Posted in Alaska Nature July 13, 2019 by

The Hidden Beaches Road Trip That Will Show You Alaska Like Never Before

With 6,640 miles of shoreline, you can bet that Alaska has a lot of rocky and rough coast. But beaches, true sandy beaches that you can spend the afternoon playing on are few and far between. Luckily, we have found a handful for you to explore on the Kenai peninsula. No matter where you live in Alaska, a Kenai Peninsula beach road trip is a great adventure to add to any summer plans in the area. Many of these Alaska beaches offer something for everyone: beautiful views, sandy beaches, world-class fishing opportunities, and some of the best sunset views in the state. Summer beach days are always worth the road trip, so head to the Kenai Peninsula to check out these lesser-known beaches. Gas up the car, grab the fishing pole and the bug spray and hit the road because today we are exploring some of the best beaches in Alaska. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

To access an interactive map of this road trip, click here.

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This road trip will take you about four hours to complete if you drive it straight through, but of course you're going to want to stop along the way to spend some time at each beach. We'd recommend making a long weekend out of it, stopping to stay in a nearby town along the way.
Google Maps
1. Lowell Point Beach, Seward
Justin Brown | Flickr
At the end of Lowell Point in Seward there is a stretch of black sand beach right on the shore of Resurrection Bay. Wildlife is plentiful in the water and you can watch for humpback whales, sea lions and birdlife or hike through the old growth forest.
2. Kalifornsky Beach, Kenai
Travis | Flickr
On the shore of Cook Inlet lies the best sandy beach in Alaska, off the Sterling Highway 10 miles south of Kenai. A traditional salmon fishing spot, this beautiful locale will be all you dreamed of with a gorgeous view of Mt. Dedoubt in the distance.
3. Ninilchik Beach, Ninilchik
Dan Callahan | Flickr
This beach is strategically located so that across the Cook Inlet you can see four active volcanoes including Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. The views on the small, black sand beach are great for a sunset.
4. Happy Valley Beach, Happy Valley
Maria Fletcher-Stark | Flickr
Happy Valley Beach has this awesome waterfall after heavy rains. This hidden spot is an excellent place to explore.
5. Anchor Point Beach, Anchor Point
Emma Forsberg | Flickr
This beach features dark black sand and staggering mountain views. Comb the beach to find beautiful rocks, driftwood, glass boys and tiny crabs. Also a hot spot for bald eagle viewing and salmon fishing.
6. Bishop's Beach, Homer
Chris Lott | Flickr
This place is perfect for families or friends to explore the tide pools together and find the treasures hidden below the water. Go at low tide and be careful not to go too far out as the tides come in quickly.

Do you know any other hidden beaches in Alaska? Let us know in the comments below.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Beaches in Alaska

July 28, 2019
Jackie Ann

What are the prettiest beaches in Alaska?

Although Alaska is not as well known for their beaches as the lower 48, Alaska still has some truly stunning beaches. Some of the prettiest Alaska beaches include Black Sand Beach, Yakuat Beach in Yakutat, The Homer Split, Kincaid Beach, Schooner beach, Happy Valley Beach in Happy Valley, Ninilchik Beach in Ninilchik, and Lowel Point Beach in Seward.

What are the best beach towns in Alaska?

If you are looking for some truly scenic beach towns in Alaska, consider heading to Kincaid Park. It’s just a short drive from Anchorage and will lead you to Kincaid Beach, Anchorage’s only big, sandy beach. Kenai Beach, located at the mouth of the Kenai River in Kenai is well-known for having both world-class salmon fishing and the most incredible sunsets you’ve ever seen in your life.

What beaches have the clearest water in Alaska?

With more than 5,580 miles of coastline, it’s not difficult to find some beautifully clear water in Alaska. Chiniak Beach in Kodiak and Kasilof Beach both offer clear water and incredible views, but Black Sand Beach in Glacier Bay National Park might take the cake when it comes to clear blue water and jaw-dropping mountain views. For surfers, you can’t go wrong with Yakutat Beach, which is known to be a bit of a surfer’s paradise.