Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). On the trip out, we were rewarded with a pod of orcas racing alongside the boat, their sleek black and white bodies proving they are designed for the chase. A red bloodstain on the ice was all the evidence that remained of a recent seal birth. The park is named for the numerous fjordscarved by glaciers moving down the mountains from the ice field. One of the things we wanted to see most during our July 2017 trip to Alaska were glaciers. Kenai Fjords Tours: Glaciers in Seward AK - Kenai Fjords - See 4,689 traveler reviews, 2,734 candid photos, and great deals for Seward, AK, at Tripadvisor. The Harding Icefield covers more than 700 square miles in Kenai Fjords National Park and is the source of over 35 named glaciers. The puffins didn’t like being close to the boat, and awkwardly lifted themselves out of the water into flight. Toward the end of the return trip back to Seward, the boat stopped at Fox Island for an early dinner. The field is the source of at least 38 glaciers, … You can get out on the water and cast your line for several-hundred-pound halibut or salmon so numerous they bump into your boat. And don’t forget—A trip to Kenai Fjords coast also includes world-class viewing of marine wildlife! Kenai Fjords National Park Tour boat cruise with dinner on Fox Island. Your email address will not be published. 7-10 days is the most common. This 7 day Alaska train vacation has been packed with activities to give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. We dined at restaurants along the harbour and spent time in the heated pool and spa in the evening – bliss. More than half of Kenai Fjords is obscured by it, and glaciers are one of Alaska’s coolest natural attractions. Within the park, make sure to visit Harding Icefield, an enormous ice field with 40 glaciers flowing into it. In the end, practicality won out. Self-drive vacations. Glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms have shaped Alaska's Kenai Fjords for centuries, resulting in constantly changing terrain. Box 749 2001 Seward Highway ()Seward, AK 99664 GPS: 60.128633, -149.433904. Sandwiched between the Kenai mountains and the waters of Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, with Mt. Which has the better chance of seeing whales and calving glaciers? For the adventurous, the Harding Ice Field trail offers a full day strenuous hike with incredible views, but is usually only accessible from July to September. Kenai Fjords National Park is home to some of the most magnificent glaciers in Alaska. Best of Alaska - Fishing, Glacier Kayaking & Sightseeing in the Kenai Fjords! Tour options include wildlife cruises of Resurrection Bay narrated by park rangers or beautiful day hikes along the Harding Icefield Trail. By car, take Seward Highway (AK-1) south from Anchorage. Tour Overview. The land is truly alive. After exploring many attractive options, I choose to stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Seward (now known as Harbour 360 Hotel) because: I certainly found other very attractive options, but they lacked all of the above features. Kenai Fjords National Park is a land dominated by glaciers, massive rivers of ice that flow out from the Harding Icefield. Highlights plus less visited destinations. I have been on two scenic wildlife cruises when visiting Seward Alaska, one was a half-day 4-hour cruise, and my last cruise was the Full Day 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Tour with Major Marine Tours.. Seward is a charming coastal town 127 miles south of Anchorage. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Kenai Fjords Tours: Amazing wildlife, glaciers and staff - See 4,689 traveler reviews, 2,734 candid photos, and great deals for Seward, AK, at Tripadvisor. I even saw a bear, which I was certainly not expecting to see from a boat! It was quite surprising that so many people only had on a shirt and zip up fleece. Experienced kayakers often travel in and around Resurrection Bay. Glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms have shaped Alaska's Kenai Fjords for centuries, resulting in constantly changing terrain. Its crowning feature is the Harding Icefield, which is home to more than 40 glaciers and abundant wildlife . Expert advice on best places to stay, things to do, glacier & wildlife cruises, and how to get around in Seward Alaska and Kenai Fjords National Park. Landing near the glacier is the highlight of this tour! The Bear valley glacier, seen on Kenai Fjords Tours, is the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. It was easy to get there, just drive to the car park and then do the short hike to the edge of the glacier. Landing near the glacier is the highlight of this tour! Waterfalls rushed down green laden cliffs straight into the bay and shining black whales emerge gracefully from still waters. Take off from Seward in a heli­copter for gor­geous views, or land on a glac­i­er and go dog sledding! The Kenai Fjords cruise didn’t allow much pause for breath before another exciting sight. Today nearly 51% of the park is covered by ice, and we owe our spectacular fjords and valleys to ancient glacial activity. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. The further out you go, the more you see and the more incredible the scenery. Seward is so cute. