Kenai Peninsula Day Tours & Excursions

Everyone thinks that fishing in Alaska is mostly about tracking down the Kings in the height of the summer season. But this Kenai-based fishing charter operator has the experience to lead anglers to the best fish—and without the crowds—well outside the prime season. Visitors can choose from half to fully day charters for Salmon or full day charters for Halibut, Trout or combination trips. 

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. 

Fishing the Kenai Peninsula is pretty much the ultimate for fishermen the world over, and with Alaska River Adventures, even beginners do well. This area is famous for salmon (Kings, reds and silvers), rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden, which Alaska River Adventures can help you find in the amazing green of the Kenai River and other points along the Peninsula. Alaska River Adventure guides have been fishing these waters for years. They're patient educators – and will help all levels of anglers with proper fishing techniques. So whether you go out for a half-day, full day or fly-in fishing experience, you know you’ll learn something and have fun doing it – no gear required.

Where will you find Alaska's best salmon fishing? The Kenai Peninsula is hard to beat. Alaska Wildland Adventures (AWA) has specialized in fishing the Upper Kenai River between Kenai and Skilak Lakes since 1977. Their professional guides are experts in fly-fishing, drift fishing, and back trolling, so you can fish from the boat, the bank, or both. Expect an exciting day of fishing for salmon (red, silver, or king depending on the season), as well as rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.

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.

Profish-n-sea Charters, out of Seward, offers salmon and halibut fishing with friendly, experienced Alaskan guides. Trips last a full day; you’ll motor 2 to 2.5 hours from Seward to the Gulf of Alaska, Montague Island, and other outer-coast hotspots. Profish-n-Sea knows the three keys to catching fish: boats, knowledge, and gear. That’s why the boats are always clean, the gear sharp, and the crew friendly, helpful, and fun.

When in Seward, head out on the water with Alaska Northern Outfitters on their comfortable 46-foot catamaran – the Sea Quest -- for an epic day of fishing for halibut, salmon, lingcod, and rockfish. It’s the only charter vessel in Seward with an upper viewing deck. This lets you sightsee or have lunch on the upper deck while watching the action below. . Inside you’ll find a large and heated interior, indoor seating for everyone, tables, and unlimited coffee and tea.

Fish with Hill on his immaculate 46-foot boat and find the hottest fishing spots around Seward. Hill's no-nonsense approach guides you to the action, loading you up with more than one species! Book a corporate charter or a private adventure with your buds – and combine it with a stay at Hill's lodge for the “all-in” package.

Where can you find the biggest salmon, on average, in the entire world? In the Kenai River. And The River Crew, based in Soldotna, can take you to some secret spots on the famous river to fish for salmon and trout—whether you’re an experienced angler or not.

Don’t miss this opportunity to go fishing for Alaskan salmon in beautiful rivers. This easy, one-day trip departs from Anchorage; you’ll drive over mountain passes and along the Cook Inlet to the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge where you’ll have lunch. Then it’s out to the confluence of two rivers with the lodge’s expert guides, where you’ll cast your line for famous salmon—king, sockeye, silver, or pink, depending on the season. Or choose a one-day fishing charter for other prized Alaskan fish: halibut and trout. The lodge can even process and ship your fish.

The original hallmark trip that got the Alaska Railroad to bring the Glacier Discovery to Spencer Glacier in 2002.  This is one of the most scenic glacier river trips in Alaska and a perfect float for all ages. Your trip begins with a scenic ride on Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train, which runs from Anchorage, Girdwood, and other pick-up points along the railbelt. Enjoy a beautiful ride down Turnagain Arm and the Placer River Valley and into remoter areas of Alaska that you can’t get to by car. Disembark at the Spencer Glacier Whistlestop, and gear up for an exploration of the iceberg-choked Spencer Lake and points beyond.

Experience the wilderness of the Chugach National Forest from several different perspectives. Combine a helicopter ride, alpine hike, glacial lake tour, river rafting and train ride all in 9-10 hours! It’s one big and bold Alaska tour de force with Chugach Adventures.

Alaska Wildland Adventures pioneered floating the mellow, turquoise Kenai River and has operated continuously since 1977. Join them for a serene 2-hour float, or take on a 7-hour adventure, complete with fun Class II+ rapids and a cruise through a glacial lake. AWA's Kenai River Scenic Float Trip offers a nice introduction to the river, taking you along a stretch of the scenic Upper Kenai closed to motorized boats. Watch for wildlife as your guide navigates you through the mountain scenery of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Alaska River Adventures Kenai River rafting trips are some of its most popular and accessible excursions – and are a great value too. Full day trips showcase 19 miles of Alaska wild from Kenai Lake to Skilak Lake, giving plenty of time for spotting wildlife, historic spots and gorgeous views from all angles. When you have just a few hours, a scenic and serene 14-mile float of the Upper Kenai River provides a variety of sights, from historic Cooper Landing and the world famous Russian River combat fishing area, to spectacular views of the Kenai itself.

