Otter Cove Resort, The Rookery Restaurant & Kachemak Bay Learning Center
Homer, Alaska

Just across the Eldred Passage from Homer Spit, a new resort, restaurant and learning center is underway. This 8 acres is perched on the edge of Otter Cove and surrounded by State Park lands. An ambitious project started by the folks at Homer Ocean Charters, the resort is partially complete now and will be in full swing by the Spring 2001!

My trip to visit the resort was arranged by Roger of Chocolate Drop Inn. When The Rookery Restaurant is opened, Roger will be in charge of all the food services. The restaurant menu will highlight the varied sea life within Otter Cove. The outdoor seafood grille will include wildlife lunch and dinner cruises of the Otter Alley, with appetizers, entrees and combo plates....all native to the bay. Reservations may be made for dining and you can reach the Rookery via the Water Taxi from Homer Ocean Charters, of pull your own boat up to the planned 200' dock. There will be seating on the huge deck as well as indoors and the Resort will also include a drop-in bar.

The Kachemak Bay Learning Center is already up and running. The Center offers diverse programs for children through high school...kind of an extended field trip. Students arrive at the Resort and are assigned to one of the kayaking cabins. The cabins feature 2 bunk beds with a double bed on the bottom and a twin on the top. Program offerings include Forest Ecology, Marine Invertebrate Lab (which will include a hands-on tank!), Beach Ecology, Ornithology, Mammalogy, Insects, Orienteering and Estuary Ecology. Evening programs may also include Marine Mammals, UnNature Hikes, Marine Debris, Endangered Species, Anthropology, Arts and Crafts and Nature Writing/Journalism.

In the spring, these courses are offered to the students and in the fall, teachers may attend. The programs are fully certified and teachers will receive continuing education credit for them.

The Resort itself currently includes 2 duplex kayaking cabins, with plans to add at least one more. There is a bath house, laundry room and showers for the kayak cabins. Additional, more deluxe cabins are also in the works. These will be more secluded and private and include all amenities. The main lodge will include not only the restaurant and bar, but a gift shop and conference/meeting facilities.

There is also a cook shack that is available for those who come for the kayaking. Otter Cove Resort offers kayak rentals and both guided and unguided trips. These range from all day trips to multi-day trips. For hikers, 1/2 mile from the Resort is a spur trail that ties into the State Park trail system. On a hike, expect to see not only the unspoiled forest ecology, but possibly black bear, moose and mountain goats. A 4-1/2 mile hike will bring you to the peak of Sadie Knob.

This is a fascinating location and although only accessible by water, promises to be a success! More details about all the programs and updates on the construction can be found on their Website, so be sure to check it out and make your plans for next year. And tell them Cruising America says HI!