Hello again fellow, helpful Fodorites.

While in Homer, I plan to water taxi to Kachemak Bay State Park to hike the Glacier Lake Trail. Can this (hiring a taxi for a round-trip and the hike) be accomplished in an afternoon?

Do I need to make reservations for the taxi in advance or will there be many opportunities (deals) once I get there?

Thanks.

Tom, there are not really any deals on a water taxi to Kachemak Bay. They all charge about the same. The least expensive I think is Bay excursions and they charge $60 round trip regardless how many people are on a boat. There is also $4.00 charge if you are going to Kachemak Bay State Park
You can schedule your hike to Glacier Lake but it has to be coordinated with tide schedule. I remember we went early in the morning and had to be picked before 3 pm because of a tide. So, to answer your question don't count on making this hike in one afternoon. Talk to a water taxi people. We used a couple times Mako's Taxi but it was before they got more expensive than others. Now I think they charge $70.00 per person. Our hike to Galcier Lake was wonderful and we could touchaone icberg floating freely on llake but that was a few years ago.

Our hike to Glacier Lake was wonderful and we could touch one iceberg floating freely on the lake but that was a few years ago. I don't know if there are still any humongous chunks of blue ice floating or maybe everything melted but it is a wonderful trail anyway. However, if the trail is wet some sections can be tough when going from the lake to a beach where you are met by your water taxi. The meeting spot is in a different place and not where you started your hike. You captain will tell you what time you have to be there and make sure you are there otherwise he and a tide won't wait for you. Plan ahead.
This year we are planning to take a water taxi for a hike to Grace Ridge. We never make any advance reservations but we know where we want to go and on a day of arrival in Homer we schedule our trip for the next day if the weather looks promising.

Have a great hike and enjoy Homer. I trust you already have your accommodation in Homer booked.

Reservations not really needed but bring a lot of money. I had to pay 5 times as much for the short boat ride as I did to rent a primative cabin on the other side.

Tom, one more thought. Don't make your reservation in advance. If you reserve a water taxi with a deposit then you have no choice. Believe me, you won't want to go hiking if it rains or the area is covered with a thick wet fog. Just soon after arriving in Homer go to the Spit where the boat taxis have offices. There are plenty of them but no one is going to transport you for less than $60.00 RT

Thank you friends for the advice.

Tom-

We checked several companies for water taxi rates. They were all the same-$60. One possibility to consider is a combination hiking/kayaking trip. Mako charges $115 for a combo trip that includes several hours of guided kayaking in Kachemak Bay and then on your own hiking afterwards. You can do either an am or pm kayak and hike at the other time for the amount of time you choose. Kayaking is in the bay and they say you see otters, birds, etc.

Some other companies offer a hiking/kayaking experience where the kayaking is in the glacier lake. $90.

We thought we might do the Mako combination and had checked with them late in the evening re: availability. We planned to call at 7am when they opened to book. Glad we didn't because it was raining.

Hello...
we are family of four..thinking of renting the primitive cabins in the park. How's your experience..? Does it cost more than $60 to get to the cabin area by water taxi..? Are there any sigtings of bears in the park..?

thanks in advance

fun4less2, sorry to disappoint you but unless your kids are very young you may get lower price or maybe your cabin has special arrangements. Otherwise it costs $60 per person rt.

At least $60.00 per person RT

Thank nkd...
It looks like it is economical if we stay there for four or five days atleast. We are camping (car), but wanted to have the wilderness lodge experience too. May be next time we will book a place for a week and have fun.

Thanks agin