The meeting location is the Homer Spit Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on the Homer Spit. The Visitor Center building is a small log cabin.

Directions: when driving out on the Homer Spit Road, look for the third paved road (Freight Dock Road) on the left just before the large halibut hook display also on the left. Continue to drive on the Spit Road, .3 miles from the green Freight Dock Rd. sign and look for a small log cabin on the left. Follow this link for a map. Guests are met at the log cabin and walked to the boat.

Parking is available on both sides of the Homer Spit Visitor Center. Parking in this area is free. There is paid parking just south of the Visitor Center located at the top of Ramp 4. The city charges a fee for paid parking, and it can be paid at the electronic fee station, which accepts credit cards.

We offer complimentary water, & soft drinks on every tour. In addition, during the 5 Hour Natural History Tour, fruit, muffins, and hot drinks will be provided about halfway through the trip. During the Sea to Land Tour and 8 Hour Marine Tour, a box lunch is provided. Prior to the trip, a menu will be sent, providing options that can be ordered. To reduce plastic waste, we encourage all guests to bring their own refillable water bottle. Drinking water will be available to refill your bottle, and we also have cups to use if needed. Thank you for helping us to reduce single-use plastic waste.

We do have a marine toilet onboard the boat.

Yes. The cabin temperature can be adjusted at any time during the tour.

No. We do not allow smoking or vaping on any of our tours.

No. We do not allow pets of any kind onboard our tours, including private charters.

Yes. We do NOT allow children under 3 years old on any of our tours.

Of course, gratuities are always appreciated. While they are not obligatory, tipping your guide is a wonderful way to acknowledge their exceptional service. Much like servers in the restaurant industry, guides often receive gratuities reflective of their performance. A tip of 10% – 20% is a general guideline, with the amount varying based on the quality of service you received.

Distant glaciers are visible on each tour, depending on the weather. The Grewingk Glacier is our most viewable glacier and can be seen more closely on the 5 Hour Natural History Tour and Full and Half Day Private Charters.

Sea Otters, Dall Porpoises, and Harbor Seals are visible in Kachemak Bay year-round. In our experience, June and early July are the best months to view Humpback and Minke whales in our area, with sightings also somewhat likely in May and August. The Orcas (Killer Whales) seen in Kachemak Bay are transient, an ecotype that travels great distances and hunts sea mammals. They can be seen in Kachemak Bay but are not seen as frequently as resident groups found off the coasts of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.

From our experience, the time of day does not matter when seeing marine mammals.

Federal Law requires a distance of at least 100 yards to be maintained when approaching protected marine mammals. We will not attempt to get closer than this. You will be able to observe the sea mammals very well with the high-quality marine binoculars that are provided for our guests.

There is a very good chance of seeing puffins on the tours. The most common species seen are Tufted and Horned Puffins.

We will see nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, and Pelagic Cormorants. There is a good chance of seeing Marbled Murrelets, Black Oystercatchers, Pigeon Guillemots, Glaucous-winged Gulls, and Harlequin Ducks. Every trip is different so wildlife sightings can vary.

Yes. High-quality, waterproof marine binoculars are provided. This allows us to keep our distance from the wildlife we will see and to reduce disturbance.

Yes. The boat has large windows allowing viewing from inside the cabin. It also has a retractable deck cover, which is in place during inclement weather and retracted when it is sunny.

Yes. The boat will have a library of books and pamphlets for the identification of birds, marine mammals, invertebrates, history, archaeology, and geology.

Yes. Professional natural sound audio equipment is provided on the 5 Hour Natural History Tour, private half, and full-day charters. The parabolic dish and professional headphones allow for a unique experience as we observe and listen to the sea birds and marine mammals.

Homer is on the southwestern edge of the Kenai Peninsula on the north side of Kachemak Bay and is in a rain shadow from the Gulf of Alaska. This provides for more mild temperatures and less rainfall compared to most of coastal Alaska. The warm season is from early June to mid-September, with an average daily high temperature above 55°F. The hottest month of the year in Homer is July, with an average high of 61°F and a low of 50°F. Rain falls throughout the year in Homer. The month with the most rain in Homer is September, with an average rainfall of 5.2 inches. The month with the least rain in Homer is May, with an average rainfall of 1.9 inches. Heavy rains are possible in the summer but are relatively rare. We are lucky to have frequent rainbows during the summer months.

We suggest you dress in layers so that you can adjust to the changing weather. A waterproof outer layer is highly recommended. A light rain jacket and rain pants over a couple of inner layers that wick moister is what most people wear when outside doing activities. The temperatures out on the water are often cooler and breezier than in town.

We always keep safety first and will keep to the calmer, protected waters. We do most of our tours during the morning and early afternoon hours, avoiding the day breeze, which is common during the summer months in Kachemak Bay. The day breeze creates choppy water, which decreases wildlife viewing opportunities. It is much easier to find and view wildlife in calm waters. We do, however, pick up speed while moving to different locations, and this, combined with sometimes choppy waters, can sometimes make for a bumpy ride. The boat is a catamaran and is much more stable than single-hull boats, providing a smoother ride in choppier conditions.

Not very often; however, it is always possible. Unlike on the larger tour boats, you are an active participant on our trips. If you don’t feel well, you can let the captain know. If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking preventative measures beforehand. There are “less drowsy” versions of sea sickness medications that seem to work very well when taken as directed. Prescription medications are also available from your doctor. Ginger seems to help settle stomachs, too, so we usually have ginger ale and ginger candy onboard.

Tutka Tours operates from mid-February through mid-November. Spring, winter, and fall offer an entirely different experience than summer. With the decreased boat traffic, protected areas that provide excellent wildlife viewing can be visited. The fjords offer shelter to hundreds of sea ducks, which are present during the winter months. Species include Common and Goldeneye ducks, Long-tailed ducks, White-winged and Surf Scoters, and Harlequin ducks. Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, Marbled Murrelets, and Pigeon Guillemots are seen in winter plumage. Several species of Loons (Common, Pacific, Red-throated, and Yellow-billed) also can be seen in winter plumage. Other species present during the winter months are Bald Eagles, Red-necked, and Horned Grebes. The sea mammals commonly seen are sea otters, harbor seals, and Dall's porpoises. It is also a beautiful time for photography. Fall colors can be seen in the upper bay, and snow from the tops of the mountains to sea level is seen in the winter and spring.