Orca Island Cabins offers Alaska visitors unique yurt accommodations on a private island, and nearby shoreline property in scenic Humpy Cove in Resurrection Bay, AK located 9 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska, just a short drive south of Anchorage.
Owned and operated by long-time Alaskans Dennis and Susan Swiderski, Orca Island Cabins invites you to enjoy comfortable and stylish overnight accommodations in yurt cabins with Alaska wildlife and marine life right outside your cabin door.Enjoy the best in Alaska whale watching, kayaking, fishing and hiking or just sit back, relax and observe scenic views and wildlife from your private deck - a very special Alaska experience.
Owned and operated by long-time Alaskans Dennis and Susan Swiderski, Orca Island Cabins invites you to enjoy comfortable and stylish overnight accommodations in yurt cabins with Alaska wildlife and marine life right outside your cabin door.Enjoy the best in Alaska whale watching, kayaking, fishing and hiking or just sit back, relax and observe scenic views and wildlife from your private deck - a very special Alaska experience.
Services
Our Alaska yurt cabins on Orca Island near Seward, Alaska offer you a wonderful way to experience Alaska's scenic beauty in a comfortable but natural and environmentally-sensitive manner. This is "glamping", glamorous camping at its best! Each yurt cabin sleeps 2 to 4 persons with a queen bed and a futon.
Rates include lodging, round-trip water taxi to Orca Island from Seward (9 mile cruise), use of kayaks, rowing skiffs and stand-up paddle boards, wet suits, fishing gear, binoculars and firewood for outdoor fire pits. Rates are subject to change without notice. Our daily rate of $395 per person is a great value considering the variety of activities available 24/7 to our guests, and the round-trip water taxi to the island.
Situated in a protected cove, Orca Island Cabins guests can enjoy Alaska whale watching, fishing, kayaking, birdwatching, tidepooling, exploring by paddle or foot, or just relax as Alaska wildlife surrounds you both by land and sea.
Watch mountain goats grazing on the mountainside, bald eagles overhead and Orcas (killer whales), humpback whales, Dall's porpoise, Harbor porpoise, Steller sea lions and sea otters as they feed and play in Humpy Cove and Resurrection Bay.
Watch mountain goats grazing on the mountainside, bald eagles overhead and Orcas (killer whales), humpback whales, Dall's porpoise, Harbor porpoise, Steller sea lions and sea otters as they feed and play in Humpy Cove and Resurrection Bay.
We transport you to Orca Island Cabins via our water-taxi from Seward, Alaska. Meet us at the top of J-Dock ramp in the Seward Boat Harbor then take a 1 hour wildlife cruise to our location in Humpy Cove in Resurrection Bay, AK. The charming Alaska town of Seward is located at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, 127 miles south of Anchorage and is easily accessible by automobile and rail.
Your hosts, Dennis and Susan Swiderski, are long-time Alaskans and have operated Orca Island Cabins since 2004. Susan, born in New Mexico, came to Alaska in 1969 when her father, a petroleum engineer, took a position with the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
Dennis, originally from Michigan, was practicing law in 1977 in Washington D.C. when he seized the opportunity to relocate in Alaska to practice law with a telecommunications company in Anchorage.After Dennis and Susan married in 1982 and while raising three boys, they operated an eight-bedroom Anchorage bed and breakfast for six years.
Dennis, originally from Michigan, was practicing law in 1977 in Washington D.C. when he seized the opportunity to relocate in Alaska to practice law with a telecommunications company in Anchorage.After Dennis and Susan married in 1982 and while raising three boys, they operated an eight-bedroom Anchorage bed and breakfast for six years.
Reviews (10)
Kayla Brady
Nov 12, 2021
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Orca island is magical and we feel lucky to have been able to experience it, we truly enjoyed our time there. We stayed 2 nights and were able to kayak and do the WWII bunker hike. We sat around the fire at night and watched the sunsets with fellow travelers. We mostly wore tennis shoes and hiking boots for the activities and lots of layers. It can be windy so it was nice to have a hat. We purchased a print from the artist studio which now sits in our kitchen. This family owned business was a breath of fresh air, they were most helpful and accommodating. I absolutely would recommend, it’s a true
Trish H.
Oct 12, 2021
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Margaret Copp
Jul 27, 2021
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Not sure where to begin,
But I will start with the warm welcoming. Simon, Dennis, and their crew are outstanding hosts. Their knowledge and the details presented for each expedition guided our amazing, thrilling adventure to new found experiences.
