Frequently Asked Questions

When kayaking in Alaska, it is best to layer your clothing. Synthetic fabrics or wool are highly recommended, as they retain warmth when damp and are also breathable. A warm jacket is recommended. If you are traveling with rain gear, bring it along, as well as a cap and sunglasses. You might want to wear waterproof hiking boots or rubber boots. An extra pair of socks always comes in handy. Dry bags are available for storing an extra layer, your camera, and binoculars while you are kayaking for a small additional charge.

Expeditions and local accommodations fill up fast, so reserve now to avoid disappointment! Our adventures can fill up many months in advance; however, it is frequently possible to join an Alaskan kayak trip with just a couple of days’ notice. Call us at 907-331-3113 or email us at [email protected] to check on space.

Gift certificates are the perfect gift for the adventurer in your life! If you know a kayaker, outdoor enthusiast, or whale lover, you can give them a gift certificate for any of our expeditions or a specific dollar amount. You can reserve their space, or allow them to call us and make their own choice of dates later.

A tandem (double) Necky kayak has a maximum capacity of about 500-600 lbs. So if two people weigh 250 lbs each, they would still not exceed that limit. The cockpits that one sits in are fairly large as well. Single kayaks have a lower weight limit. We have some kayaks that are geared for larger and taller people.

Discounts are often offered for those making reservations online. We do offer discounts to larger groups; this can be quoted on a case-by-case basis. Please send us an email for more information at [email protected]

We accept most credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. We will send you a written confirmation by email once we have successfully processed your reservation request.

Kayaking trips are generally for ages 11 to 70 years, and no experience is necessary. On custom or private trips, we often allow younger children. Check out our Fun Paddle! To paddle in a tandem (two-person) kayak, a child must be physically fit and weigh about 100 pounds. Smaller children need to paddle with a parent or much older sibling. Parties that desire to include young children are encouraged to schedule custom trips or to participate in expeditions designed especially with families in mind. Call us and we can help match your group with another of similar interests and ages!

Each participant is required to sign a Release of Liability before being allowed to participate in any trip. This document releases Miller’s Landing from liability in the case of accident or injury for any reason. Minors must sign the Release of Liability and have their parents sign the document as well.

In regards to your travel arrangements, we are pleased to provide a water taxi service (included in the cost of your guided trip) to get you to remote kayaking destinations. Miller’s Landing is not responsible for expenses arising from the delay, extension, or cancellation of a trip due to weather, breakdowns, or other causes beyond our control. Miller’s Landing strongly recommends trip insurance when taking multi-day trips. Fortunately for everyone, cancellations of a scheduled trip are an extremely rare occurrence. Nevertheless, we must reserve the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient sign-up or logistical problems. The refund of all payments received shall release Miller’s Landing from any further liability, including expenses incurred by participants in preparation and travel for the trip.

Miller’s Landing does not provide medical insurance. We advise you to examine your present insurance policy to make certain you possess adequate medical and personal injury coverage for travel in remote areas. All trips are led by guides with first-aid qualifications and communication equipment. However, Miller’s Landing assumes no responsibility regarding the provision of medical care or evacuation. You will receive a medical questionnaire that must be completed and returned before being allowed to participate in any multi-day trip.

Miller’s Landing provides friendly, informative, and trained kayak guides and all necessary sea kayak equipment, safety gear, cooking gear, dry bags, utensils, and tents (on multi-day trips). On most multi-day kayak trips, we include expertly prepared delicious food for the duration of the tour (except breakfast on the first day) unless you opt to bring your own food and camp gear (for a discounted rate) and do your own cooking.

Tips are voluntary, but greatly appreciated! They are generally 15% – 20% based on your guide’s performance.

The kayaks that we use for our guided trips are the same ones we rent to our customers.

Our Single Kayaks – Looksha 17™ Polymer:

Specs:

MATERIAL: Superlinear® Polyethylene
LENGTH: 17′ 4″ / 5.3 m
WIDTH: 23.75″ / 60.3 cm
WEIGHT: 68 lbs / 30.8 kg
COCKPIT: 33″ x 17.25″ / 83.8 x 43.8 cm
BOW HATCH: 16.5″ x 10.5″ / 41.9 x 26.7 cm
STERN HATCH: 16.5″ x 10.5″ / 41.9 x 26.7 cm
STORAGE CAPACITY: 189.3L / 11552 cu in
MAX CAPACITY: 325-375 lbs / 147.4-170.1 kg

Features:

– Active Comfort System (ACS) seat
– Adjustable thigh braces
– Bow and stern Quick Seal hatches with Cross Lock™ buckle system and bulkheads for ample, dry storage
– Deck bungee
– Reflective safety perimeter line
– Support Track foot brace system
– Rudder system with adjustable foot pedals