Six Mile Creek is one of the most famous—and most challenging—whitewater runs in the entire state of Alaska. Your heart will be pounding and your muscles burning as you paddle through rapids called “Big Rock Drop,” “Suckhole,” and “Let’s Make a Deal.”

For a closer, quieter, and more peaceful version of the Alaskan glacier and wildlife cruise, travel by sea kayak. Paddle the shoreline of Resurrection Bay, where encounters with sea otters, seabirds, and spawning salmon are common. Choose from a variety of three-hour excursions or take a full-day trip.

Enjoy a magical morning or evening kayaking the calm waters of Spencer Lake, in the awe-inspiring presence of a jagged terminus glacier. Your time on the water is sandwiched between two train rides that offer up some of Alaska’s most scenic rail miles. It’s a full day of unforgettable experiences in our country’s second largest national forest – the Chugach.

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!

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. 

Ride the rails, sea kayak through an iceberg-strewn lake and explore a glacier, all in one trip! Locally-owned Ascending Path designed this awe-inspiring outing, packing several exciting elements into one satisfying day. Trusted by locals and Hollywood producers alike, Ascending Path will take you on an unforgettable Alaska adventure.

Enjoy remote Alaska at its best. Go with this small, family-owned company in Homer for a magical kayaking experience, with the option to add on a gorgeous hike to an iceberg studded glacier lake! Trips range from half-day to full-day, and are great for families.

Take a boutique, small-group kayaking trip with experienced guides at Liquid Adventures and get close to glaciers in kayaks or paddleboards while looking for whales and other marine mammals. You can even combine your adventure with a jetboat, helicopter, or wildlife cruise. There’s nothing quite like it in all of Alaska!

Kayak Adventures Worldwide guides small groups on sea kayaking excursions in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Paddle along with the heartbeat of the water, enjoying marine wildlife and Alaska's impressive glaciers. Guides focus on safety, education, and eco-awareness for maximum enjoyment with minimal impact.

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.

A fleet of fast, modern boats takes you to specifically selected tidewater glaciers as you watch for puffins, cormorants, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, sea lions, and more. This veteran tour operator offers a lot of variety with its day trips into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Some tours are designed to please birders or shutterbugs, while some are perfect for families with little kids. You’ll hear the captain’s narration on all of them, sharing his deep knowledge of the Seward area’s history and terrain.

Get up close to the Alaskan glaciers and wildlife you came to experience by taking a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park on a custom-built catamaran out of Seward. The difference from other cruises, is that you’ll then get off the boat and into a kayak, paddle around icebergs, and watch for wildlife from your own vessel.

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. 

Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords are great places to see wildlife and glaciers. And Major Marine’s vessels, which have cozy heated cabins and an outdoor viewing area, can take you out to see both. The half- and full-day excursions offer an Alaska salmon and prime rib buffet. to enjoy while you take in the scenery. 

Just an hour’s drive from Anchorage, the MV Ptarmigan let you get within 300 feet of the towering ice wall called Portage Glacier. You can also book a narrated motorcoach tour to take you to Portage Glacier. 

Spend a few days or more exploring the waters of Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound aboard the M/V Caroline, a beautiful custom-built yacht set for adventure! It’s the perfect setting for a family or small group vacation, guided by the energetic team at 60 Degrees Adventure Charters. Fill your days lounging on the flybridge, fishing, kayaking, strolling beaches and cruising to your next fantastic destination – all on a relaxed timetable.

Take a boutique, small-group kayaking trip with experienced guides at Liquid Adventures and get close to glaciers in kayaks or paddleboards while looking for whales and other marine mammals. You can even combine your adventure with a jetboat, helicopter, or wildlife cruise. There’s nothing quite like it in all of Alaska!

Go behind the scenes with Iditarod mushers and get your own thrilling ride with the dogs at Turning Heads Kennel.  Choose a summer dog demonstration and cart ride, or whisk off by helicopter for glacier dog sledding. Winter brings its own variety of tours, which range from an hour long to multi-day expeditions near Willow, Alaska.

The port city of Seward is a classic stop on any Alaska itinerary, thanks to its proximity to Chugach National Forest and Kenai Fjords National Park. But it’s also one of the more diverse places to fly. This tour operator offers stunning birds-eye views of the area’s alpine meadows, glaciers and fjords, as well as the chance to touch down, explore the terrain and even meet sled dogs.

Visit Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey's homestead, home to three generations of Iditarod mushers. Experience an exciting two-mile dog sled ride, tour the racing kennel, meet the dogs, cuddle adorable husky puppies, and listen to stories from the Iditarod trail. Then climb aboard a custom-designed sled; an Iditarod race finisher drives you through rainforest to a river-cut canyon surrounded by mountains.

Experience the unique thrill of summer dog sledding on a glacier! Lift off in a helicopter and enjoy incredible views on your way to this amazing adventure. Want more time in the air? Add a flightseeing excursion before or after your dog sledding experience!

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 ground with the bears—it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

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.

