People know Homer as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” but it also offers a ton of things to do and really fun, local experiences for different types of travelers. I first visited Homer when I was working as a driver guide in my early 20s… and it hasn’t changed a lot, meaning that it’s still really fun, just as beautiful and a great place to enjoy lots of elements that make Alaska special. From the Salty Dawg Saloon to watching puffins and orcas in Kachemak Bay, Homer is really incredible and you’ll never be bored. I feel like Valdez and Homer are tied for being the most fun destinations in Alaska.
With years of visiting Homer and now having just gone back again for another trip, I’ve put together the best things to do to get the full Homer, Alaska experience. From hiking to fishing, wildlife to just where to find the best views, it’s all here. If you have any questions about visiting Homer or need some additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and I LOVE helping people plan a trip to Alaska!
What to Do in Homer, Alaska
When people are adding Homer to their Alaska trip, for many they don’t know a ton about it, but they know that it’s on the Kenai Peninsula and so it’s likely got fishing of some sort. When I lived on the Kenai and now when I talk to people about visiting Alaska, still many don’t know just what to do in Homer, even if they’ve started to do their research. Well, I’m going to help everyone now by laying out just what there is to do in Homer and how to actually plan your time. I love it here and am always excited to talk about this beautiful town.
Long story short, here are the reasons to visit Homer and top things to do that I can highly recommend:
- Its location is gorgeous on Kachemak Bay, with mountains across the water
- The halibut fishing really is phenomenal, both near shore and far out
- Wildlife is abundant and easy to find, from moose to puffins
- Home has become a foodie spot with really good, interesting restaurants
- The Homer Spit is fun to explore and really is just a vibe
- Getting out on the water is easy, and it’s one of the more affordable places to do water tours of all sorts
Where Is Homer Alaska
Homer is known as The End of the Road, and with a variety of landscapes and activities from a single base, more than almost anywhere else on the Kenai Peninsula, it’s worth driving that extra distance to spend a few days. I keep referring to the Kenai Peninsula, which if you haven’t been to Alaska you might not have any idea what I’m talking about. The Kenai is the piece of land south of Anchorage where Homer, Seward, Kenai, Soldotna and Cooper Landing are located. The center of the Peninsula is the Kenai Mountains, and the southeastern portion is Kenai Fjords National Park, which is accessible via Seward.
On the other side of the Kenai Peninsula from Seward is where you’ll find Homer. The town is kind of split in two, with there being a portion on the hill and the other part of town out on the Homer Spit. When you drive from Anchorage, you’ll take the Seward Highway to the Sterling Highway, which ends at the end of the Spit. The drive is about four hours and absolutely beautiful. You can also fly into Homer via regional jet if that’s in your budget.
Where to Stay in Homer: choosing the right lodging
Homer is an interesting place when it comes to choosing where to stay. You have to decide if you want to stay in town, on the Homer Spit or on the outskirts. Each location offers a different sort of Homer experience. Here’s how you can choose:
- want to walk to dinner or morning coffee, stay in town
- want the vibes of the Homer Spit, stay at Lands End Resort or a vacation rental
- want seclusion and beautiful views, choose a cabin resort just outside of town
No matter where you choose, you’ll always be a few minutes’ drive from any activities you have planned, unless you’re staying in a small vacation rental in the very middle of the Homer Spit and you just are doing water activities during your stay.
Top Hotel Pick in Homer: the Moosetide Hotel
Located in the middle of the town area of Homer, the Moosetide Hotel is really a wonderful place to stay. It’s cozy, thoughtfully put together, freshly renovated, and is the perfect home base for any season. And a bonus: it’s LGBTQ owned and operated! The ladies who run the Moosetide Hotel are remarkable, with so much kindness, love of Homer, and interest in making sure everyone has a wonderful visit. While I was there I met return guests and first-timers that were having the same experience as me: they were at home thousands of miles from home.
The rooms are peaceful and clean, comfortable and relaxing. You can book a queen room, two doubles, or a signature suite. If you’ve got a busy visit to Homer, a standard room is just fine for space and comfort, as you’ll have access to the public spaces for relaxing or (heaven forbid) working remotely if you must. The suite is awesome with a living room, bedroom, plenty of closet space and even a kitchenette. I like the vibe of the Moosetide Hotel and truly, the owners (who are always available) are a big part of what makes the stay a special one.