Our Double Kayaks – Looksha T™ Polymer:

Specs:

MATERIAL: Superlinear® Polyethylene
LENGTH: 18′ 1″ / 5.5 m
WIDTH: 30″ / 76.2 cm
WEIGHT: 96 lbs / 43.5 kg
COCKPIT: 35.5″ x 17.3″ / 90.2 x 43.8 cm
BOW HATCH: 16.5″ x 10.5″ / 41.9 x 26.7 cm
STERN HATCH: 16.5″ x 10.5″ / 41.9 x 26.7 cm
STORAGE CAPACITY: 190 L / 11595 cu in
MAX CAPACITY: 575-625 lbs / 260.8-283.5 kg

Features:

– Comfortable cushioned composite seats with removable pedestal
– Comfort Fit™ adjustable thigh braces
– Bow and stern Quick Seal hatches with Cross Lock™ buckle system and bulkheads
– Deck bungee
– Reflective safety perimeter line
– Support Track foot brace system
– Rudder system with adjustable foot pedals

Clothing

• Two or three under-layers and an over-layer
• Sneakers are okay, but rain boots or crocs are better.
• Hat for sun cover
• Wind shell
• Fleece top or equivalent (wool sweater)
• Rain gear (hat, jacket, pants)

Personal

• Water bottle (full!)
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Chapstick with sunscreen
• Sunglasses with strap
• Favorite high energy snack
• For full-day trips, please bring a hearty lunch (unless going on our Ultimate Aialik or Northwestern Fjord Day Trips, where we will provide lunch and snacks).

AVOID COTTON. We suggest the above clothing and other items so that you can be safe and comfortable and thoroughly enjoy your sea kayak adventure with us. Anything you need can be rented from nearby outfitters.

Clothing

• Rain boots or crocs
• Hat for sun cover
• Wind shell
• Fleece top or equivalent (wool sweater)
• Rain gear (hat, jacket, and pants)
• Paddling jacket or windbreaker
• Quick-drying shorts
• T-shirt (synthetic material)
• Bathing suit
• Hat for warmth (fleece or wool)
• Fleece pants
• Lightweight polypro/fleece gloves
• Two pairs of polypro or wool socks
• Two pairs of polypro long underwear (tops and bottoms)
• Quick-dry pants and top

Personal

• Water bottle (full!)
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Chapstick with sunscreen
• Sunglasses with strap
• Favorite high energy snack
• For full-day trips, please bring a hearty lunch.
• Small flashlight/headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Personal toiletry items
• Bug repellent

Camping Gear

• Sleeping bag — down or fiberfill, not cotton (can be provided on guided trips)
• Sleeping pad — 3/4 Thermarest® recommended

Other/Optional

• Binoculars with waterproof storage
• Camera with waterproof storage/batteries (or disposable waterproof camera)
• Paddling gloves
• Fanny pack
• Journal, book, pens/pencils (in reclosable plastic storage bags)
• Extra reclosable plastic storage bags to keep things dry

Medicine:

• Required prescription medications and their uses must be noted on the enclosed Registration, Release, and Assumption of Risk Form. Bring double the amount needed with directions/doses written on an unbreakable, waterproof container.

Cash/Valuables:

You will not need much, if any, money during your trip. We suggest you bring $40 – $50 to cover incidental expenses. Tipping guides is customary. Leave excess cash and valuables at home.

*NOTE: All gear for day or overnight trips should fit into circular kayak hatches, so bulky gear or backpacks should be avoided as they will not fit into a kayak.

The items in the below list are helpful to make your Alaska camping trip more enjoyable. For those taking the water taxi,  please have your day pack ready to go and all of your gear packed into dry bags. Please do not pack your gear into your kayak.

Camping Gear

• Sleeping bag
• Tent
• Foam pad
• Stove and fuel
• Tarp
• Cook set
• Saw
• Grill
• Frying pan and spatula
• Plate and cup
• Knife, fork, and spoons
• Rope
• Food

Clothing

• Sneakers or other light shoes for dry land/island exploration
• Footwear that can get wet
• Hiking shoes/boots
• Wool socks
• Cotton socks
• Shorts
• Long pants: cotton/poly or lightweight wool (no 100% cotton)
• T-shirt
• Long underwear
• Bandana
• Hat with brim/visor for sun and rain
• Wool hat
• Lightweight wool gloves
• Rain gear: preferably two-piece jacket and pants
• Wind shell
• Long sleeve shirt
• Wool shirt or sweater
• Swimwear
• Sport sandals/wet shoes

Toiletries

• Towel
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Biodegradable soap
• Comb or brush
• Toilet paper

