kenai fjords major marine tours

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Adult prices: age 12+       I       Child prices: age 2-11       I       Infant: under 2

4 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise

June 17 – October 13, 2024 Departs 12:30 p.m.  /  Returns 4:30 p.m.

Adult: $139     I     Child: $69.50     I     Infant: $0.00

6 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

May 4 – September 22, 2024 Departs 11:30 a.m.  /  Returns 5:30 p.m.

June 7 – August 18, 2024 Departs 8:00 a.m.  /  Returns 2:00 p.m.

Adult: $219     I     Child: $109.50     I     Infant: $0.00

7.5 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

May 24 – September 8, 2024 Departs 9:30 a.m. /  Returns 5:00 p.m.

Adult: $239    I     Child: $119.50     I     Infant: $0.00

8.5 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

May 31 – September 2, 2024 Departs 8:30 a.m. /  Returns 5:00 p.m.

Adult: $289    

Cruise not suitable for children under 12 or guests with limited mobility

Orca Quest Cruise

May 13 – June 16, 2024 Departs 12:30 p.m.  /  Returns 4:30 p.m.

Adult: $139     I     Child: $69.50     I     Infant: $0.00

Spring Wildlife Cruise

March 8 – May 12, 2024 Departs 12:30 p.m.  /  Returns 4:30 p.m.

Adult: $109     I     Child: $54.50     I     Infant: $0.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Prices do not include tax and dock fees. The 6 Hour, 7.5 Hour and 8.5 Hour Cruises include a complimentary deli lunch for all guests.

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Major Marine Tours - Kenai Fjords Cruise

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Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise

Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Full-Day Kenai Fjords National Park Northwestern Cruise

Orca Quest Cruise

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Major Marine Tours - Kenai Fjords Cruise - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

I was hosted by Major Marine Tours on a half-day wildlife cruise in exchange for coverage in this post. All opinions are my own.

The Best Way To Explore Kenai Fjords National Park: Major Marine Tours

Updated January 2024, The Best Way To Explore Kenai Fjords National Park: Major Marine Tours was originally published in August 2020

Alaska  is a huge bucketlist destination for many travelers, home to eight national parks, most of which are difficult to access with the exception of  Denali National Park , Kenai Fjords National Park, and  Wrangell St. Elias National Park . Kenai Fjords gives visitors the opportunity to experience Alaska’s rugged coastline, countless glaciers, and abundant wildlife.

Then there’s us locals. A lot of us forget to explore our own backyard, and I’m totally guilty of this one: despite living a short 2.5 hour drive from Seward, I’ve never gone on a wildlife day cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park.

That’s not to say it’s not been on my radar, it has. I’ve thought about hopping on one for the last several summers, especially after talking with patients (many lifelong and long-time Alaskans) at work I’ve been meaning to take one after hearing nothing but rave reviews.

The summer up here has a tendency to get away from us all, so that had been my excuse for the last few years of not ticking this one off the to-do list. So finally, excuses aside, I made it on a half-day Kenai Fjords National Park cruise after living here for 33 years.

I was hosted by  Major Marine Tours  on a half-day Kenai Fjords National Park cruise, and in this post, you’ll find out a bit more about these trips and why I definitely recommend both visitors to consider adding it to their itinerary and locals to make the jaunt down to  Seward  for.

Start planning: The  Ultimate Alaska Travel Guide

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How To Visit Kenai Fjords National Park

While you can visit Kenai Fjords National Park by car/foot by visiting Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield located just outside  Seward , in my opinion, the best way to experience the park is by taking one of Major Marine’s wildlife day cruises from Seward.

Kenai Fjords is comprised of over 669,000 acres of coastal Alaskan wilderness where mountains and ice meet the sea. Given the coastal nature of these glacially carved fjords, the best way to explore the park is undoubtedly by boat.

Major Marine Tours Wildlife Cruises

3.5 hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise  Adult $94.00 | Child $47.00

6 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise  Adult $169.00 | Child $84.50

8.5 hour Northwestern Fjord Cruise  Adult $239.00

How To Get To Seward

Getting to Seward is pretty straightforward. The small town is located on Resurrection Bay about 120 miles south of Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway (check out my  Kenai Peninsula Road Trip post  for ideas on where to stop along the way!).

The drive itself takes about two and a half hours down from Anchorage, but I recommend budgeting in more time to make stops along the way for photos.