Book the Moosetide Hotel here!
What is the Homer Spit?
I keep making reference to the Homer Spit. Do you know what it is? Well, when you drive into town you’ll see a long, 4.5 mile beach stretching out into Kachemak Bay and at the end you’ll notice some building along a boardwalk and a few boat harbors. That’s the Homer Spit. It’s actually a huge moraine left by an enormous glacier that retreated, leaving behind a giant pile of rocks and sand, thus making the Homer Spit which now is a bustling port and tourist center. You can go kayaking along the spit, this is where the Alaska Marine Highway ferry leaves from, and it’s the hub for all the halibut fishing and boat tours Homer is known for.
Getting to Homer, AK
I mentioned both flying and driving to Homer. Driving is the easiest and most cost effective way to get to Homer, as you’ll be able to have shared costs for the transportation versus buying plane tickets for each person. There are plenty of gas stations between Anchorage and Homer, and also lots of great stops to make. If you’re driving yourself, rent a car in Anchorage and plot out your stops along the way. It’s also easy to add a few days in Seward to a trip to Homer. I love our plan for a two week Alaska road trip because it includes Homer, Seward, Anchorage, Palmer, Denali and Fairbanks!
For flying, Aleutian Airways is your option for getting to Homer. You can fly directly from Anchorage on a small plane and it’s about a 45 minute flight. I like flying Aleutian Airways because it’s outside of TSA at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, so it’s a really easy check-in and boarding process. I highly recommend flying to Homer and renting a car there if you are short on time and it’s in your budget.
If Homer is part of a bigger Alaska trip that includes visiting Kodiak, you can also consider doing the Alaska Marine Highway ferry between Homer and Kodiak. It’s an overnight sailing and takes between 10 and 12 hours. In the summer months, the views are amazing all night long, and then in fall and early spring you will have darkness during the crossing.
Note: the Alaska Railroad does NOT go to Homer. It goes to Seward or heads north, but not across to Homer.
Is Homer, Alaska Worth Visiting
OMG, yes! If you and your traveling crew are outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, anglers, kayakers, hikers, or simply road trippers, Homer is a unique combination of coastal scenery, easy wilderness access, wildlife viewing, fishing opportunities, and small-town Alaska culture all at once. It’s a very low-key town and also very welcoming. There are lots of LGBTQ+ owned, operated and inclusive businesses, and as an LGBTQ traveler myself, Homer has always been a place that I feel very comfortable and safe.
What Is Homer, Alaska Known For?
As you’re starting to plan your visit to Homer, take advantage of the things that have made it a famous or sought after destination. Thankfully the activities and sights are plentiful and diverse so you can cherry-pick the things you’re most interested in, but for consideration, think about choosing activities that really encapsulate the fun and beauty of Homer.
- Halibut Fishing Capital of the World – lots of fishing charter options
- Homer Spit – 4.5 miles of beach, restaurants on stilts, and iconic spots
- Kachemak Bay – a beautiful wildlife-filled body of water that’s gorgeous from every angle
- Bear viewing excursions – there are lots of bears on the Kenai Peninsula, but Homer is also a sea plane excursion base to visit Kodiak or the Alaska Peninsula for a day trip
- Sea kayaking – getting out on Kachemak Bay in a kayak with the puffins and sea otters is really cool
- Coastal art community – there are lots of galleries and even a wonderful museum (the Pratt)
- Fresh seafood – Homer has really become a foodie-town, especially for seafood
- Peonies – did you know that Homer is the largest producer of bouquet peonies in the USA?
- Bald eagle and sandhill crane sightings – if you’re a birder, Homer is awesome for you!
- Gateway to Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks – flightseeing and day trips across Cook Inlet are plentiful from Homer
- Bunnies – yes, there are bunnies running all over town and they are not native
What Is There To Do In Homer Alaska
Okay, let’s really get into what to do in Homer. There are lots of activities for free as well as big ticket adventures. I’ve listed the many things to do in Homer in order of popularity and what I get the most questions about. If you have questions about any of our recommendations, please let me know because I have lots more to share than what I can fit in below.
