The best airport to fly into for your stay at Shearwater Cove is Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage.

Seward does have an airport, but there is no regularly scheduled air service. Flight service into Seward is by charter only. We do work with charter flight services in Anchorage and are happy to assist with booking a charter flight. Charter rates are per plane, and each plane can carry up to 6 passengers. Flight time from Anchorage to Seward is about 45 minutes. Average cost is $1,800-$2,200 one way.

The most common ways to get from Anchorage to Seward are to rent a car and drive the Seward Hwy (about 2.5 hours), ride a bus, or take the Coastal Classic train route on the Alaska Railroad.

Our recommendation is to travel via the Seward Hwy one-way (either renting a car or riding a bus), and riding the Alaska Railroad the other way. Both the highway and railway corridors between Anchorage and Seward are absolutely stunning, and riding the Alaska Railroad is a must-do experience while in Alaska.

Another option is to charter a flight from Anchorage to Seward (the Seward Airport does not have regularly scheduled air service). We work with charter flight services in Anchorage and can help book your charter. Charter rates are per plane, and each plane can carry up to 6 passengers. Flight time from Anchorage to Seward is about 45 minutes. Average cost is $1,800-$2,200 one way.

We are not able to accommodate arrival by float plane.

Check-in and check-out times are specific and depend on existing bookings at the time your reservation is made. A confirmation email with your specific check-in and check-out times will be emailed to you upon booking. This confirmation email will also include details about where to park and recommended things to bring.

Check-In Time to meet our boat in the Seward Harbor will be either 10:00am or 12:00pm

Check-Out Time from your yurt will be either 8:30am to have you back in the Seward Harbor at about 9:15am, or 11:00am to have you back in the Seward Harbor just before noon.

Feel free to inquire before booking about what your check-in/out times would be for a specific date. We are knowledgeable in Alaska travel logistics and are happy to answer any questions you may have!

Absolutely! The Coastal Classic Train arrives in Seward daily at 11:20am, so we would schedule you for our 12:00pm check-in time. The train station is conveniently located less than a 5 minute walk from the Seward small boat harbor where you’ll meet our boat for check-in.

An important aspect to consider when arriving in Seward on the railroad and catching our 12:00pm check-in time is groceries. Shearwater Cove is a remote wilderness location, and traditional food service is not available at the Cove. Each yurt has a private kitchen for preparing meals, and you will need to shop for food for the duration of your stay prior to boarding our boat. There is a Safeway grocery store in Seward that is a 5 minute walk from the train station, so it is possible when you arrive to have someone go purchase groceries while someone else walks the luggage to the boat harbor. This option creates a tight turnaround but can be done. 

A second option is to do the bulk of your chopping in Anchorage prior to boarding the train and grabbing just ice/cold foods upon arrival in Seward. A third option is to include our food preparation add-on to your stay so that you don't have to worry about grocery shopping at all. With the food preparation add-on, we work together to build a menu for your stay, we do the shopping and have everything conveniently packaged for you on the boat at check-in, and you simply prepare the meals in your yurt. This option costs $50 per person, per night plus the cost of food.

Yes! We are often able to accommodate custom check-in times for guests who are unable to arrive in Seward until later in the day. There will be a minimum $300 water taxi fee for the additional trip. Please inquire before booking to make sure that we are able to accommodate your late check-in request.

We recommend staying at Shearwater Cove for 2-3 nights so that you have enough time to take full advantage of the sea kayaking and hiking value, and have ample time to relax and enjoy your yurt and the property itself. A 2-3 night stay gives you the time to explore each of our nearby sea kayaking destinations including the hidden waterfall in Humpy Cove and Sandspit Point State Marine Park.

We understand that some people only have time for a 1 night stay, and a 1 night stay is better than not staying at all! However, we have found from guest feedback that in order to not be rushed and to really get the most out of the experience, it makes a world of difference to have at least a full middle day to settle down, sleep in, and have some quality exploration time.

Shearwater Cove is a remote wilderness location, and traditional food service is not available at the Cove. Each yurt has a private kitchen for preparing meals. Guests either shop for food for the duration of their stay prior to boarding our boat, or they add our food preparation service to their stay.

Below is our food preparation option so that you don’t have to meal plan and grocery shop during vacation!

