The Best Things To Do In Homer
1. Bear Viewing | Scenic flight, bears
Homer is close to Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park, both densely populated with Alaska’s massive brown bears.
Hop on a 1.5 hour scenic flight across Cook Inlet for an amazing day watching these bruins in their natural habitats: along the coastline or at the famed Brooks Falls. Choose the latter to get one of those iconic photos of bears catching salmon as they jump up the falls.
For a quieter day trip with fewer people, hike with your guide to watch as coastal brown bears feast on sedge grass, dig for clams or catch salmon coming in with the tide. Either choice provides hours of fascinating viewing as bears move through their pristine Alaskan habitats.

See Coastal Brown Bears in their natural environment
2. Explore Kachemak Bay | Coastal scenery, tidepooling, walks on the beach, kayaking
One of the richest marine estuaries in the world, Kachemak Bay is easily explored from kayak or shore. Walk along Homer’s beaches to find tidepools with sea stars, anemone and mussels.
Or explore Kachemak Bay up close by renting a paddleboard and adventuring on your own or with a guide. Or opt to experience the waters with a sea kayaking outfitter. Immerse yourself in a natural world that is home to sea otters, puffins, and a multitude of marine life.
You'll paddle past remote islands, visit a seabird rookery, and learn how extreme tidal changes (between 15 and 28 feet) contribute to the rich ecosystem around you.
You can also hire a small boat or water taxi for a custom, small group day cruise. Look for humpback and orcas and appreciate the spectacular landscape.

Glacier kayak with Three Moose Kayak Adventures
3. Hike | Water taxi, glacier, volcanoes, stunning views, marine life
Trails into the hills above Homer bring you great exercise, the beauties of trees and flowers, the occasional encounter with wildlife, and great views of the mountains across Kachemak Bay. Or descend to the beach from the Alaska Islands & Oceans Visitor Center.
But you can discover some of Alaska's best hiking in Kachemak Bay State Park, with more than 80 miles of trails.
Find trails to glaciers, mountain lakes, and miles of uninhabited beaches. It all starts with a 20-minute water taxi across the Bay.
Or take a guided hike, which includes the taxi service. Your guide can help you decide on the right trail experience for you – the easy, well-maintained Grewingk Glacier hike, or the more challenging Sadie Knob or Grace Ridge Trail hikes that promise higher elevations and amazing views.

Homer, Alaska. Photo by Diana Reid
4. World-Class Fishing | Full and half-day charters
Homer is known for some of the world's best halibut fishing just an hour's boat ride away.
Look for migrating whales while you cast your lure in search of monster halibut that can top the scales at several hundred pounds! You’ll find both full and half-day charters leaving out of Homer.
Some focus on halibut; others on the spectacular salmon fishery, where you can fish for Kings year round.
Like variety? Opt for a combo trip. You may target different species of salmon along with halibut, or have a rollicking time chasing rockfish, lingcod or even salmon sharks, all with guidance from knowledgeable (and enthusiastic) charter operators.

Set out with O'Fish'ial Charters of Alaska to catch a halibut of your own.
5. Explore Halibut Cove | Water taxi, marine life, art galleries, boardwalk community, fresh seafood
Halibut Cove a fairy-tale hamlet of boardwalks and homes that perch on stilts high above the lapping waves of Kachemak Bay.
Take a 45-minute water taxi or the Kachemak Bay Ferry to this remote artist’s community, well-removed from the noise and hubbub of town.
Along the way you’ll likely see whiskered otters, playful porpoise and hundreds of seabirds near their gathering spot on Gull Island.
Once docked at Halibut Cove, stroll the boardwalks, enjoy a coffee at the water’s edge, stop in for killer chowder at the local restaurant and peruse any number of art galleries, along with one of the country’s only floating post offices.

Floating Sea otters in Halibut Cove. Photo by Erich Von Matt
6. Go to the Beach | Tidepooling, birding, walking, meeting locals and other visitors
Stroll Homer’s easily accessible beaches in search of marine life, eagles, seabirds, and the dramatic changes revealed by extreme tides.
Boots are highly recommended for full-on exploring, along with warm layers and a windbreaker. Walk for miles along the Homer Spit, which is usually bustling with tourists, tent-campers, water taxis and charter boats.
Tidepools abound at nearby Bishop’s Beach, where you can spot colorful anemones, sea stars, jelly fish, and mussels clustered on larger rocks.
Bonus find: the nearby boardwalk trail around Beluga Slough, which attracts shorebirds in all seasons.

Solitude at Bishop's Beach during low tide. Photo by Theresa Wiltrout
7. Browse Local Art | Window shopping, quality souvenirs
Homer’s gorgeous setting on Kachemak Bay is muse to a multitude of artists, providing a wide range of styles for browsing and buying.
Stroll “Gallery Row”, or walk the shops along the boardwalk on The Homer Spit.
You’ll find everything from detailed prints made with octopus ink to historic Alaskan photographs, colorful jewelry and stylish but functional pottery.
With inspiration drawn from land and sea, Homer’s artistic community offers one-of-a-kind options for both serious and impromptu collectors.