Another great option for those that want to take in the scenery between Anchorage and Seward, but don’t want to take on the drive themselves is to book the  Rails to Whales package  offered by Major Marine Tours.

This package takes you on a day trip from Anchorage to Seward by way of the Alaska Railroad, then allows for you to board a 3.5, 5, or 6 hour Kenai Fjords Cruise before you would depart back to Anchorage by train.

Things To Do In Seward

There are plenty of things to do in Seward before and after your Kenai Fjords National Park cruise.

Popular highlights include the  Seward SeaLife Center , eating fresh Alaskan seafood at a number of restaurants and cafes in Seward,  kayaking in Resurrection Bay , hiking to Caine’s Head, taking a  glacier flightseeing tour , taking a hike at nearby  Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield , and so much more.

For a full guide to Seward to see what the small coastal town has to offer, as well as where to stay, eat, and more, check out my  Seward Travel Guide .

If you’re looking to get out of Seward for a couple of nights on your stay, I recommend booking a bed at Kayaker’s Cove and grabbing a water taxi to explore this little gem.

Exploring Kenai Fjords By Ship

As I mentioned before, the best way to explore Kenai Fjords National Park is by way of ship, allowing you to take in the wild sceneries and abundant wildlife the park has to offer.

The fjords range from 600 to 1,000 feet deep, surrounded by towering peaks dotted with hanging glaciers.

You’ll spend your time cruising along the shores of Resurrection Bay keeping an eye out for wildlife as you make your way out toward the Gulf of Alaska, taking in deep green forests, misty coves, and sea rocks covered in hundreds if not thousands of birds.

Wildlife To Look Out For

On my trip with Major Marine Tours, we were able to witness countless orca whales at the mouth of Resurrection Bay as it dumps out into the Gulf of Alaska.

Our crew believed some of the orcas we were seeing to be offshore orca, the rarest to see. Being surrounded by what felt like hundreds of orca watching as they breached and lobtailed was a definite highlight of my Kenai Fjords National Park cruise.

Bald Eagles

Alaska is home to more bald eagles than the 48 other states combines (Hawaii is the only state to not have bald eagles at all).

You’re bound to see bald eagles on a trip to Alaska, but your chances of seeing one here in Resurrection Bay while cruising the coves is highly likely.

The heaviest weasel and the smallest marine mammal, sea otters can range from 2.5 to 4 feet in length and weigh between 35 and 110 pounds.

A sea otter was our first wildlife sighting out of the Seward Harbor as the day began out into Resurrection Bay.

Sadly, otters were hunted extensively in the 18th and 19th centuries for their prized fur.

The numbers dwindled to nearly 1,000 before they were added to the endangered species list and hunting of the sea otter was banned.

These odd, clown-faced, diving birds can be found all along the coastal areas of the Kenai Peninsula.

We had the opportunity to see numerous horned puffins hanging out of cliff faces and diving for fish in the sea.

Puffins are impressive little birds with the ability to dive up to 200 feet to catch fish underwater.

You may be able to spot the tufted puffin on a Kenai Fjords cruise, look out for their yellow “horns”.

Steller Sea Lions

The reddish color fur distinguishes the Steller sea lion from its relative, the California sea lion. Steller sea lions remain on the near-threatened list because of their low numbers.

Males can grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 2,200 pounds, feeding on fish and mollusks.

Mountain Goats

Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting to see mountain goats on my wildlife trip with Major Marine Tours, as I tend to think of mountain goats being inland creatures.

Well, there we were, bobbing in the sea, watching a couple of mountain goats graze on the cliffside above us.

Migratory Birds & Sea Birds

You’d be hard-pressed to come on a wildlife cruise in Resurrection Bay and not see a single sea bird or migratory bird.

Keep your eyes peeled for black-legged kittiwakes, cormorants, common murres, petrels, harlequin ducks, and many more.

A Review Of Major Marine Tours

As most of you who have read my blog for a while know, I don’t do a lot of reviews or sponsored articles unless it’s something that really fits well with the nature of this blog.

I had actually been recommending people go on wildlife day cruises up here in Alaska for years based on the rave reviews I’d heard from both longtime Alaskans and travelers who had gone on one (you wouldn’t believe how often I hear a longtime Alaskan lament that they couldn’t believe they had waited so long to go on one and after having done so take one every year).