• Build a menu, we shop, you cook. Work with us to build a menu for your stay. We do the shopping and have everything conveniently packaged and labeled for you at check-in. You prepare the meals in your yurt’s kitchen.

  • Price: cost of food plus $50 per person, per night

The food preparation add-on option will appear as you complete your reservation.

Of course! We host a handful of solo travelers each year. Please note that our pricing is based on a 2 person minimum occupancy, so even though you are a single person you will still need to pay the 2 person base rate.

Yes! Use of sea kayaks and gear is included in our nightly rates. Guests are welcome to paddle self-guided as much as they want during their stay. Prior to taking the kayaks out for the first time, all guests are required to attend a sea kayaking orientation with our on-site host.

We also offer 2.5 hour guided kayaking sessions as an add-on to your stay. Guided sessions are perfect for people who are new to sea kayaking, for families with children, or for guests who want to learn more about the area from our knowledgeable guide. Guided sessions take place on the afternoon of your check-in day. You will learn how to paddle safely while reaching one of our nearby kayaking destinations. Oftentimes guests feel confident enough after a guided kayak session to continue paddling self-guided for the remainder of their stay! Learn more about the guided kayak sessions here.

Shearwater Cove is located in a protected area of Resurrection Bay which makes it ideal for people who are new to kayaking or who are nervous about paddling on the ocean. We monitor the weather daily to make sure that conditions are safe. On the boat trip to Shearwater Cove your boat captain will provide an orientation to the coastline, including any weather to be aware of. Our on-site host will provide an orientation to the kayaks, and will recommend the best times of day to explore each kayaking destination.

We also offer 2.5 hour guided kayaking sessions that are perfect for people who are new to sea kayaking, for families with children, or for guests who want to learn more about the area from our knowledgeable guide. These guided sessions take place on the afternoon of your check-in day. You will learn how to paddle safely while reaching one of our nearby kayaking destinations. Oftentimes guests feel confident enough after a guided kayak session to continue paddling self-guided for the remainder of their stay! Learn more about the guided kayak sessions here.

Beyond the wooden boardwalks linking yurts and common spaces, you’ll find a variety of paths to guide you through the landscape. Head out for a wander to encounter rushing waterfalls, a secluded rocky beach, and sweeping views of Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Fjords.

Learn more about exploring on foot at Shearwater Cove here.

There is no phone service at Shearwater Cove, and we believe that this is a key aspect of the experience that enables guests to disconnect, slow down, and reconnect with ourselves and with each other. Not having cell phone service has defined Shearwater Cove as a place of respite from the modern world. It is a safe container where we can settle, undistracted, in one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth!

For safety purposes we do have reliable, high speed satellite internet on the property. The wifi connection enables us to communicate with staff on-site and respond faster in the case of an emergency. Guests are not given the wifi password - it is reserved for staff use only.

Our three Premier Yurts do have electricity for lighting and charging devices. The four Original Yurts do not yet have electricity. Battery powered lanterns are provided in the Original Yurts for lighting, and we recommend that guests bring a small battery pack for keeping phones/devices charged.

If you need to bring a CPAP machine, we are able to provide battery packs that will power it through the night. This is available regardless of which yurt type you book. Please let us know at the time your reservation is made that you will be traveling with a CPAP.

Yes! No matter which yurt you book, you will have a private shower with on demand hot water. Each yurt has a shower house on its deck which includes the shower and composting toilet.

Our off-grid water system is supplied by rain catchment that is gravity fed down from the mountains behind the yurts. It is pretty spectacular to come back from a paddle and take a steaming hot shower in mountain-fresh water!

We welcome families with children 8 years and older. Please contact us before booking if you are traveling with children under 8 years old. 

We love our furry friends, but have chosen to not allow pets at Shearwater Cove in order to preserve the pristine natural environment, and to reduce our impact on wildlife including endangered and threatened bird species.

Due to our short operating season we have a strict cancellation policy. We are not able to make ANY exceptions to this cancellation policy. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. One option is travelinsurance.com.

Cancellation within:

• 0-45 days from trip date - no refund

• 46-90 days from trip date - 50% refund

• 91 days or more from trip date - full refund minus 100$ processing fee

Guests that are 30+ minutes late for their check-in time forfeit their stay and will not be refunded. Please call us if you are running late!