With exotic wildlife, majestic glaciers, and stunning landscapes, Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park has something for everyone.
To explore this magnificent slice of heaven, you must take a boat tour out of Seward. This article explores Kenai Fjord boat tours to maximize your trip.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise: The Basics
As mentioned above, Kenai Fjords National Park is primarily accessible by boat. Cruising in the park in a smooth catamaran will surely deliver the experience of a lifetime.
Get up close and personal with some of North America’s most unique wildlife, such as puffins, sea lions, humpbacks, and more.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the vast expanse of the Gulf of Alaska, glistening glaciers, and jagged peaks.
Most tours will take you to different parts of the Fjords, meaning you can enjoy nearly everything the park offers in one trip.
But before you hop on a plane and jet off to Kenai Fjords National Park, ensure you have sufficient travel insurance.
This coverage protects you from unforeseen eventualities that would otherwise ruin your trip.
Kenai Fjords National Park Boat Tours
Cruise operators offer multiple options for Kenai Fjords boat tours. Deciding on the ideal Fjords boat tour for your family can be overwhelming.
Here are the 4 best Fjords boat tour options to help you narrow your search.
1. Northwestern Fjord Tour
The Northwestern Fjord Cruise is one of the best Kenai Fjords National Park boat tours. It’s also the longest, eight and a half hours on the boat.
Ask anyone who’s been to Kenai Fjords National Park, and they will recommend this tour, and that’s for a good reason.
This tour gives you the best chance at spotting rare wildlife, exotic marine life, and some spectacular views throughout the tour.
Choose this trip if you are adventurous and like to get away from the crowds during your sightseeing escapades.
You will board one of the smaller vessels with limited passengers and travel farther off the beaten path.
You will cruise through Resurrection Bay, Aialik Bay, Harris Bay, and Northwestern Fjord to see the Northwestern Glacier.
The cruise will be narrated by an experienced, knowledgeable captain and crew — a park ranger may be on board, depending on the tour provider you book with.
Most cruise operators will provide lunch, snacks, and drinks at no additional charge for longer tours such as this one.
2. Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Tour
The next option on the list is the Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Tour. The 130-mile round trip is ideal if you’re traveling with kids.
Compared to the intense Northwestern Fjord tour, the full-day tour is a more relaxed trip with time for a little bit of everything.
During the trip, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot beautiful wildlife and marine life and take in the spectacular sights along the Alaskan coast.
The relaxed schedule — and seven and a half hours on the water — allows more time at wildlife viewing stops. You’ll see sea lion colonies, puffins, humpbacks, seabirds, and other animals.
The tour starts at Seward Harbor through Resurrection Bay and into the Kenai Fjords National Park. The cruise will pass through the impressive Aialik Glacier and the Holgate Glacier.
If you’re lucky, you’ll have a chance to experience one or both of these tidewater glaciers calving, a truly unforgettable experience for travelers.
The tour may include the services of a National Park Ranger — depending on the cruise operator. If not, the captain and knowledgeable crew will fill in.
In any case, there’s always an experienced tour guide to convey interesting information about the region’s wildlife, geological facts, and more.
3. 6-Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Odyssey
If the Northwestern Fjord and full-day tours are too long for your liking (or if you are traveling with small kids), we recommend the shorter, six-hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise.
This tour skips a lot of stops in the last two previous cruises and doesn’t go too deep into the park.
The 6-hour cruise is the perfect Kenai Fjords Boat tour for those who don’t want to spend the whole day on the water.
The cruise departs from Seward Harbor through Resurrection Bay and into the open ocean. The trip is fast-paced, spending just a few minutes at popular stops.
There are still plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings and scenic views. You’ll also get to see one of Aialik or Holgate Glacier in Aialik Bay, and not both, as with the Northwestern Fjord and full-day tours.
Chances are you’ll visit the smaller Holgate Glacier, which is only several hundred feet tall and about half a mile wide.
4. Kenai Fjords National Park Half-Day Wildlife Cruise
Explorers at Kenai Fjords National Park can also have a half-day or bay tour. These cruises are only three to four hours long, ideal for those prone to seasickness or traveling with small children.
Even though they typically don’t make it to the tidewater glaciers, these cruises offer plenty of interesting sightings, including whale watching and sightseeing.
This cruise also passes through Bear Glacier, one of the park’s best kayaking and wildlife-watching spots.
Remember that this is only a half-day tour, and most cruises won’t provide lunch. Snacks and drinks will be available at an additional charge.
However, you might want to bring a chicken wrap or a sandwich if you have a big appetite.
Read next – The Best Kenai Fjords Kayaking Tours
The Best Kenai Fjords Boat Tours: FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the best Kenai Fjords boat tours.
Is Kenai Fjords Worth It?
Kenai Fjords National Park offers abundant wildlife, glistening glaciers, and breathtaking views regardless of your tour. Exploring the expansive park with the help of a good tour company will be an experience of a lifetime.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park?
June, July, and August are the most popular times to visit Kenai Fjords National Park. However, the park is open all year, so you can visit any time. Expect reduced services if you visit in May and September.
What Else Is There to Do Around Kenai Fjords?
The Last Frontier has plenty more to offer. After you visit Kenai Fjords National Park, you can explore the rest of Alaska, including little-known tourist destinations such as Girdwood, a small town located south of Anchorage and a short drive from Seward, and other hidden gems.
Take a look – 9 Day Trips From Anchorage
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime, a tour to Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park packs a punch.
Most of the park is only accessible by boat, so you’ll have to choose a cruise. These are just a few of the best Kenai Fjords Boat tours for an unforgettable experience.
