Alaska Wildlife Tours

Included in your stay at the Ridgewood is a marine wildlife tour of Kachemak Bay. This six hour tour begins with the Bird and Wildlife Viewing portion. We start with a short boat ride from the Ridgewood to Gull Island – a bird sanctuary to eight nesting species of birds: Pelagic Cormorants, Red-faced Cormorants, Horned Puffins, Blacklegged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, Glaucous-winged Gulls, Tufted Puffins, and Pigeon Guillemots. Many other species may be found here during migration, both before and after nesting. Marine mammals are also common here including sea otters, river otters, mink, seals, whales, and porpoises. Black bears can be occasionally spotted on the beach that come down out of the forest to forage on crustaceans and mollusks.

The next portion of the tour will include an art and culture exploration of the Halibut Cove galleries. There are over a dozen artists here who are passionate about art and living in Alaska. You will find a variety of art including octopus ink paintings, water color paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry and more.

Our itinerary is flexible and can be tailored to the group’s interests depending on tides and the marine forecast for the day.

*Included in the cost of your stay.

FAQ

What kinds of wildlife can I see on my vacation?

Marine mammals are the most common wildlife seen in and around Kachemak Bay. Large rafts of sea otters and seals are the most plentiful, with occasional sightings of river otters, mink, humpback whales, orcas, minke whales and porpoises. The stellar sea lion has also been know to make an appearance on one of our wildlife tours!

Black bears periodically wander down to the beaches to forage on crustaceans and mollusks, and may be seen in the Kachemak Bay State Park during a hike to Grewingk Glacier or Leisure Lake.

There are an estimated 30,000 Bald Eagles in Alaska, more than any other place in the world. As a result, Bald Eagles are seen daily around Halibut Cove & Kachemak Bay.

Kachemak Bay is also home to Gull Island - a unique bird rookery that hosts a nesting colony of over 15,000 birds, including Pelagic Cormorants, Red-Faced Cormorants, Horned Puffins, Blacklegged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, Glaucous-Winged Gulls, Tufted Puffins, and Pigeon Guillemots. Many other species may be found here during migration, both before and after nesting.

Playing peek-a-boo with a Sea Otter in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Photo Credit: Stefan Manigatterer, 2015

A Tufted Puffin near Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Photo Credit: Martin Fey, 2015

A Bald Eagle in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Photo Credit: Stefan Manigatterer, 2015

Harbor Seals lounging on the rocks at low tide in Halibut Cove.

A Mallard Drake standing at the edge of the pond at the Ridgewood Lodge.

The tail of a Humpback whale rising out of the water as it dives back down in Kachemak Bay.

A large flock of Common Murres resting on the water near Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

A large, dark, reddish-brown Lion's Mane jellyfish swimming near the surface of dark green water in Halibut Cove, Alaska.

An immature Bald Eagle taking off in flight with wings wide-spread from seaweed covered and barnacle encrusted rocks.

An Orca Whale surfacing to release a breath of air (called it's spout, or blow) in Kachemak Bay.

A small family of sea otters swimming along the surface of the green water in Kachemak Bay.

A bald eagle snatching a fish out of the water with its talons and a large spray of water.

A large, bright yellow Lion's Mane jellyfish near the surface of the water in Halibut Cove, Alaska.

A Horned Puffin swimming on the surface of the water near Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

The tail of a Humpback whale rising from the surface of the water with the vividly blue mountains of Kachemak Bay in the background.

A Pelagic Cormorant preening its feathers on the guano covered rocks at Gull Island, in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.

Scenic Halibut Cove

Discover Halibut Cove, Alaska’s hidden gem in Kachemak Bay.

Explore

Daily Activities

Our guests can choose from the best of Alaska, all at our doorstep.

Explore

Planning your trip?

Let's Talk

In Halibut Cove, Adjacent to the Kachemak Bay State Park.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 659
Homer, AK 99603

Physical Address:
46514 Sidelinger Trail
Halibut Cove, AK 99603

[email protected]

1 (907) 299-3912

NOTE: We are located in the Alaskan wilderness , and sometimes phone service can be unreliable. If you leave a message and don't hear back from us within 24 hours, please try again, or send an email.