Tours & Activities
Find information about third-party tours and activities available during the festival on this page.
explore cordova
WATER-BASED TOURS & CHARTERS
Captain Mike Mahoney will guide your group from the Cordova Harbor along the shores of Orca Inlet, past Hartney Bay and to the Copper River Delta on his fishing vessel the Dorothy G. This beautiful 4-hour trip will give you access to a greater variety and number of birds than you can expect to see from land. Mike has called Cordova home since 1999 and has spent 25 years as a Commercial fisherman on the Copper River and Prince William Sound. As a former naturalist and environmental educator in the region, Mike loves to share the natural beauty of the Cordova area with others.
$200 per person, maximum of 6 people per trip. Visit www.explorecordovaak.com to learn more. To book, call 907-429-5713 or e-mail info@explorecordovaak.com
CALIDRIS CHARTERS
birds of the copper river flats
Join Captain Thea Thomas for a 3-4 hour trip on her bowpicker FV Myrmidon, on the incoming tide. You’ll cruise along the shoreline from Odiak Slough to Hartney Bay where you might observe Western and Least Sandpipers, Dunlins, Semipalmated Plovers, Caspian Terns and a variety of gulls. From there, head towards Big Point which often has Whimbrels, White-fronted Geese, and Marbled Godwits. Weather depending, we will check out Shag Rock for Black Oystercatchers and Surfbirds, then towards Little Egg Island to look for Red Knots, Dowitchers and Black-bellied Plovers.
$150 per person, maximum of 6 people per trip. Call 907-253-5266 or email thea.ctcak@gmail.com
ALASKA WILD WINGS
Special Guided Birding Tours
Alaska Wild Wings has been offering informal guiding for birders and photographers along the Copper River Highway and Orca Inlet since 1974. Dr. Pete Mickelson is a retired Associate Professor of Ornithology and Wildlife Biology at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. He lives on the border between the Copper River Delta and Orca Inlet in Prince William Sound and regularly contributes to eBird. Dr. Mickelson is the author of "Natural History of Alaska's Prince Willaim Sound," and "Country Self-Sufficiency."
To book, please call (907) 253-5111 or email alaskawildwings@msn.com.
G&G ALASKAN OUTFITTERS
LAND-BASED BIRD VIEWING
Join local guide Robert Masolini of G&G Alaskan Outfitters for a dynamic, land-based shorebird viewing experience along the Copper River Delta and Hartney Bay. Traveling by vehicle along the Copper River Highway, this flexible tour adapts to tides, weather, and bird activity to maximize viewing opportunities. Observe thousands of migratory shorebirds—including Western Sandpipers and Dunlins—gathering in one of the most important stopovers on the Pacific Flyway. Along the way, gain insight into the region’s unique ecology and wildlife. Ideal for birders, photographers, and curious visitors, this tour offers an authentic, ever-changing experience of Cordova’s spring migration.
Max 4 people. To book, call 206-237-7989 or email gandgakoutfitters@gmail.com
Bitterroot Charters
Water-Based Tours
Your captain, Milo Burcham, is a wildlife biologist and professional wildlife photographer with 25 years of boating experience in Prince William Sound waters, in addition to guiding in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Shorebirds tours out to the flats of the Copper River Delta are an excellent way to observe and photograph species not often seen from the road system. Price is $600 for up to 4 passengers. Longer trips also available. Sea Otters guaranteed!
Call/text 907-429-5878 or email milosphotos@yahoo.com
THE NET LOFT
CLASSES & workshopS
Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival Classes – The Net Loft
Get creative during the Shorebird Festival with hands-on classes at The Net Loft—a beloved local hub for art, craft, and community.
From watercolor bird studies and needle felting to nature-inspired projects, these workshops offer a chance to slow down, learn new skills, and connect with the incredible migration happening all around you. Many classes are beginner-friendly and include materials, so you can simply show up and start creating.
Whether you’re painting delicate feathers, crafting your own Arctic tern, or experimenting with new techniques, these classes are a meaningful way to experience the spirit of the Copper River Delta—where art and nature meet.
Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up early!
Looking for even more ways to experience Shorebird Festival weekend? The schedule is packed with third-party activities that bring the whole community into the celebration.
2026 Schedule — Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival
From lively social events like the Bird Calling Contest to dessert socials, runs, and hands on experiences around town, these independently hosted activities add even more ways to connect with Cordova’s culture, creativity, and love of birds. You might find yourself crafting, competing, learning something new, or just soaking up the fun with locals and fellow visitors.
Many of these events take place at beloved community spots and offer a more casual, spontaneous way to be part of the festival vibe. Whether you're looking to fill in the gaps between guided tours or just want to follow your curiosity, there’s something happening around every corner.
Take a peek at the full schedule and build your perfect Shorebird weekend—because the magic isn’t just in the birds, it’s in the community too.