Ultimate Aialik Day Kayaking

Your day begins with an early morning departure at 6 a.m. on our comfortable, US Coast Guard inspected water taxi for a two-hour wildlife tour and transport to the Kenai Fjords National Park. We see Steller sea lions hauled out on their exposed ocean rookeries, watch horned and tufted puffins skip across the wavelets, and view passing Dall’s porpoises dance with the bow wake of our boat. We often view feeding humpback whales and orcas passing by, diving cormorants, bald eagles, mountain goats, sea otters, and more!

We land 8-8:30 a.m. in the heart of the Kenai Fjords National Park on one of many beautiful pristine beaches. Your guide talks you through your kayak and gear, provides paddling advice, and raises situational awareness. No experience is necessary — our guides are there for you! Once you’re properly acquainted, you begin paddling along the beautiful fjords and coastal rainforest of Aialik Bay. Enormous calving glaciers are viewed up-close and personal from the perspective of a paddler at true sea level but within a safe viewing distance from both land and sea. You paddle at a leisurely pace around magnificent icebergs, watch curious harbor seals on ice floes, and often enjoy black bear viewing from the safety of the water. Don’t worry! You aren’t going kayaking nonstop — we break along the way for a hearty lunch, snacks, and small hikes along the beach.

The water taxi boat picks you up in the afternoon, around 4 p.m., and the crew loads your kayaks and gear. The return trip explores the Kenai Fjords all the way back to Seward, keeping an eye out for the many whales migrating and feeding through our area. You land at Miller’s Landing by 6 p.m. or earlier, depending on how exciting our sightseeing options are on the way home.We do reserve the right to be flexible — marine weather and logistics can delay things or require an earlier pick-up. Keep in mind they are boats, not trains, and we have to heed the demands of the ocean from time to time.

Our food is prepared in our cafe the day before the trip. We do our best to accommodate all allergies and food preferences. As well as build a delicious filling meal to keep you paddling all day.Our kitchen is clean, certified, and modern. Please let us know about any medical or dietary restrictions before the trip!

Both are some of the largest tidewater glaciers in the park and are stunning. Aialik is expansive and sweeps up broad valleys; Holgate is equally majestic. The guide selects the destination based on conditions, but both offer rock gardens, waterfalls, wildlife, and incredible glacier views. Trust that either is exceptional.

Expect to cover 8–15 miles (13–24 km) throughout the day at a comfortable, leisurely pace with frequent breaks, a long beach lunch, and optional short hikes along the way.

The water taxi ride to Aialik Bay takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours each way. The transit itself is a wildlife experience — expect sea otters, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoises, humpback whales, orcas, puffins, and bald eagles along the route.

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No experience is required. Your guide provides a thorough safety and paddling orientation when you land in the park, and the trip is designed for all skill levels. No experience is necessary.

This trip is easy to moderate. Paddling takes place on calm, protected fjord waters. You should be comfortable paddling for extended periods (with breaks) and spending a full day outdoors.

On the water taxi: sea otters, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoises, humpback whales, orcas, tufted and horned puffins, and bald eagles. In Aialik Bay: harbor seals (often resting on ice floes), black bears (viewed from the water), and abundant coastal seabirds — plus the glaciers themselves, which calve with a thunderous crack.

Yes! You can wear your camera around your neck or store it in a dry bag. Cameras can rest on the kayak under bungee cords for easy access. A waterproof housing is strongly recommended.

Yes. Exclusive group bookings are available for up to 6 or 12 paddlers.