- Great for Families!
- Best for 10+
- Half Day
Don’t have the time or the energy for the full day hike and paddle to Caines Head? Paddle out and we pick you up in the water taxi!
Quick Details
Hop on the water taxi and travel east, sightseeing for whales and porpoises on the way, then arrive and start paddling among sheer cliffs that climb straight out of the ocean in Resurrection Bay.
Located closer to the mouth of Resurrection Bay, Humpy Cove is truly unique from cliffs that become coated in waterfalls in the rain, crystal clear water, rock gardens and migrating sea jellies looking for their next snack. This easy paddle is one of our guide’s favorites! So don’t be surprised if you find yourself in Humpy, scouring the cliffs in search of sea urchins, or paddling under a waterfall after a good rain.
We Sometimes go to Thumb Cove
It very rare we have to switch locations but sometimes Thumb offers better paddling conditions than Humpy. Both are great locations, so no matter what, you will have a great time.
This is cove sheltered from the wind and waves and braced by three gorgeous Alpine Glaciers, hanging in the mountains. Bald eagles, sea lions, and sea otters hunt prey, and experience berry picking in the fall, and more! This is a great introductory Resurrection Bay kayak tour with the benefit of sightseeing and getting away from the wind and chop — it’s generally very calm!
It’s important to wear quick drying, warm, synthetic layers or wool depending on the temperature and weather conditions. We ask that you avoid cotton clothing like jeans. Here is a small list of things to bring on your kayak trip in Resurrection Bay.
The water taxi ride takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on the weather, tides, and if we see any wildlife. While the water is usually calm, it can sometimes get bumpy if the weather comes in. We always do our best to make the ride comfortable, but we can’t control the weather!
We make a couple other stops during the water taxi ride to pick up or drop off other kayak groups, which does not take long. It’s always best when we have a full schedule, you get to see more parts of the bay!
We have four different departures for this trip that follow our normal water taxi schedule, the trip includes the water taxi rides and 2 hours of kayaking. If you would like a longer version of this paddle, check out the Full-Day Across the Bay.
7 am Trip: Get back between 10:45 and 11:30 am
9 am Trip: Get back between 12:45 and 1:30 pm
11 am Trip: Get back between 2:45 and 3:30 pm
1 pm Trip: Get back between 4:45 and 5 pm
We provide all the necessary kayaking gear like life jackets, light and easy to use paddles, spray decks to keep your legs dry, very stable tandem kayaks, and all the necessary safety equipment.
Before each trip we provide a short orientation on sea kayaking and safety, so everyone is comfortable before we hit the water!
Be sure to pack comfortable shoes that could get wet, and good layers. There is plenty of storage in the boats for spare layers, and other items if packed into small bags around 25 oz. Each guest also gets a dry bag to use during the trip if needed. Reach out if you have questions about gear.
Bringing a Camera? We use sit-in kayaks for this trip, you can have your camera around your neck or in a dry bag.
This is a great quick trip, it starts with a water taxi ride to the east side of Resurrection bay to one of the two coves, Humpy of Thumb. Keep your eyes peeled for porpoises, harbor seals or bald eagles along the way, and enjoy the gorgeous views of the Bay.
From There, we paddle in one of two protected coves where you can expect to see waterfalls cascading down sheer mountainsides, basalt rock formations, sea stars, various sea birds, salmon streams, and the gorgeous flora that makes up this temperate rainforest.
On the ride back, keep your eyes peeled for whales, Dall’s porpoises, sea otters, and majestic sea lions to name just a few. Join us on this full-day kayak trip from Seward to see all the beauty of Resurrection Bay and the great wildlife watching available here.
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 the cost of charging your credit card and again for the cost of refunding it, and there is also a cost involved for the time involved in processing and refunding your reservation in employee costs. 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.
Gratuities are not included in the original sale price. A suggested 20% guide tip is greatly appreciated! Our guides work hard on building their knowledge and creating a memorable experience for you.
Our Guides are all experienced in kayaking and in outdoor leadership before joining our team. They often come from all different backgrounds; from being ski instructors, snowmobile guides, backpacking guides, or passionate outdoor enthusiasts. Which we believe helps build a strong diverse team with many skills who are all able to thrive and learn from each other. Everyone is trained for two weeks to refine their skills together and learn all they need to know to safely guide our clients. We instruct and certify our guides as ACA L2 kayakers, practice cold water rescue techniques, spend 6 amazing but grueling days in the backcountry as a team, and require that all guides have an up-to-date Wilderness First Responder Certification.
Check it out here: Kayak Guide Training Summer 2022 | Miller’s Landing (millerslandingak.com)
Spend a summer outdoors and in the Stunning Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay, teaching, guiding, and enjoying all the amazing experiences Alaska have to offer. Miller’s Landing is a family-run business that started operations shortly after Kenai Fjords National Park was established in 1980 and the tourism industry began to form in Seward. We work hard to provide every guest with a memorable experience, with a focus on safety, education, stewardship, and fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.
We begin our hiring process in the winter, between December and January, and suggest you apply in December. Our training begins May 1st and the season runs until September 15th. We ask that guides are able to attend training and can stay until at least mid-August. Learn more about our requirements and the hiring process here: Kayak Instructor / Guide | Miller’s Landing in Seward Alaska (millerslandingak.com)
Don’t have the time or the energy for the full day hike and paddle to Caines Head? Paddle out and we pick you up in the water taxi!
Guided kayak tour to Bridal Veil Waterfall in Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska. A beautiful 70-foot glacier-fed waterfall hidden in a unique and lush rain forest!