Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Northwestern Cruise

Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Travel to remote areas in Kenai Fjords National Park on this full-day adventure cruise. Ideal for photographers, birders, and whale-watching enthusiasts, this 8.5 hour cruise explores the untouched area of Northwestern Fjord in Kenai Fjords National Park. This cruise travels with a smaller group for a more intimate cruising experience, providing the best opportunity for up-close views of wildlife and glaciers. A full day on the water allows the captain plenty of time to seek out the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the area, home to humpback whales, orca whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and many types of seabirds. You will spend time in front of the impressive Northwestern Glacier, an actively-calving tidewater glacier. A deli lunch is included.

Additional Info

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Adult pricing applies to all travelers.

Children under 12 not suitable for cruise

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Not recommended for guests with limited mobility

Please arrive 1 hour prior to departure for check-in

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Use of binoculars on board

Narration by knowledgeable, experienced Captain

Restroom on board

Sandwich options are turkey, roast beef, or vegetarian.

All taxes and fees included in price

Water, coffee, and tea

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

What To Expect

Resurrection Bay

This adventure cruise is the only small-vessel cruise that explores the remote, glacier-carved Northwestern Fjord in Kenai Fjords National Park. Ideal for photographers, birders, and whale-watching enthusiasts, this 8.5 hour cruise departs from the Seward Harbor 360 Hotel dock 8:30 a.m. and returns at 5:00 p.m. The cruise will travel through Resurrection Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Resurrection, Granite Pass, Harris Bay, and into the spectacular Northwestern Fjord. Due to the vessel size and the cruise length, children under 12 are not suitable on this cruise.

Admission Not Applicable

Kenai Fjords National Park

Narrated by our knowledgeable, experienced captain and crew, guests have the unique opportunity to explore remote, untouched areas of Kenai Fjords National Park with a small group. Depending on sea conditions and wildlife-viewing opportunities, the captain’s route to Northwestern Fjord can vary from day to day. After cruising through Resurrection Bay, you will explore the Chiswell Islands (part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge) or Cape Resurrection, home to thousands of nesting seabirds, Steller sea lions, and other wildlife. The cruise will then enter Harris Bay, where you will be greeted with views of beautiful hidden coves, rugged mountains, and possibly feeding whales. Once we enter the virtually untouched and untamed Northwestern Fjord, look for the numerous alpine glaciers nestled high on the cliffs. You will visit Northwestern, Anchor, and Ojive Glaciers at the end of Northwestern Fjord. You will spend time in front of the glacier to watch for glacial calving.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Northwestern Cruise

Reviews

4.94

341 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

332

Wonderful cruise and crew
404kelseyp,
Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was one of the highlights of our 2-week trip! It's a smaller boat than some of the other tours, but I liked the intimacy. We saw a ton of wildlife and birds, and the crew did a great job spotting them and explaining the natural history. They also took pictures for us, served lunch, and pulled up glacier ice to make glacier margaritas. We brought our own binoculars, but they provide them as well. I failed to write down their names - I believe it was Captain John. The best part of the cruise was the superpod of killer whales! They were swimming and breaching all around the boat. The crew put an underwater microphone so we could hear their calls. It was one of the coolest things I've seen! This is a must-do if you are in Seward.
Great full-day excursion with lots of animals in the wild (seals, sea lions, puffins, orcas, etc.)
Trek00760740726,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We took this tour on August 21, 2025. Captain Mark and his crew (Jensen, Sarah, and Casey) were simply fantastic. They had some trouble with the passengers due to the rough seas, but they handled it brilliantly (seasickness, I'll spare you the details). Captain Mark took extra time at the end of the tour to find orcas, and it worked. I highly recommend this tour. Herbert and Christian (Austria) Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
A Wow Alaskan Water Trip
Doug C,
Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We took the 7.5 hour trip on the last day of their season. It might sound like a long time on the water but the day flew by with our outstanding experience. The boat was in excellent condition. There was plenty of room for everyone. There is assigned seating simply to enjoy a great lunch that was included with the cost. I had a roast beef sandwich that was loaded with meat. My wife had the turkey, same quantity of meat. The distribution of lunch was highly organized. The seating/table was very comfortable. The crew was exceptional. The captain kept us fully aware of what we were doing and what to look for. The entire crew kept a close eye on our surroundings and identified wildlife for us to look at. They provide binoculars for free use! From the time we left until the time we returned we saw a great deal of wildlife. I appreciate how fortunate we were on our trip. There are no guarantees when it comes to following wildlife. The glacier viewing was also excellent. The boat is able to get so close to the glaciers. We were so lucky to see a serious calving of a glacier. Unlimited coffee/tea and water available all trip( included in the cost of trip). We really enjoyed our day. Highly recommended.
Seward, AK glacier fjords wildlife
rodyf915,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Riveting wildlife experience from beginning to end. Bubble feeding whales, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, seals, puffins, calving glaciers, and more. Boat captain was very knowledgeable. Crew was polite and helpful. Highly recommend it.
A superpod of Orcas!
pattipickett,
Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderful experience. Beautiful views. Up close wildlife, marinelife, glaciers, and waterfalls. Take your breath away gorgeous.
A great day on the water
keithv137,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We enjoyed a wonderful day at the hands of the talented crew on this ship. The captain did a great job of spotting whales and positioning the boat so that we could see them. He provided commentary throughout the ride and allowed us to see and understand the glaciers, landscape, and myriad sea life along the way. Bravo!
Great all-encompassing tour
bagsready10,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I chose the Northwestern Glacier tour which included lunch and a full day of scenery and wildlife. The boat only held 60 guests which was the perfect size to not feel crowded and have the attention of the crewmembers. We were gone from 8-5. The lunch was filling with sandwich, chips, drink, granola bar and late in the afternoon a brownie. A full coffee setup was available throughout the cruise along with a cash bar. The crew (Captain John, Olivia and Scott) worked together to spot whales and bring us alongside to view them. We also saw waterfalls, glaciers, sea lions, otters and so many birds. Enjoyed this experience.
Great captain and crew. ...
Terry J,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
Great captain and crew. Very informative and amazing views of whales , Orca’s, Otters and Sea Lions!
Kenai Fjords full day tour.
David U,
Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a fuill day tour that also included a lunch. It was amazing. The sites were beautiful. We saw whales, puffins, seal lions, otters and all sorts of other sea life. The glaciers and information we got about the fjords, and glaciers and other parts of the tour were very good. We stopped near a huge glacier and turned the boat off. We were able to hear the glacier sounds and see it as it moved and fell into the waters. It was such a phenomenal exxperience and day! Would definitely do it again!
Core memory day!! ! Beauty and wildlife galore!!
rhondabG5556QJ,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wow! What a day!! We booked the 7.5 hour tour and ended up being out for 9 hours! The beauty of the Kenai Fjords National Park is something that must be experienced in person. Captain Justin and First Mate Jack made sure that we were able to see the most wildlife and made sure we had ample opportunity to take all the photos we wanted. We even went on pursuit of a Humpback whale and it ended up breaching right in front of us!!! The memories that we made will stay with me forever!!!