Small-boat harbors & boating in Alaska
Alaska Harbors Guide: Small-Boat Ports, Moorage, Tides and Launching
A boater's guide to Alaska's small-boat harbors, including Homer, Seward, Whittier, Valdez, Kodiak, Juneau and Ketchikan, with practical advice on transient moorage, big tides, launch ramps and the boating seasons.
Alaska's coastline is longer than that of the rest of the United States combined, and its harbors range from road-accessible Southcentral ports to island towns reached only by water or air. AK Harbors is an independent guide for recreational and visiting boaters. We explain how things work so you can plan well, then send you to the harbor offices and agencies for current rates, rules and conditions.
Harbor and boating guides
Southcentral harbors: Homer, Seward, Whittier, Valdez
Road-accessible harbors on Kachemak Bay, Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound.
Southeast & Kodiak harbors: Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak
What to know about harbors you reach by water, ferry or air.
Transient moorage in Alaska
How to find a slip, check in with the harbormaster and be a good guest.
Alaska tides for boaters
Reading tide tables, big ranges, currents and why minus tides matter.
Boat launching & seasons
Launch ramp tips, safety gear, cold water, and boating through the year.
Harbors at a glance
| Harbor | Region | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Homer | Kachemak Bay / lower Cook Inlet | Southcentral harbors |
| Seward | Resurrection Bay | Southcentral harbors |
| Whittier | Prince William Sound | Southcentral harbors |
| Valdez | Prince William Sound | Southcentral harbors |
| Juneau | Southeast Alaska | Southeast & Kodiak harbors |
| Ketchikan | Southeast Alaska | Southeast & Kodiak harbors |
| Kodiak | Kodiak Island / Gulf of Alaska | Southeast & Kodiak harbors |
We don't publish moorage rates or availability. Each harbor sets its own fees and policies, and they change. Contact the harbor office directly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get transient moorage in an Alaska harbor?
Contact the harbor office before arrival by phone, website or VHF, follow its slip assignment, and register and pay soon after arriving. Be ready to raft alongside other boats in busy periods. More on transient moorage.
Which Alaska harbors can you drive to?
In Southcentral Alaska, Homer, Seward, Whittier (through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel) and Valdez are road-accessible. Juneau, Ketchikan and Kodiak are not connected to the road system.
How big are the tides in Alaska?
They vary by region. Upper Cook Inlet ranges approach 40 feet, while Homer, Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska commonly see ranges of 10 to 20 feet or more on spring tides.
When is the best time to boat in Alaska?
June through August offers the warmest weather and longest days, though harbors and ramps are busiest then. May and September are quieter but less predictable.
What's the most important safety gear in Alaska waters?
A life jacket that you actually wear. Alaska water is cold year-round, and cold shock can incapacitate swimmers within minutes. Add a VHF radio, a float plan and appropriate signaling devices.
Where can I find moorage rates?
On each harbor's official website or by contacting its office. Rates and policies are set locally and change, so we don't republish them.