Kenai Fjords National Park Northwestern Cruise: A Full-Day Wildlife and Glaciers Exploration

Embark on a full-day adventure cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, exploring remote areas and encountering wildlife and glaciers. Perfect for photographers, birders, and whale-watching enthusiasts.

Duration: 8 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 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.
What's Included
  • Binoculars provided for enhanced viewing
  • Expert narration from an experienced Captain
  • On-board restrooms available
  • Lunch included
  • All taxes and fees covered
  • Complimentary water, coffee, and tea
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Additional Information

Embark on a full-day expedition cruise in the secluded regions of Kenai Fjords National Park. This 8.5-hour journey traverses the pristine Northwestern Fjord area within the park, making it a perfect opportunity for photography buffs, bird enthusiasts, and whale watchers. Traveling in a small group ensures a more personal and immersive experience with optimal chances to observe wildlife and glaciers closely. The duration of the cruise gives the captain ample time to locate the best spots for wildlife sightings in the region, which is known for humpback whales, orca whales, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and various seabirds. A highlight of the trip is the visit to the awe-inspiring Northwestern Glacier, a tidewater glacier that regularly calves icebergs. A deli-style lunch is provided for all participants.

  • 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
  • We have limited capacity on our vessels to ensure that our guests and crew can follow recommended social distancing guidelines.
  • We continue to maintain our high standard of cleanliness and have implement additional cleaning procedures for commonly touched surfaces during the cruise.
  • Not recommended for guests with limited mobility
Location
1412 4th Ave
4th Avenue
Departure Point: Major Marine Tours check-in office at the Harbor 360 Hotel Address: 1412 4th Ave. Seward, AK 99664 If you are driving from Anchorage the morning of your cruise please allow 4 hours for the drive due to construction and traffic on the Seward Highway.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(227 Ratings)
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Kachemakcharlie
Aug 2, 2024
Experience of a lifetime. - We had an excellent experience on the cruise with Capt. Nat and First Mate Zach. They were friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. This was my 4th Kenai Fjords with visiting family and friends; the second with Major Marine; the longest; and by far the best! It certainly didn't hurt that we had absolutely stellar weather and sea state. Highly recommend Major Marine.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissa
Aug 2, 2024
Favorite part of our 2-week trip! - Traveled through Alaska with my husband and 2 college age children for 2 weeks and this was everyone’s favorite thing we did. Worth every penny. Guides were great, nice boat, decent lunch. It’s a long trip but there was SO much to see. Saw 17 humpback whales bubble feeding over and over again. Will probable ruin every future whale watching tour we ever do because this was so amazing! Absolutely incredible to see. Saw stellar sea lions, hundreds of harbor seals, lots of sea otters, puffins, orcas. A group of Dall porpoises swam along the ship for a while which was really fun. Got really close to a few tidewater glaciers and saw some calving. We also did a similar length tour in Glacier Bay National Park which was really nice, but this was MUCH better. If I had to pick one this tour would win hands down.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charlesbm3949qv
Aug 2, 2024
Amazing Wildlife Views - So glad we took this tour. We saw so much wildlife and some very rare views. We saw about 8 humpback whales working together to get food by “fish netting”(I think that was the term). We also saw a super pod of Orcas. We also saw porpoises, sea otters, sea lions, puffins and other sea birds. We also sat in front of glaciers and saw them calving. The crew was great and the boat had plenty of seating. We chose the smaller boat with only one deck because it housed less people. Either would have been nice but I felt ours was more intimate. Would definitely recommend this tour!!!!
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Cody
Aug 2, 2024
Highlight of our trip to Alaska! - The day was amazing, and made even better by Captain Chris, Una, and Andrew! We saw sea otters, river otters, puffins (and many other birds), porpoises, mountain goats, seals, sea lines, whales feeding, and we even saw 4 whales breach! A must do if you’re in Seward, or really anywhere in Alaska!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Morganhx8622aq
Aug 2, 2024
