Kenai Fjords Tours from Seward: Everything You Need to Know

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been out with Kenai Fjords Tours from Seward. Kenai Fjords National Park has been in my top three favorite National Parks for 25 years and it’s holding its place with vigor, thanks largely to the experiences I’ve had going out with KFT (that’s what you call it when you work in AK tourism). As somebody who’s spend more time on the water out of Seward than on land here, I have lots of tips to share about this amazing National Park experience.

Humpback Whales Bubble Net Feeding in Kenai Fjords National Park Alaska 1

Highlights of Kenai Fjords Tours

It’s so hard to describe the Kenai Fjords Tours without rambling. If you’re a wildlife photographer like me it’s like a heavenly amusement park. If you’re a tourist looking for unfiltered Alaskan beauty, this is the best you can get. From the moment you board your boat in Seward there is usually wildlife, either a bald eagle or a sea otter watching you. As you cruise through Resurrection Bay out into the Gulf of Alaska and then into the Kenai Fjords, the whales, dolphins, porpoises seals, sealions, otters, eagles, puffins, bears, Dall sheep… they are start to show up in different places and you can’t contain the joy.

Add to this the beautiful tidewater glaciers and waterfalls and you’ve got one of the most beautiful tours you can imagine. The Kenai Fjords Tours are very different from the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise or Lazy Otter Glacier Cruises out of Whittier. Those focus on the glaciers of College Fjord and Blackwater Bay and are very sheltered, while the Kenai Fjords tours focus on the protected areas of Kenai Fjords National Park and the edge of the Gulf of Alaska. This means that there are a lot of whales, or cetaceans of all types, on the Kenai Fjords trips due to the intersection of the Gulf and Fjords. With the sailings out of Whittier, they’re sticking to the edge of Prince William Sound, which is incredible, but it’s not as vast with as much migratory wildlife traffic.

Icefall at Northwestern Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park Alaska 1

Which Kenai Fjords Tour is Right for You

There are four or five different KFT options depending on when you’re visiting. Spring and Fall are more limited, but also there is a shorter tour offered sometimes. Visiting in May or September, you’ll find tour options to be slightly different than in the peak summer months.

Kenai Fjords National Park Tour – 6 hours – includes lunch and some snacks, visits Aialik or Holgate Glacier OR do the same route and add dinner on Fox Island
Northwestern Fjord Tour **MY FAVORITE** – 8 hours – includes light breakfast and lunch w/ some snacks, visits Northwestern, Northeastern, Redstone and Southwest Glacier (one fjord has them all)
Resurrection Bay Tour w/ Fox Island – 5 hours – includes dinner on For Island at the day lodge
Glacier Dinner Cruise – 5.5 hours – includes dinner onboard (drinks are extra), visits Holgate or Aialik Glacier.
SPRINGTIME ONLY Resurrection Bay Tour – 4 hours, March – May – includes lunch, doesn’t visit any glaciers but is for wildlife watching

Mountains and Kenai Fjords Tour Boat from Fox Island Seward Alaska 1

Gear to Bring on a Kenai Fjords Tour

When you’re doing one of the Kenai Fjords Tours out of Seward, you’ll want to be prepared for rain, wind and cold. If you’re lucky you’ll have some beautiful blue sky for some of your trip, but that’s not always the case. It’s best to be prepared with warm waterproof jackets, scarves and gloves, and warm hats. Yes, even in peak summer, the weather can be chilly and damp. Sometimes though, the sun breaks through and the glaciers and bergy bits glisten in the sun, but it’s best to be ready for the worse weather.

Camera gear is also important to bring. Not everyone is a professional photographer, and that’s okay. If you want to capture photos with a phone or a simple point and shoot camera, that’s absolutely fine. If you are bringing bigger photography gear, you won’t need a tripod for your shots. The boat is always moving at least a little bit and using a tripod on a rocking boat is pointless. For wildlife, a 250mm lens is great for capturing the otters and whales in a broad shot, but a 400mm or 600mm does the best for snapping photos much closer.

And yes, the boat is moving, but even with the motion the bigger lenses are still easy enough to manage to get great photos. I’ve found that a broad range zoom is best when I am on Kenai Fjords and don’t want to mess with changing lenses.

Rob Taylor Taking Photos at Northwestern Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park Alaska 1

Motion Sickness Concerns for Kenai Fjords

One of the things Kenai Fjords Tours is different from the glacier cruises out of Whittier is in how much motion there is onboard. Sailing out of Seward into the Gulf of Alaska and Kenai Fjords you’ll face a consistent swell on most days, and when you’re crossing the Harding Passage it can get rough. Doing a glacier cruise out of Whittier, the waters are much more protected and calm, with some tours even offering a no-sea-sick guarantee. That is NOT the case going out of Seward.

