Seaman's Adventures

Kachemak Bay is very rich in marine life, providing a variety of opportunities for viewing Alaska wildlife, wildlife photography, and birding.   Kachemak Bay is rich in species diversity.  Visitors will likely see a diversity of animals, with marine mammal sitings including harbor seals and sea otters, and if you are lucky, harbor porpoises, a pod of killer whales and a few humpback whales.  The Bay and adjacent lands are also very rich in bird life.  Seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and upland birds that will be seen in the area.  A list of Kachemak Bay birds may be viewed in A Birders Guide to Kachemak Bay.  We will visit local bird rookeries and tour the areas of the bay where marine life is most likely to be seen.  

Both half and full-day trips are available.  Wildlife photography and viewing tours may be combined with natural history and Alaska culture and history tours on full-day trips.     

Visitors will have a very good chance of seeing humpback whales, porpoises, sea lions, and a variety of marine birds on the outer coast between Point Pogishbi and the Chugach Islands.  This is a favorate trip for visitors interested in wildlife photography.  This area is true wilderness, with large mountains dropping precipitously into southern Cook Inlet.  In the spring, other common animals to see include mountain goats and black bears.  These trips are weather dependent, as the area is much more exposed to the more open waters of Shelikof Strait and Gulf of Alaska. 

A trip to the outer coast may also be planned with a stop or drop off in Port Graham, a small Alaska Native Village on the south side of Kachemak Bay.  

Kachemak Bay has some of the most diverse and productive tideflat and rocky intertidal beaches in Alaska.  Seaman's Adventures tidepool exploration and discovery tours are designed to peak the interest and excitement of young children to adults of all ages.  These tidepool tours -- often referred to as "tidepooling" by local enthusiats -- will provide an introduction to the ecology of the rocky intertidal zone.  Visitors will learn the basics of shoreline zoneation; what lives where, and why; how tides, waves, and substrate affects distributions of animals; and begin to learn about some of the ecological interactions of the animals and their environment.  Participants will learn how to identify the more common groups of marine invertebrates and vertebrates, and may start a checklist of marine life they have seen. 

Tidepooling will be limited to four to six days a month - from May to August, when low tides are negative 3 feet or lower.  In 2009, the best days are May 24-28, June 22-26, July 21-25, and August 19-22.  Trips for adults can be from one to three days.  Multiple day trips will allow the visitor to explore multiple habitat types, and provide a richer appreciation of rocky intertidal communities in Kachemak Bay.  Organized trips for K-12 students are designed to meet Alaska State Science Standards, and may be from one to three days.   

The Kachemak Bay area has a rich history, from the early occupation of the area by Alutiiq Eskimos and the Dena'ina (Athabaskan) Indians to the first arrival of western civilation in early 1800's.   Kachemak Bay is a very productive bay, and was known by the Dena'ina Indians as the "place to be in the winter" due to the abundance and diversity of food sources. 

Visitors will learn about the occupation and use of the Kachemak Bay and Lower Cook Inlet area by Alaska Natives as documented by written record in various anthropological studies, as well as learn about use and settlement of the areas by western explorers.  Many historical photos and pictures will be available.  To enhance the trip, visitors may wish to visit the Pratt Museum prior to going on the water.  There are also many good publications available on the history of the area that you could read at your leisure.

One and two-day trips are available, and could be combined with wildlife tours.  Two-day trips could include a trip to inner (east of the Homer Spit) and outer bay.  Trips could include lunch or dinner stops.  Trips to the outer bay could include dropoff in villages of Port Graham. 

Touring and fishing trips to the outer bay may include a drop off in the small Alaska Native viillage of Port Graham.  Seaman's Adventures was invited by J & L Scenic Wilderness Adventures to partner with their business.  Visitors will be dropped off in Port Graham where they will be greeted by business owners Jeff or Lydia McMullen.  Visitors can spend one or more days in Port Graham and then return to Homer Air or Smokey Bay Air.   Visit their web site for further information. 

Seaman's Adventures also provides fishing trips for Alaskan halibut, king and silver salmon, and rockfish. We specialize in groups of three to four individuals, with groups up to six. Organized groups and families with kids are encouraged.  With a four full-paying passengers, two children under the age of 12 can go for half price.  

Half and full-day fishing trips are available.  We work hard to make your trip as enjoyable and successful as possible.  Most full-day halibut fishing trips range from 20 to 50 miles from Homer.  

Combinations are also available for a half day of fishing with a stop in Seldovia, Otter Cove Resort, or a stop for dinner in one the protected coves of Kachemak Bay.  Picnics on the beach or boat also available.     

Seldovia is a popular place for many summer visitors.  It is a great place to stop to eat, shop, or just walk around and enjoy this quite, quaint, and friendly coastal community.  Most businesses are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with lots of activities in the summer (check the community calendar).  A stop in Seldovia can be combined with many trips. There are also some good restaurants on water to enjoy the view and good food. 

Kachemak State Park and Wilderness area offers a diversity of hiking and trekking opportunities on maintained trails.   Maintained part trails provide many exciting opportunities to match your personal interests, physical abilities, and travel schedule.  Trails vary greatly in difficulty, from easy hikes to a lake at the base of Grewingk Glacier, to moderate to difficult hikes up some of the adjacent mountain peaks. 

The best months time for hiking in Kachemak Bay is late June to early September.  We collaborate with Kachemak State Park officials on trail conditions for your safety and to ensure you have an enjoyable experience.  Individuals interested in the hiking and trekking in the park may refer to the State Parks web site for an overview of trails in Kachemak Bay State Park.  See hiking and trekking site for more information. Please contact us for a description of many day trips that are available.   

Seaman's Adventures will work with you to design a custom adventure to meet you interest and needs.  The above trips and events can be combined to make your trip most rewarding, either as varied day trip or a package of several trips.