BOOK THIS FULL DAY TOUR IMMEDIATELY! - This was the best experience of my life! The day was GORGEOUS and our captain made the most of it! The whales were amazing. The glacier was amazing! It was so so perfect. Dress warm 100%!! Our day was sunny and 70+ but on the ship it was cold! This was the most amazing part of our trip! I hope we can come back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cbrick77
Aug 2, 2024
Absolutely professional and incredible - My wife and I visited Seward from Israel. We both wanted to see unusual marine life, the fjords, and the glaciers. We chose Major Marine Tours' 8 1/2 hour tour of the fjord and Northwestern Glacier. The reception people were professional, and the informal breakfast was delicious. The day we selected was cold and cloudy with occasional rain. That did not stop Zack (the tour guide) and Jason (the boat pilot) from making this experience which we will never forget. Zack and Jason both have extensive knowledge of marine animals, birds, and biology. Their explanations were clear, and they answered our questions with a smile. They even offered mini-lectures to each group during short lulls in the excitement. We saw 3 types of killer whales, a sea otter, sea lions, porpoises, all sorts of birds including a bald eagle, and numerous glaciers some of which were breaching. We did not eat the served lunch, but the food looked more than adequate. Free hot drinks were available throughout, and snacks were available for purchase. However, there was little time to eat since the boat regularly slowed in order to allow us time to gather on the outside deck in order to view something of interest. I was wary of taking the 8 1/2 tour since I thought it might be overkill or tiring. In the end, I'm happy we chose that option and we only tired out during the last 30-45 minutes of the return trip. I would very highly recommend this tour company and the 8.5-hour option. Zack is a wonderful guide, host, lecturer, steward, and person. We cannot thank him enough for the effort you made on our behalf. Jason's piloting and explanations were also much appreciated.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patti_d
Aug 1, 2024
A spectacular day in Seward @ Kenai Fjords National Park - The phenomenal team of Captain John, Una & Andrew; the bubble net feeding of a dozen whales multiple times during the tour, the glaciers, the animals, the lunch, the Alaskan margaritas with glacier ice, the beautiful weather, the radar positioning reference on display, the before & after map documenting the trip, Una’s artwork & notes, Captain John’s tie, the safety, the gift center choices, the facilities, a great group of tourists - basically everything was fabulous! Thank you & this team for such an amazing day!
Review provided by Viator
John
Jul 31, 2024
Incredible adventure - We took the Northwestern Glacier tour and it was well worth the money. Th weather started out rainy, but nothing you can do about that. Saw eagles and otters and mountain goats almost right away as we left Resurrection Bay. Once we were in open water we found a pod of whales feeding and ended up seeing them again on our way back. In the fjord, seals all over the place and getting to see and be near the glaciers was really cool. On the way back, saw sea lions, seals and puffins. We had Captain Justin and Carrie was the 1st mate. They were great. Carrie picked out glacier ice, pointed out the animals and Justin gave running informative commentary during the trip. The sandwiches for lunch were really good. Overall, great experience for the money. Would do it again on another visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristen
Jul 30, 2024
Amazing day! - Our day was awesome. Capt. John, Scott and Shelby were top notch. All 3 kind, caring (when I got sick) and knowledgeable. We learned a lot and saw more wildlife than we ever imagined we would. The glaciers did not disappoint. Thanks to everyone involved!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bmcrm
Jul 29, 2024
Great wildlife and glacier tour, highly recommend! - Wow what a perfect trip!!!! We saw humpback, fin and orca whales, puffins, sea otters, sea lions, eagles, kittiwakes, cormorant, and harbor seals. Captain John's information about the glacier and wildlife was incredible!!! Scott was a hoot cutting up with people but very knowledgeable making sure we saw everything!!! He put the hydrophone in the water so we could hear the whales, and Captian John described what it was believed the different sounds meant. It was unbelievable how close we got to the glacier, and then to be able to hear the ice crack, and see some calving! Scott fished out some glacier ice for everyone to see and made drinks with it as well. Both Scott and Lilly were so attentive to everyone!! I would definitely do this tour again and highly recommend it!!! Small family owned business!
Review provided by Tripadvisor