Bishop's Beach

The feel

This is a sand-and-mud beach swept by Kachemak Bay's 25-foot tides, running from the end of a residential street in old Homer to the mouth of Beluga Slough. Bald eagles soar overhead and call from tall trees on the shore, and in early May the beach can be thick with migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.

As the tide drops, rocky outcrops trap tidepools full of blue mussels, barnacles, crabs and tiny shrimp-like amphipods, and burrowing anemones pucker the sand in places. Locals come for tide-pooling, dog walking and gathering coal. The beach is also the start of a coastal hiking route that continues 15 miles northwest to Anchor Point.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 2 miles, with about 10 ft of gain along a sand and mud beach with rocky outcrops.

Time

About 1 hour.

Crowds and best time

Popular with local residents. Best on a day when the tide drops to minus 1 foot or below.

Parking

The road to the park runs south on Main Street toward the bay, left on East Bunnell Avenue, then right on Beluga Avenue until it dead-ends at the park.

Fees and passes

Free, with no entrance or day-use parking fee.

Dogs

Allowed. Dog walking is a regular use of the beach.

Kids

Easy, and the tidepools suit kids.

Hazards

The returning tide may rise faster than you expect. Dress for wind.

Season and access

Shorebird and waterfowl migration peaks in early May. Free tours run when there is a good low tide.

Mingo says

Check a tide book first and plan around a low tide at minus 1 or lower. Start exploring at least a half hour before low tide. Walk west to the rocks by Coal Point for more extensive tidepools.

Before you go

• Wear rubber boots and dress for wind.
• Pick up a tide book, free at just about any local store.
• Ask about the free low-tide tours hosted by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
• Drive to the dead end of Beluga Avenue, where the park begins.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.