How to Explore Seldovia, Alaska, in a Single Day

Welcome to Seldovia, a small town in Alaska that's a bit more off the beaten path, a little harder to get to, and a little more unique than the typical tourist town. Even so, if you're planning a trip to this artsy town then the first thing you need to know is that you'll have to begin your journey in Homer (about 4 hours by car from Anchorage) and then take the ferry or water taxi over the Kachemak Bay to the Seldovia harbor.

*If you have any questions that aren't answered in this post, please leave them in the comments section where I do my best to answer all Alaska related questions directly!

My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State.

For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

My favorite tours in Seldovia :
​- Kachemak Bay Glacier Hike

Why Seldovia is Worth a Visit

Seldovia is one of the most unique and creative towns in Alaska that I've visited, and even though your adventure will force you to disconnect for a bit (the cell service is a bit spotty and the "free city wifi" was nonexistent) - it's one place that I truly think is worth a visit when you explore Alaska. Before you jump on the ferry though, there's a few things that might make you feel more at ease, like knowing where you can stay if weather turns for the worse, where to grab a bite to eat, and how to get around the city.

• Where to Stay - I'll be honest, I only took a day trip to Seldovia, and while I might go back for a longer trip in the future, I really don't think you'd benefit from making it a longer trip and spending the night. However, if for some reason you do get stuck in Seldovia (weather cancellations and boat breakdowns could happen) and can't make it back to Homer, then you'll want to know where to stay. Possible options include the Sea Parrot Inn, the Boardwalk Hotel, the Seldovia Harbor Inn, and Between Beaches (out of town).
• Where to Eat - Like I said, Seldovia is a fairly small town of less than 300 people, so there isn't exactly too many choices when looking to grab a bite to eat. My best recommendation would be to stop at the Seldovia Boardwalk Hotel Pub & Grill - they have an incredible chowder to warm you up and a beautiful outdoor deck with seating overlooking the bay! Other than that, Perry's Cafe in the Sea Parrot Inn has some pretty yummy ice cream too. :)
• Getting There & Getting Around - Getting to Seldovia is the most challenging part of this journey, but also one of the reasons you should visit. After arriving in Homer, you'll have to book a trip on the ferry or via Mako's Water Taxi to take you across Kachemak Bay - one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Once you're in Seldovia you can either walk around on your own (most places are within walking distance) or you can rent a bike or golf cart from Seldovia Outdoor Rentals - when I visited it was $50 for 2 hours.​

5 Best Things to Do in Seldovia, Alaska

Obviously there are many more things you could do in Seldovia than these 5 things, however for a single day trip these are my top 5 recommendations to fill the short time you have there! If you decide to spend the night, you might want to look into some of the longer hikes in the area like Red Mountain Mine, or taking this wildlife tour, or hiking out in Kachemak Bay State Park to see the glacier. Anyways, here are my 5 best recommendations for a day trip to Seldovia :

1. Explore the Historic Boardwalk - When visiting Seldovia the top attraction for most visitors is the Historic Boardwalk. Located about half a mile from the port & ferry drop off, this boardwalk used to line the entire waterfront. However in 1964 there was an earthquake that destroyed everything else you don't see today. Now, the few buildings that are left on the boardwalk mostly serve as small gift shops. (estimated time : 1 hour)

2. Shopping - I'll be honest this really isn't my forte, however, Seldovia is one of the most artsy and uniquely decorated towns I've been to in Alaska. If you're looking for a unique souvenier from Alaska this would be the place to get it. I would recommend checking out Thyme on the Boardwalk or Asta Gallery. (estimated time : 1 hour)

3. Kayak or Golf Cart Rental - If you're only in Seldovia for one day, I would recommend choosing one over the other simply because chances are you won't have enough time to do both. If you want to go kayaking I would recommend looking into Kayak'atak, which has kayak rentals and guided tours - this is a great way to get out on the water and have a chance to see some wildlife! (In case you didn't see any on the ferry ride.) If you want to rent a golf cart I paid $50 for 2 hours, and personally I loved that our group was then able to visit some of the nearby beaches and drive around the town without too much walking. If you're heading here during peak months, I would make sure to call them in advance and reserve your golf cart. (estimated time : 2+ hours)

4. Berry Picking - Depending on the time of year, you might be able to do some berry picking! Our group's favorites were the Salmon Berries, which look very similar to a raspberry but with an oranger hue. We walked from town out to the airport and picked them along the way for a snack! (estimated time : 1 hour)

5. Hiking - If you're visiting Alaska chances are you're looking to spend some time outside, taking in some epic views. While in Seldovia, we only had enough time for one hike which was out to the airport. However, I've heard that the Otterbahn Trail is another great 1.9 mile long path that brings you to Outside Beach. The Rocky Ridge South Trailhead is another loop option that takes you about 2 hours and out towards the airport. As with any hike in Alaska, it's important to stay bear aware when hiking in Seldovia! (estimated time : 1-2 hours)

If you have a few extra days in the Homer area, I would highly recommend taking a day to see the grizzly bears! This full day tour is incredible and hands down one of the best experiences in Alaska.

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 11 Best Waterfalls in Anchorage and Beyond
-> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska
-> 7 Best Tours in Alaska

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