Things To Do
Explore Kachemak Bay
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Harbor Tours – Hop a water taxi on the Spit, walk or ride the Homer Spit bike trail, or take a summer guided “Creatures of the Dock” tour operated by the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies.
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Water Taxis – Custom water transportation is available from the Homer Spit to destinations across the bay including Seldovia, Halibut Cove and Kachemak State Park with access to hiking, biking, camping and kayaking.
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Bay Cruises – Enjoy a fully narrated tour of the Kachemak Bay with stops at Gull Island Seabird Rookery and Eldred Passage. Spot wildlife such as whales, bald eagles, sea otters and ducks.
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Glacier Hiking – Hop on a water taxi to Kachemak Bay State Park and hike through a boreal forest to Grewingk Glacier. Enjoy spectacular views, Grewingk Glacier Lake, and if lucky, see the ice calving off the glacier.
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Remote Camping – Kachemak Bay State Park offers five public use cabins that can be reserved through the state park office or online at the Alaska State Park website
Adventure Abounds
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Bear Viewing – by helicopter, float plane or boat, Homer is the gateway to the best bear viewing in the State of Alaska.
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Wildlife Viewing – encounter, Sandhill cranes, sea lions, seals, sea otters, whales, eagles, and moose sightings are frequent on Homer streets!
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Eco-tours – Take a guided excursion with a naturalist and stop by a bird rookery, go tide pooling and identify sea creatures. Learn about the local habitat, volcanoes and the Kachemak Bay.
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Sea Kayaking - Take a water taxi to secluded paddling areas in one of the many covers and bays located across the bay or take guided trips from one of several outfitters for ½ day, full day or overnight.
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Hiking – With over 80 miles of trails in Kachemak Bay State Park, there is something for everyone. A 4.5 miles path stretches from the beginning of the Homer Spit and ends at the tip. There are a dozen groomed and marked trails throughout the Homer area.
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Bird Watching – Well-known as a bird watching destination, there are ample opportunities to spot horned and tufted puffins, red-faced cormorants, scoters, grebes, loons and eiders. Join the Kachemak Shorebird Festival the first weekend of May.
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Paddleboarding – Enjoy a stand up paddleboarding at Grewingk Glacier Lake or on your own on the Homer Spit.
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Kite Surfing – With the extreme tides, kite surfing is common off the Homer Spit. But be sure to wear a wetsuit.
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Diving & Spearfishing – Homer has a growing spearfishing scene that is quickly becoming more and more popular! Explore underwater in the Last Frontier by spearfishing with our local companies. Access the remote wonders the Alaskan coastline has to offer.
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Biking – Bike the 4.5 miles Homer Spit trail with your own bike or a bike rental, or bike one of the many paved trails around Homer and across the bay. Rent a fat bike and discover Homer’s beaches and backroads on your own or hire a guide for the day.
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Horseback Riding – Take a guided horseback adventure for ½ day or a full day, stay overnight in a tent or bunkhouse. Even ride on the many beaches in the area.
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Four-wheeling – Most people have little or no experience with ATVs, but it doesn’t matter. The guides work hard to make these trips accessible for everyone, while still giving you plenty of time to pause and enjoy your up close look at nature.
World-Class Fishing
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Halibut Capital of the World – While a variety of fish abound in our Bay, Homer is best known as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World". Visitors get a thrill from hooking the large, white fish ranging in size from 25 lbs. upwards of 400 lbs. Go fishing for ½ day, full day or overnight fishing.
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Salmon Fishing – Fish year-round with runs of King (Chinook) Salmon, Silver (Coho) Salmon, Red (Sockeye) Salmon, Pink (Humpy) Salmon, Steelhead (North Pacific Salmon), and Winter Feeder King Salmon.
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Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon – The fishing lagoon is stocked with hatchery raised King and Silver Salmon that are released and return mature with no fresh water destination for spawning.
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Deep Water or River Fishing – Other species abound in the waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, including rockfish and lingcod. Whether deep water or river fishing for salmon, Dolly Varden or steelhead, anglers can plan on a fun and challenging outing.
Museums & Visitor Centers
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Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies – Enjoy a naturalist-led guided walks at Carl Wynn Nature Center, dock tour with up-close look at marine creatures, and day trips across the bay to Peterson Bay Field Station.
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Islands & Oceans Visitor Center – The Center houses interpretive and interactive exhibits, as well as daily films, ranger-led activities and a bookstore. Open year-round and free to the public.
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Pratt Museum – An award-winning museum with indoor exhibits featuring native culture, science, homesteading, marine ecology, live aquaria and special exhibits year-round.
The Art Scene
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Art Galleries – Plenty of local art fills establishments from Pioneer Avenue to the end of the Spit.
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Bunnell Street Arts Center – located in Homer’s largest historic building c. 1937, its mission is to nurture and present innovative art of uncommon quality in all media. Established in 1991, Bunnell sparks creative exchange for people of all ages through innovative art programs of the highest caliber including Artist in Residence, Artist in Schools, Exhibitions, and Performances.
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First Friday Gallery Walk – First Fridays monthly features local artists showcasing their talents throughout town.
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​The Homer Council on the Arts – a focal point for the arts in the Kachemak Bay area, providing opportunities for everyone to experience and participate in the arts. Their mission is to provide opportunities for all people of our community to experience and participate in the arts, HCOA provides Artist & Concert Promotion, Arts Education, Arts Advocacy, and Creative and Performance Opportunities.
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Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference – Every summer the nationally-recognized features an acclaimed keynote speaker, workshops, readings and panel presentations in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and the business of writing.
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The Mariner Theater – at the Homer High School is another venue for community cultural events during the year, including the annual Nutcracker performance in December, the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, and nationally-recognized performers.
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Pier One Theater – Located on the Spit, Homer’s outstanding thespians perform regularly. In summer, a youth theatre camp culminates in a production at the theatre.
Food & Spirits
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Winery & Brewery Tours – Check out our world-famous Winery and two Brewing Companies.
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Award Winning Restaurants – Homer is a “foodie destination” where visitors come to enjoy great food. Known throughout Alaska for an incredible selection of wonderful restaurants.
Shopping
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Farmers’ Market – Open every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the summer featuring local crafts, local produce and food vendors.
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Pioneer Avenue – A plethora of art galleries, souvenir shops, retail establishments and places to “wine and dine.” Check out the Peonies Gardens and Art Murals along the way.
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Historic Old Town – Great dining, shopping, art gallery, day spa, consignment shop and gateway to Bishop’s Beach.
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Homer Spit – a 4.5 mile long glacial terminal moraine featuring bike trails, campgrounds, places to eat, souvenir shops.