Posted 12th November 2015

Valdez has a nice harbor ( www.ci.valdez.ak.us/harbor.)   Valdez is the southern terminus of the trans-Alaska pipeline, so large oil tankers ply the Valdez Narrows, most famously the Exon Valdez.  While oil is still evident, many species have recovered.  The fjords around Valdez are quite beautiful.  Fishing is good as well and fuel and some repair facilities are there.  Unlike Seward, Valdez can get a lot of snow in the winter, potentially sinking boats if a good boat watch is not kept.

Homer has a very nice harbor out on the end of the spit, in the southern end of Cook Inlet, and has a small yacht club.  Homer has a particularly vibrant arts community.  Many restaurants are within an easy walking distance of the harbor and other transportation down the spit is relatively simple. The Homer harbor has a rack where boats can be worked on during low tide and floated off as the tide rises.  Fuel and other yard services are available in Homer.  WiFi is available via the SpitSpot.  See www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/port [BROKENLINK]

Seldovia is smaller than Homer but older and on the other side of Kachemak Bay.  This is is especially scenic and wildlife is particularly abundant.  There are otters, seals and occasionally Beluga and other whales.  www.seldovia.com

Yakatut is an excellent refuge port for vessels crossing the Gulf of Alaska.  Fuel is available.  Marina is quite small but protected.

In South Eastern Alaska, Sitka is probably worth a mention, and on the northwest coast of Alaska, the town of Nome has a port of interest for boats doing the northwest passage and for more adventurous sailors.  There is some transient moorage available and anchoring is feasible in the summer. Fuel and some limited services are available.  Holding ground off the coast of Nome is mostly loose gravel, so oversized ground tackle is advised.  There is a lot of offshore gold mining activity.  Hauling boats is possible in Nome. However, the port freezes solid in the winter, so virtually all boats there are hauled out for that period.

www.Alaskaharbors.org has a list of harbors in Alaska, with municipal links.

Sent to Noonsite by Dave Swartz