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Curious creatures, the seals wake as the boat got closer. Seward oozes charm with its perfectly laid out pretty harbor and cute storefronts perched on the boardwalk. The scenery and wildlife seen from the boat is constant and stunning. provided by Miller's Landing ... tour departing only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays* and is the only tour in Seward that allows you to kayak in front of the glaciers in the National Park, Fish, and Tour the Fjords all in the same day. See Details. Passing a rocky ledge, I saw a creature that looked like a cross between a small penguin and a parrot. Walking along the Seward pier with the snowy mountains as a backdrop against the boats, harbour, clouds and streaks of sunlight was magical. I highly recommend starting and finishing each day with a walk around the harbour. Sandwiched between the Kenai mountains and the waters of Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, with Mt. I never expected to see so much wildlife and so close up from a boat. Our Glaciers, Fjords Denali & Alaska train vacation covers the best of Alaska in the shortest possible time, combining Alaska Railroad with Kenai Fjords National Park, Prince William Sound and Denali National Park. But there are cosy cabins and B&B’s further away if you have a car and want super cute accommodation. Phone: (907) 224-8051 Fax: (907) 224-5353 visitseward@seward.com Every corner, island and cliff we cruised close to had some kind of wild life. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. If you do a Kenai Fjords cruise, make sure it will definitely go right up to at least one great glacier. - See 4,651 traveler reviews, 2,715 candid photos, and great deals for Seward, AK, at Tripadvisor. There are also many other trails around the area for hikers who are prepared. So whatever you do, come prepared, because you will see so much more being outside on the boat. Glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. provided by Miller's Landing ... tour departing only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays* and is the only tour in Seward that allows you to kayak in front of the glaciers in the National Park, Fish, and Tour the Fjords all in the same day. The park boasts abundant wildlife, alpine, and tidewater glaciers and breathtaking scenery. More stock photos from this series See All. We are the original Kenai Fjords wildlife and glacier cruise operator, since 1974. At night there isn’t really much to do except enjoy the harbour walks and scenery. There are otters everywhere around Seward. Discover the many ways to explore Seward and Kenai Fjords, including some of the finest wildlife viewing, hiking, and paddling in Alaska. The weather can start looking great, but turn cold quickly. Seward: Alaska Starts Here (2:10). Privacy Policy, One day in Juneau including Mendenhall Glacier ». I also had mittens, gortex waterproof runners, jeans, (and thermal leggings in my back back just in case). I can certainly understand why they were shacked up inside the boat – it was seriously cold when the wind hit on deck. You will also need to determine the length of time of your wildlife/glacier cruise. It was impossible not to fall in love with them. Although it is far too dangerous to actually walk on the glacier yourself, guided ice hikes are available for those wanting a unique experience. Here’s where to go hik­ing in the Seward and Kenai Fjords area, where trails take you past glac­i­ers and lakes, See sea otters, birds, and oth­er wildlife as you learn about Alaska’s marine ecosystem, Whether you're looking for a wilderness lodge or a conveniently located hotel, here's where to stay in Seward, Our choices if you want to stay in a wilderness lodge or cabin in the gorgeous Kenai Fjords backcountry. Get 20% discount off this getaway for travel in 2021! Kenai Fjords Tours: Awesome Glaciers! Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, the crown jewel of Kenai Fjords. They raised their heads and turned to stare lazily at the boat with their liquid brown eyes. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Kenai Fjords National Park is an American national park established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The Kenai Fjords are studded with precious wildlife along its shores and strewn throughout its nutrient rich waters. Returning to Seward just after 6.30pm, it is easy to see why the 120 mile day cruise of Kenai Fjords is the most popular ‘must do’ trip in Seward. Kenai Fjords National Park is located just outside of Seward in southcentral Alaska, 126 miles (203 kilometers) south of Anchorage. It is hard to choose where to look: the seals on icebergs, the crashing ice, the miles of ice filling the bay or the snow covered mountainous shores. Your escape travels on one of North America's most scenic journeys to the coastal town of Seward where you will set sail exploring the wildlife and glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. Experience a breathtaking flight over Bear and Aialik Glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. See our advice articles on getting between Anchorage and Seward and Denali and Seward. Although on the 3 day Seward itinerary below, you could skip other experiences and do it all again. But the area was full of snow (late May) when we went. Walking along the pier with the snowy mountains as a backdrop against the boats, harbour, clouds and streaks of sunlight was magical. Kenai National Park has everything you could want in a Seward, Alaska vacation on a spectacular sightseeing cruise. There is also unexpected history and culture to discover as well. Spending 3 nights was just about perfect. Both have their pros and cons, and it depends on your schedule and your budget. The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United … Abrupt mountain slopes cloaked in shaggy summer greens and snow form an impressive backdrop for this progressive city of 2,700 people on the Kenai Peninsula.Tourism, shipping and fishing are the mainstays of Seward’s vibrant economy. Per Seat. But there are some amazing sights to see in Seward, and I recommend 3-4 nights if you love marine wildlife and glaciers. I read about your awesome 3 day trip to Seward and saw your lovely pictures but I don’t recall you saying what time of year you were there. Today nearly 56 percent of the park is covered by ice, but all of this land was once