Sustainability Spotlight: Orca Island Cabins

Orca Island Cabins is located in Humpy Cove, nine miles south of Seward, Alaska. Guests take a private one-hour cruise to Oca Island Cabins and catch amazing view of the area and abundant wild and marine life on the way. Orca Island Cabins has a long history in Southcentral Alaska. The business was founded by Susan and Dennis Swiderski over 25 years ago, who were pioneers of the glamping movement before it caught mainstream traction. They found a way to bring adventure and comfort not to mention making the remote wilderness accessible for the everyday traveler. In 2023, ownership was transferred to their son, Jonah, and his wife Yen who are continuing to respectfully steward the land that Orca Island Cabins rests on.

They offer nightly rentals in a remote setting surrounded by nature and wildlife.  Staff remain minimally impactful on the surroundings, priding themselves in being aware and observant of any footprint they leave on the local environment. Orca Island Cabins also aims to educate guests on the natural landscape through recreational activities such as kayaking, hiking, beachcombing, and tide-pool exploring. They also offer a wealth of knowledge of the unique and diverse history of Seward, Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Fjords National Park, the Alaska Native history of the area including that of the Alutiiq or southern coastal people of Alaska, the role of Seward and Resurrection Bay in World War II, the great earthquake of 1964, and much more.

The eco-friendly yurt cabins offer guests a wonderful way to experience Alaska’s scenic beauty in total comfort. They rely mostly on solar power and each features a private bathroom with a modern compost toilet, plus running water and a fully-functional kitchen. The yurts were designed for privacy and relaxation and provide everything guests need for a memorable, stress-free experience. It is glamping (glamorous camping) at its finest!

To businesses who are contemplating sustainable practices, Yen recommends to never stop trying to think of ways to improve and to continually educate yourself. She points out a unique struggle of sustainable businesses in Alaska. The infrastructure surrounding recycling is not as developed as in the Lower 48, which requires businesses to put additional resources and effort into staying green. The unique reality of operating a sustainable tourism business in Alaska, especially in a remote location, shows the grit that the owners have in working to be the best stewards of the land by continually pushing to make improvements to their property and to their community as well.

Protecting the environment is the pillar of the Adventure Green Program that Orca Island Cabins emulates the most. They are currently working with the Department of Environmental Conservation to engineer a water treatment facility on their property that is fully off the grid and powered by solar energy. The project itself will cost the owners over $150,000, but they are committed to in order to improve and continue to reduce impacts on their surroundings.

Orca Island Cabins is a powerful example of responsible tourism that benefits the natural environment and local community while elevating the guest experience.

To learn more about Orca Island Cabins, visit their Green Business profile and their website.