Halibut Fishing from the Homer Spit
I know that not everyone is into fishing, but many are and Homer is a great place to be based for it. Whether you’re really excited to do halibut fishing far out at sea or if you want to do a mixed species fishing trip, Homer is a great spot for it. You can do a half day or full day out on the water, depending on how much time you have and your budget. Even if you’ve never been fishing before, halibut fishing in Homer is an easy pick for something most everyone can enjoy. The captain and crew (depending on the size of the boat) do all the work with getting gear ready and dealing with bait, and then they even clean your fish for you.
Note: if you go Halibut fishing in Homer and it’s not at the end of your trip, Homer Fish Processing will get your catch packaged and frozen and hold onto it for you until you’re ready to head home. If you can pick it up from there versus having it shipped home, you’ll save hundreds of dollars on shipping costs. Shipping your catch home can be just as expensive as your halibut fishing trip itself.
Bonus: if you decide that you cannot take your catch home or ship it, Homer Fish Processing will take care of it and donate it to the local food pantry, which is amazing to be able to provide fresh, healthy fish to people in need.
Book Homer halibut fishing here OR Homer multi-species fishing here!
Kachemack Bay Flightseeing
We don’t do a ton of flightseeing because it can be pretty costly, but if there’s one place that I always do recommend it, it’s Alaska, and Homer is a really unique place for it. Beryl Air and Beluga Air both do an awesome hour long seaplane flightseeing tour all around Kachemak Bay. Leaving from the float plane base on Beluga Lake, you’ll see the Homer Spit from the air, then depending on the wind and weather you’ll get to see the many coves and islands, and then places like Seldovia, Halibut Cove and Fox River.
A highlight of flightseeing from Homer is definitely getting to see Grewingk Glacier from the air. You can see the icebergs floating in the glacial lake, the mountains all around, and follow the glacial river into Kachemak Bay. We even got to see and circle a family of bears fishing in a river on our seaplane flight. It’s one of my favorite flightseeing tours in Alaska.
Book Beluga Air flightseeing here! OR Book Wild Blue Air here!
Alaska Wildlife Boat Tour
Being on the water is always one of my favorite things to do in Homer, and when it means wildlife watching, I love it even more. Even though places like Valdez or Seward are more well known for their wildlife cruises, Homer has several great ones. What I like about doing a wildlife boat tour from Homer is the combination of calm Kachemak Bay with the different scenery and wildlife of the open water just beyond the Homer Spit. Look for humpback and orca whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and best of all, PUFFINS! I love puffins and you can actually see both horned and tufted puffins of wildlife boat tours here. I think this is one of the best things to do in Homer because the main wildlife areas are very close to the Spit, so you’re not going to be out on a boat for hours on end (usually just two hours), unlike wildlife trips in Glacier Bay National Park or the Kenai Fjords Tours.
TIP: Coldwater Alaska tours has one of the best wildlife watching boats on the Kenai Peninsula. Very nice indoor and outdoor spaces make it easy to stay warm but still get to actively watch wildlife, which is great for being a smaller catamaran.
Book Coldwater Alaska’s wildlife tour here! Or Bay Excursions 3 hr birding tour
Explore the Homer Spit
I think the Homer Spit is really cool, and just hanging out in the different areas is a great activity when you’re in Homer. It’s easy to do a morning wildlife or fishing tour from the Spit and then enjoy an afternoon going through shops and galleries, grabbing a drink at the Salty Dawg Saloon, and then strolling on the beach. The Homer Spit really is a vibe for many reasons, and I think what always stands out to me is just how it perfectly captures many different elements of Alaska: the scenery, the fishing, the food, the art, and the over-the-top tourism. And really, the Salty Dawg Saloon is such a Homer staple that even though it’s totally a spot that every tourist visits, it’s also still just a great Alaskan hang out. Yes, it’s a bar so it’s not a kid-friendly stop, but for adults, it’s a sight and is a fun visit.