So when I had the chance to work with Major Marine Tours I jumped at the opportunity, since I had been recommending them for so long based on others’ experience.

From the ease of booking, checking in, and boarding to the comfortable ship, expert and knowledgable staff, and beyond I can now without a doubt recommend taking a Kenai Fjords National Park wildlife cruise with Major Marine Tours.

I couldn’t think of a single thing that could have been improved on for our Kenai Fjords cruise.

I was onboard the Spirit of Adventure, an 86 foot catamaran with a capacity of 174 passengers, for the 3.5 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife Cruise.

Major Marine is an Alaskan-owned boat tour company that has been in business for nearly 30 years.

Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Kenai Fjords Cruise

• Pack Dramamine in the event of seasickness.
• Bring binoculars.
• Dress in layers. Alaska weather is especially erratic so having layers you can easily add or strip off will make your trip that much more enjoyable because if you’re like me, you’ll spend nearly the entirety of the wildlife cruise outside on the deck. Having a waterproof rain jacket and rain pants is a must as the weather can be quite wet in Kenai Fjords. Find out more in my guide to  what to pack for Alaska .
• Don’t forget to pack your camera (and batteries).
• Bring a dry bag for electronics if you prefer to be outside on deck for your trip.
• Snacks, beer, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase onboard all Major Marine Tours cruises. The 3.5 hour cruise is the only departure that does not include a meal. Complimentary coffee, tea, and water are provided.

Have Any Questions About Major Marine Tours Or Kenai Fjords National Park?

Ask in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: I was hosted onboard the Spirit of Adventure on a 3.5 hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise by Major Marine Tours in exchange for review and coverage on The Adventures of Nicole. 

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For inquiries or to book by phone, call

1.888.478.3346

• 4 hr. Spring Resurrection Bay Tour
• 5 hr. Resurrection Bay Tour with Fox Island
• 5.5 hr. Glacier Dinner Cruise
• 6 hr. Kenai Fjords National Park Tour
• 8 hr. Northwestern Fjord Tour
• 8.5 hr. National Park Tour with Fox Island
• Fox Island History
• Room with a Cruise
• Private Charters

Pick Your Adventure

Alaska’s Best wildlife and glacier cruise.

There’s no telling what magical sights await as you journey up the coast from Seward on one of our unique ocean cruises, fully narrated by our experienced captains and knowledgeable crew. One thing is for certain: the abundant wildlife and incredible landscapes — from tumbling glaciers and lush forests to towering walls of rock — you’ll see on our wildlife and glacier cruises in Kenai Fjords National Park will create memories to last a lifetime.

Lock in the best rate when you book in advance Ages 1 and under cruise free Cancel up to 4 days before your trip for a full refund

For inquiries or to book by phone: 1.888.478.3346

2024 Tour Dates: March 14 – September 29, 2024

Kenai Fjords Tours Safety Promise Guest Information & Reservation Policy

The six-hour tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park was dazzling in a whole new way.

Great tour. Crew was amazing, accommodating, and helpful! Saw lots of orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, otters, bald eagles, puffins and big chunks of ice falling off the glacier! Captain was great at pointing things out and very knowledgeable.

Nothing could have prepared me for the sensory stimulation of this six-hour adventure.

We did the Kenai Fjords National Park Tour with Dinner on Fox Island and had a lot of fun! It was exciting to see the glaciers, and a bunch of wildlife. Crew was also extremely helpful and accommodating.

I booked the (Glacier) dinner cruise and am so happy that we did because it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We saw everything from mountain goats to orcas, breaching humpback whales, sea lions, and glaciers. The captain of the tour was awesome.

Book Early And Save

Why choose kenai fjords tours.

We are the original Kenai Fjords wildlife and glacier cruise operator  

All tours include meals and complimentary off-site parking nearby

All tours depart from Seward and are hosted by our experienced captain and on-board guides

Comfortable, modern boats with spacious viewing decks

Exclusive stops at the beautiful and secluded Fox Island    

Countless photo opportunities of the surrounding wildlife and scenery

Cruise & Kayak packages available for an unforgettable adventure  

Our team is committed to the wellbeing of all guests throughout their journey.

Learn more about the experience

$1 from each ticket supports the Alaska SeaLife Center's marine research, education, and wildlife response and rehabilitation programs.

