Full Day Peterson Bay Field Station Tour
This small group and naturalist-led natural history day tour to our Peterson Bay Field Station allows you to experience Kachemak Bay from the ocean to the forest. Explore Kachemak Bay by boat to access wilderness areas and hike along pristine beaches and forest trails.
Departing by boat from the Homer Spit, guests will explore the intertidal zone at the edge of Alaskan wilderness, and search for wildlife on the coast and in the forest. Our trained naturalists will give expert knowledge about Kachemak Bay’s diverse ecosystems and natural histories as you hike on coastal forest trails. Look for sea stars, octopus, black bears, harbor seals, sea otters, and all sorts of land and seabirds on this immersive 7-hour tour. This tour requires a 3-mile hike on potentially slippery or uneven terrain.
Price
Adults (age 12+): $195
Children (ages 2-11): $125
Senior (ages 65+): $175
Infant (ages 2 and under): $35
Dates
June 11 - August 30, 2024; Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Departing: 8:00am
Returning: Between 3:00-4:00pm
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This is a 7-hour tour of the Peterson Bay Field Station and surrounding area. It highlights local wildlife havens, intertidal animals, and the forest ecosystem around the Field Station. It requires about 3 miles of hiking through uneven terrain.
This location is on the edge of Alaskan wilderness. There is ample covered and indoor space at the Field Station in case of inclement weather. That said, the majority of this tour will take place outside. Please dress for the weather, mosquitos, and expect cooler and wetter conditions than forecasted!
Departure location: Ramp 2 at the Homer Harbor. Please meet us at the Coastal Studies Yurt on the Spit at the top of Ramp 2.
Lunch is not provided. Please bring your own food. We also suggest you bring a water bottle, waterproof boots and rain gear, and binoculars and/or a camera.
This tour requires a minimum of 2 guests to run. If your party is the only one registered and is smaller than two, you will be notified and have the option to cancel, rebook, or pay for the additional seats to meet the minimum.
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Visit to Gull Island, a seabird rookery and marine mammal haul-out
Hiking and tidepooling in semi-remote coastal Alaskan ecosystems
A knowledgeable Coastal Studies naturalist guiding the whole trip
Hot drinks at the Field Station
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What happens if the weather prevents the tour from running?
It is highly unlikely that Homer’s typical summer weather would prevent a boat from leaving harbor. Even in the rain, the seas are usually calm enough to still experience the tour. Our boat captains are extremely experienced and knowledgable, and we defer to their judgement calls regarding weather and ocean conditions. In the unlikely event a tour cannot run due to weather, you will be notified in advance and given the opportunity to rebook or receive a refund.
Will I see glaciers on the tour?
The primary glacier visible in the Kenai Mountains from Kachemak Bay is Grewingk Glacier. It is a valley glacier which ends in a lake situated a few miles from the shoreline. It is visible from a distance in many parts of Homer. Due to the geography of the bay and our usual route, we cannot cruise the face of the glacier, and it is difficult to see Grewignk on the way to or from Peterson Bay. If weather permits, you may view alpine glaciers and snowpack from the boat in the Kenai Mountains’ Grewingk-Woznazinski Glacial Complex. No glaciers are visible from the Peterson Bay Field Station.
Will I see whales or bears on the tour?
While we cannot guarantee any wildlife sightings during the tour, we will be traveling through wildlife hotspots. Our boat captains communicate with other vessels in the area about recent marine wildlife sightings including Humpback whales, Minke whales, Orcas, and other species of note. Our naturalists communicate about any major wildlife sightings on the trails around Peterson Bay for safety reasons–we will not go looking for bears on this tour.
Will I get seasick?
You will be traveling through the protected waters of Kachemak Bay where the chance of seasickness is generally low. If you are prone to any kind of motion sickness, we recommend taking an over-the-counter motion sickness medication (like Dramamine) prior to the tour.