a sea kayak tour, or join a Kachemak Bay [1] tour.

Seaside Adventures (907/235-6672, www.seasideadventure.com [9], May–mid-Oct.) operates out of Little Tutka Bay, a lovely wooded spot surrounded by Kachemak Bay State Park [2]. Tours ($150 all day or $110 half-day) include a water-taxi ride from the Spit, knowledgeable guides, and a distinctive lunch that includes “beach soup” made from mussels and clams found along the way.

Local water-taxi companies (including Mako’s, Smoke Wagon, and Triton) will also book kayak trips through the above companies, and offer rental kayaks. A package for two people that includes round-trip water taxi to the park and a double kayak is $190 d.

Alaska Kayak School (907/235-2090, www.alaskakayakschool.com [10]) offers kayaking lessons year-round from experienced professionals.