Kenai Fjords Tours are proud partners of Whale SENSE — promoting responsible whale watching since 2017.

We are certified by Adventure Green Alaska as a tourism business that practices economic, environmental, social and cultural sustainability.

Fox Island Experience

Just 12 miles by boat from Seward, Fox Island and Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge are a world away from all you know. Renowned for jagged cliffs and pristine pebble beaches, they are a must-see for Alaska visitors.

Enjoy skipping rocks or a walk through nature. Then stop at the Fox Island Day Lodge for our signature dining experience.

Save more with these Alaska Travel Deals

SAVE 25% by bundling your stay at Seward Windsong Lodge with a Kenai Fjords Tours glacier and wildlife cruise.

Have fun with the family and receive one FREE kid's ticket for the Spring Resurrection Bay Tour with the purchase of an adult ticket.

SAVE 25% by bundling your stay at Seward Windsong Lodge with a Kenai Fjords Tours glacier and wildlife cruise during the festival.

Local residents save 20% on Kenai Fjords Tours. Proof of residency and consent to receive email offers from Pursuit required.

Get a deal on your next Alaska adventure — book your Kenai Fjords Tour early online and save!

Stories from Kenai Fjords

The #kenaifjordstours experience.

Connect with @KenaiFjordsTours on       

A member of our team will respond within 24 hours (weekdays) and 48 hours (weekends).

The well-being of our guests and staff has always been our top concern. This season we are continuing to take appropriate measures to ensure you can travel with confidence.

Read our full Covid safety promise

1.800.808.8068   |  CONTACT US

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Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

• Educational boat tour through Kenai Fjords National Park
• See at Holgate Glacier and the Chiswell Islands
• Opportunities to spot wildlife such as puffins, sea lions, and otters
• Ride in the comfort of a heated cabin with a reserved seat
• See itinerary
• Reserved seating in the heated cabin
• Water, coffee, and tea
• Use of binoculars
• All taxes and fees included
• Sandwich options are turkey, roast beef, or vegetarian.
• Onboard Naturalist Narration
• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• 1412 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664, USA Departure Point: Major Marine Tours Check-In Office at Harbor 360 Hotel Address: 1412 4th Ave. Seward, Alaska 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.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately
• Most travelers can participate
• Wheelchair accessibility or limited mobility requests must be submitted ahead of time due to limited seating capability
• Sandwich options are turkey, roast beef, or vegetarian. Please submit choice in advance.
• Guests arriving by train should contact us in advance to ensure you will be scheduled on the correct cruise.
• We continue to maintain our high standard of cleanliness and have implement additional cleaning procedures for commonly touched surfaces during the cruise.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll start at 1412 4th Ave 1412 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664, USA Departure Point: Major Marine Tours Check-In Office at Harbor 360 Hotel Address: 1412 4th Ave. Seward, Alaska 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. See address & details
• Pass by Major Marine Tours - Kenai Fjords Cruise Kenai Fjords National Park Resurrection Bay Holgate Glacier
• You'll return to the starting point

