Glacier Lagoon Packrafting Adventure in Homer, Alaska

You carry your own packraft uphill, then paddle it among icebergs you hiked to reach.

Glacier Lagoon Packrafting Adventure is a nine-hour activity in Homer, Alaska combining a water taxi across Kachemak Bay, a backcountry hike carrying a lightweight packraft, and guided paddling among icebergs on Grewingk Glacier Lagoon. The round-trip water taxi is included, as are the packraft, paddle, drysuit and helmet fitted to you, plus snacks and water. Lunch can be added at checkout. Children from age 12 are welcome. Moderate fitness is required to carry a 25-pound packraft and hike up to three miles.

The experience

The day starts with a water taxi ride across Kachemak Bay (a $125 value built into your booking) that delivers you to the saddle trailhead. From there, you'll hike through an ancient glacier drainage carrying a drybag with your packraft and safety gear (about 25 pounds total). Your certified local guides lead the way, and the hike itself is the passage: you're not sightseeing from a distance, you're moving through the landscape to reach water you'll paddle on.

Once you arrive at Grewingk Glacier Lagoon, guides run a comprehensive dry-land orientation covering raft inflation, paddling technique, water reading and self-rescue skills. This is hands-on instruction, not a lecture. You'll practice before you launch. Then you paddle onto calm glacial water, navigating around towering icebergs with an unobstructed view of the glacier face itself. The whole experience (taxi, hike, paddling) takes nine hours, so you're in the wilderness for the full arc of the day, not a quick stop.

You'll carry your own packraft the entire way, which means moderate fitness matters: the hike runs up to three miles and the pack stays with you. Children from age 12 can join. Snacks and water are provided throughout. If you want a catered lunch, you can add it when you book. The packraft, paddle, drysuit and helmet all come fitted to your size, so no guessing on gear.

What’s included

• Round-trip water taxi across Kachemak Bay.
• packraft, paddle, drysuit and helmet fitted to your size.
• snacks and water throughout the day.
• guided instruction in paddling and safety skills from certified local guides.
• lunch can be added at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Packrafting without LunchGuide in English · Available from 15 May 2027

Packrafting with LunchGuide in English · Available from 15 May 2027Lunch included in the price

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 61 years) · Senior (62 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 22 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Homer Adventure Packrafting

Is this one for you?You need moderate fitness to carry a 25-pound packraft uphill and hike backcountry terrain, which is what gets you to water most visitors never reach. If you want paddling without the hike, this is not the right product. If you're comfortable carrying gear and walking three miles for access to a glacier lagoon, the packraft becomes your own tool for exploring it.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What's included in the packrafting adventure?

The round-trip water taxi across Kachemak Bay, packraft, paddle, drysuit, helmet fitted to you, snacks and water are all included. Lunch can be added at checkout.

How far do you hike to reach the glacier lagoon?

You hike up to three miles through backcountry terrain while carrying your packraft and gear, arriving at Grewingk Glacier Lagoon where the paddling begins.

What's the age requirement for this activity?

Children are welcome from age 12 and up. Participants should have moderate physical fitness to carry a 25-pound packraft and complete the hike.

Do guides teach paddling before you get on the water?

Yes, certified local guides lead a comprehensive dry-land orientation covering raft inflation, paddling techniques, water reading and self-rescue skills before anyone launches.

How long is the entire experience?

The full adventure takes nine hours from start to finish, including the water taxi, hike and paddling time on the glacier lagoon.