Alaska Islands And Ocean Visitor Center

Distance from hotel: 5.80 miles

See Seabirds Along The Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center’s Walking Trails

Get face-to-face with seabirds at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, a partner of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding Kachemak Bay Research Reserve. This beautiful building is right off of 95 Sterling Highway. Start off by watching a video about Alaska’s natural history and its native coastal inhabitants. Make time for perusing interactive exhibits and displays. Then venture off to walk the estuary trails that give you a peek into the refuge’s habitats. Keep your eyes peeled for eagles, gulls, and cranes while walking to the boardwalk and to Bishops Beach. 

Details

Prices –

Free Admission

Hours –

  • Memorial Day to Labor Day: 9am-5pm Daily;
  • Labor Day to Mid-September: 10am-5pm;
  • Monday – Saturday: Mid-September to Mid-May: 12pm-5pm Tuesday – Saturday;
  • Mid-May to Memorial Day: 10am-5pm Monday – Saturday;

Events

  • Science Lectures
  • Ranger & Early Learning Programs
  • Kachemak Bay Science Conference
  • Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Bike Festival

Activities

  • Bird-Viewing
  • Wildlife-Viewing
  • Informative Film
  • Interactive Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Walking Trails

FAQs

  • How big is the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge?Spanning more than 3.4 million acres, the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge helps conserve more than 30 species of seabirds, numbering around 40 million, as well as mammals, and other birds. It spans the Aleutian chain throughout the Pribilofs, the Chukchi Sea, and the Kachemak Bay surrounding the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.
  • Are there walking trails at Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center?Yes. There are outdoor trails on the sixty-acre site. If you really want to get the most out of your time as you’re walking along the trails, dress accordingly for optimal bird-viewing. Consider bringing a pair of sunglasses, some sunscreen if the rays are strong, a hat, weather-resistant gear if it rains, and comfortable walking shoes or boots.

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