• Lynn B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles National Park tour We did the National Park tour and Kathy was our captain 🧑‍✈️. She was excellent at getting us to see all the wildlife and glaciers and did a wonderful job of explaining everything we were seeing. Definitely worth it!! Read more Written May 17, 2024
• joann c 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Genuinely good people and a great time This tour company is wonderful. The cruise itself was great. The staff were friendly and engaging. I get seasick so I took different motion sickness prevention measures (sea bands, bonine, and some oil tincture on my wrist - the scent lessens nausea). The crew checked in on me several times on the ride to make sure I was okay. They helped me enjoy the cruise even with my motion sensitivity. We saw a mountain goat, bald eagles, pigeon guillemot, cormorant, sea lions, sea otters, and dall’s porpoises. The company went above and beyond after we got home. My son was sad that we didn’t bring home the brochure with the animal pictures on it so I called and asked if they could mail one to us and they did! They even sent it priority so it got here fast. I highly recommend them. Seriously good people. Read more Written May 10, 2024
• rixingle 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Bucket list ticked off We got to see Orcas in the wild so a huge bucket list item ticked off the list. The team on board were all so friendly and professional it made a great day out. the skipper amazed me how he could spot a mountain goat on the mountains and point out to us. Even with the inclement weather we saw bald eagles, otters, seals, mountain goats and the orca. Read more Written May 10, 2024
• michaeleP8751WT 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Spring Wildlife Cruise - Great time! Great experience and would highly recommend. Captain and crew were very knowledgable and friendly. As with any wildlife tour, what you see varies day to day, but we got very lucky on ours. On our tour, we got to get really close to some humpback whales and porpoises, and also saw otters, harbor seals, many sea lions, bald eagles, and mountain goats. A great time, especially for the relatively low price. Read more Written May 8, 2024
• Kara M 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Spectacular Spring Excursion Perfect Spring activity for visiting family. Knowledgeable, friendly & professional staff. Clean boat. Read more Written April 28, 2024
• Rochelle460 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Breathtaking Experience!! We enjoyed our time with Major Marine tours, from the kind and helpful staff and crew to the majestic beauty of our tour!! It was worth it! Read more Written April 28, 2024
• 413LoganW 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing cruise I believe we were the first tour of the season. We saw just about every animal listed. The boat is nice & clean. Our daughter loved every minute, as did we. We saw Eagles, Sea Otters, Dall Porpoises, Seal, Mountain goats & a humpback whale. Read more Written April 26, 2024
• Nerdlit96 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Everyone was knowledgeable and super friendly. It was so much to see all the wild life. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to experience Alaska wildlife. Read more Written April 24, 2024
• laimzl 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best tour, have been repeating it! Loved this tour the first time I took it and have been bringing my friends and family back each time they visit me in Anchorage. From the friendliest faces at the check in, to the captain personally scanning your ticket to meet you, and the staff along the ride checking in and giving you extra info, to the clean and well managed boat. I have been impressed every time. Must do if you’re visiting Anchorage. It’s definitely worth the 2.5 hour drive down there. Read more Written April 22, 2024
• IreneDrazen 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome!! This was amazing! There was an abundance of wildlife that can be seen from the tour (sea otters and porpoise were too cute by the way). It’s a must do for everyone’s bucket list! Our family took the 4 hour spring wildlife boat tour. The Captain kept everyone engaged and the crew members were awesome! This was the highlight of our Alaskan adventure visiting from Ohio! Read more Written April 21, 2024
• emma1252024 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An amazing expirience! We drove from Anchorage to Seward to take the 4 hour spring wildlife cruise. Even early in March we saw so much, including dolphins, otters, seals, sea lions and many seabirds. The captain was engaging and all the staff was very knowledgeable and open to questions throughout the entire cruise. I highly recommend Major Marine Tours! Read more Written March 26, 2024
• ehull1 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Thank you! We had a wonderful time! The captain was very knowledgeable and gracious. abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv that's it Read more Written March 26, 2024
• jentron53 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Definitely worth the trip! As a lifetime Alaskan this is a family tradition! I have taken variations of this tour so many times - as a child with my parents, with friends and visiting out of state relatives, then later on with my own kids. It never gets old! We love getting out on the water and enjoying the wild beauty of Alaskan waters. The captain and crew do an excellent job keeping us safe and comfortable while being fun and entertaining. The boats are very stable and even the folks prone to seasickness don't generally have a problem. It's definitely worth the time and expense. Read more Written March 25, 2024
• laurenwarkent 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome day on the water! Absolutely incredible day on the water. Major Marine Tours did a great job and the staff was so helpful especially Scott. We saw so many marine animals - a day we will always remember. Read more Written March 19, 2024
• mel3961 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great family cruise This cruise is amazing. The crew is so very attentive. They make sure you see all of the beautiful wildlife. The views are gorgeous. The staff were so very good to those that became seasick! Read more Written March 18, 2024

More to explore in Seward

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise provided by Major Marine Tours - Kenai Fjords Cruise

Kenai Fjords Tours Vs Major Marine In Seward

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For anyone visiting Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park is a must-see destination.

It’s one of the best places to take in the stunning scenery and experience beautiful Alaskan wildlife up close.

But here’s the catch: the park is virtually inaccessible by road. Visitors have to take a day tour cruise from Seward. 

Table of Contents

Getting Around Kenai Fjords National Park 

The two main cruise operators in Seward are Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine. If you’re trying to decide which tour would be best for you, we’ve got you covered.

Travel can be unpredictable; there’s so much that could go wrong. Therefore, getting the right travel insurance is paramount.

