Homer is one of our favorite destinations on the Kenai Peninsula. Located at the end of the road on the shores of Kachemak Bay, this small seaside town is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and ocean. Its location makes it a great place to slow down, explore the coast, and experience some of the landscapes and wildlife that make this part of Alaska special.

With a few days in Homer, you can explore the Homer Spit, get out on Kachemak Bay, take a guided kayaking trip, go hiking, visit local shops and galleries, or join a bear-viewing trip by small plane. There is plenty to do, but Homer is also a place where it's worth leaving some time to simply enjoy the town and its setting.

We recommend allowing at least two full days in Homer, while three days gives you more flexibility to add a full-day excursion or adjust your plans around the weather. We've spent a lot of time in Homer and have helped many of our clients plan their time here. In this guide, we'll share our favorite things to do in Homer, how many days we recommend, where to eat and stay, and some practical tips to help you plan your visit.

Read on to find out more:

Getting to Homer
Things to do in Homer, Alaska
How Many Days Do You Need in Homer?
How We'd Spend a Few Days in Homer
Things to Know Before Visiting Homer
Where to Eat and Stay in Homer

Getting to Homer

Homer is about 220 miles southwest of Anchorage, and the drive takes around five hours without stops. The entire route is paved and follows the Seward and Sterling Highways through some of the most scenic parts of the Kenai Peninsula. We recommend allowing extra time for the drive, as there are plenty of places to stop along the way, including overlooks, small communities, and opportunities to see wildlife. Having your own rental car gives you much more flexibility to explore Homer and the surrounding area once you arrive. The Alaska Railroad does not extend to Homer, so there is no train service to town.

Things to Do in Homer, Alaska

Homer Spit

The Homer Spit is a 4.5-mile stretch of land extending into Kachemak Bay and is one of the most recognizable parts of Homer. The road leads past the harbor, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, shops, and tour operators before reaching the end of the Spit, where you'll find views across the bay toward the surrounding mountains and glaciers.

You can easily spend several hours exploring the Spit. Walk along the beach, browse the shops, watch fishing boats come and go from the harbor, or stop for lunch or dinner overlooking the water. One of the Spit's most recognizable landmarks is the Salty Dawg Saloon, a historic building covered with dollar bills, stickers, and other memorabilia from visitors over the years. It's worth stepping inside for a look, even if you don't stay for a drink.

The Spit is also where many of the area's boat tours and water taxis depart, making it a convenient starting point for exploring Kachemak Bay. During the summer, it can get busy, particularly around the harbor and restaurants. If you have time, we recommend visiting more than once during your stay—perhaps during a quieter morning or evening when you can take your time exploring the beach and watching the activity around the harbor.

Kachemak Bay

Kachemak Bay is at the heart of the Homer experience, and getting out on the water is one of our favorite ways to see the area. The bay is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, forests, and remote beaches, with plenty of opportunities to see marine and coastal wildlife along the way.

There are several ways to explore Kachemak Bay, depending on how you like to travel. You can join a guided boat tour, take a water taxi to a remote beach or hiking trail, or spend the day kayaking along the shoreline. Some boat tours also include stops at glaciers, while others focus more on wildlife and exploring the coastline.

Kayaking: Guided kayaking trips are a great way to explore the quieter corners of Kachemak Bay. You'll paddle along the shoreline, past rocky coves and remote beaches, with opportunities to see sea otters, seals, bald eagles, and other coastal wildlife. There are shorter trips for beginners as well as longer excursions for those who want to spend more time on the water.

We've personally worked with True North Kayak Adventures and are comfortable recommending them to our clients.

Bear Viewing from Homer

Homer is one of the main departure points for guided bear-viewing trips in Alaska. These excursions typically involve a small-plane flight from Homer to remote areas where brown bears gather to feed, giving you the opportunity to see them in their natural environment. Some trips visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, while others fly to different bear viewing locations.

Bear Viewing at Brooks Falls in Katmai NP

Bear viewing is generally a full-day activity and one of the more expensive excursions you can add to an Alaska trip. It is also highly dependent on weather and flying conditions, so we recommend keeping some flexibility in your Homer itinerary if this is a priority. Flights can be delayed or canceled when conditions aren’t suitable for flying.

For more information about bear viewing and what to expect, see our Guide to Visiting Brooks Falls.

Boat Tour to Seldovia

One of our favorite ways to spend a day on Kachemak Bay is taking the boat from Homer to Seldovia. We've personally taken the trip with Rainbow Tours and had a great experience. The boat crosses Kachemak Bay, with opportunities to see seabirds, sea otters, and other wildlife along the way.

Once you arrive in Seldovia, you’ll have time to explore the small coastal community on your own. Walk around town, browse the local shops, visit the museum, grab lunch, or just enjoy the quieter pace of this community that isn't connected to the road system. We especially like this option because it combines a day on the water with the chance to visit another part of the Kenai Peninsula.

Halibut Fishing

Homer is known as the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World, and halibut fishing is one of the area's most popular activities. Several charter operators offer guided fishing trips from the Homer Spit, taking you offshore to reach the halibut fishing grounds. These trips are typically full-day excursions because the boats need to travel farther from Homer to reach the best fishing areas. If you'd like to fish for halibut, be sure to set aside most of a day for the experience when planning your time in Homer.

