Homer AK USA Cruise Port Guide

Location:

The Homer deep water dock is located on the Homer Spit Rd, approximately 5 km's from downtown Homer. Shuttles are provided.

Homer Spit, Open all year, however shops at the end of the spit generally close around mid September and re-open in April). A massive spit built out into the middle of the bay that claims to be the further west that is accessible via road on the north American continent. Spectacular wildlife can be seen along the spit being well known for the flocks of bald headed eagles that nest and feed there. A walk from the start to the end of the spit will take around an hour. A walk along the beach is a beautiful way to see the spit but be careful of the tide as the beach isn't always accessible at high tide.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

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Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Homer UK USA

Sightseeing:

On southern Kenai Peninsula, Homer is located on the pristine waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, in the shadow of the Kenai Mountains. The second largest city on the peninsula, Homer boasts the geographical anomaly that locals call The Spit. 15,000 years ago, a glacier covering Kachemak Bay pushed a five-mile long gravel bar toward Cook Inlet. After the glaciers retreated, this bar remained. Today, it is a bustling port where visitors can stroll its beaches and boardwalks.

Visit Pratt Museum, where you can learn the natural history of the bay and the southern Kenai Peninsula. Start a tour of the harbor by exploring the galleries of local artists or rest for a spell at the Salty Dawg Saloon, which dates back to the late 1800 s. At low tide, walk the sand and marvel at the life in the tide pools. If you re lucky, you may just spot an eagle soaring overhead or catch seals, otters and sea lions enjoying the view along with you.

During the summer, Homer is famous for halibut fishing, and at the beginning of the fall, in September, there are a few weeks when the so-called Fishing Hole is literally filled-up with salmon. While in or around Homer you could also see moose grazing, a black bear crossing the road, puffins, seabirds, soaring eagles, sea otters, porpoises, killer whales, porcupine, harbor seal, beluga whales and more .

Tours Excursions Transportation:

There are 3 car rentals in Homer. Hertz, Adventure USA, and Polar.

In addition to rental cars and taxis, Homer USA has a hop-on, hop-off trolley that transports people from the Homer Spit to the museum, visitors centers, old town, galleries, restaurants and more. An all day pass is $12+ tax. The price includes an entertaining narrative tour and the driver will stop at other locations upon request.

Take a water taxi across the bay to Kachemak Bay State Park for great hiking. Make sure to check out the lake with a glacier at the end.

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

Nearby Places:

Kachemak Bay State Park - The jewel of USA, Kachemak Bay State Park is the first and largest of the Parks in the state. Inhabited by wildlife on land, in the air, and in the ocean, there is so much to see and do here that one could spend a lifetime exploring around. Mountain goats grace the cliffs of remote and beautiful Sadie Cove from the entrance and up to the wilderness lodge of the same name on the South facing shore. Black bears live high in the mountains and can also be seen in the springtime on the shores of the Park searching for the first foods of the new season. Bald Eagles fly above and in the ocean there are seals, sea lions, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea birds, and more.

Shopping and Food

Currency:

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $). ATM's everywhere.

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for transactions worth only a few dollars. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way to make a transaction. Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay.

Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:

Full-service restaurants: 15-20% (Often this is the only income of the wait(ress). Tips are either left in cash or you can add it to the credit card slip) Note: Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, in which case it is up to you how much you tip extra. Check your bill!
Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15% of total
Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless)
Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
Shuttle bus drivers: $2-5 (optional)
Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%
Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders

Currency Converter

Communication:

Public Library, has free internet access (although they have a donation box) with a signup sheet waiting list.

The U.S. has no official language at the federal level, but English is by far the standard for everyday use. Several states have declared their official state language as English. Spanish is also official in the state of New Mexico, where it is widely spoken; French is official in Louisiana and the Hawaiian language is official in Hawaii, but neither approaches the use of English and are official for primarily historical reasons.

Emergency 911

Opening Hours and Holidays:

Most stores are closed on Sunday.

Holidays in the USA

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