Alaska has a wide variety of kayaking trip options, from one-day excursions to multi-day trips and from sea kayaking to river kayaking. The toughest choices a paddler must make are what part of Alaska he wants to see and how much time he has to spend exploring. To make a kayaking trip even more appealing, keep in mind that kayaking not only relieves stress, it also tones almost every muscle in the upper body.
Saltwater Day Trips
Kayaking day trips are a good introduction to sea kayaking for beginners, and a nice option for more experienced paddlers who have limited time. Tours are available out of Whittier, Homer, Kodiak, Seward and most other waterfront towns.
For a truly unique experience, try taking a 1 1/2-hour water taxi ride with wildlife tour from Homer to Seldovia. In Seldovia, you can either rent a kayak or sign up for a guided tour that includes a healthy gourmet lunch on a secluded beach.
Saltwater Multi-day Trips
For a once in a lifetime kayaking trip, consider exploring the Inside Passage where paddlers frequently see whales, seals, sea otters and calving glaciers. The Inside Passage, located between Alaska's mainland and the offshore islands, offers the benefits of open ocean with the protection of inland waters.
One option includes a multi-day trip that starts out of the Petersburg, a town created by Russian settlers. From Petersburg, you fly to a base camp where you may see whales in the water, bald eagles flying above and bears on the mountainside.
River Kayaking
If you prefer river kayaking to sea kayaking, consider floating the Gulkana River. It is designated wild and scenic, and is a federally protected waterway.
In addition to short trips, multi-day trips take paddlers through highly scenic areas with whitewater you can choose to run or portage depending on your mood.
The river passes through great grayling fishing areas as well as giving you wildlife viewing opportunities as the river passes through forests and open tundra.
Kayaks and Gear
Sea kayaks used in Alaskan waters are either fiberglass or hard plastic, and river kayaks might also come in inflatable versions. In addition to wearing gloves and having extra clothing in a dry bag, most kayak rental companies strongly recommend that paddlers at least carry a dry suit.
Much of Alaska is remote, so carrying a satellite phone, GPS tracking device and other emergency equipment is a good idea. Having paper maps and tide tables also are important so you are not reliant on batteries.
Precautions
If you fall in cold water you must get dry quickly to prevent hypothermia. Pay close attention to tide tables, as Alaska can have extreme tides that can wash your kayak and supplies out to sea.
Beaches too near calving glaciers can get hit with a wave surge capable of washing a kayak out from shore. Bears pose a threat if you don't keep food and food odors away from camp.
If possible cook on one beach, then move to another beach to camp. Mosquitos can also be a problem if you don't have bug spray or better, a head net.
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