Why Honeymoon on the Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai is Alaska distilled. On a single day cruise from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park, couples regularly see sea otters, puffins, sea lions and humpback whales before the boat idles in front of a tidewater glacier and waits for the ice to crack and fall. On land, Exit Glacier is one of the few glaciers in Alaska you can walk up to from a parking lot.
The peninsula also has a softer side. Homer has art galleries, cafés and a long gravel spit lined with fishing charters and seafood shacks. Across the bay, the tiny boardwalk community of Halibut Cove and remote lodges offer kayaking, hot tubs and dinners of fresh seafood with mountain views.
The area is easy to reach. Anchorage has nonstop flights from many US cities in summer. The drive south on the Seward Highway is itself a highlight, hugging the shore of Turnagain Arm below steep mountains.
When to Go
The season runs from mid May to mid September, when boat tours, lodges and the summer train operate. June and July bring the longest days, with up to 18 or 19 hours of daylight, plus wildflowers and active wildlife. July is the warmest month, usually in the 60s.
Late May and early June are quieter and cheaper. Many whales arrive in the bay at this time, though some higher trails may still hold snow. August is still lovely, with salmon runs at their peak and fewer mosquitoes, but rain becomes more frequent. Early September brings fall color, cooler nights and a chance of northern lights, while boat tours and lodges begin to close.
The weather is changeable and often cool and damp, especially along the coast. Pack layers and rain gear no matter the month. From October to April, most tour operators and remote lodges close for the season.
Where to Stay
Seward is the best base for Kenai Fjords tours and Exit Glacier, with lodges, inns and vacation rentals along Resurrection Bay. Seward Windsong Lodge sits in the woods near the road to Exit Glacier. Some couples splurge on Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, a remote wilderness lodge in the national park reached by boat, with cabins facing a glacial lagoon.
Homer has a mix of B and Bs, inns and cabins, many with views of Kachemak Bay. Across the bay, a few luxury lodges are reached only by water taxi or floatplane, such as Tutka Bay Lodge, offering kayaking, hiking and seafood dinners in a quiet cove.
Cooper Landing, on the turquoise Kenai River, has cabins and lodges popular with anglers and rafters, including Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. On the way down from Anchorage, Girdwood's Hotel Alyeska offers a resort with a spa and a tram up the mountain.
Romantic Things to Do
- Take a full day boat tour from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park to see tidewater glaciers, whales, otters and puffins.
- Hike to the edge of Exit Glacier, or climb the Harding Icefield Trail for views over an ice field that stretches beyond the horizon.
- Ride a water taxi from Homer across Kachemak Bay to hike, kayak or have lunch in Halibut Cove.
- Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, a research aquarium with seabirds, seals and sea lions.
- Drive the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm, watching for beluga whales and Dall sheep.
- Float or raft the bright turquoise Kenai River near Cooper Landing.
- Ride the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward through mountains and past glaciers.
- Soak at the Nordic spa in Girdwood after a hike.
Getting There and Around
Fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), which has nonstop flights from many US cities in summer, with year round service from Seattle and other hubs. From Anchorage, Seward is about 127 miles, roughly 2.5 hours by car. Homer is about 220 miles, roughly 4.5 hours.
A rental car gives the most freedom. The highways are paved and well maintained in summer. Gas stations and cell service can be sparse between towns, so fill up in Girdwood or Soldotna.
The Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic train runs daily in summer between Anchorage and Seward, a scenic four hour ride. Small airlines fly from Anchorage to Homer and Kenai, saving time on the drive.
Remote lodges across Kachemak Bay or in Kenai Fjords are reached by water taxi or floatplane, usually arranged by the lodge. Allow extra time for weather delays on boats and planes.
Food and Drink
Seafood is the star. Expect wild salmon, halibut, rockfish, oysters from Kachemak Bay and, in season, king crab. Many restaurants in Seward and Homer serve fish caught that morning. Lodges often cook what guests catch.
In Halibut Cove, The Saltry restaurant serves seafood on a deck over the water and is reached by a ferry from Homer. Homer also has a strong café culture, a brewery and a winery known for fruit wines. In Seward, harbor side restaurants serve fish and chips, chowder and craft beer.
Portions are generous and prices are higher than in the lower 48, especially at remote lodges where all meals are usually included. Pack snacks and water for long days on boats or trails. Keep food stored properly to avoid attracting wildlife. Dress is casual everywhere. Rain jackets and boots are standard attire, even at dinner.
Honeymoon Tips
Choose a full day Kenai Fjords cruise rather than a short one if you want to reach the tidewater glaciers. Seas can be rough near the open coast, so take motion sickness medicine before boarding if you are prone to it.
Dress in layers, with a waterproof jacket, warm hat and gloves, even in July. Weather on boats and near glaciers is much colder than in town.
Bears and moose are common on the peninsula. Carry bear spray on trails, make noise and give wildlife plenty of space. Moose are especially dangerous when they have calves.
Book lodges, boat tours and rental cars early; summer inventory is limited and sells out. Allow flexibility in your schedule for weather, which can cancel boat or plane trips. Finally, sleep masks help in June and July, when it never gets fully dark.
