Alaska - Orca Island Cabins
early September at Orca Island Cabins
Ben always wanted to go to Alaska, so we finally went for his 40th birthday! It rained almost the entire time, cancelling many of our adventures - but thankfully we had booked a stay at Orca Island Cabins. It was truly a magical experience, rain and all.
What is Orca Island Cabins you ask? Imagine leaving the mainland on a small boat with your luggage and food provisions. Taking a lovely 1 hour boat ride into the bay - you dock at a small tucked away paradise where you’re surrounded by beautiful views, water activities, friendly animals, and the best part - only 7 other families can stay at the same time. Peaceful, relaxing, adventure.
Now back to reality, what is it really - it’s a unique Alaskan getaway, providing private yurt accommodations on a secluded island in Humpy Cove, Resurrection Bay, near Seward, Alaska. Accessible only by a scenic one-hour boat ride from Seward, this eco-friendly retreat immerses guests in the natural beauty of the Kenai Fjords National Park area.
Accommodations:
Private Waterfront Yurts: Each of the eight yurts is designed for comfort and sustainability, featuring a cozy bed beneath a skylight, a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, oven, and cooler, a private bathroom with running water, hot shower, and compost toilet, and a private deck with a barbecue grill.
Amenities: Yurts include a full-sized futon, wood-burning fireplace, and access to various watercraft such as kayaks, rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs).
Experience: Guests can explore the protected waters of Humpy Cove, engage in activities like kayaking, fishing, and hiking, or simply relax on their private decks to observe the abundant wildlife and stunning scenery. The resort emphasizes a digital detox, offering an environment free from TVs and Wi-Fi to enhance the connection with nature.
Important Information:
Accessibility: Due to its remote location, guests are encouraged to remain on the property and its surroundings during their stay.
Age Restriction: Children aged 12 and older are welcome, considering the rugged terrain and safety considerations.
Policies: The resort maintains a no pets, no smoking, and no drones policy to preserve the tranquility and natural environment.
For those seeking an off-the-grid experience that combines comfort with the pristine wilderness of Alaska, Orca Island Cabins provides an unforgettable retreat.
Our Yurt! They each have a fun name.
We’ve stayed in yurts before, but this was by far the nicest, cleanest, most comfortable, and safest-feeling one yet. I absolutely loved it—I could easily live there short term!
The yurt was spacious, the bed was incredibly comfy, and the private patio was the perfect place to relax and soak in the stunning surroundings. Even the bathroom setup exceeded expectations—the compost toilet never smelled, and everything was thoughtfully designed for convenience and sustainability.
Honestly, I have zero complaints about the accommodations—it was the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort!
Common Areas
As cozy as the yurt was, you’ll definitely want to step outside and enjoy the beautifully designed common areas. There’s a covered porch with a fireplace, perfect for warming up and unwinding after a day of exploring. Just below, you’ll find a peaceful seating area overlooking the water, offering breathtaking views of the cove.
If you’re looking for a place to relax indoors, there’s also a small building that serves as a gift shop and sitting area, where you can browse local souvenirs or simply hang out.
A black bear fishing for salmon on the coast of Alaska
Go ahead - be adventurous!
As incredible as the accommodations are, make sure to get out and explore—especially if the weather is on your side! And even if it’s not, throw on your rain gear and head out anyway. The weather here can change quickly, so make the most of your time and embrace the adventure.
Orca Island offers kayaks, boats, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs)—whatever your preferred way to explore the water, they’ve got you covered. During orientation, they’ll give you all the details on where to paddle and the best times to go, so be sure to pay attention!
We kayaked to the waterfall location twice—once at high tide and once at low tide—and both experiences were incredible. Watching salmon swimming upstream was mesmerizing, and we even got lucky enough to see a black bear fishing for salmon right in front of us. Truly an unforgettable moment!
***the photo of the bear up above is the last photo my camera captured before it decided to stop working. I’d had the camera around a decade and it was well loved. It was a very sad moment.
Let’s talk food
Keep in mind—you’re off the grid here! There’s no grocery store or restaurant, so you need to plan ahead. Stock up on groceries, bring your own ice, and they’ll store everything in the cooler in your yurt for you. Also, if you want anything besides water to drink, bring it with you!
You’ll need to know how to cook or be prepared to get creative with snack-style meals (hello, girl dinner!). I know it sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t actually know how to cook when left without a microwave or takeout options.
If you’re into fishing, this is an amazing spot to cast a line! They provide the equipment, but it’s up to you to make the catch. I got lucky and reeled in a silver salmon, which we grilled for dinner—it doesn’t get any fresher than that!
All in all
Even though the weather wasn’t great, I dream of going back to Orca Island Cabins. It was a wonderful way to spend my husbands 40th birthday. It was a bit of a splurge but it was worth it!
Tidbits
Misc thoughts for your trip
There really is no cell service or wifi. I love that about this place, but don’t think its an “optional” digital detox.
Don’t visit thinking you’ll be swimming a lot. There were a decent amount of jellyfish while we were there and it was also rainy and cold.
Silly tidbit - if you plan on fishing and you’ve never fished before, make sure to ask for assistance.
I grew up bass fishing but I had never caught a salmon before - so when I got one on the line I realized I didn’t know how to get the hook out (bass don’t have teeth, salmon do!). I then decided it was as good a time as any to learn to gut and cook my own fish. But again, I ran into the same problem - I didn’t know how to do any of this! Thankfully, a retired veteran saw us struggling on the dock and kindly walked us through the process. I also had no idea there were different types of salmon - I just assumed they all had pink flesh. So, imagine my surprise when I went to cook my catch and realized the meat was white. With no internet to fact-check, we had to trust our instincts and hope for the best. Turns out, it was a silver salmon, and it was delicious!
Morale of the story - try new things but do them responsibly, ask for help.
Gear for the trip
Rain Jackets - these were a must for our trip in Alaska. Below are my favorites, I think I own 3 of them!
Waterproof bag - highly recommend. I bring this bag on all of our trips. It was nice to bring in the kayak with us so I could put my phone, camera, extra jacket, etc.