If you're planning to fish for halibut, keep in mind that halibut fishing is typically closed on two days each week during the summer season. The specific days can change, so check the current regulations when planning your trip.

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located in downtown Homer and is a good place to learn more about the wildlife and ecosystems of Kachemak Bay and Alaska's coastal waters.

The center features interactive exhibits about seabirds, marine mammals, ocean habitats, and the refuge’s many islands. You can read, listen, watch, and explore the exhibits at your own pace. It's also a good option for a rainy day or if you want to learn more about the wildlife you may see during a boat trip or other activities in the area.

Bishop’s Beach

Bishop’s Beach is a popular local spot on the eastern side of Homer, offering a quieter alternative to the busier Homer Spit. The rocky beach stretches along Kachemak Bay and is a nice place to walk, especially around low tide when you can explore the shoreline and look for shells and other marine life in the tide pools.

You can walk to Bishop's Beach from the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center or drive and park at the beach. The area has picnic tables and access to several trails, including the 1.2-mile Beluga Slough Trail loop. If you enjoy bird watching, keep an eye out around the slough and shoreline, where you may see a variety of coastal birds.

How Many Days Do You Need in Homer?

We recommend spending at least two full days in Homer, although three days is ideal if you want time for some of the area's longer excursions. Two full days gives you enough time to explore the Homer Spit and surrounding area while still fitting in a day on Kachemak Bay or another activity.

If you have three or more days, you can add a full-day excursion such as bear viewing or halibut fishing, take a kayaking trip, visit Seldovia, or spend more time hiking and exploring the local shops and galleries. Having an extra day also gives you some flexibility if weather affects a planned boat or flight excursion.

For most of our clients, we find that three days is a good amount of time for Homer if they want to experience the area without feeling rushed. If you're especially interested in fishing, bear viewing, or spending time on Kachemak Bay, we'd recommend allowing additional time based on the activities you want to include.

How We'd Spend a Few Days in Homer

If we had a few days in Homer, this is how we'd spend our time. It's an active few days, but it gives us a good mix of time on the water, wildlife, local shops, and some of our favorite places around town.

Arrive in Homer

We'd drive down from Anchorage and arrive in the late afternoon. If possible, we'd choose a hotel or campground on the Homer Spit. We like staying here because it's easy to walk along the beach in the evening, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. After checking in, we'd grab dinner and take a walk along the Spit before calling it a night.

Start with bear viewing

The next morning, we'd join a bear viewing tour. We prefer to do this early in our stay because bear viewing depends on flying and weather conditions. If the flight can't go as planned, having another day in Homer gives you a better chance of rescheduling.

If conditions are good, we'd spend the day out viewing bears and enjoying the flight over the remote landscape. After returning to Homer, we'd have dinner on the Spit and take another evening walk along the beach.

Spend a day on Kachemak Bay

The following morning, we'd join a guided kayaking trip on Kachemak Bay. After the tour, we'd head to one of our favorite spots for lunch, Boatyard Cafe, which is a short drive outside downtown Homer.

In the afternoon, we'd explore some of the areas around town. We'd walk around Old Town Homer, visit Bishop's Beach, and stop at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. We think this is a particularly well-done visitor center and a great place to learn more about the wildlife and coastal environment around Homer.

We'd also make time for a little shopping, including a stop at Homer Jeans, one of our favorite shops in Alaska. In the evening, we’d head back to the Spit and stop at the Salty Dawg Saloon before turning in for the night.

One last morning in Homer

Before heading back toward Anchorage, we’d have breakfast at La Baleine Cafe on the Spit and take one last walk along the beach. Then we’d start the drive north, with plenty of time to make stops along the way.

This gives us a good balance of the experiences we enjoy most in Homer without trying to fit every possible activity into the trip. If you have more time, we’d use the extra day for another excursion or enjoying a slower day around town.

Things to Know Before Visiting Homer

Weather: Homer can have cool, rainy weather during the summer or bright, sunny, warm days, so come prepared for changing conditions. Weather can also vary between Homer and the surrounding areas, so don't assume that a forecast for Anchorage or another part of the Kenai Peninsula will be the same in Homer.

Rain: Don't let a rainy forecast completely change your plans. Many activities can still be enjoyed in light rain, and there are plenty of indoor options, including the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, shops, galleries, and cafes. If you're planning a boat, kayaking, bear viewing, or other flight excursion, however, weather conditions can affect whether the activity operates.

Wildlife: Homer and Kachemak Bay are home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, moose, eagles, sea otters, whales, and many species of seabirds. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed or approach animals. When exploring beaches and trails, be aware of your surroundings and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Driving: Homer is easy to get around by car, and having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to explore beyond the Homer Spit. You'll also want a car if you plan to visit places such as Bishop's Beach or drive farther out of town. The drive to Homer is part of the experience, so allow extra time for scenic stops along the way.

