Immerse yourself in the wonders of Kachemak Bay
Each of our tours and experiences ignite a sense of wonder for coastal ecosystems. Book a tour with our talented naturalists and your purchase will help support conservation and stewardship of this special place.
Ocean Connection Tour
The perfect 3-hour tour of Kachemak Bay! See marine mammals at haul-outs and seabirds at rookeries, and visit an oyster farm to enjoy a tasting. Our onboard naturalist will serve as your guide for the entire excursion and provide expert insights to Kachemak Bay's incredible landscapes and ocean ecosystems.
Full Day Tour of Peterson Bay Field Station
Explore Kachemak Bay by boat to access wilderness areas, and hike along pristine beaches and forest trails on a day trip to Peterson Bay Field Station.
Our trained naturalists will lead you on an adventure where you will search for wildlife on the coast and in the forest, and learn about these diverse ecosystems while exploring them. This is an experience unlike any other in Kachemak Bay.
Inspiration Ridge Preserve Guided Tours
Traverse rolling trails and summer wildflower meadows with stunning views of Kachemak Bay on these one-and-a-half or three-hour guided tours of the 700-acre Preserve.
Wynn Nature Center Guided Hikes
Join a naturalist for a 1.5-hour guided hike through Wynn Nature Center, or freely explore the Nature Center on your own time. Guided hikes depart twice daily in the summer months. Known for being a birding hotspot, hikers will explore the peatlands, wildflowers, and natural history of the Wynn Nature Center.
Creatures of the Dock Tour
The docks of the Homer Harbor float on top of the water, so their undersides are always underwater no matter the tide. This makes it the perfect environment for all sorts of marine creatures to make their homes.
On this one hour walking tour, a trained naturalist will guide you through an immersive exploration of marine invertebrate life living on and around the Homer Harbor docks. Look for sea stars, anemones, tunicates, and more!
Guided Snowshoeing at Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Explore pristine winter landscapes under the watchful eye of the snow-capped Kenai Mountains on this one-and-a-half hour guided tour of Inspiration Ridge Preserve.
Group Trips
From college field ecology trips to service learning expeditions and workshops, we can help you craft your ideal itinerary. We’ll work with your group to create a schedule of activities designed for your interests, abilities, and needs.
Educational Programs
From youth overnight summer camps to retreats and workshops for any age, we have programs delivering experiential, place-based education designed to immerse you in the ecosystems of Kachemak Bay.
About Kachemak Bay
Kachemak Bay is a coastal estuary teeming with wildlife. With more than 320 miles of shoreline, this coastal inlet contains every marine ecosystem in the Gulf of Alaska.
The remarkable diversity of intact ecosystems, all within a relatively small area, positions this inlet as a beacon of inspiration for coastal education and research.
A 30-foot tidal range provides critical habitat for intertidal species, and more than 244 species of shorebirds have been identified in this region.
Diverse forests, wetlands, and meadows surround the inlet, providing wildlife habitat to a wide array of species that call this place home.
Our locations
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Inspiration Ridge Preserve
Traverse rolling trails and summer wildflower meadows with stunning views of Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains, and witness the wonder of the sandhill crane migration. Ten miles of trails provide access to a mosaic of forests, bogs, meadows, ponds, and creeks.
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Peterson Bay Field Station
Immerse yourself in the wonders of intertidal life.
Situated on the southern shore of Kachemak Bay and accessible by boat from Homer, the Field Station provides access to remote wilderness teeming with wildlife.
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Wynn Nature Center
Explore the beauty of the boreal forest. Search for upland and forest birds along more than five miles of trail, including viewing platforms, an interpretive center, and ADA-accessible boardwalks. Visitors of all abilities are provided opportunities to explore Wynn Nature Center while discovering local flora and fauna.
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Yurt on the Spit
Launch your intertidal discoveries on the Homer Harbor Docks. Meet at the Yurt on the Spit for intertidal tours and departures to the Peterson Bay Field Station.
Guided tours provide visitors a chance to encounter octopus, sea stars, harbor seals, sea otters, and a myriad of land and seabirds.
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Headquarters
Learn about our guided nature tours and educational experiences for all ages. Discover ways to get involved with community events and volunteer opportunities. Explore displays on flora and fauna native to Kachemak Bay, and browse our gift shop.
Visitors are welcome Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
