Where to go! Seward/Homer or elsewhere

Question

First time to AlAska & friend recommended we fly into Anchorage and do half Homer/Seldovia area and half Seward/Coopers Landing area. Things do look beautiful and plentiful! We love liking and animals! We’ve been to many places around the world including Norway Fjords & Canadian Rockies. Wondering how that area compares and will we be in love?!! Yes we may be a bit spoiled with our travels. Just wondering would those be great spots to visit or other recommendations?? We don’t really have the $2k plus per person to spend on a helicopter plane drop near excursion…but would love to head to area to get the most amazing views, animals and water for our first time to Alaska! Thank you for advice!

Answer

Alaska is a stunning destination with incredible natural beauty, and your choice of visiting Homer/Seldovia and Seward/Cooper Landing offers a great mix of scenery, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Both areas are excellent, but let's break down your options and see how they compare to some other possible spots in Alaska.

Homer and Seldovia Area

Homer, located on the Kenai Peninsula, is often called the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World," but it offers much more than fishing. The town sits on the edge of Kachemak Bay and is surrounded by the beautiful Kachemak Bay State Park. The stunning views of glaciers, mountains, and waters make Homer a great base for wildlife viewing, kayaking, and hiking.

Wildlife: You can expect to see sea otters, seals, and sea lions, and the waters around Homer are known for whale watching. The wildlife in the area is diverse, and you could also spot bald eagles.
Hiking: There are some excellent hikes in the area, such as the scenic Grewingk Glacier Trail, which provides beautiful views of the bay and the surrounding glaciers.
Activities: Kayaking, fishing, and wildlife tours are popular. A boat ride across the bay to Seldovia is also a charming day trip, offering a look at a quieter, more remote Alaskan community with access to great hiking and coastal beauty.

Seward and Cooper Landing Area

Seward is another gem, located on the scenic Resurrection Bay. It’s a fantastic location for outdoor lovers, particularly for those who enjoy marine life and hiking. It’s home to the Kenai Fjords National Park, known for its stunning glaciers, wildlife, and dramatic fjords.

Wildlife: Seward is a great spot for seeing marine wildlife such as puffins, sea otters, and whales. The Kenai Fjords National Park offers boat tours that take you close to glaciers, providing a great opportunity to see wildlife like orcas and humpback whales in the summer months.
Hiking: Cooper Landing, just outside of Seward, offers amazing hikes, including the Russian River Falls trail, which is a short, easy hike that takes you to the falls. The Exit Glacier trail in Kenai Fjords National Park is also very popular and offers easy access to glaciers without the need for a helicopter.
Scenic Views: Seward has some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Alaska, with mountains rising from the sea and glaciers on every side. It’s ideal for those who want to experience Alaska’s rugged natural beauty without going on a helicopter tour.

Comparison to Other Locations

If you’re looking for options to expand your itinerary, there are other places in Alaska that are worth considering, though Homer and Seward offer a great variety of experiences.

Anchorage: Anchorage itself offers a mix of urban conveniences and nearby natural beauty. While it’s not as remote as Homer or Seward, you can visit wildlife parks, hike Flattop Mountain for panoramic views of the city, and take day trips to nearby glaciers or wildlife areas.
Denali National Park: If you’re keen on wildlife and scenic beauty, Denali is one of the most iconic places in Alaska. It's a bit further away but offers excellent wildlife viewing (moose, bears, caribou) and breathtaking mountain scenery. It’s more remote and rugged than Seward but offers a chance to experience the majesty of Denali, Alaska’s highest peak.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path option, Wrangell-St. Elias offers vast landscapes, glaciers, and wildlife, and it’s one of the most remote national parks in the U.S. It’s a bit more rugged and less developed than the more popular spots like Seward and Homer, but it's ideal for those seeking solitude and wilderness.

Final Thoughts:

Both Homer/Seldovia and Seward/Cooper Landing will offer you unforgettable views, amazing wildlife, and plenty of outdoor activities. Since you mentioned that you've been to places like Norway's fjords and the Canadian Rockies, you will likely be quite impressed with the similar natural beauty in these areas, though Alaska’s landscape offers a unique combination of coastal and mountainous scenery. Here are some tips:

If you’re looking for coastal beauty, wildlife, and hiking without breaking the bank on expensive excursions, Homer and Seward are fantastic choices.
If you’re more interested in dramatic fjords, glaciers, and marine life, Seward will likely offer you the best experience.
If you’re looking for something more remote and rugged, you could consider Denali or Wrangell-St. Elias, though they require a bit more time and effort to get to.

In short, you’ll likely fall in love with the landscapes and wildlife in Alaska regardless of where you go. There’s so much natural beauty, and both Homer/Seward and other areas like Denali will give you a great introduction to the state. Enjoy your trip!

Where to go! Seward/Homer or elsewhere

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