Trip information
ClickFrequently Asked Questions
Directions to Our Locations
Deposit and Cancellation Policies
Contact Us
frequently asked questions
Q:Do I need to have prior kayaking experience?
Q: What kind of shape do I need to be in?
Q: Will I tip over? Do I need to be a swimmer?
Q: How often do people tip over?
Q: What about gratuities?
Q: What is the weather like?
Q: How cold is the water?
Q: What should I wear?
Q: Will I see wildlife?
Q: What if the wildlife gets really close to my kayak?
Q: What if I want to book a reservation for a large group?
Q: What kind of kayaks do you use?
Q: Can I send my child on a trip unaccompanied?
Q: I'm worried I won't fit in a kayak. What are your size restrictions?
Q: What should I bring on my day trip?
Q: Do I need to have prior kayaking experience?
 No experience is necessary for all of our trips but the Northwestern Expedition. We paddle with first time kayakers every day. Sunny Cove provides kayaking instruction as part of all of our tours. Our attention is towards safety and our knowledge of the local waters allows even our first time paddlers a comfortable, rewarding experience. The first part of our outing is spent learning about the kayak, how to efficiently get in and out, how to use the rudder, basic paddle strokes and safety procedures. Our guides are expert instructors who know how to make learning paddling a fun and rewarding experience. Come join us and learn a new skill!
Q: What kind of shape do I need to be in?
You do not need to be an athlete to be a sea kayaker; paddling is a low level aerobic exercise that relies more on technique than brute strength. Sunny Cove's day tours are designed to accomodate a wide variety of people and skill levels. When you make a reservation we let you know which tours are more family friendly and which are gear toward the traveler seeking an active adventure. Our kayaks and gear will acomodate a paddler up to 6'4", 250 pounds or a 44" waist.
Q: Will I tip over? Do I need to be a swimmer?
Sunny Cove uses a fleet of very stable and comfortable double (two person) sea kayaks. In fact, we pride ourselves on having the best boats and safety equipment available. While it is possible to capsize any boat, it is extremely unlikely that you would tip over this very seaworthy craft, especially while under the supervision of our experienced guides. You will of course be fitted with one of our Personal Flotation Devices (PFD), a spray skirt and other gear to provide a safe and fun experience. We aim to stay high and dry! And no, you do not need to be a swimmer.
Q: How often do people tip over?
Rarely, we are happy to say! Our guides will provide you with the proper instruction to help insure your safety. If you follow their instruction you should not have any trouble staying upright. About once a year we have clients inadvertantly tip a boat. Every time this has happened with Sunny Cove it has been due to horseplay or a disregard to the instructions provided.
Q: What about gratuities?
As we like to say in the kayaking world, 'tip your guide, not your kayak!' Gratuities are always appreciated and are not included in your purchase price. A lot of 'behind the scenes' work goes into making your trip enjoyable and everyone loves feeling appreciated for hard work well done. Any gratuities you choose to give to your guides is shared amongst all guides on the trip. Professionally guided tours, just like any other position in the service industry, usually warrant a gratuity of 15%-20% per kayaker, depending on the quality of your experience.
Q: What is the weather like?
 Coastal Alaska's summer season brings a wide variety of weather and seems to change from year to year. Temperatures in the upper 50's to lower 70's are typical in the Seward area during the summer paddling season. Sunny days, rainy days and overcast days are all part of our mix of weather. Sometimes morning fog hangs over the cooler ocean water, creating an eerily beautiful scene that usually burns off by early afternoon. We are a couple of miles within 60 deg. N (the line that runs right through the middle of Resurrection Bay), which means that we enjoy the long summer days of northern latitudes; in other words, the Midnight Sun.
Q: How cold is the water?
Contrary to popular belief the water in the bay isn't always barely over freezing temperature. In May and early June the waters of Resurrection Bay tend to hover around 40 to 45 degrees. However, by the end of summer it is not uncommon to encounter temperatures nearing 55 degrees. The temperature in Aialik Bay and Northwestern Fjord tends to be colder due to tidewater glaciers at the head of each bay. The nearer you are to these glaciers the colder the water.
Q: What should I wear?
 The word for the day, and for most of you trip throughout Alaska, should be LAYERING. Synthetic fabrics, wool and silk are best as they retain warmth when damp and are also breathable. We highly recommend that you AVOID all cotton or denim fabrics as these retain moisture and will make you feel colder when wet. A rain layer is necessary in most of Alaska and you should always shoot for waterproof rather than water resistant rain jackets and pants. We will provide you with a pair of rubber boots to help keep your feet dry, but an extra pair of socks always comes in handy. On one of our overnight excursions? Please see our complete clothing and gear list.
Q: Will I see wildlife?
 Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjors National Park are home to abundant wildlife on land, sea and air. Sea otters, sea lions, Dall's porpoise, harbor seals, humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, puffins and many different species of sea birds are commonly seen in the areas that we paddle. Our quiet kayaks afford a wonderful opportunity to have intimate wildlife encounters without disrupting the animals. This opportunity is a once in a lifetime chance to photograph these animals in their natural habitat-so have your camera ready.
Q: What if wildlife gets really close to my kayak?
 While we never directly approach animals, sometimes we are lucky enough to have a 'close encounter' with one of the wild residents of our area. Occasionally a curious seal or whale will come to see what is going on with our groups. When this happens, if your guide feels it is necessary, we will 'raft up' our boats so that we are easily visible. Then...we enjoy the show...an experience few will ever have! We have never seen any type of aggressive behavior from any of our wild population. However, wild animals can be unpredictable, and we never chase or harangue these residents.
Q: What if I want to book a reservation for a large group?
