Kayak and Hike to Historic WW2 Army Fort in Alaska!
Overview
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Paddle & Hike in Caines Head!
8 hour Paddle & Hike
This fantastic World War II defensive structure is located at the top of Caines Head, as part of the Caines Head State Park Recreation area. We paddle out and land at the original Fort McGilvray dock. From there, we begin our Alaskan hike, complete with an exhilarating 650′ of elevation gain in two miles. Atop you find a gorgeous view of the Gulf of Alaska, Harding Gateway, and the Barrier Islands of Resurrection Bay! Bring a headlamp or flashlight to explore Fort McGilvray and have a snack at the gunning embedment before heading back down the trail for a fun kayaking adventure to Millers Landing.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult, 12 years minimum age to participate
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair - a 4 mile Hike is involved
Due to comfort and weight / balance / cockpit size of the Kayak, participants must be under 250lb and able to fit within a 33″ x 17.25″ / 83.8 x 43.8 cm cockpit opening.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Itinerary • 7:45 a.m. check in to office for parking pass and to sign necessary forms • 8 a.m. meet guide, get outfitted for paddle • 8:15 a.m. warm up exercises, safety briefing • 8:25 a.m. depart for paddle • Paddle to Caines Head (5 miles) and hike (2 miles each way 4 miles round trip) to Fort McGilvray • Depart for Miller’s Landing in kayaks (5 miles) More Information Be prepared to be physically active for the entirety of this Seward kayaking and hiking trip. If you’re not comfortable hiking and paddling all day we have easier trips that we can set you up with! • Get a panoramic view of the Gulf of Alaska from the top of Caines Head! • Watch for whales, eagles, sea lions, sea otters, mountain goats, black bears, and Dalls porpoise! • Paddle past driftwood ghost forests from the 1964 Alaskan earthquake • No experience needed, all gear, and instruction provided. Bring your hiking boots! From surf to turf, we begin our two-mile hike to the top of Caines Head to view the historical WWII remains of Fort McGilvray. We retrace our steps and paddle back to Miller’s Landing, watching for wildlife all along the way.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Tour escort/host
Landing and facility fees
Local taxes
Kayak & Associated Gear: Paddle, Spray Skirt, Life Jacket, Pump, Paddle Float
Rain Gear
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Kayak and Hike to Historic WW2 Army Fort in Alaska!
Reviews
88 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ryan is the Best!!
243renaek,,Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the absolute best time with Ryan! He was fun, incredibly knowledgeable, and so personable. He went out of his way to make sure everyone had the best experience possible!
Amazing experience!!
Maps56456479525,,Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fantastic experience all around! The views were absolutely breathtaking and we got to see and experience so much. Our guide, Ryan, was an expert and so knowledgeable about wildlife, flora and fauna. He also included so much historical information about the area. He had great recommendations of other things to check out in Seward as well! This was by far the best part of my trip, and I highly recommend this adventure.
Great kayaking experience
B7593IOkevinc,,Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Zach was a fantastic guide !! We learned a lot about the alaskan wildlife and we had a blast. We highly recommand this tour !!
Enjoyable and educational trip to Caine’s Head.
K2327QFjimg,,Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had the pleasure of paddling with Zach Eiten to and from Caine’s Head with a hike up to the WWII military fort and back. Zack’s depth and breadth knowledge of the biology, ecology, and history of the area made the trip so enjoyable! Without that, we would have missed out on so much. I can’t recommend the trip enough. If you have the chance, take it!
We lucked out with a...
Jeremiah H,,Aug 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We lucked out with a calm, beautiful day the whole trip was awesome and Zack our tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining! The hike is not bad at all but the 5 miles on the kayak is hard after a while. We did just over 14 miles of travel so be prepared!
Our guide was so kind and...
Carolyn B,,Aug 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was so kind and informative! We really enjoyed our time with him! He was very patient and had a good sense of humor!
Breathtaking views and lots of history
G9470UKjoannar,,Jul 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The pictures on the website are nothing compared to the actual views when you ascend the trail towards the top. The views are absolutely breathtaking. The winds were really high and not amenable to kayaking so we had to forgo the kayaks and take a water taxi to Caine’s Head. Because of this, our tour was cut short (3 hours total) but I appreciated them prioritizing safety. The office said talked about offering a small discount for this, but it never came to fruition. Our guide, Ryan, really made this trip memorable though. He was a wealth of knowledge on both WWII history, as well as horticulture and geography. We learned so much from him and albeit short, it was an amazing 3 hours hiking with him. Definitely ask for him if you decide to book this tour.
What a Way to Spend a Day!
stephenpS4882PQ,,Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Emma was quick and thorough with her directions so we could get on the water quickly. She is tiny, but freaking powerful!!! Emma pulled our kayak, with me and my lovely bride into the water like a champ! As we paddled, Emma provided pleasant conversation and history of the area and the wildlife. We were allowed to roam but instructed gently on where to be to insure safety. Emma took some amazing photos of us while we paddled and they have since been made into wall art as a great memory. I would highly recommend the trip and I will continue to savor the memories!
Great experience and guide!
Happiness27302635524,,Jul 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The kayak and hike was a great combination! Zach was a great guide! Highly recommend this excursion to anyone. Very interesting!
Our Favorite Tour in Alaska with our Fantastic Guide BRENDON!
AzugaBound,,Jul 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our most spectacular trip in Alaska to date...by a country mile! Our guide BRENDON made a great time absolutely spectacular. This fantastic guide was so knowledgeable of the local flora and fauna: we learned much. Brendon kept us at a solid pace: not too exhausting and plenty of breaks. Brendon even worked in an extra stop at the stunning "Bridal Veil" Falls. When we reached our destination, Brendon broke out a thermos of hot water and made us a fantastic mocha. The hike up to Fort McGilvray, a former WWII coastal artillery battery protecting the strategic fjords, was easy to moderate. The views were amazing and we ate lunch overlooking the fjords, next to one of the former 6-inch gun emplacements. We were joined by plenty of local birds hoping for bread crumbs. The 7-mile (one way) kayak trip to beach, 4-mile hike, and return paddle was not for the feint of heart. All in all, this was 8-hours of solid activity. Nevertheless, with Brendon as our guide, we never felt overwhelmed or exhausted. I have rarely met a guide more professional, respectful, and knowledgeable. Brendon was the perfect guide for this amazing tour of the great Alaskan outdoors!
From US$188.37
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