Kenai Fjords from Seward: The 15 Best Cruises

1.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,756 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $265Our pick

Spend about six hours sailing 100 miles from Seward through Resurrection Bay to Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll approach Holgate or Aialik Glacier, watch for calving ice, and search for whales, puffins, otters, seals, and mountain goats. Captain Lara and the naturalist team provide ongoing commentary, with reserved seating, binoculars, drinks, and lunch included.

“We got to see lots of wildlife! More than 20 Orcas, we saw a Fin Whale, sea otters, seals, eagles, and Puffins. Great uncloudy view of a tidewater glacier up close. Very comfortable boat with a super crew.”

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2.Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,156 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165Best value

Cruise 55 miles from Seward through Resurrection Bay toward Bear Glacier and Cape Resurrection. You’ll watch for orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, puffins, eagles, and mountain goats while the captain narrates the trip. Captain Laura has led some sailings, and the crew provides binoculars, hot drinks, and help with seasickness.

“The captain and crew were excellent, very professional, yet courteous at the same time. There are skill level and experience level was exceptional. They made the entire trip delightful. In spite of taking Dramamine and I did get motion sick and one of the crew members I think her name was Melissa was very helpful, walked me down to the stern of the ship, stayed with me until I felt better, got me some ginger, candy, and ginger ale to settle my stomach. Overall, everyone was very thoughtful and kind. The whole experience was delightful. Also, the sun came out for the whole afternoon, so the colors and the water…”

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3.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Tour from Seward

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,036 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $223

Spend about six hours cruising from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park aboard a 95-foot vessel with large windows, heated seating, and open decks. Your captain and onboard wildlife guide point out glaciers, seabird rookeries, whales, sea otters, and seals. Lunch is included, and vegetarian meals are available by request.

“The boat ride was great. The all female crew did a very good job awnsering question and being informative of what was the boat was doing at all times. Just a little caution you will have alot of motion with the boat on part of the tour. Great Job!”

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4.Kenai Fjords National Park Catamaran Cruise w/Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 736 reviews · from $265

Join Major Marine Tours for a six-hour cruise from Seward through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Your captain, often including Laura, Nicole, or Chris, searches for whales, sea otters, puffins, sea lions, and seals before bringing you near a tidewater glacier. Lunch, hot drinks, binoculars, and an onboard bar are included.

“It was fantastic! Captain Laura did everything she could to put marine life in front of us! We followed the activity of a humpback whale for 30 minutes and she often stopped to view wildlife we found along the shoreline! It was a great experience and our party of 8 was extremely happy with the entire experience! The crew was most helpful and very engaged with the passengers!”

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5.Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 638 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $297

Spend 7.5 hours aboard a heated catamaran from Seward, cruising 130 miles through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. You will visit Aialik and Holgate glaciers, watch for calving ice, and search for whales, puffins, sea otters, sea lions, and orcas. A naturalist narrates the trip, with reserved seating, binoculars, drinks, and lunch included.

“All in all the tour was good except on the second deck where we were the windows were fogged so visibility was poor.”

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6.Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Northwestern Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $340

From Seward, Captain John, Captain Justin, and their crew take you by small vessel through Resurrection Bay, Harris Bay, and remote Northwestern Fjord. Expect three tidewater glaciers, seabirds, sea lions, otters, whales, onboard binoculars, sandwiches, and a maximum of 60 people. The route changes with weather and wildlife.

“Well worth it!! Better than the helicopter tours. Excellent. Capt. Justin and first mate Rowen, Excellent knowledge of the area,, and both a gold mine of information.”

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7.Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

Join Major Marine Tours at 12:30 p.m. for a four-hour cruise from Seward into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Your captain follows recent orca sightings rather than a fixed route. Expect wildlife narration, onboard binoculars, coffee and tea, and a hydrophone that lets you hear orca calls underwater.

“This was amazing and we got to see 2 pods of Orcas with their babies, seals, Otters, Bald Eagles it was really amazing but bring a coat.”

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8.Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park Guided Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $223

Spend six hours around Seward with an Alaskan guide such as Daryl or Ken. Ride behind Seavey Iditarod sled dogs, cuddle puppies, watch salmon at Bear Creek, walk toward Exit Glacier, and eat from a 13-item lunch menu. Pickup meets the Alaska Railroad, with return timed for the 6 pm train or cruise departure.

