Seward: Resurrection Bay Kayak to Tonsina Point

Three hours paddling Resurrection Bay, from beach to glacier views

You paddle 1.5 miles across Resurrection Bay to Tonsina Point with a professional guide, explore the point and its wildlife, then paddle back: all in one morning. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with snacks and hot drinks. No kayaking experience is required, and the small-group format means the guide can adjust the pace and share details about the bay's geology, glaciers, and animals as you go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak to Tonsina Point and return

• Depart from Lowell Point Beach
• Kayak 1.5 miles to Tonsina Point
• Explore Tonsina Point and have snacks
• Paddle back to Lowell Point Beach

The experience

You meet your guide at Lowell Point Beach in Seward, and within minutes you're loading into a sea kayak: no experience needed, they say, and they mean it. The guide checks your fit in the boat, shows you the paddle stroke once, and then you're pushing off into Resurrection Bay. The water is calm most mornings, and the coastline rises up fast: dark rock, evergreen, and the kind of quiet that makes you realize how much noise you carry around. About 1.5 miles out, Tonsina Point appears: a rocky outcrop where the guide pulls the group ashore, passes around snacks, and points out the geology of the bay, the way the glaciers carved it, what lives in the water and what hunts from above.

The wildlife is real but not guaranteed. You might see sea otters, harbor seals, or bald eagles, or you might see none of them, and the guide doesn't pretend otherwise. What you will see is the scale of the place: the bay opens up, the mountains close in, and you're small in it in a way that feels good. The paddle back is easier because you know the rhythm now, and the guide talks less, lets you just move. Hot tea, cocoa or cider waits in a thermos when you beach the kayak again, and then it's back to your hotel. The whole thing takes about three hours from start to finish.

This kayak tour in Resurrection Bay works because it doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. It's not a wilderness expedition, it's not a fitness test, it's a morning on the water with someone who knows the bay and can tell you what you're looking at. The guide carries the knowledge. You carry the paddle. Kids as young as eight come, solo travelers come, people who've never been in a kayak come, and it works because the distance is short and the pace is set by the group, not by ambition.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Seward, a professional guide for the entire paddle, park fees, snacks eaten at Tonsina Point, and hot tea, cocoa or cider served when you return to the beach.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 4 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventure Sixty North

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to try sea kayaking without committing to a full day or a remote wilderness trip: the short distance and guided pace mean you get the experience of paddling Resurrection Bay and spotting wildlife without the logistics of arranging your own transport or timing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Do I need kayaking experience?

No. The guide teaches the basic paddle stroke before you leave the beach and adjusts the pace for the group. The 1.5-mile distance to Tonsina Point is designed as an introduction to sea kayaking.

What wildlife might I see?

Sea otters, harbor seals, and bald eagles are common in Resurrection Bay, but sightings are not guaranteed. The guide will point out what lives in the area and explain the ecosystem as you paddle.

How long is the whole tour?

About three hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the paddle out, time at Tonsina Point, and the paddle back.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide, park fees, snacks, and hot tea, cocoa or cider.

What should I wear?

Dress for Alaska weather: layers, a waterproof jacket, and water shoes or boots. The guide will fit you with a boot size at booking if needed.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for rain, wind, or cold.

Is there a fitness requirement?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. However, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.