Fly out of Soldotna with Natron’s owner and pilot, Tim. You’ll soar over the Cook Inlet towards Mt. Iliamna Volcano and land on a beach, right where the bears are. You’ll watch them playing and clamming and be close enough to take amazing photos.

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.

Go flightseeing in a helicopter out of scenic Seward and enjoy unforgettable views of the Kenai Mountain Range, Resurrection Bay, and gorgeous glaciers. Choose from a 30-minute, 45-minute, or 1-hour long tour. And, add a glacier landing to any of them!

Start with a dramatic flightseeing trip in either a helicopter or ski plane and then get out onto an ancient river of ice for a thrilling glacier exploration either hiking or climbing.

Natron Air’s owner and only pilot, Tim, can take you flightseeing to some of Alaska’s most beautiful places: the Harding Icefield and Mt. Redoubt Volcano. You can also opt for a bear-viewing tour that includes a beach landing, where you can photograph bears in their natural environment.

The port city of Seward is a classic stop on any Alaska itinerary, thanks to its proximity to Chugach National Forest and Kenai Fjords National Park. But it’s also one of the more diverse places to fly. This tour operator offers stunning birds-eye views of the area’s alpine meadows, glaciers and fjords, as well as the chance to touch down, explore the terrain and even meet sled dogs.

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.

Traverse the majesty of Exit Glacier by ice hiking or ice climbing, or opt for a nature hike in the gorgeous terrain around Seward, Alaska. Never ice climbed or hiked on a glacier? Not a problem. All trips include instruction to get you started.

Experience the wilderness of the Chugach National Forest from several different perspectives. Combine a helicopter ride, alpine hike, glacial lake tour, river rafting and train ride all in 9-10 hours! It’s one big and bold Alaska tour de force with Chugach Adventures.

Enjoy remote Alaska at its best. Go with this small, family-owned company in Homer for a magical kayaking experience, with the option to add on a gorgeous hike to an iceberg studded glacier lake! Trips range from half-day to full-day, and are great for families.

Start with a dramatic flightseeing trip in either a helicopter or ski plane and then get out onto an ancient river of ice for a thrilling glacier exploration either hiking or climbing.

Take a spectacular private guided hiking tour in Seward—where the mountains meet the ocean—to explore glaciers and alpine ridges. When you go with Seward Wilderness Collective, you get a great tour plus a dialogue with their knowledgeable guides about the impacts of climate change, with living examples right in front of your eyes.

Set sail for 7 days and 6 nights with the crew of the M/V Sea Star for small ship adventure cruising in Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula or along the Inside Passage. The well-appointed yacht accommodates just 12 guests, allowing for a personalized experience where you are the explorer! Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonders of Alaska’s amazing coastline. All meals prepared by an on-board chef and featuring fresh local ingredients.

Explore Alaska’s Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park fully with a three-day/two-night custom adventure perfect for families or couples. Alaska Fjord Charters guides you to the best mix of kayaking, glacier viewing, whale watching, and fishing, all in one leisurely tour. 

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

Hop aboard the M/V Gambler and cruise out to Resurrection Bay for a relaxing and personalized outing with locally-owned Alpenglow Charters. Couples and families will relish their time together exploring Seward’s enchanting coastline, guided by an engaging and knowledgeable crew. Options fit into the busiest of schedules: from a 4 hour lunch cruise, a remote overnight, to a 2-day land and sea journey.

Spend a few days or more exploring the waters of Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound aboard the M/V Caroline, a beautiful custom-built yacht set for adventure! It’s the perfect setting for a family or small group vacation, guided by the energetic team at 60 Degrees Adventure Charters. Fill your days lounging on the flybridge, fishing, kayaking, strolling beaches and cruising to your next fantastic destination – all on a relaxed timetable.

Bald eagles are known to nest in this wooded spot near Resurrection Bay—and when you sign up for a tour with Stoney Creek Canopy Adventures, you’ll get to soar just like these iconic birds. This three-hour tour—the only canopy tour on the Kenai Peninsula—combines ziplines, rappels and sky bridges, with panoramic views of Mount Marathon, Resurrection Peaks and all the gorgeous scenery around you. It’s easy, and undeniably thrilling.

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.

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. 

Hop on board the all-season Missing Lynx and Lost Lynx, the vessels bound for whatever Seward Ocean Excursion suits your fancy. Want to whale watch, see glaciers, go bird watching or just check out hidden coves? Captains Bixler and Krystin McClure will help your small group plan an outing catered to your preferences. No matter the season, you can always catch some excitement in Resurrection Bay!

The Coastal Classic train runs between Anchorage and the town of Seward—a four-hour trip that’s the most beautiful along the entire Alaska Railroad. You’ll see Turnagain Arm as the train departs Anchorage, then a panorama of mountains, glaciers, lakes, and streams. You may even see wildlife like Dall sheep, Beluga whales, moose, bear, and more!

• Day Trip from Anchorage: Seward, Girdwood
• Multi-Day Trip from Anchorage: Overnight Seward, or add a stop in Girdwood