Canoe & Repair Gear

• Paddles and spare
• PFD
• Waterproof box/bag
• Bailer/sponge
• Duct tape
• Pliers/screwdriver
• Repair materials (canoe, stove, packs)
• Canoe or kayak

Pocket Items & Optional Accessories

• Matches
• Jackknife
• Flashlight/batteries
• Water bottles/canteen
• Insect repellant
• Sunscreen/lip salve
• Camera film/batteries (if appropriate)
• Binoculars with waterproof storage
• Camera with waterproof storage (or disposable waterproof camera)
• Sunglasses/strap
• Binoculars
• Field guide
• Fishing gear/license
• First aid kit
• Whistle
• Compass
• Candles
• Permits (where necessary)
• Medical needs
• Water filter/purification
• Maps/guidebooks (see Mail Order)

Kayak Accessories

• Sprayskirt
• Portage wheels or strap
• Extra foot brace pins
• Paddle keeper

Optional Items

• Pack towel (wet wipes work well)
• Sewing kit
• Fold-out camp chair
• Rubber boots/neoprene booties
• Pogies/rubber or neoprene gloves

*NOTE: All gear for day or overnight trips should fit into circular kayak hatches, so bulky gear or backpacks should be avoided as they will not fit into a kayak.

Medicine:
Required prescription medications and their uses must be noted on the enclosed Registration, Release, and Assumption of Risk Form. Bring double the amount needed with directions/doses written on an unbreakable, waterproof container.

Cash/Valuables:
You will not need much, if any, money during your trip. We suggest you bring $40 – $50 to cover incidental expenses. Tipping guides is customary. Leave excess cash and valuables at home.

If you are fishing with us, we clean and fillet your fish as part of your fishing charter. We also provide complimentary fish freezing for one night for our customers. Processing, freezing, and shipping can be done at Captain Jack’s or J-Dock in Seward. For more information, click here.

If you are on a half-day charter, you fish inside Resurrection Bay. On our full-day charters, we go outside of the Bay. The exact spot for fishing is the captain’s decision based on weather and their extensive knowledge of the area.

We don’t target halibut on half-day Seward fishing charters. Halibut may be caught but are not retained on these charters. If you want to keep a halibut, please see our full-day charters. For more information, click here.

The best period for catching silver salmon is mid-July and August, but it can also be caught in outer coastal waters starting in late June.

The easiest way to purchase it is online!

Tips are voluntary, but greatly appreciated! They are generally 10% – 15% based on your crew’s performance.

If there is space, our StabiCraft boats can be reserved in advance online, by calling 907-331-3113, or by emailing [email protected]. All boats are first come, first served!

A cell phone will work in most places in Resurrection Bay — exceptions include Humpy Cove and Thumb Cove, as well as anywhere south of Caine’s Head (depending on the provider). There is no cell service further out in the Gulf of Alaska.

Yes, you’re provided with a typical 5-gallon fuel can. More can be purchased for full-day excursions.

Depending on the time of year, you can catch pelagic and non-pelagic rockfish, halibut, and different species of salmon. Ask at the camp store for more information.

You fill out a float plan prior to departure that visibly illustrates your intended track around the bay.  If you’re overdue and we can’t reach you via phone, we send another boat to come looking for you. The float plan is possibly the most important part of your check-out process.

Yes, unfortunately. More often than not, this is due to operator error, though sometimes there are unknown or unforeseen mechanical difficulties. This is a prime reason why we need all clients to have a communications device (phone or VHF radio) and a good float plan!

Yes, there is. Your time is paid for prior to departure, and your card information is kept on file in case of extra fuel usage, damages (including props), or missing gear. Damage incurred from beaching or swamping boats due to ignoring the rules set in place for your own safety can potentially cost a lot! Please follow the rules and be careful!

If you’re going on a half-day rental (four hours), typically the tank of fuel provided is more than plenty. If you’re going on a full-day trip, and plan on trolling or motoring a lot, we actually require you to bring a second tank. If you don’t use it, we won’t charge you for it; it’s just for your own safety. If you run out of fuel, it’s usually because you went past our published boating limits, which is not only against the rules but also incredibly unsafe.

The first tank of fuel is included in the cost and no portion of it is refunded. The second tank of fuel is pro-rated to the nearest 1/4 tank of fuel.

For the 2023 season, we will have one StabiCraft rentable per day.

Tackle does not come with the pole rentals, and it can’t be rented either, but we do have some gear for purchase in the camp store.

Nope! Sorry.

Nope! Sorry. Rental hours are 8am to 8pm.

Nope! Sorry, this boat is not a landing craft and attempting to land on the beach will damage the vessel.

Of course!

