Alaska Kayaking: A Guide to Kayaking Adventures for Everyone

Header photo courtesy Juno Kim/Visit Anchorage

Imagine floating quietly in a kayak on a calm, still bay in Alaska. You stop paddling for a moment, rest the paddle, and take it all in. The air is fresh and cool, carrying a hint of saltwater and mist from a nearby glacier.

Suddenly, two puffins take off. Their wings brush the water, leaving small, rhythmic ripples. Nearby, a sea otter floats on its back, cracking open a clam while watching you. You spot a dark shape in the distance—is it a seal or just seaweed? Way up on the far shore, a bald eagle sits on a tree, watching the water for its next meal.

This may sound like a dream, but this experience is a common part of Alaska kayaking. If you are ready to paddle, and your timing is right, you might see all this and more. You could spot jumping porpoises or whales, a bear walking along a rocky beach, or a salmon leaping out of the water. All of this happens with a backdrop of towering mountains and coastal forests.

Easy Access to Big Adventures with Alaska Kayaking

The biggest surprise about kayaking in Alaska is how simple it is to go on one of these trips. You do not need to be an expert paddler or need to travel to remote, inaccessible locales. Whether you choose a short shore excursion or a full-day trip, there are Alaska kayaking tours for all skill levels.

Guides are available to lead you safely to great wildlife spots and beautiful waterways for a few hours or a few days. Some examples of kayaking-related services available to visitors:

• In most port towns, you can rent kayaks and gear if you want to paddle on your own.
• Water taxi operators will take you and your gear to a remote spot and pick you up when you are ready.

Best Places for Your Alaska Kayaking Adventure

Alaska has a lot of coastline and many lakes, offering endless opportunities for Alaska kayaking. Whether you want to try sea kayaking, glacier kayaking, or even kayaking next to whales, Alaska has the right location for you.

Glacier Bay National Park

If you go to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, plan for a few days of paddling. This area in Southeast Alaska is one of the most beautiful natural settings in the world. It has mountains, wildlife, beaches, coves, and many glaciers. It’s remote, with few roads, making it a peaceful kayaking haven. How to make the most of a kayaking experience in Glacier Bay:

• Reach the park’s headquarters near Gustavus by ferry, small boat from Juneau, or commercial flight.
• Local companies rent kayaks and offer guided tours.
• Paddle the calm waters, watch for small icebergs (known as “bergie bits”), and spot seals, sea lions, otters, seabirds, and sometimes even humpback or orca whales.
• Stay overnight in Gustavus, at a rustic lodge, or camp in a tent.

Glacier Bay is the star for Alaska kayaking in the Southeast, but almost every town on the Inside Passage (like Ketchikan, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines, and Skagway) offers its own special kayaking experiences.

Prince William Sound

Cruise west from the Inside Passage along Alaska’s Southeast coast and you will reach another king of kayaking regions: Prince William Sound (PWS). This region is full of marine animals, towering mountains, majestic glaciers, bright icebergs, and countless coves. You can easily access the waters of Prince William Sound from Cordova, Valdez, and Whittier, where tour guides are ready to help.

Further west is Seward, the entry point to Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, an area filled with marine wildlife and glaciers. Highlights of kayaking adventures in Seward:

• Sea kayaking in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park is a perfect, unique way to experience the area.
• You can stay in Seward or plan to spend the night in one of the public cabins inside the bay.
• For a more cushy experience, consider staying in one of several wilderness lodges in the area.
• See humpback whales, orcas, puffins, jumping salmon, and many, many types of marine birds.

Kachemak Bay State Park

Many happy kayakers head to Homer each summer and take a quick water taxi ride to the other side of Kachemak Bay. In Kachemak Bay State Park, known as Homer’s playground, you can explore beautiful coves, fjords, and beaches. Highlights of kayaking in Kachemak Bay:

• You will see plenty of marine life like sea otters, common murres, several types of cormorants, and more.
• Glaciers and waterfalls appear now and then.
• Kayak to a hiking trail up to a glacial lake!
• Stay in a yurt or a cabin across the bay for a rustic, magical Alaska experience.

River Kayaking

While the ocean offers amazing adventures, do not forget Alaska’s rivers. River kayaking is great because of the many options—from slow, winding streams to fast whitewater rapids. Some tips for river kayaking in Alaska:

• For experts: You can find challenging, rapids-filled river trips near Denali National Park, along Six Mile Creek, the Fortymile River, and the Chulitna and Happy rivers in the Alaska Range.
• Note: Because the status of Alaska’s wild rivers vary wildly, we recommend taking advantage of a guide familiar with local conditions.

Urban Kayaking Spots

While putting in your kayak in rugged, wild areas of Alaska is amazing, Alaska’s cities have milder, more relaxing options:

• Fairbanks: The Chena River is a slow, favorite float for locals. You can easily get in and out of the river near restaurants and parking areas.
• South of Anchorage: Portage Creek offers a nice, short paddle. Just down the road is Portage Lake, where a quick paddle takes you right up to Portage Glacier.
• North of Anchorage: A short drive north of the city is the large Eklutna Lake. You can rent kayaks on the shore and paddle surrounded by mountains.

The Best Time for Alaska Kayaking

The best time to kayak in Alaska is from May to September. Even within that time, some parts of the season are better than others.

• Early Season (Mid-May to Mid-June): This is usually a quiet time for visitors, so you can really enjoy the peace and quiet of locales like Prince William Sound.
• Peak Season (Mid-June to Mid-August): The weather is most likely to be good, but you will see more people on the water.
• Fall Season (Starts Mid-August): The weather can be less predictable, and temperatures start to drop.

Keep in mind that most of our kayaking tours happen in protected waters and are guided for your safety and comfort.

Your Alaska kayaking adventure is waiting! If you are excited to try new things, learn about dog sledding or whale watching and add them to your travel plans. If you want to book one of our expert-led Alaska kayaking tours, contact us today, and we will be happy to help you.