Summer trip Tutka Bay

We had such a great time on our first sea Kayak trip to Kachemak Bay State Park that we had to try and fit in a second visit. Nate suggested we might enjoy Tutka Bay and he was right!

Tutka bay view towards the entrance...♥



We drove down from Anchorage to Homer spit (A 221 mile drive)and took a water taxi again we went with Homer Ocean Charters..they have a great landing craft that makes it easy to load Kayaks even if the water is a bit frisky,. We were dropped off at the mouth of the bay at the aptly named Kayak beach..there we set up our tent and had a rest (I think it was the getting up at 3am to drive down that ensured Sunday was a low activity day!) A day for enjoying sitting on the beach and drinking a lot of tea whilst the girls explored the tide pools.

Next day we set off and Kayaked down the bay to Grace Ridge trail head where we set up camp. The tide and the wind were not with us so it was a bit of effort to Kayak the 6 1/2 to 7 miles...about half way down the bay. My Kayak kept on trying to take me to closer beaches but we made it.

It was a rainy week so rather than camp and move we stayed put at that camp site ..which was pretty darn special and made forays by Kayak to explore the bay .

At the head of the bay is a beautiful 300 foot waterfall..well worth the paddle (again against the tide and wind so a bit of work but it was all made up for on the return to the campsite ..the tide and wind were with us so we broke our speed records that time)

Across from our campsite was a lagoon..a belted Kingfisher was fishing in the channel when we paddled across, we chose a morning when the sea was a limpid reflecting pool...beautiful. The children call this magic mountain water as everything reflects magically in it.
The Salmon were returning to the lagoon so it was home to a growing fleet of fishing boats or boats containing men fishing with rod and line (to be more accurate)
A young Bald eagle swooped down and caught a fish and managed to eat some before an older Eagle flew in and mugged him.

We saw an Otter or otters everyday this trip. Many Eagles and many diving birds.
There were Jelly fish drifting in the sea and Star fish and sunflower star fish on the rocks. Tiny fish, Hermit crabs, shellfish and anemones inhabited the rock pools and the barnacles covered rocks and logs alike. Salmon jumped on their way back to the lagoon/their river and Sea gulls supervised.






Map of Kayak beach



Setting off from Kayak Beach (A short water taxi ride from Homer spit)






Otter at Lunch...



Who can resist an Arch to Kayak through?