Parking: Parking is generally easy to find around Homer, although the Homer Spit can get busy during the summer. Some areas have designated parking lots, while others may have limited parking. If you're staying on the Spit, you can also leave your car parked and explore much of the area on foot.

Book activities ahead: We recommend booking popular activities well in advance during the summer, especially bear viewing, halibut fishing, kayaking, and other guided excursions. Some activities have limited availability, and weather can make it difficult to reschedule if your plans are already full.

What to bring: Layers, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a small daypack are useful for almost any day in Homer. If you're heading out on Kachemak Bay or flying to a remote destination, bring an extra warm layer. Even a comfortable summer day in town can feel much cooler on the water or in the air.

Allow enough time: We recommend spending at least two full days in Homer, with three days giving you more flexibility for longer excursions and weather changes. If you're planning a full-day bear-viewing or halibut-fishing trip, keep in mind that these activities can take up most of the day. Building some flexibility into your schedule is especially helpful when your plans depend on boats or small aircraft.

Where to Eat in Homer

La Baleine Café

La Baleine Café is one of our favorite breakfast spots on the Homer Spit. The small café is known for fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a creative menu that includes classic breakfasts, seafood dishes, and Alaska-inspired specialties. We especially enjoy stopping here for breakfast before heading out for the day. Check their website for current hours and seasonal opening information before visiting.

Wild Honey Bistro

Wild Honey Bistro is a great choice in Homer's Old Town area for breakfast or lunch. They're known for their creative sweet and savory crepes, coffee, and baked goods, with many ingredients sourced from local farmers, fishermen, and producers. All of their crepes can also be made gluten-free, making this a good option for travelers with dietary restrictions.

Two Sisters Bakery

Two Sisters Bakery is a small bakery in Homer's Old Town, just a short walk from Bishop's Beach. It's a great place to stop for fresh pastries, coffee, and savory baked goods. Their hours are limited, and they can sell out of popular items, so we recommend checking their current schedule and going earlier in the day.

Boatyard Cafe

Boatyard Cafe is a casual, locally owned spot tucked into a working boatyard just outside downtown Homer. It's one of our favorite places for lunch, serving fish and chips, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and other hearty options. We especially like the halibut fish and chips, and it's a fun place to stop if you want to eat somewhere that feels a little more local and off the beaten path.

Swell Taco

Swell Taco is a casual, locally owned taco stand on the Homer Spit serving tacos made with fresh ingredients and Alaska-sourced seafood. It's a great spot for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner, and don't skip the elote—it’s delicious!

Hook and Cook

Hook & Cook is a small, casual spot on the Homer Spit serving some of the best fish and chips we've ever had. The fish is light and crispy without being greasy, and everything is made to order. If you've been fishing, you can also bring in your fresh catch and have them cook it for you. It's a great option for a casual meal on the Spit.

The Kannery

The Kannery is a great choice for a nicer dinner in Homer, with a menu focused on fresh seafood, creative dishes, and craft cocktails. The menu changes regularly, and we especially like it when we're looking for something a little different from the more traditional seafood restaurants around town.

Carmen’s Gelato

Looking for the best gelato in Homer? This is it. Carmen's Gelato is located on the Homer Spit and is one of our favorite places for a sweet treat. They offer a great selection of flavors, including our favorite, salted caramel with Alaskan sea salt. It's an easy stop to add to a walk along the Spit.

Where to Stay in Homer

Land’s End Resort

Land’s End Resort is located at the very end of the Homer Spit, right on the shores of Kachemak Bay. We especially like its location, as you can walk right out to the beach and enjoy views across the bay and toward the Kenai Mountains. The resort offers a wide range of accommodations, from standard hotel rooms and beachfront rooms to larger suites and multi-bedroom lodges. There is also a pool, sauna, and beachfront hot tubs, making it a good choice if you'd like to relax after a day of exploring.

Aspen Suites Hotel Homer

Aspen Suites Hotel Homer is located near the center of Homer, close to grocery stores, restaurants, and other conveniences. The spacious suites all include kitchenettes with a refrigerator, cooktop, microwave, and basic cookware, making this a good option if you'd like the flexibility to prepare some of your own meals. It's also only a short drive from the Homer Spit.

Camping in Homer

When we camp in Homer, Homer Spit Campground is our favorite place to stay. Located right on the Homer Spit, it puts you within easy walking distance of the beach, harbor, restaurants, shops, and other activities. They offer both tent and RV sites, including beachfront options, and have convenient amenities such as restrooms, showers, laundry, water fill, a dump station, and Wi-Fi.

Planning Your Trip to Homer

Homer is one of those places where a little planning can make a big difference, especially if you want to include activities like bear viewing, kayaking, fishing, or exploring Kachemak Bay. With so many ways to spend your time, it helps to think about which experiences are most important to you and allow some flexibility for changing weather conditions.

If you'd like help planning your time in Homer and the rest of your Alaska trip, visit our Design Your Trip page and tell us a little about what you're looking for. We'll create a personalized itinerary based on your interests, travel style, and the kind of Alaska experience you want.

Things to Do in Homer, Alaska: Where to Stay & How to Plan Your Visit

Getting to Homer