Exploring the Kodiak Island Archipelago

Nature and Wildlife Cruises in Kodiak, Alaska

from Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge offer guided exploration of the remote waters and coastal ecosystems of the Kodiak Island Archipelago by boat.
 
Departing directly from our beach aboard one of our custom-built catamarans, with no more than six guests per vessel, we travel through protected Raspberry Strait and into the surrounding island chain.
 
Depending on conditions, we may search for sea life such as humpback whales, fin whales, and orcas, observe Steller sea lions hauled out along rocky shorelines, or idle near seabird rookeries alive with horned and tufted puffins and kittiwakes.
 
Sea otters drift in kelp beds with their pups, bald eagles watch from spruce tops, and pods of Dall’s porpoise may join the bow wave before slipping beneath the surface.
 
The landscape is equally compelling—glacially carved valleys, eroded coastal cliffs rising more than 2,000 feet, and, on clear days, distant views toward the snow-capped mountains of Katmai. Here, shifting tides and converging currents shape a layered maritime ecosystem.
 
When weather and tide allow, we may land on a protected beach to walk the shoreline, explore tide flats, or simply sit quietly with the engine off and the water still.
 
These are not scripted tours. They are small-group, guided explorations of coastal Alaska—flexible, deliberate, and shaped by conditions, wildlife movement, and curiosity.

Nature and Wildlife Viewing FAQ

We seek humpback whales, fin whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and multiple seabird species like Horned and Tufted Puffin. We search for Dall’s Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, and orca. Shorelines may also reveal Roosevelt elk, Sitka black-tailed deer, or Kodiak brown bear.  While the above are never guaranteed, the search for sea life among the islands is ever rewarding.

We typically depart around 8:30am and return to the lodge by 5:30pm.  We’ll bring lunches, snacks, coffee and tea, etc, and just enjoy the day. While experiencing the various local wildlife can be a priority, we can also pause and hop out on a protected beach to collect shells or rocks, explore, or just relax.

We observe wildlife respectfully and in accordance with state and federal guidelines. At times that means maintaining distance and reducing speed; at others, it means idling quietly while animals move naturally around us. Our goal is observation without disturbance.  Each boat also has a pair of stabilized binoculars for more distant encounters.

No. Guests may remain comfortably seated inside the heated cabin or move about the wide, stable decks as they prefer. Boarding is done directly from the beach using our drop-bow ramp, and each vessel includes a private marine head with a flush toilet. Shoreline landings, when conditions allow, are relaxed and optional.

These are not scripted tours. Each outing is shaped by weather, tide, wildlife movement, and guest curiosity. We work with the natural rhythm of the coast, adjusting course as opportunities present themselves. The result is a small-group exploration rather than a fixed itinerary.

Sea Life

Whales, sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, porpoise, puffins, and seabirds are commonly encountered throughout the surrounding waters of the Kodiak Archipelago.

Coastal Alaska

Steep mountains, old-growth forest, black sand beaches, sea cliffs, waterfalls, and exposed Pacific coastline define the landscapes surrounding Raspberry Island and the greater archipelago.

Your Cruising experience

Cruises are shaped by weather, tide, wildlife activity, and sea conditions, with each day offering a different combination of scenery, wildlife encounters, and exploration by water.  The day unfolds with us in it.