You should make sure that your accommodation is left generally clean. That means you should sweep a cabin/room, wipe out the fridge (if it has a fridge), and take the trash out to the dumpster. Self-cleaning takes approx. 10 minutes.

If you are staying in the Admiral’s, Uncle Steve’s, or Captain’s Cabin, please do your dishes, clean the stove, and clean the inside of the microwave. Failure to do that could result in a $25 an hour cleaning charge.

If your cabin has a key, please leave the key in the lockbox. Notifying us that you’ve checked out is also appreciated!

To see in which of our cabins pets are allowed in, check this link here.

Normal check-in hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. If you are arriving after 11 p.m. and our office is closed, we will leave an envelope with your last name on it on the door. You will have everything you need in there. Just make sure to come into the office in the morning to let us know you arrived.

We have a bath, laundry, and shower facility available for you to use if you’re staying in our campground or in one of our cabins that don’t have bathrooms. Showers are token operated (1 token = $1) and it’s $1 for two minutes. The laundry room has three washers and three dryers, and you need three tokens to wash and three tokens to dry ($6 total).

Yes, we do! Our fire rings are currently made of stone, so if there is a fire ban in place, you may want to bring a portable steel fire ring.

Yes, we do! There is an open network in the main office that guests are free to use.

We offer 10% off of lodging for active military and AAA members.

We sell wood in our office. The price is $7 for one bundle.

Yes, we do!

Driving from Anchorage or Kenai: Take the Seward Highway south; this turns into 3rd Ave in Seward. Go to the end of the road (you will be facing the SeaLife Center), make a right onto Railroad (it becomes Lowell Point Road). Drive 2½ miles along the waterfront and you’ll run right into us on the beachfront!

The Miller’s Landing refund policy must be adhered to as a sizable portion of trip expenses are committed well in advance of scheduled departures. All cancellations must be received in writing, and the refund rates are based on the date of receipt. Please call when you send us your cancellation notice in case it gets lost in the mail.

Cancellation Policy:

A $10 cancellation fee is imposed for all reservations canceled.

Cancellations must be received by email only to [email protected] The cancellation notice date is the date the email was received at [email protected] Phone cancellations will not be accepted.

Cancellations received by email 30 days prior to the first day of the reservation are charged a $10 cancellation fee and you will receive a refund of 90% of the total amount of the reservation.

Cancellations received by email 15 to 29 days prior to the first day of the reservation are charged a $10 cancellation charge and you will receive a 75% refund of the total amount of the reservation.

Cancellations received by email 14 days to zero days prior to arrival are charged a $10 cancellation fee and you will receive a 50% refund only if we are able to rebook your camping, cabin, fishing, kayaking, water taxi, shuttle, lunch, or activity. If we are not able to rebook your reservation, then no refunds will be issued and you will also be charged a $10 cancellation fee to your credit card.

In some situations, a raincheck worth 75% of your reservation may be issued at the discretion of Miller’s Landing management instead of the applicable cancellation charge. If this option appeals to you, please suggest this at the time of cancellation. Rainchecks are good for one year and may be used for activities, camping, or lodging owned by Miller’s Landing or towards the cost of hats, T-shirts, gifts, etc. sold in the Miller’s Landing store or items sold online. For items purchased online, the customer is expected to pay for the cost of shipping. Rainchecks may NOT be transferred to another person.

A 100% refund will be issued for any activity that was canceled due to weather by Miller’s Landing. Miller’s Landing reserves the right to determine weather cancellations. Rain does not constitute a cancellation.

Please note: Miller’s Landing encourages only guaranteed prepaid reservations. Unlike many other states, Alaska has a very short tourist season, which can make it difficult for us to rebook when we have cancellations without ample notice.

If you are booking a charter and lodging and your charter, water taxi, or kayaking is canceled due to weather, you are still responsible for the lodging or camping reservations and the normal cancellation policy applies. All of our activities are possible during rain, so rain does not constitute a cancellation.  Miller’s Landing is not responsible for vehicle break downs, personal emergencies, flight delays, health issues or other unforeseen hardships. We will try very hard to work with you, but the cancellation policy will need to be applied if we cannot issue a raincheck or find an alternative solution that appeals to both parties.

Please understand that Miller’s Landing also incurs a hefty financial merchant fee from our bank for charging your credit card and again for refunding it, and there is also a cost involved for the time spent processing and refunding your reservation. Our goal when taking your reservation is to have a solid, guaranteed prepaid reservation. We strongly discourage the practice of making reservations without having an airline ticket or making tentative reservations. Thank you for your understanding.

If the lesson, rental, or kayak trip is canceled by Miller’s Landing due to weather, the guest has the choice of a full refund or raincheck for another day.

We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance, available through any travel agent, to protect your vacation investment.