Homer is bursting with fabulous art from all types of local artists.
8. Visit Local Museums & Cultural Centers | Homer history, natural history, local art
Spend a full day learning about Kachemak Bay and Homer’s history with engaging indoor and outdoor exhibits. The Pratt Museum focuses on art, natural history, native cultures, homesteading, fishing, and marine ecology.
Join them in summer for local music jams and stroll through the botanical garden or visit an historic homesteader’s cabin.
The Alaska Islands & Oceans Visitor Center offers daily guided programs to the adjacent Beluga Slough and Bishop’s Beach in summer. Kids (and those young at heart) can earn a Jr.
Biologist badge on a quest through informative indoor displays, featuring history, geology, wildlife, seabirds, and more.

The Pratt Museum is great for the whole family.
9. Visit Seldovia | Boardwalk, local art, history, trails
Take the 45-minute “Fast Ferry” from Homer to Seldovia to experience a charming and remote boardwalk community.
As you cross Kachemak Bay, watch for diving seabirds, rafts of otters, or even humpback whales.
troll along Seldovia’s bustling waterfront, visit art galleries, learn about Seldovia’s Russian origins and Native Alaska influences at the Seldovia Museum & Visitor Center, and stretch your legs on Rocky Ridge Trail, the Otter Bahn trail and Outside Beach.

Visiting the unique town of Seldovia is sure to be a highlight of your vacation. Photo by Neil Andrews.
10. Meet Locals at the Market | Local foods and flowers, live music
Homer’s close-knit community includes all kinds of artists, along with produce and flower farmers.
Find their wares at the Homer Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays & Saturdays from late May to late September.
Look for a bounty of fresh fruits and veggies, along with local cut flowers (peonies are a Homer specialty), fireweed honey, smoked salmon, and yummy baked goods.
Live music gives this hopping market an enthusiastic local Homer vibe, including singer/songwriter guitarists, quartets and marimba bands!

Homer Farmer's Market
11. Attend a festival | Birding, fishing, boats, music and more
For a small town, Homer has made its name with annual festivals well-known around the state.
The largest is the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival, celebrating the return of hundreds of thousands of shorebirds to Homer each May.
From May to September you can enter the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby, with prizes up to $25,000. It’s the state’s largest and longest-running derby, fitting for the “Halibut Capital of Alaska.”
In September, sea chanteys and tall tales abound over the 4-day Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Festival, which celebrates the city’s maritime heritage. Other festivals feature yacht races, highland games, and local music.

