MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Well, I'm probably getting my wish to go back to Alaska. This time it is mainly to see/photograph puffins. (Of course, I would not turn my nose up at any other wildlife photo ops that present themselves!) The plan is to go back this spring (2016). We need help and advice from anyone here on the Hog who has been there, done that.

We are considering going sometime in May or June and have not yet determined the duration of this adventure. We have to be back home by June 22 for a wedding and then we head out for a trip overseas in mid-August and return at the end of September. The plan is to fly into Anchorage. We are thinking along the lines of the Kenai Penninsula, but do not want to limit ourselves. Recommendations are needed on locations, any specific tour recommendations, best time to go. Please feel free to educate me on anything I may have forgotten to ask.

Oh - we were in Alaska in 2012 and were mainly in the wilderness. Lack of running water, toilets that do not flush and no electricity are not deal breakers this time, either. PUFFINS are a requirement.

Many thanks!

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Two places to possibly see puffins are on the boat tours out of Seward. One stays in Resurrection Bay to the outer entrance and the other goes over to the Kenai Fjords. There may be opportunities in the Homer/Seldovia area.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

We saw puffins on a boat trip out of Seward. If you do not see enough puffins and see them close enough, you can always go out of Cutler, Maine! If the weather is good enough to land the dingy on Machias Seal Island you can spend hours in the blinds just inches (literally, at times) from lots of puffins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVs0lDwVjNU

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I have only seen them in Maine, but be prepared to use a high shutter speed. When flying they are surprisingly fast and their wings move rather quickly.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Ditto! The Kenai Fjords tour boats don't get you as close to the birds and they never stop moving which makes telephoto use challenging. Maine is a much better bet if puffins are the main reason for you to travel.
If you decide to travel to Alaska I would go in June as the weather can be iffy in May and sometimes into June.

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

I got some excellent Puffin shots off shore from Afognak island. This is an expensive trip. Fly commercial to Kodiak island then float plane to lodge on Afognak. There the lodge will give you a guide and your own boat. so you go do what you want. It is a small family lodge and it is great, but not cheap.
I don't think you can count on good shots on the tourist boat trips.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Check Silver Salmon Creek Lodge in Lark Clark NP they have boat trip to a Puffin Island and you get close

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks to those who have replied so far. You have given us some things to think about, consider, and research further.

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

With a daughter in Anchorage, we have been to Alaska a number of times and to several wilderness lodges. The recommendation for the Silver Salmon Creek lodge looks like a good one and I will check on it further. Like all the others that are in a pristine locations, expensive.
Thanks for the recommendation

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Was there in August, 2015. Puffin Island is a great place to find the horned puffin. You may see the horned puffin and the tufted puffin if you take a boat trip out of Seward.

Tufted Puffin


Horned Puffin

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

June generally has the best weather up here, but for Seward, you need to make daily weather checks, as even on a completely clear day in Anchorage, the weather can be totally crappy in Seward.

That said, there are two major tour outfits in Seward, Kenai Fjord Tours and Major Marine Tours. We went with Major Marine last year and were very pleased. They tend to stop, or nearly stop at very interesting places, for viewing and photographing the birds, whales, or other marine wildlife. I am not familiar with either of the other two mentioned, the lodge on Lake Clark or the Afognak Island resort.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

June generally has the best weather up here, but for Seward, you need to make daily weather checks, as even on a completely clear day in Anchorage, the weather can be totally crappy in Seward.

That said, there are two major tour outfits in Seward, Kenai Fjord Tours and Major Marine Tours. We went with Major Marine last year and were very pleased. They tend to stop, or nearly stop at very interesting places, for viewing and photographing the birds, whales, or other marine wildlife. I am not familiar with either of the other two mentioned, the lodge on Lake Clark or the Afognak Island resort.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

April through June are the best months, more rain in late summer and into fall.

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/kenai/alaska/united-states/usak0124

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

oops, duplicate post.

SonoraDick Loc: Tucson

We were in Homer around June 1, 2015. Weather was terrific during our brief, two-night visit, but that of course can change from year-to-year, and hour-to-hour; we were lucky. Didn't do it this trip, but I have taken a smaller-boat tour from Homer's harbor which took us really close to a bird colony that included many puffins. It has been many years since I've been to Seward (would definitely return given the opportunity, if only to visit the national park) but I can say that Homer is delightful. You could, of course, easily stay in both if you have enough days in your visit; don't believe they are any more than three hours apart.