buried beneath the ice and still bears its influence. $ 389. The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States. Honestly, the sights from the boat just continued to thrill. The Whittier boats, such as the 26 glacier cruise, will spend more time at glaciers, but you will also see wildlife. Encompassing 1,047 square miles (2,711 square kilometers), the park is littered with glacial-carved fjords. Almost all tours stop at Bear Glacier, the largest of the park’s 38 glaciers, just 17-miles from Seward. Of all the places we stopped to view these giant rivers of ice, the Exit Glacier Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park ranks as one of our favorites.In no other place on our trip were the incredible impacts of climate change on Alaska’s landscape more visually apparent. Travel Chook is addicted to exploring beautiful and interesting destinations and sharing images and information about them with you. High above the town, almost 40 glaciers flow down from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains. It is a bit of a sleepy small town, but so very charming. Encompassing 1,047 square miles (2,711 square kilometers), the park is littered with glacial-carved fjords. Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is an Alaska eco lodge completely surrounded by Kenai Fjords National Park. Seward also has the Alaska Sealife Centre, which I intend to visit next time. Get your heart racing with activities like ziplining, flightseeing, sportfishing, and dog sledding. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? Depending upon the trip’s itinerary, you might also see Aialik, Holgate, Pedersen, and Northwestern. I found my gortex runners/sneakers ideal for this walk. The Seward boats visit Kenai fjords, there is more wildlife than glaciers but you will see both. Sporting a striking black horn above its eye, clown like face and a yellow beak with an orange tip, the horned puffin is unlike anything I have ever seen. The park covers an area of 669,984 acres (1,046.85 sq mi; 2,711.33 km2)[1] on the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska, near the town of Seward. Kenai Fjords National Park is home to some of the most magnificent glaciers in Alaska. Hiring a car in Anchorage and doing the ridiculously scenic three hour drive is the most enjoyable way to reach Seward and have a travel experience you will never forget. Several different types of glaciers can be seen from our cruises, including tidewater, piedmont, hanging, and cirque glaciers. 2-5 day small ship explorations. There’s so much to learn about Kenai Fjords National Park 's unique glacial landscape. Every July 4, runners race to the summit of Mt Marathon, in America's second- oldest footrace. As the sun sets over the beautiful quaint harbor, otters play between the gently rocking boats in the cool waters of Resurrection Bay. As the boat moved toward Ailak Glacier, there was a distant rumble as the glacier released chunks of ice into the sea. They were also floating in the water not far from the boat. Tour options include wildlife cruises of Resurrection Bay narrated by park rangers … Required fields are marked *. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the southeastern edge of the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska. My only regret is that I didn’t have another day to do it all again. Take an unfor­get­table glac­i­er and wildlife cruise from Seward to Res­ur­rec­tion Bay or Kenai Fjords Nation­al Park, Head out onto the waters around Seward for some world-class salmon and hal­ibut fishing, See dynam­ic glac­i­ers and abun­dant wildlife with a sea kayak­ing excur­sion in Res­ur­rec­tion Bay and Kenai Fjords Nation­al Park, Ride over a path on a wheeled cart, or fly to a glac­i­er to mush across the snow, Take a thrilling zipline canopy tour dur­ing your vis­it to Seward, Alaska. The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. We’ve narrowed down the extensive list into the top 5 Kenai Fjord Tours to take when you visit us in Seward Alaska. Overwhelmed by choices? A stop in Seward can combine road-accessible glacier … Situated on the doorstep of Kenai Fjords National Park, with views of glaciers and the ocean, Seward is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. Book Now. See Details. This package is a favorite for visitors who are interested in seeing the Kenai Fjords' wildlife and glaciers and would also like a taste of Alaska's famous saltwater fishing. Bring a waterproof and windproof jacket and hood. The fjords and rugged islands of Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge showcase the best of Alaska’s marine world in a compact package. Glaciers dominate the landscape of Kenai Fjords National Park. Sea otters float belly-up eating mussels and clams. 5 Kenai Fjords Tours to Take in Seward. It feeds nearly three dozen glaciers flowing out of the mountains, six of them to tidewater. Glaciers near Seward. Colmar – Fairytale town in Alsace region of France, had a small heated pool and spa – love heated pools and spas in cold regions, very short stroll to marina for Kenai Fjords cruises/tours, very short stroll to harbour side restaurants, shops, cafes, Exit Glacier and other glaciers (including Holgate and Ailak), Stroll around the harbour spotting otters, Glacier dog sledding (transportation via helicopter), Scenic drive from Anchorage down Seward Highway, Walking around the beautiful Seward Harbour – otter spotting, Exploring a couple of harbourside shops, and enjoying a hot drink with those beautiful views, Kenai Fjords National Park Tour with Fox Island Dinner (or other Kenai Fjords full day Tour). , clouds and streaks of sunlight was magical www.travelchook.com all Rights Reserved © 2020 - Privacy Policy one... Down the mountains, a deep Fjord carved out by a Glacier thousands of years ago line... 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