Alaska is one of those places that people feel like they have to plan and book vacations for 6 months to a year in advance, or more! This is definitely helpful and recommended if you are visiting in peak season which is the month of July, but many small businesses (including us) still have availability in early to mid June, and mid to late August.
So far this June, we have seen more sunny days than rainy days in Seward. I even had to buy sunblock the other day which took 15 minutes of wandering around the store looking for it because I’ve never had to buy sunscreen here. Average temperatures are slightly cooler than they are in July, but June is a wonderful time to see the spring-time greenery and migration of humpbacks before the crowds of tourists hit in July.
“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” - William Shakespeare
Looking out of Shearwater Cove at Resurrection Bay.
On the flip side, August is berry season and the height of plant growth before temps begin cooling back down into fall. With the berries arrive the pink and silver salmon runs. One of our main kayaking destinations, a large waterfall in a nearby cove, is the spawning ground for thousands of pink salmon. Guests who stay with us in mid to late August have the treat of paddling with the salmon and seeing the wealth of wildlife that they attract, including river otters, black bears, eagles, Steller sea lions, and sometimes resident orca pods. I always say it’s the circle of life back there, like walking around in a real life National Geographic photo shoot.
The waterfall in Humpy Cove to which thousands of pink salmon return every year to spawn. Photo credit: Mikey Huff.
If you’re still planning a vacation this summer, or a staycation right in-state, check out our calendar. When you stay with us, you are booking an adventure package that includes your round trip water taxi transportation to and from the yurts, an oceanfront yurt with amenities including showers, heat, memory foam beds, and a full kitchen, and unlimited use of our sea kayaks for exploring the surrounding coastline. Take the plunge and get off the grid and out of phone service. Experience the Kenai Fjords without sacrificing your creature comforts. Shearwater Cove is all about fostering outdoor exploration. Paddle in the rain, get those shoes muddy, reconnect with this life-giving earth, and know that you will return to a warm, cozy yurt and a hot shower at the end of the adventurous day.
Have the time to find your own space in the woods above the yurts at Shearwater Cove. Photo credit: Mikey Huff