Guided Kayaking Trips

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. We also have spare rain jackets if needed, but we recommend, if doing a full-day trip, bringing your own plus using ours if it’s raining. Just in case. Waterproof hiking boots or rubber boots work best for footwear. An extra pair of socks always comes in handy for full-day trips, or to have on hand for afterwards. Dry bags are available for storing an extra layer, your camera, and binoculars while you are kayaking, just let your guide know you need one. We rent dry suits, and other gear to rentals and overnight clients.

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.

A tandem (double) Necky kayak has a maximum capacity of about 400-600 lbs. So, if two people weigh 250 lbs. each, they would still not exceed that limit. The spray skirts used on the kayaks fit waist sizes roughly up to 50 inches.

Kayaking trips are generally for ages 8 to 70 years depending on the trip, and no experience is necessary. On shorter custom or private trips, we often allow younger children. 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!

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

Most of our tours are very easy going and would not be considered strenuous or physically demanding. We also offer instruction before each trip, so everyone is comfortable before we hit the water.

If you are looking for a more relaxing or intermediate paddling experience, try our shorter trips that go to Tonsina, Bridal Veil, Caines Head 3/4 day, or the Half-day Across the Bay tour.

Some of our trips go farther than others and require you to be paddling for longer periods of time. Read the details on each trip but if you are looking for a longer paddle try our Caines head or Full day across the bay tour.

Our kayaking tours in Kenai Fjords National Park last all day, covering roughly 10 miles, seeing more parts of the park. We include a long lunch break and chances to get out between landing beaches as well. So, while this tour is long, we go at a nice steady pace.

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

Its best to dress in layers, and to avoid cotton. Southeast Alaska is made up of temperate rainforest, so don’t be surprised it trickles a little.

Clothing

• Two or three under-layers and an over-layer
• Sneakers are okay, but rain boots or hiking boots are better.
• Hat for sun cover
• Fleece top, puffy, wool sweater or equivalent
• Rain top and bottoms

Personal

• Water bottle
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Chapstick with sunscreen
• Sunglasses with strap
• Favorite high energy snack

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.

We provide you with a packing list, but this is a general overview of what you would bring.

Clothing

• Rain boots or hiking boots
• Hat for sun cover
• Fleece top, puffy, wool sweater or equivalent
• Rain top and bottoms
• 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

• We provide a tent, sleeping bag, liner, and sleeping pad but many folks bring their own. Let us know if you do.

Other/Optional

• Binoculars with waterproof storage
• Camera with waterproof storage/batteries (or disposable waterproof camera)
• Paddling gloves (we do provide poggies)
• 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. 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.

Miller’s Landing provides friendly, informative, and trained kayak guides and all necessary sea kayak equipment, safety gear, cooking gear, dry bags, utensils, shelters and much more to make hour trip safe and enjoyable. We not only promise you a great experience but also act as stewards towards the environment we work in in hopes to protect it for the next person.

On our full day and multi-day trips to Kenai Fjords National Park we provide breakfast, lunch and dinners if you are camping. Let us know if you have dietary restrictions or allergies. Multi-day campers will fill out a survey on their food and trip preferences.

We have extra rain gear if you don’t have any, as well as rentable dry-suits, dry bags, and much more.

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
• Stove
• 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
• 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.