Suggested Itineraries

Kayaker

Kayaker

Trips on the Kachemak Bay Water Trail can vary from a day paddle near the Homer Harbor to a multiday trip around the Kachemak Bay. Water taxi services provide transportation to most places on the Trail , and are, of course, dependent on tides and weather! Accommodations vary from camping at approved campsites to several with rustic cabins or yurts. Lodges are available also for those who prefer.

Approximate Distances Between Water Trail Sites, and other landmarks, Kachemak Bay Water Trail (pdf)

Suggested Trips for you to consider:* All distances are approximate depending on routes taken by paddlers.  All yurt, cabin, lodge overnights require reservations as do Water Taxis.  Costs not determined for these suggestions.  There are multiple HAZARDS associated with paddling Kachemak Bay.  Suggest going with a guide or utilizing local knowledge for specific hazard areas.  Extreme tides, wind, Alaska weather need to be considered on every trip.

#1 - 3 day, 2 night, camping or rental cabin

    Shuttle to Switchback Trail and beach, overnight at the Swift Creek Cabin Campsite, paddle down the north shore of Kachemak Bay to Falls Creek, overnight at a Leave No Trace Primitive Campsite or continue for a longer paddle to the rental cabin at Eastland Creek Cabin or further to Seaside Farm Cabin / campsite.   Paddle to the Airport Access Road for takeout.  Extensive mudflats so launches and landings should be close to high tide. Total paddle distance approximately 20 miles.

#2 - 3 day, 2 night, camping or rental cabin

    Water taxi to Chugachik Island campsite.  Paddle Bear Cove, explore the shoreline to Aurora Lagoon and on to Mallard Bay.  Camp at Mallard Bay tent platform or at a Leave No Trace Primitive Campsite on the north shore of Mallard Bay.  Paddle to Glacier Spit, Grewingk Lake trailhead, hike to Grewingk Lake and back, water taxi from Grewingk Trailhead to Homer.  Total paddle distance approximately 10 miles, hike distance 6 miles round trip.

#3 - 3 day, 2 night, camping, yurt or rental cabin

Water taxi to Glacier Spit, Grewingk Lake trailhead, overnight at yurt or a Leave No Trace campsite, paddle to Halibut Cove Lagoon, overnight at  a developed campsite or State Park Public Use Cabin.  Paddle to Halibut Cove, land and lunch at the Saltry, art walk.  Paddle to Public Dock, Water Taxi return to Homer.

Total paddle distance approximately 9 miles.

#4 - 3 day, 2 night, lodge, yurt or campsite

Water Taxi to Peterson Bay, overnight at private lodge, paddle / explore Peterson Bay, visit the Center for Coastal Studies (visit must be prearranged), paddle to China Poot Bay and / or Gull Island.  Caution, strong tides, enter at slack tide.  Overnight in yurt or at a developed campsite at the head of China Poot Bay.  Paddle to McKeown Spit, Water Taxi return to Homer.

Total paddle distance approximately 10 miles.

#5 - 3 day, 2 night, yurt or campsite

Water Taxi to Haystack Rock, overnight at yurt or Leave No Trace campsite.  Hike McKeown Spit or Wosnesenski River Trail, paddle to head of China Poot Bay, overnight at the China Poot Bay yurt or developed campsite.  Paddle back to McKeown Spit, Water Taxi back to Homer.  Caution, plan for strong westerlies or strong currents.  This beach is very exposed.

Total paddle disteance approximately 10-12 miles.

#6 - 3 day, 2 night, rental cabins

Water taxi to Otter Cove Resort / cabins.  Rent a kayak or bring your own.  Paddle and explore Eldridge Passage, circumnavigate Yukon Island.  Outer shoreline of the islands are very exposed.  Overnight at the same cabin and use the second day to explore Elephant Rock, Sadie Cove or the Herring Islands. Water taxi return to Homer.  

Total paddle distance approximately 10-15 miles.

#7 - 3 day, 2 night, yurt, public Use Cabin or camping

Water taxi to Kayak Beach, overnight in yurt or campsite.  Paddle / explore Tutka Bay.  Overnight at South Grace Ridge campsite or yurt or Sea Star Public Use Cabin or yurt.  Visit Tutka Falls, continue exploration of Tutka Bay and Tutka Bay Lagoon.  Water taxi return to Homer or Seldovia.

Total paddle distance approximately 18-20 miles.

#8 - 3 day, 2 night, yurt or campsite

Water taxi to Kayak Beach, overnight in yurt or campsite. Paddle Sadie Cove, overnight in  same yurt or campsite, paddle around Hesketh Island, explore the Herring Islands.  Water taxi return to Homer or Seldovia.

Total paddle distance approxiamately 20-25 miles.

#9 - 3 day, 2 night, rental cabins

Water taxi to MacDonald Spit Between Beaches.  Paddle around MacDonald Spit, Kasitsna Bay, Reef on the outside beach of MacDonald spit.  Overnight in cabin at Between Beaches. Depending on the weather, paddle to Jakolof Bay, or explore Herring Islands, then paddle back to MacDonald Spit.  Overnight a the same cabin.  Water taxi from Sppit back to Homer.  www.betweenbeachesalaska.com

9a.  Water taxi to MacDonald Spit Between Beaches.  Paddle from Between Beaches to Jakolof Bay, Tutka Bay, Herring Islands, explore Kasitsna Bay and around outside beach to Barabara Point to Seldovia.  Between Beaches can be your base, paddling during the day the returning for a hot shower, beach fire, sauna, and a comfy nights sleep.  Wake to another day of exploring into and around Kachemak Bay...paddle to the destination of your choice...repeat.  Finally water taxi back to Homer.  Total paddle distance is totally up to you!

#10 Multi-day cabin stays, 4-5 nights

Shuttle to Switchback Trail and beach,twenty miles out East End Road.  Paddle to Bear Cove.  Overnight at Chugacjik Island campsite..  Paddle around Chugachik Island and explore Bear Cove. Overnight at the same campsite.  Paddle to Halibut Cove Lagoon (long day), overnight in State Park Public Use Cabin.  Paddle to Halibut Cove, Ismailof Island, visit art galleries and eat at a resturant.  Overnight at the same cabin. Water taxi to Homer or make the 6 mile crossing to Homer.

Total paddle distance approxiimately 30-35-40 miles 

*Use the interactive map page to plan your own Adventure Beyond The End Of The Road.

For more ideas, check out CoastView!

Also, check out their RSS feed of the articles about places in Kachemak Bay: 

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Articles-Coastview-Kachemak