Southcentral Alaska’s Coastal Towns: How to Choose the Right One for Your Trip
Some of Alaska’s most stunning coastal communities lie just a few hours from Anchorage. From glacier cruises and wildlife viewing to quiet boardwalk towns and remote fishing villages, these places offer a wide range of experiences. Explore fjords, watch glaciers calve into the sea, kayak with otters, or wander quiet boardwalk towns.
You probably won’t have time to visit them all, so this guide is here to help you choose which coastal towns best fit your travel style, timeline, and interests.
Below is our quick reference chart - or jump to a detailed description of each town.
Town | Distance From Anchorage | Known For | Best For |
4.5 hr drive or 40 min flight | Art scene, halibut fishing, bear viewing, gorgeous views of Kachemak bay | Adventurous families, artists | |
2.5 hr drive or 4 hr train | Kenai Fjords National Park, day cruises to see glaciers and marine wildlife, Exit Glacier, Alaska SeaLife Center | Day-trippers, First-timers, cruise add-ons | |
1.5 hr drive + tunnel or 2.5 hr train | Day cruises to see glaciers in Prince William Sound, kayaking, hiking, WWII history | Day-trippers, paddlers | |
5.5 hr drive or 45-min flight | Waterfalls, day cruises to glaciers, heli-skiing | Scenery lovers, adventure seekers | |
4.5 hr drive + 45-min ferry | Small-town charm, boardwalk strolls, nature trails, kayking | Slower-paced travelers, birders | |
1-hr flight or 7-hr ferry from Whittier | Off-grid wilderness, Copper River salmon, birding | Off-the-grid explorers, serious anglers |
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Seward
Seward is the most popular coastal destination from Anchorage. Just a 2.5-hour drive along the Seward Highway or a scenic 4-hour train ride aboard the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic, you’re at the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. It’s close enough that you can visit for just the day, though staying a night or two gives you time to really explore.
Nestled between towering peaks and the glacial waters of Resurrection Bay, Seward is a hub for marine exploration. Take a day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park to view tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife. The town itself is compact and walkable, with a lively harbor, local shops, and the acclaimed Alaska SeaLife Center. It’s also home to Exit Glacier, one of the few glaciers in Alaska you can get close to on foot.
Distance from Anchorage: 2.5-hour drive or 4-hour train ride. The train departs at 6:45am from Anchorage, arrives in Seward around 11am. It departs Seward at 6pm and arrives in Anchorage at 10:15 pm. It’s a long day, but the scenery is worth it! This is considered the most scenic section of track along the entire railbelt. Many cross-gulf Alaska cruises also begin or end here, making it a natural transition point for travelers.
Best For: First-time Alaska visitors, families, cruise passengers, and visitors short on time.
Top Activities: Wildlife and glacier cruises, fishing, kayaking, flightseeing, Exit Glacier, Alaska SeaLife Center, and dog sledding tours.
Featured photos: Seal at Alaska SeaLife Center, daily catch with ProFish-N-Sea Charters, humpback whale with Kenai Fjords Tours, aerials of Bear Glacier and Seward by Alaska Helicopter Tours, glacier view with Major Marine Tours
Whittier
Tucked into a deep fjord on the western edge of Prince William Sound, Whittier feels like a hidden port straight out of a storybook. It's also one of the most accessible jumping-off points for glacier cruises and sea kayaking in the Sound.
This is also a popular choice from Anchorage due to its proximity – it’s even closer than Seward. It takes 1.5 hours to drive, or 2.5 hours by train. Most visitors come for a day trip to take a scenic cruise into Prince William Sound to see tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife. It’s also the closest port to Anchorage to go deep sea fishing for halibut or salmon. Other popular activities include kayaking, jet skiing, and hiking. The Portage Pass trail is the most popular in town.
Day trips from Anchorage are easy to arrange by car, train, or motorcoach, and getting there is part of the adventure. To reach Whittier, you must pass through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — a one-lane tunnel shared by cars and trains. There's an established schedule for when vehicles can travel through to Whittier and back toward Anchorage, so timing your trip is important.
Distance from Anchorage: 1.5-hour by car or motorcoach. 2.5 hrs aboard the Glacier Discovery Train. The train departs Anchorage at 9:45 and arrives Whittier at 12:45. It departs Whittier at 6:45 and arrives in Anchorage at 9:00pm. Like Seward, many cross-gulf Alaska cruises begin or end here.
Best For: First-time visitors, cruise passengers, kayakers, hikers, history buffs interested in the history of Whittier and its role during WWII.
Top Activities: Glacier cruises, kayaking, jet skiing, hiking Portage Pass, WWII history, fishing charters.
Featured photos: Aerial of Whittier by Ted Spencer, Portage Pass Trail, The Head of the Bay, glacier aerial, kayaking in Blackstone Bay.