Grewingk Glacier at Kachemak Bay State Park
You know we love to visit glaciers in Alaska, and Grewingk Glacier is a great one. Of all the activities in Homer, visiting Kachemak Bay State Park is probably the most bang-for-your-buck thing to do. To get to the glacier, you first get to do a half hour boat ride in a water taxi across the bay and then walk on the beach to your trail. The hike to Grewingk Glacier isn’t too difficult at all, and you get to do a little side-quest to the hand tram across the river if you want. Once at the lake, there are icebergs floating and a beautiful shoreline to walk. It’s a photography dream and very different from the tidewater glaciers you see in Kenai Fjords NP.
The hike back to your pick up point, which is usually in Halibut Cove, is a little more difficult than the walk from the beach, but it gives you a completely different view of Kachemak Bay State Park and the different environments on this side of the bay. I love it. The hiking tour ends with another half hour boat ride across the water, watching for wildlife and returning to the Homer Spit. This is a really wonderful activity when you’re in Homer.
Book the water taxi tour to Kachemak Bay SP here!
Sea Kayaking in Homer, Alaska
Yes! I know that Homer is located just off the Cook Inlet so you get a lot of wind moving through, but sea kayaking on Kachemak Bay is wonderful. There are several kayaking adventures available through different tour options so you can go with a guide and get to enjoy all the nearby wildlife and views of the mountains. I love the setting here, and with such cool sea birds, orcas, seals and sea otters, it’s a really great place for kayaking. You can do either hard-side kayaks or pack-raft kayaking, so there are options for every skill level. Homer has some of the best kayaking spots on the Kenai Peninsula.
Book Halibut Cove sea kayaking here OR Tutka Bay sea kayaking here OR Book Homer pack-raft kayaking here!
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
We spend a lot of time visiting wildlife refuges and preserves, and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is a great one. While so much of it is remote or unreachable for most visitors (us included) there are a few areas that you can visit. One easy spot is actually access on land from the Visitor Center. Here you can walk out on the trails down onto the Beluga Slough and see all kinds of migrating birds, especially sandhill cranes. If you walk along the beach you have a great chance of seeing whales, more types of birds and also seals.
The visitor center is a really great spot to spend some time and learn about the wildlife refuge and all kinds of wildlife. It’s got a great film, interesting exhibits and all kinds of information for planning future trips to unique places all around coastal Alaska.
Bear Viewing Trips from Homer to Katmai NP
Seeing brown bears in Alaska is a bucket list experience for many, and getting to visit Katmai National Park is such an amazing experience, and for most people, they don’t get to stay at the park, but have to visit on day trips. Flying to Katmai NP from Homer or Anchorage is the next best option if you didn’t win the lottery to visit for multiple days. From Homer, there are actually several different flying companies that will go across Cook Inlet to both Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks which are both INCREDIBLE for seeing brown bears. This is an all-day activity and it does come at a premium cost, but it’s also really unbelievable.
Book bear viewing to Katmai National Park here or Lake Clark National Park here.
Note: if you don’t have time for bear viewing from Homer, Rust’s Flying Service does both Katmai NP and Lake Clark NP from Anchorage. CHECK OUT RUST’S FLYING SERVICE, and when booking online or over the phone, use code 2traveldads for a 10% discount on your passage!
Pratt Museum
It’s always good to have an option for getting some culture, history and art when you’re visiting a place that gets a lot of rain. The Pratt Museum in Homer is a great activity for learning all about the town and how it’s changed over the years, including how both Homer and Seldovia were impacted by the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake that impacted so much of Alaska. You’ll also find an interesting collection of Alaskan art, exhibits about wildlife and even a native plant garden. I really enjoy the Pratt Museum, and it’s a great thing to do, keeping it in your back pocket for that inevitable rainy day.
Homer Brewery Crawl
Homer isn’t a huge city but it does actually have some cool brewing establishments, and not just beer. They call it the Fermentation Trail and it includes the Homer Brewing Co near the Homer Spit; Grace Ridge Brewing Co in town; Sweetgale Meadworks & Cider House for, you guessed it, mead and cider in town; and finally Bear Creek Winery for all kinds of local fruit wines, just beyond town on the way to Fox River. You may not want to visit all of them in one afternoon, but each is very different and you can plan to visit one or two each day while you’re visiting Homer.
