Northmole

Hi all! Great advice going on here, thanks Anyway, we are planning on traveling the 1st week of Sept. and plan on 2-3 nights in Homer and 2 in either Seward or Valdez. Can't decide. We want to see mostly wildlife in the Sound- Any recommendations? We would also like to stop at the Sea Life Center. Any tips are greatly appreciateed! Also, we are planning on a fishing charter- would Homer be the best bet for Hallibut and Salmon?

BudgetQueen

Either of the areas are great for fishing. But how much time do you have?? Seward and Homer go together better, usually time wise. Also verify now if the ferry is running the day you need it. All the cities are very worthwhile.

But if the Sealife Center is a priority, then the choice is Seward.

Request visitor guides from each area perhaps for more information.

BudgetQueen

If your priority is wildlife, then definately stick with Seward.

BayouGal

We used Captain Mike's out of Homer last summer for a great halibut fishing trip--highly recommend him. We had a small group, but we were the only tourists--the rest were locals. Most trips go out of Homer. There were combo trips (salmon and halibut) last summer, but we were too early for salmon.

If in Seward, I hope you do the all day Northwestern Kenai Fjords boat tour (or a similar tour that has a toursaver coupon). Great for wildlife viewing!

Enjoy your trip!

Pat2003

I agree with what Budget Queen already stated. I too think I would chose Seward although we love Valdez and hiking around but for wildlife I still think Seward is much better. For halibut fishing definietly Homer. For salmon you can fly from Homer but the best would be in Kenai, Soldotna, Russian River. In Soldotna you can fish for salmon on the back of the visitor center and they have a person who would clean a salmon for you too. That's if you can find a place to stand next to many fisher-man, -women, children. It is always fascinating to watch so many peole fishing there and still catching huge salmon. For the most exciting salmon fishing I think would be taking a floatplane from Homer to Katmai National Park and Preserve and fishing among brown bears. For halibut fishing you do not need to make any reservations in advance just go to the Spit on your arrival. There are many, many charter companies to chose from and they all are very good. However, do not chose a combo of halibut/salmon fishing. You will spend too much time getting from one area to another.

repete

Seward has an edge in the wildlife category.

If you want to catch both salmon and halibut, Seward is a better bet than Homer -- most of the time -- although September is late for most salmon.

And for deep-water angling between the two, I've alway preferred Seward because your chances of catching more than halibut (ling cod, rockfish ...) are better there. (Valdez also offers better variety)

Here's my suggestion given it's September: Go to Seward for the wildlife and the deep water fishing. Spend one day floating the gorgeous Upper Kenai in a driftboat -- tremendous rainbow and dolly varden fishing, plus possible coho salmon, and a decent chance to see moose. There might also be shore-fishing ops for coho.

Actually, Pat there are some salmon/halibut combos that are some of the best deal -- although they are mostly the Deep Creek or Anchor Point trips for halibut/kings in the spring and the tides play a big role in the timing.

Pat2003

Repete, I forgot about Anchor Point. Thank you for reminding me about it. But getting from the sea where you go for halibut to the stream/river for salmon takes extra, extra time and money. Still for the best halibut fishing go to Homer. After all Homer is the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World. Try to google on Homer halibut fishing and you get an idea why. Altough, I have to admit I don't know anything about halibut fishing in September. Have fun in Alaska.

Julie304

Valdez is my favorite place in Alaska so far, but if you're looking for a place to pair with Homer, Seward makes more sense. I'll also agree with others that Seward has better wildlife opportunities than Valdez. Valdez, on the other hand, is the place to go for hiking, kayaking and take-your-breath-away mountain scenery. Hope you get to see all three someday.

repete

That Homer vs. Seward debate is an old one.

Basically, I think Homer is better at marketing. I've caught plenty of fish in both locations, both on charters and later with my own boats.

Charter captains like Homer better because it often offers shorter runs (less fuel) to fishing, but I also see more ``chicken'' halibut come in off Homer charters.

I just favor Seward because of the mixed bag of fish and a better chance of seeing wildlife. Most trips out of Seward are more scenic than Homer. Homer, however, has slightly better odds for good weather/flat seas.

Bottom line: Both are great places to fish and if your plans send you to one or the other, don't fret.

Pat2003

Bottom line: chose Seward this time and plan to spend some time in Valdez on your next trip to Alaska

Northmole

Hey, thanks eveyone! Still can't decide though What about 2 nights Homer, 2 nights Seward and one night Valdez? Does this seem feasible?! Our main focus is seeing wildlife and relaxation. With a jaunt of fishing (for anything good!) We are not used to deep sea fishing so we are a little concerned about sickness and rough water. Any ideas???

repete

Look into the upper Kenai drift boat trips. It's usually gorgeous at that time of the year (if it's not raining.)

The rainbows and dollies are beautiful fish. The scenery is tough to beat.

I put my father on an Alaska Wildlands trip years ago and it was one of his highlights.

Pat2003

Northmole, I don't know if I would go to Valdez after Seward only for one night. You will have to take a ferry (check a schedule as it does not run every day of the week) from Whittier which means you will be arriving in Valdez late afernoon/evening. The next day you will need to leave early for Anchorage as there so many places to be exprienced between Valdez and Anchorage. Keep in mind all those stops you will need to make for scenery. Thopmpson Pass, Worthington Glacier, Copper Center, Wrangell-Ellias Visitor center, Matanuska Glacier, Palmer, Independent Mine and Hatcher Pass, Eagle River Center and more. My point is, you really won't be able to experience Valdez if you visit just for one night after Seward or Homer. You mentioned about relaxation but you won't have chance to relax if you include Valdez in your itinerary. Maybe next time? I would just stay two nights in Seward and three nights in Homer. You would more enjoy both places and have at least a little time to relax.

As to halibut fishing, I bet most of visitors who go on those trips are not use to sea fishing. Maybe you should call a couple of places in Homer and talk to them about your concerns. If your read some of the posts by Budget Queen about wildlife tours out of Seward she says there are always people who get sea sick too. So you need to be prepared anyway by taking some medication.

BudgetQueen

I too would not recommend all three locations if you only have 5 days. To get to Valdez with only one day there will be all transit and no time for all the reason to go there- activities. If you can't add a couple more days, forget it and make the best use of your time.

princessanna

We did both Seward and Valdez last August. If I could only do one, I'd chose Seward. We had an amazing time kayaking in Valdez, but other than that, Valdez doesn't have a lot. There are more things to do and more places to eat in Seward.