Homer
Homer sits at the edge of the road system — literally. It’s the end of the highway, perched on the shores of Kachemak Bay and surrounded by stunning views of snow-capped peaks and glacier-fed waters. Known as the 'Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,' it’s long been a favorite for anglers. It’s also a go-to spot for bear viewing tours that fly visitors across Cook Inlet to Katmai or Lake Clark National Parks.
Homer blends rugged adventure with cultural flair—in the best way. It has a thriving arts scene and a quirky, creative vibe, with plenty of galleries, cafes, and waterfront views. From the bustling Homer Spit to the wilderness lodges just across the bay, Homer offers a gateway to off-the-grid adventure with a cultural heart.
Distance from Anchorage: 4.5-hour scenic drive down the Sterling Highway or a 40-minute flight. Shuttles are also available.
Best For: Travelers who want a mix of art, exploring tidepools, fishing, and off-grid adventures like fly-in bear tours.
Top Activities: Deep-sea fishing, visiting galleries, beach walks along the Spit, water taxis to Kachemak Bay State Park, day trips to Seldovia.
Feature photos: Fishing Hole, Homer Harbor, bear viewing at Brooks Falls by Nelson Rudiak, Kachemak Bay, Salty Dawg Saloon, tidepool views
Valdez
Valdez takes the longest to reach from Anchorage — but if you’re looking for big scenery without big crowds, it’s worth every mile. The drive is part of the adventure, with stunning stops like Matanuska Glacier, Worthington Glacier, and the 2,678-foot Thompson Pass. From there, you’ll descend into Valdez, a small town set at the head of a deep fjord and surrounded by waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. It delivers dramatic views in every direction.
Summer brings day cruises to Meares or Columbia Glacier, where you can spot seals, whales, and calving ice. You can also enjoy a day on the water fishing or sea kayaking. Come late winter, Valdez turns into a global hub for heli-skiing, attracting powder hounds from around the world.
Valdez is all around a quieter destination, perfect if you want to combine adventure with a little more breathing room.
Distance from Anchorage: 5.5-hour drive via the Glenn and Richardson Highways, or a 45-minute flight. You can also drive a loop from Anchorage to Valdez and back to Anchorage by incorporating a ferry ride between Valdez and Whittier, and driving back to Anchorage from Whittier. Here’s a sample itinerary with those details.
Best For: Glacier Enthusiasts, kayakers, history buffs, visitors who want to get “off the beaten path”.
Top Activities: Glacier cruises, heli-skiing (in winter), hiking, sea kayaking or kayaking in Valdez Glacier Lake, and fishing.
Featured photos: Kayaking in Valdez Glacier Lake with Anadyr Adventures, glacier views with Stan Stephens Cruises, hungry sea lion at the Solomon Gulch Hatchery, Valdez Harbor.
Seldovia
Seldovia feels like a secret coastal village, far removed from the busier towns on the road system. Set across Kachemak Bay from Homer, this peaceful town is known for its wooden boardwalks, friendly locals, and stunning tidepools. With no big crowds and a pace that invites you to linger, it’s a haven for birders, photographers, and anyone looking to recharge.
If Homer is already on your itinerary, Seldovia is easy to incorporate because it’s just a short 45-minute ferry ride away. You can visit for the day and return to Homer in the evening, or stay a night or two to fully experience the town’s quiet charm and slower pace. If you plan to stay the night, book far in advance as accommodation choices are limited. Here are our favorites.
Distance from Anchorage: 4.5-hour drive to Homer plus 45-minute ferry ride (or floatplane).
Best For: Slower-paced travelers, birdwatchers, writers, nature lovers.
Top Activities: Hiking, tidepooling, kayaking, photography, enjoying the quiet.
Featured photos: Seldovia Boardwalk, sunset views, Otterbahn Trail, Music on the Slough music festival.
Cordova
Cordova is the most remote town on this list — you’ll need to fly or take a ferry to get there, but that’s part of what makes it special. This fishing town, tucked between the Chugach Mountains and the Copper River Delta, feels deeply rooted in the landscape.
Many visitors come to fish for world-famous Copper River sockeye salmon or hike the incredible trails in the Chugach National Forest. But if you really want to experience local charm, visit during on the unique festivals that reflect its character: Salmon Jam, the Fungus Festival, the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival, and the wintertime Iceworm Festival. These events give visitors a real sense of local life, creativity, and humor.
Distance from Anchorage: 1-hour flight (no road access) or Alaska Marine Highway Ferry via Whittier (7 hrs).
Best For: Serious anglers, conservation-minded travelers, visitors who want to get “off the beaten path”.
Top Activities: Hiking Heney Ridge, birding and wildlife viewing, salmon fishing, attending community festivals.
Featured photos: Cordova aerial, bears at Hartney Bay, Copper River Highway views by Wendy Ranney. Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival, Sheridan Glacier Ridge Trail.
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