Sea Otters, Seals and Sea Lions on the Kenai Peninsula

The cutest of all saltwater wildlife has to be the sea otter. Its whiskery "old man" look and innocence make it a mammal that everyone loves to view. The coastal areas surrounding the Kenai Peninsula support large numbers of sea otters as well as populations of seals and sea lions.

Otters are frequent visitors to kelp patches where much of their primary food sources occur. Seals and sea lions feed in more open waters primarily for herring and other bait fish but best viewing is along rocky shorelines where they haul out to sunbathe.

Shore-based Viewing
Although viewing from shore is somewhat limited there are a few locations which will give you an opportunity to view and photograph these creatures.

If you are in Homer, I have always encountered a sea otter or two swimming just off the beach at the end of the Homer Spit around Land's End Resort. This area provides no protection for them so the ones that frequent this location are passing through during their feeding. Its a waiting game but you won't be bored. The view of the bay, glaciers, mountains and the procession of sport and commercial fishing boats is breath-taking.

If you are in Seward, you will have excellent opportunities to view sea lions and sea otters right in town near the Small Boat Harbor. A large number of sea lions have come to call the boat harbor their home and are seen around the areas where salmon and halibut cleaning stations are located. They can't resist a free meal as anglers deposit their fish scraps in "holding pens" floating in the water below the ramps.

To view sea otters from shore in Seward, walk out on the rock jetty at the entrance to the boat harbor. There are always a couple sea otters playing and feeding right in the harbor entrance and offer some good photo opportunities.

Boat Trip Sealife Tours
The sealife tour boat operators running out of Seward and Homer provide excellent excursions for viewing all of the wildlife found in the marine environment in Resurrection and Kachemak Bays.

In Homer, the Danny J is a local ferry boat which takes visitors to sea lion rookeries, seabird colonies and beautiful little communities like Halibut Cove and Seldovia. The sea lions are usually found in the more remote sections of Kachemak Bay on the way to Seldovia.

In Seward, the harbor is filled with sealife tour boat operators. Trips of a few hours, a half day or an entire day are available for cruising Resurrection Bay and the outlying regions. The longer trips will provide more opportunities to view large numbers of sea lions, many sea otters and numerous porpoise, whales, orca and bald eagles on the journey. Oh yeah, and quite a few glaciers along the way. The all day excursions are the Ultimate sealife viewing adventure in Alaska. Take a half dozen rolls of film! No other area will offer more opportunities.

There are also dozens of halibut and salmon sport fishing charters operating out of Seward and you will encounter sea otters, whales, porpoise and orca during the trip to and from the fishing grounds.

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