Sunny Cove can accomodate most large groups, just give us a call! We will set up a custom adventure from our Lowell Point Location that can accomodate your needs. Options available may include a paddle to Tonsina Creek or a paddle/hike combination. We'd love to accomodate your family, friends, corporate outing, church group or scout group.
Q: What kind of kayaks do you use?
Sunny Cove outfits clients with a tandem (two person) kayak on all of our adventures with the exception of the Northwestern Expedition. On this excursion you have the option of paddling a single kayak if you are an experienced paddler.
Q: Can i send my child on a trip unaccompanied?
Children 16 and older may join our three hour excursions without an adult if a liability waiver is signed by a parent or legal guardian beforehand. Otherwise, children (under 18 years old) must be accompanied by an adult on all of Sunny Cove's excursions. All paddlers on any excursion are required to sign a standard adventure liability waiver.
Q: I'm worried I won't fit in a kayak. What are your size restrictions?
Our kayaks and gear can accomodate nearly every size and shape. Generally, if you are over 6'4" tall, weigh more than 250 pounds or have a waist size of 44" our kayaks or gear will fit. If you are uncertain, give us a call. We are happy to assist you in your paddling choices and to answer any and all questions.
Q: What should I bring on my day trip?
Warm, layered clothing, rain pants and jacket, extra socks, any necessary medications, binoculars, camera, sunglasses and sunscreen. And last, but not least, an ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT!
Directions
Seward is located in coastal Southcentral Alaska about 130 miles south of Anchorage. The following directions should help you find us. For those traveling from Anchorage, please allow a bare minimum of two and one half hours to drive to Seward. The Seward Highway is a beautiful drive with lots of viewing and hiking opportunities, so, if possible, give yourself more time. Railroad, bus and van transportation are also easily available between Anchorage and Seward.
Click the following links for Google Maps directions:
From
Anchorage: To reach the town of Seward, take the Seward Highway south,
(130 miles). Don't take the turn offs to Girdwood, Portage Glacier,
Hope or Homer.
Once you reach Seward, you'll pass a Safeway grocery store on your right (west). After that, look for North Harbor Street on your left (east). Turn left onto North Harbor Street and follow it one block to 4th Avenue. Turn right. About 100 yards down 4th Ave you will see a large building with a blue roof, the Kenai Fjords Tours offices. We are adjacent to this building in the log cabin.
Resurrection Bay paddles begin at our Lowell Point location on Beach Road, Lowell Point -- truly the end of the road. Just look for the sun! Meet your guide approximately 10 minutes prior to your kayak adventure for outfitting and greetings. Travel south along the Seward Highway which becomes 3rd Avenue once you reach town. When you reach the end of 3rd Avenue, you will be facing the SeaLife Center. Turn right onto Railway Avenue which then turns into a dirt road called Lowell Point Road. Continue south along this near waterline road until you reach Pinnacle View Road (approximately 2 miles). Take a right on Pinnacle View and follow this road around until you reach the Bay—at this point, take a left (unmarked Beach Road) and you will find Sunny Cove six buildings down on the right.
From
Anchorage: To reach the town of Seward, take the Seward Highway south,
(130 miles). Don't take the turn offs to Girdwood, Portage Glacier,
Hope or Homer.
Once you reach Seward, you'll pass a Safeway grocery store on your right (west). After that, look for North Harbor Street on your left (east). Turn left onto North Harbor Street and follow it one block to 4th Avenue. Turn right. About 100 yards down 4th Ave you will see a large building with a blue roof, the Kenai Fjords Tours offices. We are adjacent to this building in the log cabin.
Deposit and Cancellation Policies
-Overnight Trips- All kayak/camping tours require full payment within 7 calendar days of booking. All trip cancellations, with the exception of those made by Sunny Cove, are subject to a $100 per person administrative fee. The remainder of the cost is refundable up to 30 days prior to the departure date. Although we rarely cancel trips we reserve the right to cancel a trip for any reason which may make the  trip inadvisable. Cancellations made due to weather may be rescheduled or refunded. Trips may be delayed or trip routes may be altered by weather without any price adjustment or refund. Sunny Cove does not cancel tours solely on account of rain. Weather cancellations will be left to our discretion based upon field experience.
-Grand Day Tours- Grand Day tours require full payment at the time of booking. All trip cancellations, with the exception of those made by Sunny Cove, are subject to a $50 per person administrative fee. The remainder of the cost is refundable up to 30 days prior to the departure date. Although we rarely cancel trips we resserve the right to cancel a trip for any reason which may make the trip inadvisable. Cancellations due to weather may be rescheduled or refunded. Sunny Cove does not cancel tours solely on account of rain. Weather cancellations will be left to our discretion based upon field experience.
-Fox Island and Lowell Point Day Tours- These day tours require full payment at the time of booking. Reservations may be canceled at a full refund up to 15 days before the trip departure date. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations 14 or less days from the trip departure date. Although we rarely cancel trips we reserve the right to cancel a trip for any reason which may make the trip inadvisable. Cancellations due to weather may be rescheduled or refunded. Sunny Cove does not cancel tours solely on account of rain. Weather cancellations will be left to our discretion based upon field experience. This policy does not apply to group or custom tours.
-Group/Custom Day Tours- Group tours require full payment within 7 calendar days of booking. All trip cancellations, with the exception of those made by Sunny Cove, are subject to a $100 per person administrative fee. The remainder of the cost is refundable up to 30 days prior to the departure date. Although we rarely cancel trips we reserve the right to cancel a trip for any reason which may make the trip inadvisable. Cancellations made due to weather may be rescheduled or refunded. Trips may be delayed or trip routes may be altered by weather without any price adjustment or refund. Sunny Cove does not cancel tours solely on account of rain. Weather cancellations will be left to our discretion based upon field experience.
Quality Alaska Sea Kayaking Adventures Since 1996
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