The last frontier is home to stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and unforgettable adventures. And one of the best ways to see everything Alaska has to offer is by water.
From whitewater kayaking to remote river trips, there are numerous kayaking destinations for every explorer. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or you call this rugged part of the planet home, here are the 13 best places to go kayaking in Alaska.
1. Resurrection Bay
South of Anchorage is the city of Seward, a gateway to some of the most magnificent glaciers and fjords. The town is nestled on Resurrection Bay, a turquoise-blue inlet surrounded by towering peaks. A sea kayaking tour here will get you up close and personal to millions of years-old glaciers and the surrounding snowy scenery.
This leisurely trip offers breathtaking sights and encounters with Alaska’s abundant wildlife. You’ll likely spot sea otters, eagles, salmon, and seals along the way. Resurrection Bay is also one of the top spots for whale watching, so you can get a front seat to one of Earth’s greatest shows.
2. Cook Inlet
If you’re new to paddling or not quite ready to head out to Alaska’s frontier, Cook Inlet offers accessible kayaking adventures in Anchorage. You can glide your way around the inlet with the city’s skyline always in your view. There are also some beluga whales you might encounter!
Launch your boat at Kincaid Park and paddle your way around Fire Island or north to the Knik River, where the waters are calm and serene. The striking mountains among the city skyline are a unique and unforgettable sight.
3. Kachemak Bay State Park
Just southwest of the Kenai Fjords National Park is Kachemak Bay State Park, an ideal spot for stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. Residents of Kachemak Bay provide active stewardship of the area to protect its natural beauty.
This is one of the most accessible spots for easy and exciting Alaska sea kayaking trips. It’s so big that you might want to stay for a few nights. Camp for the best views of the sunset and stars as evening turns to night.
You’ll take off on your adventure from the city of Homer, a quaint region known for its seafood and art galleries. From there, you can take a guided tour or rent kayaks for a half or full day to explore on your own. Take a trek over to Yukon Island and revel in the majesty of Elephant Rock, or steer around floating icebergs in Glacier Lake.
4. Prince William Sound
Prince William Sound is where you can encounter hundreds of glaciers while paddling through calm waters. The surrounding Chugach Mountains tower overhead as you go on your journey. There are several guided tour options available, ranging in length and skill level, so you can find something that will fit your needs.
Don’t forget about the abundant wildlife in Prince William Sound, either. If you head on your kayaking trip during the right time of year, you can encounter various species of whales, including humpback whales, as well as plenty of other marine mammals. There’s nothing like watching these creatures splash through the water from a kayak.
5. Aialik Bay
Aialik Bay is one of the best spots to encounter glaciers right from your kayak. You can access the bay from the Kenai Fjords National Park, where the famous Harding and Sargent icefields dominate the landscape.
As you paddle your way through the bay, you’ll likely encounter tidewater glaciers floating alongside you. Guided adventures with local tour operators will take you out to areas you’ve never seen before. The kayaking trips are longer and harder to access, but they’re well worth the effort. You’ll even encounter seals, otters, and other Alaskan wildlife.
6. Bear Glacier
Nearby Aialik Bay is Bear Glacier, one of the best places to go iceberg kayaking. However, this trip is not easy to access. The only way to get to this lagoon is by helicopter or high-speed jet boat. While it’ll cost more money, this trip is once in a lifetime.
The waters are calmer than many other paddling destinations in Alaska, and the close encounters with icebergs are out of this world. There’s nothing like experiencing one of the world’s largest glaciers up close, and the charter tours that help you get there offer various packages ranging in price and difficulty.
7. Spencer Glacier
A kayaking trip to Spencer Glacier not only involves viewing Alaska’s wondrous nature and wildlife but also traversing the landscape in various ways. Most guided kayak tours to this glacier will take you on a drive or train ride from Anchorage along the coast and through the Kenai Mountains.
From there, you’ll embark on a waterlogged journey past sturdy icebergs, many of which tower over the scenery. You’ll paddle up to the edge of the glacier, where you can ice climb your way up to explore the icy scenes from above.
8. Kodiak Island
If you’re looking for one of the most remote and exciting kayaking adventures that Alaska has to offer, make an excursion to Kodiak Island. This fisherman’s island paradise is home to some of the best whale watching opportunities in the state, and you can do it from the seat of your kayak.
Take a guided tour or rent a kayak for your journey. As you paddle past towering mountain peaks and soaring eagles, you’ll discover quiet beaches and calm, serene water throughout the Emerald Isle. Some tours offer kayak and fishing trips, so you can catch a few fish while paddling among stunning scenery.
9. Sitka Harbor
A more remote Alaskan kayaking experience is located in Sitka, a fishing town located on Baranof Island. There’s nothing like exploring this region and the surrounding islands by water. The quiet town is an optimal spot to spend a fun half or full-day trip to view Pacific Northwest landscapes and find your chance to encounter some jumping salmon.
You can take guided paddling tours around Sitka Harbor or rent a kayak for a more customized journey. On a tour, experienced guides help guests with equipment, teach them about the area’s history, and point out exciting wildlife or natural landmarks.
10. Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is arguably the best place for both beginner and advanced kayakers to have the ultimate journey on the water. You can go on easy or challenging trips ranging from half or full days to a multi-day adventure in the Kenai Fjords.
The Kenai Peninsula is a hotspot for adventurers of all types, including glacier hikes. You can paddle through calm waters, navigate floating icebergs, or head down rushing waters for a more action-packed experience.
11. Ketchikan
Ketchikan is another small fishing town in the southern part of the state known for amazing views and abundant wildlife. Various charter tours will take you on a short journey to Eagle Island, a remote spot known for its abundance of bald eagles.
You’ll also paddle around Clover Island while your tour guide teaches you the history of the area and helps you be on the lookout for jumping salmon, seals, and sea stars.
12. Mendenhall Lake
The Mendenhall Glacier is renowned, but did you know that you can kayak to it across Mendenhall Lake? While many people join a rafting tour to witness this Juneau attraction, there’s nothing like paddling at your own pace across the iceberg-filled Mendenhall Lake.
While you’re in the area, be sure to drop into the visitor center to learn more about the glacier’s history. It was once home to a series of ice caves that you could explore on foot. Unfortunately, the glacier has melted so much that the caves no longer exist, but the sight of it from the lake is no less spectacular.
13. Haines
Located near Glacier Bay National Park is the town of Haines, where you can take off on memorable sea kayaking tours in the surrounding fjords of Southeast Alaska. You’ll kayak past beautiful glaciers, snowcapped mountains, and more magnificent scenery.
Paddlers may spot seals, otters, and salmon in the water, and other incredible wildlife, including moose and bears, when looking to the shore and taking in the wilderness. The waters on these sea kayaking excursions through the Inside Passage are relatively calm, but be prepared for waves and whitewater.
Discover the Best Kayaking in Alaska
Kayaking in Alaska offers an unparalleled way to explore some of the most breathtaking wilderness and wildlife in the natural world.
Whether you’re gliding through the serene waters of Resurrection Bay, navigating the icy fjords of Prince William Sound, or paddling alongside majestic glaciers and marine mammals, every trip promises adventure, discovery, and unforgettable memories. Equipped with experienced guides to ensure your safety and surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes, your Alaska kayaking journey will be both safe and inspiring.
Ready to plan your next adventure? Dive deeper into our other comprehensive kayaking guides, including the Blue Ridge Mountains, Vermont, and Iowa, to discover more incredible destinations, expert advice, and tips.