I don’t want to discourage anyone from doing the Kenai Fjords Tours because they are my FAVORITE, but just want to clarify that if you get motion sickness, bad weather days can make it rough. Personally I do not like to take motion sickness medication even though it impacts me, as I don’t like to feel groggy or fall asleep. There are alternatives to consider for this including patches, bracelets and pressure point methods that can help you manage your tummy and dizziness.

Pacific White Sided Dolphin Pod at Kenai Fjords National Park Alaska

Parking for Kenai Fjords Tours in Seward

DO NOT PARK AT THE KFT OFFICE. There is a parking lot for Kenai Fjords Tours just across the Seward Highway and they provide a free shuttle that goes every few minutes between the lot at the marina. Park here for free and take the shuttle. Make it easy on yourself! You can also walk from the parking area back over to the office if you like, because it’s not far. Be sure that you arrive early enough to check in for your tour and get any questions you have answered.

Parking address: 208 Phoenix Road, Seward AK 99664

Food and Beverage Onboard KFT

Depending on the tour you’re on, there are a few meals served onboard Kenai Fjords Tours. Morning tours include continental breakfast, lunch and a snack (with more available for purchase), while other tours provide a lunch or just a snack. Check with the desk or your confirmation email for details about what’s included with the tour you’ve booked. You are also welcome to bring your own food aboard, which is recommended if you have a fair amount of dietary restrictions, although you can clarify this at booking so you can be accommodated.

Taylor Family on Kenai Fjords Tour boat in Kenai Fjords National Park Alaska 2

Kenai Fjords Tours Operating Info

To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your KFT adventure.

Operating Dates/Season: mid-March (limited tours) through late September
Tour office phone number: 907-224-8068
Reservations phone number: 888-478-3346
Company website: Alaska Collection
Tour check-in address: 1304 W 4th Ave, Seward AK 99664 – arrive at least 30 minutes early
Tour booking links: Kenai Fjords National Park Tour – 6 hours; Northwestern Fjord Tour– 8 hours; Resurrection Bay Tour w/ Fox Island – 5 hours; Glacier Dinner Cruise – 5.5 hours; SPRINGTIME ONLY Resurrection Bay Tour – 4 hours

Kenai Fjords Tours in Seward is one of the best ways to experience the National Park. From photography tips to choosing which Kenai Fjords tour is right for you, here you'll find everything you need to know to plan an incredible experience.

More Things to Do in Seward

Seward is a fun, beautiful small town. Located on Resurrection Bay on the southeast side of the Kenai Peninsula, you’ll find a very walkable downtown area with shops, galleries, bars and restaurants. Here are a few additional things you can add to your time in Seward to make the most of your visit:

Alaska Sea Life Center – aquarium and education center with puffins, seals and more
Iditarod Mile 0 – original starting point of the Iditarod dogsled race
Seward Waterfront walking path – a great way to take in the town and Resurrection Bay
Visit Exit Glacier – this is the only drive-to part of Kenai Fjords National Park
Deep sea fishing trip – try your hand at catching halibut or ling cod from Seward
Kayaking tour or rentals – there are lots of great paddling spots in Seward and the rest of the Kenai

Dining in Seward

I’ll be honest, Seward is not my favorite town for cuisine in Alaska. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, but its options are limited. I always like to set realistic expectations for anyone visiting a place for the first time. Having said that, here are our top picks for dining in Seward:

Porthole Cafe – in the marina, food truck
Resurrection Roadhouse – located at the Seward Windsong Lodge
Red’s Burgers – walk up dining
Highliner Restaurant – great food, well established
Lone Chicharron – solid choice for Mexican food
Seasalt Alaskan Grill & Bar – pricey but very good
Seward Brewing Co – brewery with pub fare, right by the Alaska SeaLife Center

Where to Stay in Seward

Find a great place to stay in or near Seward. This part of the Kenai Peninsula has lots of cabins, vacation rentals and beautiful lodges, both deep in the wood or in remote areas. We’ve really enjoyed staying at the Seward Windsong Lodge in the past, but there are more options to fit whatever budget you have. You’ll enjoy it!

More ideas for your visit to Seward:

I hope you’re excited to experience Kenai Fjords Tours. Between the wildlife and the glaciers, I know you’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, or the Kenai Peninsula please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!