Our beach halibut trips are a guided 5-hour day of surf fishing for halibut from a Cook Inlet beach, with no boat and no seasickness. We fish the beaches between Anchor Point and Clam Gulch, with most trips starting from Whiskey Gulch. Your guide sets up the surf rods, bait and rod holders, and shows you how to cast past the waves and wait for the bite. A trip is $250 per person, the same at every age, for up to 6 guests, and children 5 and under come free with a paying adult. Add a guided ATV ride along the beach for $400 per person. We fish about May 15 to August 31.
- $250per person, all gear and bait
- 5 hoursstart time set by the tide
- Up to 6 guestskids 5 and under free
- ATV ride +$400per person
Halibut from the beach, no boat needed
Halibut move in close to the Cook Inlet beaches in early summer to feed, and you can catch them from shore. We cast long surf rods past the breakers with a heavy sinker and a baited circle hook, set the rods in holders, and watch the rod tips. When one bends over, you reel it in.
It’s a relaxed day on the beach with views across Cook Inlet to the volcanoes. There’s no boat ride and no seasickness, and you can sit in a chair between bites. It’s a good halibut day for families with kids, and for anyone who’d rather not spend a day on the water. No experience is needed.
Ways to book
Beach halibut, 5 hours
$250 per person, any age- Length: 5 hours
- Group: up to 6 guests
- Kids: 5 and under free with a paying adult
- Season: about May 15 to August 31
- Fishing + ATV
Beach halibut with an ATV ride
$650 per person- Includes: the 5-hour beach halibut trip and a guided ATV ride along the beach
- Add-on price: $400 per person on top of the fishing trip
- Drivers: 16 and up with a valid driver's license
- Gear: helmet and all safety gear provided
Private beach trip
$1,500 all 6 spots- Length: 5 hours
- Group: book all 6 spots, and the trip is just your family or friends
- To add the ATV ride to a private trip, call us at (907) 268-2925.
Pick a date: $250 per person · $650 with the ATV ride · private trip $1,500
Book two or more of our trips and you get 5% off all of them. Prices don't include sales tax.
What’s included and what’s not
Included: your guide; surf rods and reels; rod holders and sand spikes; tackle; bait (herring and squid); beach chairs and a windbreak; a hot drink; and cleaning the fish you keep.
Not included: your Alaska sport fishing license. Alaska residents 18 and older and nonresidents 16 and older need one, and you can buy it online from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and show it on your phone. Children under 16 don’t need a license.
Your day, step by step
- When you bookStart times are set by the tide; we confirm yours when you book. The day before, we text you where to meet, where to park and a map pin.
- Meet at the beachMost trips start from Whiskey Gulch. Arrive 10 minutes early, dressed for wind and rain. Your guide has the rods rigged and the holders set.
- Fish the tideThe best fishing is usually from about two hours before slack tide to two hours after, when the current eases and the bait holds bottom. Your guide shows everyone how to cast and keeps the bait fresh.
- Ride the beach (if you booked it)A guided ATV ride along the beach, with a helmet and all safety gear provided.
- Fish cleaned, then homeWe clean the fish you keep, within the limits, and you head back to Homer, Soldotna or Kenai.
What you can catch
Most halibut caught from the beach are smaller fish, often around 20 pounds, with the odd bigger one. Halibut aren’t the only bite: the same rigs catch Pacific cod, flounder and sole, skates, spiny dogfish and sculpins, and now and then a salmon. Fishing is fishing, and we can’t promise a halibut, but a falling or rising tide on a good beach gives you a fair chance.
Halibut limits. Halibut limits are set each year by federal rules; we’ll go over the current limits on your trip, and you can check NOAA Fisheries before you go.
The ATV ride
Add a guided ATV ride along the beach for $400 per person. It runs on beaches where vehicles are allowed, at an easy pace, with your guide leading.
- Drivers are 16 or older with a valid driver’s license.
- You don’t need to have ridden an ATV before; you should be comfortable holding on over bumpy ground.
