Activities in Homer, Alaska

Halibut fishing and Salmon fishing while in Homer is a must! Homer's fishing has been very consistent through the years. The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is the largest and longest running in Alaska. In 2008, the Derby Jackpot awarded the winner with $45,475 for his 348.2 pound halibut. There were bigger fish caught but the fishermen hadn't purchased a ticket. We can lead you to the boats, just ask. Salmon run to the "Fishing Hole" on the Homer Spit each summer. King Salmon are in the bay all winter.

We have teamed up with fishing charter services to offer fishing packages year round. Click HERE to go to our Fishing Charters page. We can put together a fishing and lodging package for you that can't be beat when it comes to first
class quality!

While touring the docks, you will likely see a sea otter go to the bottom of the water to beat his shelled clam against a rock.
Driving up the back road, you may get a decent snapshot of a moose that stands next to your car until he decides you are too nosey. He'll rear his head up and stomp off to the side, clomping his way quickly to the woods.
While walking through the forests on trails here and there, you look up and spot a strange looking black creature, and realize suddenly that he must be a porcupine.
And, of course, eagles are abundant!
 

There are many kayaking opportunities while lodging at Alaskan Suites. Some take you across to coves and around the small islands such as Cohen, Hesketh and Yukon Islands. One particular outfit can take you to the glaciers to kayak. Some kayaking operators have ecotours that are very educational, not to mention SO MUCH FUN!!!! There are many options and if you are interested, just let us know and we can drop a few names or set the reservations up for you. No experience necessary.

Charters offer the finest in vessel based hunts for Sitka Blacktail Deer and for Black Bear, along with Sea Duck hunting. Many hunts are conducted off the charter's large boats, so one gets to fish as well.
Hunts often include use of rifle, hand gun or archery.

Winter activities include cross country skiing, sledding, and snow mobiling.

Skiing trails begin only a block away from Alaskan Suites.

On the Homer Spit, downtown Homer and in the center of town are a variety of shops including berry shops, souvenir shops, pottery shops, art galleries, fresh fish shops and Alaskan craft shops where one can buy things made of the tusk of a walrus, the hide of a bear, the antler of an elk or teeth of a whale (called baleen, it is a black filter made of hair).

Take a look at Rustic Images - Casually elegant furnishings online.

Thanks to Homer's mild climate, hikers and campers can enjoy glaciers, snow fields, skiing, beach combing and tide pooling.
Kachemak Bay State Park, having over 80 miles of trails, is filled with mountains, tundra, fjords, bays, lakes and forests. Species there include black and brown bear, moose, mountain goat, wolverine and lynx. The terrain is magnificent. Shutterbugs believe they are in heaven. When they are taking snapshots, they just can't stop!

Homer offers many trails. The Homestead Trail is a 6 mile route that starts at Roger's Loop, just a block away from Alaskan Suites. Songbirds, moose and other wildlife inhabit the area. Tunnels along the way through alders identify the historic homesteader's route along the ridge.
By taking a beach walk you can take the same route Homer's pioneers used to get to Anchor Point and beyond. You will pass a sea bird rookery only three miles out. From another point, out three miles towards the bay, you have nice glacier views.
On the Calvin & Coyle Trail, the meadow is teeming with wildflowers. There are 126 acres featuring several trails, including a wheel chair accessible trail and a 30 acre refuge sight.
Tour Kachemak Bar State Park. It has over 368,000 acres of glaciers, alpine tundra, forests, fjords, bays and high country lakes. Existing trails offer hiking from Glacier Spit to Poot Peak. Camp sights are available at Glacier Spit, Halibut Cove Lagoon and China Poot Lake. Daily Ferry Service carries visitors to trail heads. The beach areas offer kayaking, tide pools, clamming and beach combing.

There are also many hiking opportunities at Halibut Cove. On your way, you can see an amazing number of birds at Gull Island. Fox Island is also another great place to go hiking. You can go there with a tour from Kenai Fjord Tours. They have many other types of tours as well.

If you need transportation while lodging with us, there are many water taxis in Homer to get you to all of the fun activities that you have planned. Check out our list of Water Taxis in Homer.

While sitting on your private porch at Alaskan Suites, keep your eyes open. Eagles fly abut the cabins daily. From Alaskan Suites cabins, our guests have seen moose, bear, eagles, seals and whales. Looking from your cabin's porch, you may see a large black something in the water and wonder what kind of a whale has come in so far today.