Kenai Fjords cruise: Captain-led glacier and whale tour

The captain plots the route based on where the whales are that morning.

A seven-hour guided cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park departing from Seward, where your captain chooses the day's route based on current wildlife sightings, ice conditions and expert knowledge. The tour includes a wildlife guide, lunch and extended time on the water to maximize encounters with tidewater glaciers, whales, puffins, otters and sea lions. Dress in layers. Binoculars and a camera are worth bringing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Seward Cruise Ship Terminal7h
2. Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refugepassing by
3. Resurrection Baypassing by

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

• Board cruise at Seward Terminal
• Cruise around Cape Ailiak
• View Aialik Bay and glaciers
• Visit Aialik or Holgate Glacier
• Spot wildlife in Alaska Maritime Refuge
• Explore Resurrection Bay
• Watch for whales and seabirds

The experience

The boat leaves Seward Cruise Ship Terminal and heads into Resurrection Bay, where the captain reads the morning's wildlife reports and decides whether to chase reports of orcas and humpback whales or to head straight toward the tidewater glaciers. This flexibility is the whole point: more time on the water means more chances to see something rare, whether that's a breaching whale or a calving glacier face. The route typically takes you around Cape Ailiak and into Aialik Bay, where you'll see Harding Icefield's snow and ice fields rising from the water.

You'll visit one of two tidewater glaciers (Aialik or Holgate) depending on conditions and what the captain has learned that morning. Both are surrounded by steep cliffs, dense forests and towering peaks. Calving events happen unpredictably, and when they do, chunks of ice break and crash into the ocean. Harbor seals haul out on the ice, and black bears have been spotted on the beaches in Holgate Arm, though rarely. The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, made up of 2,400 islands and rocks, is known for its seabirds: kittiwakes, puffins and murres fill the skies.

A wildlife guide travels with you and provides interpretation throughout the cruise. Lunch is included, with a vegetarian option available if you request it at booking. The tour runs seven hours and operates in all weather, so layers, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential. Binoculars and a camera will help you capture what you see, though the guide's knowledge of where to look is often more valuable than the gear.

What’s included

• Seven-hour guided cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park.
• on-board wildlife guide providing interpretation.
• lunch with vegetarian option available.
• all fees and taxes.
• visits to tidewater glaciers and Resurrection Bay.
• access to Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 5 Jun 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 130

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Alaska Collection

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want the captain's expertise to drive where you go. The flexible routing means you chase the morning's best wildlife reports instead of following a fixed itinerary, which is what turns a seven-hour boat ride into a hunt for breaching whales and calving glaciers.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What glaciers will I see on the Kenai Fjords cruise from Seward?

You'll visit either Aialik or Holgate Glacier, both tidewater glaciers surrounded by steep cliffs and dense forests. The captain decides which one based on ice conditions and wildlife activity that day. Both offer chances to see calving events as ice chunks break into the ocean.

What wildlife can I expect to see on this cruise?

The cruise targets whales (orcas and humpback whales are common in Resurrection Bay) along with puffins, otters, sea lions, kittiwakes and murres. Harbor seals rest on glacial ice, and black bears have been spotted on beaches in Holgate Arm, though sightings are rare.

How does the captain decide which route to take?

The captain reviews wildlife reports, ice conditions and expert insights before departure and adjusts the route accordingly. This means if whales are active in one area or ice conditions favor one glacier over another, the day's itinerary shifts to maximize your chances of seeing the best sights.

Is lunch included, and are there dietary options?

Lunch is included with the cruise. A vegetarian option is available. Let the operator know at the time of booking if you need it.

How long is the cruise and what should I bring?

The cruise runs seven hours. Dress in layers since weather can change on the water, and bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars and a camera. The tour operates in all weather conditions.

Does the tour depart from downtown Seward or the cruise ship terminal?

The tour departs from Seward Cruise Ship Terminal. Public transportation options are available nearby, and transportation to the terminal is wheelchair accessible.