Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website

Alaska's mammoth mountains and striking wildlife are two of the many reasons people have come to appreciate the state's natural beauty. After all, there is nothing more breathtaking than standing at a roadside pull-off along the Parks Highway to gaze out at North America's tallest mountain on a crystal-clear summer day.

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Paddle rafters splash through a big wave on Six Mile Creek on the Kenai Peninsula. The creek has some of Alaska's biggest and best white water.

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And if you're riding in a Denali National Park shuttle bus and are lucky enough to glimpse a giant grizzly bear ambling across an open tundra mountainside, well, that's a pretty memorable moment too.

But here is another perspective: Paddle a sea kayak to within earshot of a sea lion rookery (don't get too close!); raft down a white-water river while gazing at mountains looming right there in front of you; drift on still water, and scan the shoreline for browsing moose or curious bears.

It's easy to experience Alaska from the cockpit of a kayak or raft. After all, there are more rivers, streams, coastline and lakes here than any other state in the country. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are more than 3,000 rivers (among them the massive Yukon, 1,400 miles of which span the state; the 555-mile Porcupine and the 540-mile Kuskokwim); a whopping 3 million lakes; and 6,640 miles of coastline, if measured from point to point -- and lots more if you actually measure each twist and turn of the coast.

That's a lot of opportunity for fun.

For those who want to sample sea kayaking or rafting in Southcentral, there are plenty of options. Take your pick of boating in the diverse Kenai Peninsula area, or focus on serene and scenic sea kayaking in Prince William Sound. Drive inland, north of Anchorage and toward Denali National Park, for some of the best river rafting in the state.

Here are some suggestions for some of the region's best sea kayaking and rafting options in the state. These are just a few of the many, many ways in which exploring Alaska by water can create indelible memories for years to come.

KENAI PENINSULA

River floats and rafting are plentiful on the Kenai, with the best rafting located close to Cooper Landing and Hope, on the Peninsula's northern end.

Nova River Runners offers trips on Six Mile Creek, with Class III to V rapids, for $95-$139. novalaska.com, 1-800-746-5753.

Chugach Outdoor Center offers a Turnagain Arm Float of Six Mile Creek, $80 per person. The completely flat-water float on the lower Resurrection River, near Exit Glacier, is $80 per adult. Popular Class IV and V canyon runs of Six Mile are $99 to $149. chugachoutdoorcenter.com, 277-RAFT, 1-866-277-RAFT

Alaska Wildland Adventures, based in Girdwood, offers a two-hour or full-day float of the Kenai River, with a natural history presentation included. The full-day trip, with some Class III rapids, is $140 for adults. The shorter trip is $54. alaskawildland.com, 1-800-334-8730, 783-2928.

Alaska Rivers Co., based in Cooper Landing, features scenic floating on the Kenai River. The mellow trip starts at $49 for adults. The Canyon day trip is $142. Trips range from three to seven hours and include a guide, gourmet lunch and gear. alaskariverscompany.com, 1-888-595-1226.

The best sea kayaking can be had out of Kachemak Bay in Homer and Resurrection Bay in Seward, two seaside communities with plenty of outfitters available for kayak rentals and guided outings.

Homer Ocean Charters can get you and your kayak safely across Kachemak Bay to explore the hidden coves and bays of the area. Round-trip is $60-$75, with discounts for larger groups and children. homerocean.com; 1-800-426-6212; 235-6212

Alaska Kayak School serves as an educational center and offers adventures to locals and visitors alike in Homer. Prices vary on trip length and difficulty. 235-2090; alaskakayakschool.com.

True North Adventures offers Homer day trips ranging from $105 to $190, depending upon the destination. Kayak rentals also are available, $45 to $65 per day. 235-0708; truenorthkayak.com.

Liquid Adventures, based in Seward, offers a unique fishing-from-kayaks experience and is sure to please. Prices range from $69 to $399 for day trips and $135 to $225 for kayak fishing. liquid-adventures.com, 1-888-325-2925.

Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking Co. offers day trips from Seward's Lowell Point, starting at $60. sunnycove.com, 224-8810.

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

From Valdez to Cordova to Whittier, Prince William Sound, at the northern tip of the Gulf of Alaska, offers some of the most protected waterways in Southcentral coastal Alaska.

The best places from which to launch a Prince William Sound kayak trip are Whittier and Valdez because the easy road access eliminates part of the expense. However, don't overlook trips that leave from Cordova, the other primary Prince William Sound community, accessible only via ferry or airplane.

WHITTIER: Alaska Sea Kayakers offers day trips and multiday trips in addition to mother ship kayaking, rentals and kayaking classes. Rates start at $79 for day trips and climb to $2,480 for expeditions. Rentals start at $80 for two days, for singles. alaskaseakayakers.com, 1-877-472-2534; 472-2534.

Prince William Sound Kayak Center is a longtime outfit that teaches classes, rents kayaks and helps get you started. Rentals start at $80 per day for doubles and $50 for singles, but the price goes down for added days. pwskayakcenter.com; 276-7235, 472-2452, 1-877-472-2452.

Exposure Alaska offers three-day kayak adventures in Prince William Sound for $1,150 per person (discounts for two or three or more per group). exposurealaska.com, 1-800-956-6422.

VALDEZ: Anadyr Adventures offers mother ship adventures, lodge-based trips, multiday paddles and day trips. Tours are from three hours to seven days. Day trips range from a three-hour paddle for $75 to an all-day adventure with sea lions and whales for $239. anadyradventures.com, 1-800-TO-KAYAK; 835-2814.

Pangaea Adventures takes paddlers on day trips and on kayaking and camping trips ranging from a three-hour tour for $59 to a major expedition for $1,995. Rentals are $65 daily for a double. pangaeaadventures.com or alaskasummer.com, 835-8442 or 1-800-660-9637.

NORTH OF ANCHORAGE TO DENALI NATIONAL PARK

River rafting and kayaking is the water sport of choice north of Anchorage. The wild rivers of the inland area offer some tame and out-of-control rafting and kayaking.

Nova River Runners offers Matanuska River day trips from near the Matanuska Glacier. $75 for adults. Also on Matanuska River is a float past Lions Head, for $85 to $90. novalaska.com, 1-800-746-5753

Lifetime Adventures offers combined paddling and biking trips on Eklutna Lake, north of Anchorage, for $75 per person. 1-800-952-8624, lifetimeadventures.net.

Chugach Outdoor Center offers multiday trips on the Talkeetna and Tana rivers for $1,450 to $2,400. Denali National Park day trips on the Nenana River start at $70. chugachoutdoorcenter. com, 277-RAFT, 1-866-277-RAFT

Denali Outdoor Center offers rafting trips on the Nenana River that range from mild to wild. Prices start at $76. 683-1925; 1-888-303-1925; denalioutdoorcenter.com.

Nenana Raft Adventures offers rafting trips on the Nenana River that are excellent for young or old. Nenana also offers overnight trips and trips on Six Mile Creek and the Talkeetna River. Prices start at $70. 683-RAFT; 1-800-789-RAFT; alaskaraft.com.

Outdoor and adventure travel writer Melissa DeVaughn can be reached at www.melissadevaughn.com.

What locals say "It's the perfect thing to do on a rainy day because you're going to get wet anyway. At least (people) can enjoy it." -- Erin Kenney of Nova River Runners in Chickaloon