Is Alaska’s Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise worth it?
At the end of the Seward Highway on the Kenai Peninsula is what I’d consider the best wildlife watching cruise in Alaska and the Americas. For hours and hours, you wind your way through glacier-carved fjords, seeing glaciers calving, humpback whales, orcas, sea stacks, rare birds, and so much more.
This is the pinnacle of tours. The Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise is incredibly worth it and provides the chance to see an ecosystem that is so amazing you’ll have your jaw agape for most of the ride. I hope this article helps convince you to take this cruise and spend the day immersed in all the beauty and serenity of the Kenai Fjords National Park.
Should you book the Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise?
This is one of my absolute favorite activities and excursions I’ve ever done. So, to answer plainly and simply, the Kenai Fords Wildlife Cruise is worth it. It’s a full-day adventure of seeing gorgeous landscapes, unbelievable wildlife encounters, and learning the history of the area.
It’s honestly one of the best bang-for-your-buck trips because you see so much. Outside of the Denali Flightseeing tour, this is one that is hands down worth it and a must-do.
I tell everyone who goes to Alaska to do this tour, and so far, no one has left unimpressed.
Top 5 reasons I love it
- Long cruise with so much to see
- Wildlife encounters at every turn
- See massive glaciers at a decent distance
- Learn about the history of the area
- Landscapes, mountains, and sea stacks had me blown away
Everything you need to know about the Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise
How much do these tours cost?
You can expect to pay between $225 and around $300, depending on what cruise you take. The longer ones will cost more, but the classic trip, which I did and so highly recommend, costs $225-$250 depending on the company and date.
While it’s not cheap, it’s something you cannot do at home (unless you happen to also live in a fjord), and I believe it’s immensely worth it to see these picturesque landscapes and wildlife.
Which Kenai Fjords boat tour should I pick?
My now fiancée and I went with the standard Kenai Fjord Wildlife Cruise, which was about 6.5 hours long and took us into a couple of fjords to see a glacier, and then did a big counterclockwise circle heading south before turning back towards Seward.
As I wrote above, it was fantastic and I’m so glad we did it. We did luck out with a mid-May date, with sunny skies and warmer weather. Lastly, I assume any of the Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruises will be worth it and give you the best experience ever.
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What wildlife did we see in the Kenai Fjords?
On our trip, we saw a pod of orcas, including a baby orca. We also saw a couple of humpback whales and a black bear on a snowfield. Continuing on, we saw a couple of bald eagles, seals, tons of rare birds that I can’t even begin to name, a puffin, and stellar sea lions, which are 2,000-pound ocean tanks.
The highlight was definitely the humpback and orcas, as I’d never seen either in person before. Whatever cloud is higher than Cloud Nine, I was on it. A few moments that will live with me forever.
What else did we see?
Good question!
Well, we got close (well as close as you can safely) to a massive glacier that had a few pieces calve off. We also saw the impressive sea stacks of the Kenai Fjords – though my photos didn’t do them justice.
Additionally, you have views of the towering peaks in the area. When snowcapped, they are stupid gorgeous. Lastly, we saw this unique illusion that looked like a huge wall of ice, way far out, but it’s just an optical illusion with snow, water, and light. The weird part is I have a photo/video of it, but it doesn’t actually exist.
How long was the tour?
This is one of the best parts of the tour and why the Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise is worth it. This is a 6-6.5 hour adventure and there are even options that go for eight hours or longer.
The tours online show this launches in the late morning (11-11:30 range) and will run into the early evening. The longer cruises, like this 7-hour one, begin at 9:30am.
What dates do tours run from?
Tours look to run from the beginning of May through the third week of September. After that, the weather starts to turn, the wildlife has moved south, and it’s a less predictable situation overall.
There are shorter tours in the springtime that will provide a version of this trip, but they are not as intimate. This is available from April 1 – May 11.
Will I get motion sick?
That’s a personal question, but if you do tend to get a little motion sick on boats, you can take antinausea meds, make sure you’re in the middle of the boat and close to the waterline (usually less bumpy), and focus your gaze on the horizon line. This helps level out your mind and decrease the feeling of motion.
Should I go if it’s raining?
Sometimes, you just can’t win with Mother Nature. My parents did this on a cloudy and rainy day, and while they didn’t have the experience we did, they still enjoyed it. If you can move your boat cruise, do it. But if not, it’s still incredibly valuable and worth it in my opinion.
Where does the Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise launch from?
You’ll need to get yourself to Seward, Alaska, and get yourself near the marina. There are two main companies, Major Marine Tours and Kenai Fjords Tours.
Depending on which company you choose, you’ll need to find their specific meeting point. The two offices are separated by two parking lots. My easiest recommendation is to aim for Ray’s Waterfront Restaurant, and you’ll be good from there.
What is the best time of the year to do the tour?
The best time to take the Kenai Fjords Boat Cruise is summer. This is when they offer the most tours, and you’ll have optimal weather. Furthermore, sea life will be the most abundant. Now, you can go on a spring trip, but I caution you that you may not have the best experience.
Overall, your trip might be cheaper, but you’ll risk having worse conditions throughout your Alaska vacation.
What should you wear for the cruise?
A couple of things to note: Regardless of how warm it is on land, it’ll be far chillier on the boat, especially as you move. Secondly, I suggest overpacking and being prepared vs being underprepared. That will make your experience far worse.
- Rain Jacket – (Men’s & Women’s)
- Down Jacket – (Men’s & Women’s)
- Fleece Jacket/Sweater – (Men’s & Women’s)
- Beanie – (Men’s & Women’s)
- Gloves
- Warm Socks – (Men’s & Women’s)
Places to stay near Seward
If you’re looking at lodging in the Seward area, key in on these options for a great time in the coastal city.
Budget Tier: Breeze Inn – Van Gilder Hotel –
Mid-Tier: Hotel Edgewater – Hotel Seward – Exit Glacier Lodge
Luxury: Seward Windsong Lodge
Luxury, located in Cooper Landing: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
What else to do in the Seward and Kenai Fjords area
This is one of the most popular areas of Alaska, outside of Denali National Park (and of course, Anchorage). And with that, there are so many things to do and see in the area. I cover 12 awesome activities, including the Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise, in my article.
Any of these would be a fantastic addition to your trip itinerary.
Final Thoughts on why Alaska’s Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise is worth it
As you begin to plan out your trip to Alaska, I hope I’ve convinced you that the Kenai Fjords boat tour is so worth it and will be one of your favorite parts of your trip to the Last Frontier. No matter if you do it alone or with all your friends or family, it’ll be something you remember forever and look back fondly on for years to come.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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