Eveline State Recreation Area
Alaska has lots of State Recreation Areas, which are a little different from State Parks in that they’re usually smaller and have a specific recreational purpose. Eveline State Recreation Area in Homer is a place for easy walking trails or, in the winter, nordic skiing. If you’re into wildflowers and want to be in nature and take in a view, but don’t want an epically challenging hike, Eveline SRA is a great place to visit. I love the boardwalks through the muskeg and the fields of fireweed. There’s even a great platform up on the hill for taking in the view of the mountains and glaciers across Kachemak Bay. On a clear day, visiting Eveline State Recreation Area is a great thing to do for some fresh air and a view.
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Tour
You know we love our learning activities, and especially when we’re traveling with the kids we look for guided tours that teach us something about the ecosystems and habits where we’re visiting. In Homer the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies leads different types of tours in different environments to teach visitors about the intertidal zone, the meadowlands, and the forests. Going out with a naturalist and learning, hands-on, is such a great way to experience a place differently, and in Homer there are such varied natural places that you’ll definitely gain some new perspectives on Alaska.
Sterling Highway Sightseeing
Whether you’re driving to Homer from Anchorage or if you flew into the little airport and picked up a rental car, there are some fun places to explore along the Sterling Highway near Homer. Starting from north of Homer and working your way back down into town, begin your time exploring by visiting Ninilchik with its beautiful old Russian Orthodox church. Drive along the old cannery row and look for eagles, then stop at the Ninichik State Recreation Sites to look for wildlife or do some salmon fishing. If the timing is right, you might even be in the area for the Kenai Peninsula Fair and Rodeo that happens here between Ninilchik and Anchor Point.
The next stop as you explore the Sterling Highway driving towards Homer is Deep Creek State Recreation Site for a little picnic or beach combing (great driftwood!). Soon after, there’s a small wayside to pull off and you can do a really short walk onto the boardwalk to watch salmon in Stariski Creek from the riverside platform (good fishing spot too). The next stop is the best: Anchor River State Recreation Area. This could be the best spot to do lots of different activities on the Sterling Highway. Besides being one of the best camping spots on the Kenai Peninsula, Anchor River State Recreation Area has lots of fishing access points, wildlife watching, picnic areas and a beautiful long stretch of beach, which is the furthest west beach in the USA that you can drive to. As you end your day exploring the Sterling Highway, be sure to stop at the Welcome to Homer sign as you arrive back in town. This is a beautiful drive with lots of fun things to do along the way.
Get the Anchorage to Homer self-guided tour here!
Best Time To Visit Homer Alaska
Of course the best time to visit Homer is going to be in the peak summer months, as that when you’ll have the best weather, the salmon runs are going, and all of the tour operators are open for business. In the summer it’s easy to get a water taxi for exploring Kachemak Bay State Park or to be able to get onto a fishing charter in the halibut capital of the world. Having said that, as the annual thaw finishes up and the days get longer, May is a wonderful time to visit Homer. This is when the moose are having their calves and the spring leaves are nearly all grown in. It may be a bit wet, but it’s beautiful and still really quiet. Most tour operators have begun their season by the week before Memorial Day.
If you want to visit at the end of the summer, for the best experience get to Homer before Labor Day. The Sunday before Labor Day is a hard close point for half of the tourist activities and guides, and even most of the restaurants on the Homer Spit. Having said that, there are still tons of things to do and some wildlife and fishing charters still operating, they’re just fewer and far between. Inlet Charters (fishing) and Coldwater Alaska (wildlife) both operate longer than most tour companies, so they’re a solid choice for booking activities in Homer at the end of summer season.
You could visit Homer in the winter, and there are businesses and restaurants still operating. Homer is an actual community with a year-round town population just like any other town. You’ll not have a ton of guided tourism opportunities in the winter, but there are things like snow mobiling, Nordic skiing and watching for moose. Winter in Alaska is fun as long as you know what you’re getting into.
So are you ready to plan a trip to Homer? As you can see there are tons of things to do that are both really active and very relaxed. The setting is beautiful, the wildlife is awesome and the people are really wonderful to spend time with. I love Homer and being back made me miss living on the Kenai Peninsula. If you have any questions about our suggestions or need some additional recommendations for activities in Homer, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great trip to Alaska!