From fresh salmon sushi to wine by the forever charming light evening skies.
The friends we made here on orca island added to our fabulous memories of an experience more than any of us could have dreamed of.
Thank you for seeing the vision and sharing what would be a only pipe dream to most. Orca Island will always be remembered as our favorite lifetime
But I will start with the warm welcoming. Simon, Dennis, and their crew are outstanding hosts. Their knowledge and the details presented for each expedition guided our amazing, thrilling adventure to new found experiences.
From fresh salmon sushi to wine by the forever charming light evening skies.
The friends we made here on orca island added to our fabulous memories of an experience more than any of us could have dreamed of.
Thank you for seeing the vision and sharing what would be a only pipe dream to most. Orca Island will always be remembered as our favorite lifetime
Katarina Barrett
Jun 29, 2021
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Orca Island is absolutely phenomenal! This family owned business was the highlight of our trip. From the moment we arrived at the dock, we felt welcomed. They created an atmosphere amongst guests which felt inviting and light hearted. We ended up spending the evening around a fire on the rocks with all the guests visiting the island, laughing, meeting new individuals, and making an unforgettable memory. I highly recommend booking for two nights minimum. We went for one night and it was not long enough. We did the kayaking and the hike all in one evening. Do bring a pair of shoes you don’t mind
Ronna Martin
Jul 19, 2020
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Get off the grid and enjoy creation from a waterfront expedition at your fingertips via kayaking, paddle boarding, rowing, fishing, hiking, and we brought our own snorkel gear and did that too. Mountains, waterfalls, porpoises, seals and a humpback whale are just a glimpse of the beauty. Dennis & Susan the owners and their son, Simon and a reservation specialist Kat all went out of their way to make our 3 nights splendid!! Thanks, Blair & Ronna, Josiah & Ryan
Katrina Crawford
Jun 24, 2020
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No words can describe how beautiful this place holds! From the start the employees are so kind, friendly and accommodating. You can tell they LOVE their job. Once getting there everything is spotless clean in the yurts. The attention to detail through this place is admirable, from the grill outside to the porch to the fire pit and camping chairs. They offer so much to do as well! Kayaks, paddle boarding, hikes, row boats & a must see waterfall! If you’re here reading the reviews just decide YES! Orca island is a must!
Leila Cutshaw
Oct 11, 2019
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At just over $714 a night, I was both over and under whelmed. The weather was hot and clear which made our experience bright and beautiful. The yurts are well maintained and clean. We saw seals, puffins, harbor porpoises, jellyfish, etc which was wonderful. Sunset views were killer. But $714 doesn’t get you: refrigeration (you have to bring your own ice for a cooler), baggage transport to your room (we carried our own), a flushable toilet (seeing other people’s feces in your toilet is slightly sickening even if it doesn’t smell), or any service whatsoever (no one to make up your room or do
Sami Berman
Sep 18, 2019
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Orca Island Cabins provides the true definition of "glamping". Basic necessities like hot water for a steaming hot shower, a compost toilet (which doesn't stink!), a French press for morning coffee, electricity for charging phones/cameras, stovetop/oven, and a grill meets the outdoors so you can truly feel outdoorsy while enjoying the comforts of a "hotel". Orca Island is only an hour boat ride from Seward but felt totally secluded and private. I woke up every morning to spotting porpoise, sea lions, and seals right outside my window. My family took the kayak trip out to a nearby waterfall, which
Kerstin Green
Sep 06, 2017
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Very beautiful yurts! Great view and had everything you needed (hot running water, drinking water, heat, and non smelly compost toilet). Yurts sit in the rocks and trees right on the water so it's very beautiful and has a great view. Lots of kayaks for exploring. Went out twice on them and saw a bear, tons of salmon, river otters fishing, sea lion, eagles, and had porpoises swim around us. Plan ahead for transport to and from the island. The owners were very flexible and nice though. Also Susan is a wonderful painter and the paintings decorate the yurts. Overall great experience for all, from outdoorsy
Kelly Siplinger
Aug 14, 2016
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When I first arrived at Orca Island Cabins, my first thought was "have I died and gone to Heaven". This place was absolutely amazingly beautiful. It definitely helped that the weather was perfect. Even if it was rainy, one could still have a lot of fun with the kayaks, paddle boarding, row boats, or just chill in your yurt. Of course the nice weather made it a lot more enjoyable. Dennis and Susan couldn't have been better hosts. They go above and beyond to make sure everything is going great. The design of this place is breath taking with each yurt having its own unique view. I highly recommend
