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Along the way, you’ll head deep into fjords to watch glaciers calf and skim the edge of the Gulf of Alaska with the best chances to spot whales and other wildlife. However, Northern Latitude Adventures runs on smaller boats, making this a much more intimate experience. I have to admit, Julie and I weren’t thrilled about the idea of spending 8 hours on a boat.
Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
They were approaching the glacier face at about the time we were leaving. After seeing the smaller size of their boat, we were glad we selected to take the Northwestern Fjord Cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours. As we traveled into the Northwestern Fjord, we crossed the point where we were now cruising above the moraine of the retreating Northwestern Glacier.
Resurrection Bay Tour with Fox Island, 5 hours
The cold season, from November to mid-March is about 37 on average. However, you should bring clothing for cold, wet weather no matter what time you’re visiting. Pit Bar & Liquor Store – This is the place everyone goes to after everything else is closed.
Kenai Fjords National Park 7.5-Hour Cruise From Seward
It is nice that you have the tables as your home base for the entire trip. We were able to leave our belongings and everybody could come and go without losing track of family members. All the staff from captain, crew and the onboard park ranger were incredible. Routes are captain’s choice and will vary depending on weather, wildlife, and glacier ice conditions.
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Kenai Fjords Cruises From Seward
We have created our own version of the route map here for your reference. Our map helps put in perspective how far into Kenai Fjords National Park you will explore during this cruise. Kenai Fjords National Park is best explored by boat or air, since exploration via foot and car is limited to the Exit Glacier area.
The #KenaiFjordsTours Experience
Perhaps you want to experience everything the Kenai Fjords National Park has to offer, but have a busy schedule. Maybe you or someone else in your group gets seasick on longer water cruises. To make the most of views and fresh air on the exterior decks, it is important to dress in layers for this tour. Bring a rain jacket, hat, and gloves, and wear warm base layers and rubber-soled shoes. Even on a sunny day, the air coming off a glacier can be quite chilly. If seasickness is a concern, err on the side of caution and take motion sickness medicine in advance.
American Cruise Lines to Offer New Alaska Cruises in 2024 - Travel Agent Central
American Cruise Lines to Offer New Alaska Cruises in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Be sure to check the individual tour company websites for any updates to pricing, dates of availability, and any other details about their respective cruises. From year to year, each tour company may add or subtract a few days at the beginning or end of that timeframe. Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine Tours are the only two companies that offer cruises to the Northwestern Fjord.
In the most compact tour, you’ll see the jagged cliffs, seabirds, marine wildlife, and alpine glaciers, including the magnificent Bear Glacier. Includes a short stop at Fox Island with a locally sourced, buffet-style lunch. The most popular tour, perhaps because it is a pretty full day, but still flexible.
Northwestern Fjord Cruise (8.5 hours)
Guests are urged to dress in layers, including a warm rain-proof coat, hat, gloves, and comfortable, rubber-soled shoes. Guests are welcome to stay in the heated cabins, but warm clothes are recommended for guests who would like to spend time outside on the viewing decks. The tour boat has three exterior decks and two indoor cabin levels with fog-resistant windows.
Tour Kenai Fjords on one of our cruise options ranging from 4 hours to 8.5 hours. Home to three tidewater glaciers, the Northwestern Fjord is unlike anywhere else on earth. Watch for wildlife at every turn, and get so close to the glaciers you can almost touch them on this fully-narrated full-day cruise.
You will venture further into Kenai Fjords National Park than any other cruise. Smoke Shack – Open only for breakfast and lunch, it’s one of the best places around! If you walk by, you’re sure to hear the loud music playing first in this restaurant set inside an old train car right on the water!
Dramamine, Bonine, and ginger chews are available for purchase onboard. As I mentioned earlier, I generally advise that longer is better in Kenai Fjords, but perhaps you only have – or only want to spend – a half-day on your Kenai Fjords cruise. (There are plenty of other great things to do in Seward!) In that case, a shorter tour is best, and the 4-hour wildlife cruise from Major Marine Tours is my top recommendation.
You can sit inside the heated viewing area with giant picture windows, or stroll the large viewing decks. All tours include at least one meal at no additional cost depending on the length of the trip. Some tours can even be combined with a night in a cabin at the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge.
In fact, neither were Tyler or Kara, who chose to skip the cruise and watch the Mount Marathon race instead, which was going on the very same day. Our captain’s ability to spot wildlife and his narration throughout the cruise were excellent. At the end of the Northwestern Fjord, we watched as the glacier calved at the Northwestern Glacier face. Meanwhile, we also got to see some harbor seals hanging out on the ice chunks that were once part of the Northwestern Glacier. In the Gulf of Alaska, we were able to see fin whales, the second largest living animal on Earth. Unfortunately, only a small portion of their body would breach the surface so you couldn’t get a sense of their enormous size.
Kenai Fjords National Park is both unique in Alaska – and very much like all of the other national parks in The Last Frontier. This is made doubly so because most of Kenai Fjords National Park is only accessible by boat. Tours fill up very quickly, so we recommend you book well in advance to secure your preferred tour. Our tour is the first to enter Kenai Fjords National Park each day, and we get to enjoy the magic of an awakening wilderness. Operating since 1974, Kenai Fjords Tours has the most experienced and knowledgeable captains, sailing the newest fleet of custom sightseeing vessels operating in Kenai Fjords National Park. We are certified by Adventure Green Alaska as a tourism business that practices economic, environmental, social and cultural sustainability.
Start off at the Seward Small Boat Harbor, where you’ll meet your captain and crew, and board the impressive 95-foot cruise vessel. This is a non-smoking cruise so as to not bother any others onboard, as well as to not pollute this area which is home to so many beautiful plants and animals. Head to the tour desk located inside the lobby of the Harbor 360 Hotel, where you’ll meet up with your guide. We recommend bringing comfortable shoes and warm layers, including a waterproof jacket and/or pants.
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