- We provide the helmet and all safety and ATV gear.
- Wear warm layers you don’t mind getting muddy, and sturdy shoes or boots, and bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
- We stay off dunes and vegetation, keep above the incoming tide, and never drive through stream mouths.
Beach or boat?
| Beach halibut | Homer halibut charter | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 per person | $350 to $400 per angler |
| Length | 5 hours | 3/4 or full day |
| Seasickness | None: you're on the beach | Possible on a rough day |
| Halibut size | Mostly smaller fish | Bigger fish offshore |
| Best for | Families, kids, a relaxed day | Anglers after a big halibut |
If you’re after a big halibut, our Homer halibut charters are the better choice. Plenty of people do both. For more about the beaches, tides and rules, see our Cook Inlet beach halibut fishing guide.
When to go
We fish about May 15 to August 31. Halibut move inshore in May, and the best beach fishing is usually June to mid-July, when they’re feeding close to shore. Start times are set by the tide; we confirm yours when you book.
How we keep it safe
- We plan around the tide. Cook Inlet has some of the biggest tides in the world, and the water comes in fast on the flat beaches. We park and set up above the high-tide line and move up the beach as the water rises.
- Nobody wades out to cast. The water is cold and the current is strong.
- We keep clear of the bluffs, which erode and drop rocks and mud.
- If the surf, wind or weather isn’t safe, we don’t go. We’ll call you to move your trip or refund you in full.
What to wear and bring
- Warm layers and a waterproof jacket: the beach is often windy and cool, even in July
- Rubber boots or waterproof shoes
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Snacks and water
- A cooler or bag for your fish
- Your fishing license
Questions about our beach halibut trips
Can you really catch halibut from the beach in Alaska?
Yes. Halibut come in close to the Cook Inlet beaches in early summer to feed, and anglers catch them every year by casting surf rods past the breakers. Most are smaller fish, often around 20 pounds, with the odd bigger one.
How much is a guided beach halibut trip?
$250 per person for a 5-hour trip with all gear and bait, the same price at every age. Children 5 and under come free with a paying adult. A guided ATV ride adds $400 per person. A group can book all 6 spots for a private trip for $1,500. Prices don't include sales tax, and you get 5% off when you book two or more of our trips.
When is the best time to fish for halibut from the beach?
We fish about May 15 to August 31, and the best months are usually June to mid-July. Within the day, the best fishing is usually around slack tide, from about two hours before to two hours after. Start times are set by the tide; we confirm yours when you book.
Which beach do we fish?
We fish the Cook Inlet beaches between Anchor Point and Clam Gulch, with most trips starting from Whiskey Gulch. We pick the beach by the tide and the bite, and text you where to meet with a map pin the day before.
How many people can come on a trip?
Up to 6 guests per trip. Children 5 and under come free with a paying adult and count toward the 6.
Do I need a fishing license?
Alaska residents 18 and older and nonresidents 16 and older need an Alaska sport fishing license. Children under 16 don't. You can buy one online from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. There's no boat and no seasickness, and kids can play on the beach between bites. Children 5 and under come free with a paying adult, and children under 16 don't need a fishing license.
Who can drive the ATVs?
Drivers must be 16 or older with a valid driver's license. You don't need to have ridden an ATV before; you should be comfortable holding on over bumpy ground. We provide the helmet and all safety gear, and your guide leads the ride.
Do you clean the fish?
Yes. We clean the fish you keep, within the limits, at the end of the trip. Bring a cooler or a bag to take them home.
What if we don't catch a halibut?
We can't promise one: it's fishing. Most trips catch something, whether halibut, cod, flounder or skates, and your guide moves with the tide and the bite to give you the best chance.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We fish in light rain, but if the surf, wind or weather isn't safe, we'll call you to move your trip to another date or refund you in full.
Is razor clamming open on these beaches?
No. Razor clamming on the east side of Cook Inlet, including Clam Gulch and Ninilchik, has been closed because of very low clam numbers. Check the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for any change.