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Let
the Harness family of Seaside
Adventure Eco Tours take you
on a sea kayaking adventure through
the wonders of beautiful Little Tutka
Bay. Seaside will turn the bay into
an interactive classroom, covering
everything from archaeology and geology
to cultural and natural history on
your full-day paddle. These long-time
Alaskans share where secret treasures
lie, what it's like to live on the
bay, and how to make a meal from wild
ingredients. Even complete beginners
will get the hang of paddling thanks
to experienced guides and stable boats.
Your adventure begins with a water-taxi
ride (30 – 35 minutes) across
the bay from Homer-watch for otters,
porpoises, and maybe even whales. The
Harnesses will get you oriented with
basic kayaking skills and all the right
gear, including fiberglass kayaks that
are both stable and sleek. Most novices
work as a team-both for paddling and
spotting wildlife-in a double kayak.
Little Tutka
Bay sits in a high mountainous
area, with elegant fjords and big spruce
forests. Paddling here is like entering
a cathedral. On the water, you'll probably
see numerous sea otters, seals, and
a wide variety of seabirds. A secret
overlook lets you peer into an eagle's
nest, where you might spy hatchlings.
You never know what you'll see-maybe
a black bear bringing her cubs down
to the water. The slower you go, the
more you'll see. Kayakers have the
opportunity to get really close to
wildlife, just by being quiet and floating
along with the tides.
Seaside likes to vary its tours because
some kayakers are repeat customers,
and routes also change with the weather.
You may paddle among the tiny Herring
Islands, or scoot into the protected
waters of the back lagoon. Some trips
head into Jakolof
Bay, with its oyster farms and fish hatchery.
Stretch your legs on a short hike into the boreal forest-perfect
in late July when the blueberries are ripe. You can
even drag a fishing line while kayaking, or fly fish
as you float.
Owner and guide Rick Harness offers
an amazing wealth of knowledge about Kachemak
Bay. His naturalist bent brings
a rich educational component to Seaside's
trips. Visit ancient Native Alaskan
middens sites and get hands-on with
sea stars and octopi in the intertidal
zone. Rick goes out with every group,
unless size requires additional guides.
Either way, everyone will meet up for
lunch. Become a hunter-gatherer and
collect ingredients for "beach
soup"-clams, fish, mussels, seaweed, or wild potatoes-a
tasty addition to your box lunch. All of the guides
have lived in the area for years, and they know of
spots (like the eagle's-nest overlook) that are secret
even to other locals. Getting a taste for life across
the bay is just one highlight of the trip.
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