“GREAT day! Learning about the Iditarod dogs and being able to be pulled by them was awesome and then the Exit glacier trail was breathtaking. Did not dissapoint”

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9.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 76 reviews · 6 hours · from $223

From Seward, spend six hours aboard a heated, wheelchair-accessible vessel in Kenai Fjords National Park. Watch for humpback and fin whales, orcas, puffins, sea lions, otters, and seabirds near the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. A hot Southwest chicken burrito lunch, onboard wildlife commentary, and views of the Harding Icefield are included.

“Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We saw tail whales, dalls porpoises, steller sea lions, seals, otters. Best chocolate chip cookies to end the cruise. Would do again!”

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10.Captain’s Choice Kenai Fjords National Park Tour from Seward

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $245

From Seward, you’ll spend about seven hours cruising Kenai Fjords National Park with a wildlife guide, visiting Aialik or Holgate Glacier and watching for humpback whales, orcas, puffins, sea otters, seals, and sea lions. Captain Emma and Captain Mike have both led sailings, with narration, lunch, and fresh cookies included.

“We were aboard the Orca Voyager with Captain Mike and his crew on a 6 hour tour. Our party included myself, my husband and our two college aged sons. We had a wonderful day. We had to reschedule for a later tour and everyone was very helpful and kind. The tour was better than we expected. We saw humpback whales bubble feeding as well as fin whales. The birds, otters, sea lions and seals put on quite a show for us and we had great views from the boat. The Holgate Glacier was beautiful. The crew was kind in taking pictures for us. Captain Mike did a great job narrating…”

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11.Seward Shore Excursion: Pre- or Post-Cruise Kenai Fjords National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $223

From Seward, you’ll cruise Resurrection Bay into Kenai Fjords National Park, watching for humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, otters, puffins, and eagles. The route includes Thumb Cove and a close look at either Aialik or Holgate Glacier. A wildlife guide, lunch, restrooms, and optional hotel or port pickup make this a practical pre- or post-cruise outing.

“One of the best Alaskan tours I have been on! Would highly recommend this trip to anyone that’s in Seward.”

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12.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $223

From Seward’s harbor, you’ll cruise Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park toward Aialik or Holgate Glacier. A wildlife guide and captain help spot whales, orcas, puffins, sea otters, seals, and eagles, while a multi-course dinner is served onboard. Check in one hour before the 3 p.m. departure and dress warmly.

“We saw many different types of wildlife including sealife and birds. The crew was great and I recommend this trip to everyone.”

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13.Kenai Fjords National Park Extended Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $325

You’ll cruise with Major Marine Tours from Seward into the remote Northwestern Fjords, where humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, seabirds, and active tidewater glaciers may appear. The small vessel keeps the group intimate, while captains and crew, including guides such as Justin, Andrew, or Zach, explain wildlife and ice along the way.

“The weather was perfect. The seas were calm and it was a little cloudy and rainy. The captain was great and the guides that shared information with us were very well informed. We had the picture-perfect day when it came to seeing all the marine life listed on the brochure. Plus, we luckily were able to see whale bubble netting. Sixteen humpback whales circled, dove and came up eating fish before our very eyes. It was a rare sighting, and an amazing one.”

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14.Captain’s Choice Kenai Fjords National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 7 hours · from $245

Join Kenai Fjords Tours for a seven-hour cruise from Seward through Resurrection Bay, Aialik Bay, and the Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge. Your captain and onboard naturalist choose the best route for wildlife and glacier viewing. Look for whales, orcas, puffins, otters, and sea lions, then enjoy a hot Southwest chicken burrito lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options available by request.

“We saw everything and our captain and staff were very knowledgeable and helpful! I would highly recommend this tour!”

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15.Snowmobile Classic Tour in Kenai Fjords National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $342

From Kenai Backcountry Adventures in Seward, you ride a well-maintained snowmobile into winterbound Kenai Fjords National Park with a professional guide such as Brandon. Expect snowy forest trails, mountain views, Exit Glacier, warm outerwear, and hot drinks. The ride lasts about 2 to 4 hours, with no more than seven people.

“Amazing experience! There is no way to get into Kenai Fjords National Park in the winter without a snowmachine or cross-country skis, so this is the perfect way to experience the winter wonderland of the park as a visitor. Brandon was great and taught us all how to use the snowmachine. He took us to Exit Glacier overlook and a few other fun trails into the trees and fresh powder. My only wish is that I could have done this all day. Recommend this booking!”

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