Caines Head Day Trip

With the whole day on the water, there are so many options! You’ll meet at our office in downtown Seward at 7:45 a.m. From there, we’ll drive you to our launch beach at Lowell Point. You’ll return to the beach around 3:30 p.m., and we’ll bring you back to our shop.

You’ll paddle the coast between Lowell Point and Caines Head, and explore the dramatic shoreline as you go. Our guides love to tailor the trip to the group at hand and whatever conditions the day brings: you’ll explore the history of the area – from the traditional use of kayaks to the eerie remains of wartime efforts; wander through coastal rainforest and the magnificent ghost forest left at Tonsina Point by the 1964 earthquake; and keep your eyes out for marine mammals and intertidal critters.

We like to land at North Beach on Caines Head, where (if time allows) a great hike brings you to Fort McGilvray and unveils Seward’s intriguing past, as well as stunning views of Resurrection Bay and the islands. All the while, we’ll keep a lookout for wildlife. We’ll often see sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, harbor porpoise, bald eagles, and many seabirds. With a full day on the water, there’s a good chance of having some fantastic wildlife encounters.

• Enthusiastic and Knowledgable Guide
• Locally Made Lunch
• Snacks and Hot Drinks
• High Quality Rain Gear (if needed)
• Transportation From Downtown Office
• All Kayaking Gear
  • Personal Floatation Device
  • Spray Skirt
  • Neoprene Mitts
  • 10 Liter Dry Bag
  • Stable Double Kayak & Paddle

Seward is located in the northern tip of the largest coastal rainforest in the world, and we see a lot of rainy days here. Our tours run rain or shine, so we ask you to wear synthetic layers of clothing, and avoid cotton (including jeans) because it gets really cold if wet. We also require you to have a waterproof rain jacket and rain pants, as this is a full day tour in a potentially very cold and wet environment. If you do not have your own rain gear, we offer high quality, commercial grade Helly Hansen rain pants & Columbia Outdry rain jackets for you to borrow at no extra cost. However, if your Alaska vacation includes any other outdoor activities, we strongly advise purchasing your own rain gear for your trip. You’ll no doubt need both a rain jacket and rain pants throughout your time in Alaska.

Please wear footwear that you’re comfortable walking in, will keep you warm, and you don’t mind potentially getting a bit wet (closed-toe water shoes, running shoes, and hiking boots are all fine options). We have rubber boots to lend if needed, but these don’t insulate as well and we’ve found people are most comfortable in their own shoes. Your guide will launch and land your kayaks from shore and will work hard throughout the day to keep your feet warm and dry.

We also provide pogies (neoprene mitts for your hands while kayaking) which will keep your hands warm and comfortable while you’re out there. You’ll want to be sure to have your own reusable (non-disposable) water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

You will receive a trip-specific packing list upon booking, which will go into great detail about what else to bring. Keep an eye out for it in your confirmation email!

With thoughtful consideration, we have revised our cancellation policy to meet the uncertainty of traveling during a global pandemic. The policy below reflects our dedication to providing a stress-free booking, planning, and travel experience for you, our guests. Our revised policies are flexible and forgiving, so you can book with confidence.

For all tours without a water taxi (Resurrection Bay Half Day Tours and Caines Head Day Trips), guests will receive a full refund for cancellations made more than 1 week prior to your trip date*. Within 1 week, your trip fees are nonrefundable.

*Full refunds include: trip fees, add ons, and taxes & fees, minus $10 per person booking fees for all half & full day trips & $25 per person booking fees for multi-day trips*

For more information regarding our cancellation policies, click here.

We’re proud to have operated tours through 2020 and 2021, despite the added challenges of the global pandemic. We were able to share this area with thousands of people, and no known cases of COVID-19 were contracted on our trips. We are taking what we have learned over the past two seasons and preparing for another meaningful, inspiring summer in 2022.

We have careful plans in place to address the continued public health risks posed by the COVID-19 virus. We follow scientific expertise and industry standards for hygiene and cleanliness, encourage the use of cautious practices among our staff and guests, and will communicate all changes to our policies as we continue to adapt.

Please take just a minute and check out our Covid Response Page.