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
Homer Day Tours & Attractions View All
Touring Alaska by helicopter gets you to unimaginably wild and remote places. Some of the most amazing have been scouted by Alaska Ultimate Safaris. Explore a glacier surrounded by snow-capped mountains, or climb to the steaming summit of an island volcano. In either case, the views are unparalleled and the experience is surreal.
See Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears in the wild on a floatplane trip to Katmai National Park. Visit Brooks Falls or join a guided tour to other remote locations within the park. Both trips provide 5 hours on the ground with the bears. Founded in 1991, Emerald Air Service’s mission is to increase the understanding and appreciation of the unique ecosystem that supports bears.
For many Alaskan travelers, bears are the ultimate highlight. Pair a magnificent sighting with a gorgeous helicopter flightseeing ride and you’ll have an unforgettable experience. On this unique tour from Homer, you’ll take a helicopter ride out into one of Alaska’s gorgeous national parks to witness these spectacular creatures in the wild.
It’s thrilling to see coastal brown bears in their natural habitat, especially when you’re not rushed. Fly out of Homer to the Katmai coast for five days of amazing bear viewing with Alaska Bear Adventures. Stay overnight on the Alaska Dawn, a 65-foot expedition trawler, so you can easily get back to the bears each morning.
Spend several hours or a full day watching bears in the wild on a quintessential Alaskan adventure with a family-run company. Start with a scenic flight out of Homer over Kachemak Bay and into Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Once you land, your pilot/guide will take you to an optimal spot to watch and photograph these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, hunting, playing, and relaxing. Spend anywhere from 1.5 to 9 hours on the ...more
Watch bears digging for clams, wandering the sedge grass, or nursing their young – all in a short flight from Homer to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Smokey Bay’s bear tours last about five hours total — including flights and about three hours on the ground. On any given day there will always be a morning outing (leaving at 8 a.m. at the latest) and possibly one that leaves around 2 p.m.
Go fish! Cast your line for iconic Alaskan salmon and halibut — as well as other species — as you explore the shimmering waters around Homer with the passionate fishing pros of Maverick Charters. The stunning area is one that many travelers don’t get to explore, and all ages can enjoy this unforgettable outing — no experience necessary!
Charter their private, live-aboard, 60’ yacht. Wake up each day in the middle of untouched wilderness and go sea kayaking, hike through boreal forests, fish for trophy halibut and salmon, or spend a quiet day on the water photographing wildlife
Homer is the halibut capital of Alaska, and this longtime charter company offers a blue-chip way to get to the fish. They have high-quality boats, experienced captains, and enthusiastic crews — as well as an inside line on finding halibut, rock fish and silver salmon. But they also offer a variety of other ways to enjoy the waters off Kachemak Bay, from wildlife cruising to paddling a kayak or hiking in Kachemak Bay State Park.
Skip the 2‑hour boat ride out to the fishing grounds and take a 30-minute floatplane flight straight to the boat instead! From world-class halibut to five species of native salmon runs, the ocean is teeming with life. All trips are private to ensure you and your group have the best possible experience. Further customize the experience by adding a dinner or wildlife cruise to your day on the water.
Whether you’d like to go on a personalized boat tour of the Homer area or take a water taxi to the Alaskan backcountry, Homer is an ideal place to launch from, and Coldwater has the boats and expertise to get you there. Explore places like Kachemak Bay State Park, the small town of Seldovia, and picturesque Halibut Cove.
Family-owned and operated, Destination Alaska Adventure Company, has a passion for showing people Alaska. Whether your must-see list includes national parks, glaciers, volcanoes, great fishing, bear viewing, or more, Homer is not only a great base for flightseeing but also a great home base for your trip. Browse available tours, dream up an adventure of your own, or let the pros at Destination Alaska help you create one!
Explore a quiet coastline just a few miles from Homer, where you’ll kayak through the protected waters of Tutka Bay in search of amazing views, wildlife and adventure! Your guide leads the way on a half-day or full-day tour, gliding past dense woods, rugged shoreline and hidden coves. Add on fishing for the freshest in Alaskan salmon or rockfish!
Enjoy remote Alaska at its best. Go with this small, family-owned company in Homer for a magical kayaking experience and a gorgeous hike to an iceberg-studded glacier lake!
With snow-capped peaks and towering trees all around, you’ll set off onto the calm waters of shimmering Kachemak Bay in a thrilling way — paddling a standup paddleboard. These long, wide, sturdy boards are built to handle the waters of Alaska, and no experience is necessary. Go with your own private group; an experienced guide will be right there to offer instruction and fun tales of the area. Or rent a board and explore this stunning area on your ...more
In the best way possible. you’re outnumbered by bears during your stay at this private fly-in wilderness camp. Fly by chartered plane from Homer to Alaska Bear Camp on a 4‑night, 5‑day all-inclusive package. This deluxe backcountry camp accommodates just 14 guests in some of the best bear habitat in the world. In contrast to day trips catering to dozens of visitors at a time, Bear Camp offers a rare and exclusive wilderness immersion.
O’Fish’ial specializes in saltwater halibut and king salmon charter fishing experiences out of Homer, as well as Long Range trophy fish hunts. Owner Chad has spent countless hours with seasoned Alaskan fishermen who shared time-tested advice – and their fishing hotspots – with him. He combines this knowledge with a customer-service focus and passion for sharing all the excitement and adventure Alaska fishing has to offer.
Homer Parks & Trails View All
This trail, hands down, is one of the most popular hikes in the Kachemak Bay State Park. It is one of the easiest hikes in the park as the trail is well maintained, and you can’t beat the view of the glacier at the lake. For the first 1.5 miles, the trail meanders through mixed cottonwood and Sitka spruce. These cottonwoods are some of the largest in the park so take time to appreciate their enormous size. After 1.5 miles, the trail proceeds ...more
One of the top trails on the Homer side of Kachemak Bay, Diamond Creek is a 2‑mile trail that takes you through forest, alders, and tall grass meadows before descending to the beach, where you’ll find small Alaskan sealife.
This is one of Homer’s top hikes. It starts on top of Baycrest Hill, crosses Diamond Ridge Road, then follows Crossman Ridge to the Bridge Creek Reservoir. Throughout, it rolls through forests, meadows and over streams. The area is excellent for birding and catching a glimpse at the occasional moose.
Probably the second most traveled trail in the park, this trail offers a great day hike for those spending time in the lagoon. You can start hiking the trail from the ranger station or the trailhead in Halibut Cove Lagoon. The trail traverses up numerous switchbacks to a place called First Lake. On a hot summer day, a soak in this lake can’t be beat.
From the base of the Homer Spit, take this 4‑mile paved trail to the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. The trail is in excellent condition and is flat as a pancake for most of its length. The first mile of trail is along a broad estuary that is great for birding. Once you pass the one-mile mark you’ll be riding past fishing boats that are out of the water being worked on as well as a few shops.