Alaska Water Taxis
Your adventure should never stop when the road ends, especially in Alaska where so much of the state is ONLY accessibly by boat or plane.
How could you use a water taxi? Here's a few examples:
From Seward
Caine's Head: You could hike this trail the entire way on foot if you pay attention to the tides, but you can also get to Caine's Head by water taxi. During WWII, Caine's Head was the site of Fort McGilvray. It's now abandoned and you can explore the bunkers that once protected this waterway (tip, bring a flashlight!). Head out for a day hike, or rent one of the 2 state park cabins, Derby Cove and Callisto Canyon, and stay overnight. Contact Seward Ocean Excursions for a water taxi ride.
From Homer
- Kachemak Bay State Park: 25 miles of trails wait to be explored just across the bay from Homer, Alaska. Hop on a water taxi and get dropped off at a trailhead. See all of the popular Kachemak Bay State Park trails here.
- Seldovia: A small community across the bay from homer with boardwalks, a drowsy harbor, and streets that see more foot traffic than vehicles. Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon beach combing, hiking, or fishing.
- Halibut Cove: A tiny island community of artists, craftspeople, and anglers. The trip over allows you to spot wildlife, and get close to a bustling bird sanctuary.
Skagway & Haines
The Haines Skagway Fast Ferry offers a 45-minute quick trip between the two towns. If you're taking an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise that only docks in Skagway, you can also spend some time in Haines. Or, if you're driving into one town, the fast ferry allows you to enjoy the other. Without the ferry, that would be a 7+ hour drive up into Canada and back down into Alaska!
Seward & Kenai Fjords View All
Intimate catamaran cruises into Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward for just 22 passengers, or up to 30 on private charters. Cruise through Resurrection Bay, keeping an eye out for humpback whales, orca whales (killer whales), puffins, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, and a large variety of bird species. Then make your way into the national park, and stop at the face of a tidewater glacier. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch ...more
Homer View All
Visit Kachemak Bay State Park, Seldovia, Halibut Cove & more
Whether you’d like to go on a personalized boat tour of the Homer area or take a water taxi to the Alaskan backcountry, Homer is an ideal place to launch from, and Coldwater has the boats and expertise to get you there. Explore places like Kachemak Bay State Park, the small town of Seldovia, and picturesque Halibut Cove.
Homer is the halibut capital of Alaska, and this longtime charter company offers a blue-chip way to get to the fish. They have high-quality boats, experienced captains, and enthusiastic crews — as well as an inside line on finding halibut, rock fish and silver salmon. But they also offer a variety of other ways to enjoy the waters off Kachemak Bay, from wildlife cruising to paddling a kayak or hiking in Kachemak Bay State Park.
Skagway View All
Transportation between Haines & Skagway via the Fast Ferry
Operating from May to September, this private ferry service is the easiest and fastest way to travel between Haines and Skagway. The 45-minute ride passes through Taiya Inlet, a steep-walled rocky fjord just outside of Skagway, and then opens up to the Lynn Canal near Haines. As you ride, look for seals and sea lions, as well as humpback, minke, and orca whales. Don’t forget to look up from the water from time to time to check out the ...more
Russian River
If you like to fish, you’ve come to the right place. This is the Kenai/Russian River Access and Sportsman’s Access Site (ADF&G) and the Kenai-Russian River Ferry. The ferry takes you across the Kenai River to the mouth of the famed Russian River for some of the best fishing in Alaska.