A travel insurance plan can help ensure that minor mishaps don’t ruin your Kenai Fjords National Park experience. 

Kenai Fjords Tours

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kenai Fjords Tours (@kenaifjordstours)

If you’re looking for  things to do in Alaska , a Kenai Fjords National Park trip should be on your list. The 600,000+ acres park offers plenty, from exotic wildlife to stunning landscapes.

As most of the park can only be explored by boat, several daily cruises are available. 

Kenai Fjords Tours out of Seward is one of the more popular options for exploring the beautiful, expansive park. Here’s everything you need to know about Kenai Fjords Tours if you book with them. 

Cruise Options and Routes

Like all the other cruise operators in Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Fjords Tours offers several cruise options and routes for explorers.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to what you want to see (glaciers, wildlife, or both), how deep you want to go into the park, and the time of the year.

Read later – 4 Best Kenai Fjords Kayaking Tours

The longer you stay on the boat, the deeper you go into Kenai Fjords National Park — and the more you pay.

Here are some of the most popular Kenai Fjords Tours cruise options and their respective prices:

• A 4-hour Gray Whale Watch Tour ($80)
• A 5-hour Resurrection Bay Tour ($108)
• A 5-hour and 30 mins Glacier Dinner Cruise ($162)
• A 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park Tour ($162)
• A 7-hour Northwestern Fjord Tour ($207)
• An 8 hour-and 30 mins Kenai Fjords National Park with Fox Island Dinner ($189)

The Fox Island Dinner cruise is only six hours long, with the other two and a half hours accounting for dinner.

As you’d expect, some of these cruises may not be available depending on the season. For instance, the Gray Whale Watch Tour is only offered in spring. 

Boats, Crew, and Food

When deciding the best Kenai Fjords National Park cruise, you’ll want to know what to expect regarding boats, crew, and food.

You’ll be happy to know that Kenai Fjords Tours boasts a fleet of modern vessels for all cruises. 

The staff are polite, thoughtful, and highly professional.

It’s Alaska, so it should be expected that someone will get seasick at some point during the boat tour. The crew will check in regularly to ensure everyone is okay. 

One of the best parts about Kenai Fjords Tours is that they offer a hearty and filling lunch, depending on the duration of the cruise.

For the shorter tours, expect sandwiches and premade wraps. For longer trips, you may get a delicious hot lunch.  

The Overall Kenai Fjords Tours Experience

Kenai Fjords National offers an abundance of wildlife and marine life to see.

All cruises from this operator depart from Seward Harbor, which is ideal if you want to see all the animals and marine life. Of course, it all depends on the weather. 

On a good day, you’ll see whales, puffins, sea lions, seabirds, mountain goats, and more. Some routes will be more scenic than others, but you should be able to get some stunning views of glaciers, mountains, and fjords regardless of your route.

Major Marine Tours

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The other major Kenai Fjords National Park tour operator is Major Marine Tours .

The cruise provider offers amazing tours to enjoy the park’s stunning scenery, wildlife, and glaciers.

Here’s everything you need to know about Major Marine Tours if you book with them. 

Major Marine Tours also offers a variety of cruise options to choose from.

Depending on your choice, you’ll spend four to eight hours cruising through Kenai Fjords National Park.

Here are some of the most popular Major Marine Tours cruises: 

• Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise (4 hrs) –$129
• Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise (6 hrs) – $199
• Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise (7 hrs and 30 mins) – $229 
• Northwestern Fjord Cruise (8hrs and 30 mins) – $269

All tours start at the Seward Harbor.

The boats depart almost simultaneously, so you need to be sure you get into the right one. You may wait a few minutes in line out on the docks before you can get on board. 

Like most Kenai Fjords National Park tour operators, Major Marine Tours has an impressive fleet of boats to carry passengers on wildlife tours.

All the vessels feature a viewing deck, heated cabins, clean restrooms, and large fog-free picture windows.

The crew is experienced, friendly, and always ready to help. 

Major Marine Tours offers lunch on tours longer than six hours.

Expect nothing fancy in terms of their food, just a bag of chips, a sandwich, a cold beverage, and maybe a snack. Premade wraps are pretty much the standard these days with most cruise operators. 

The Overall Major Marine Tours Experience

Tours start in Seward, offering fantastic views of the harbor town as the boat heads to the open ocean.

Typically, shorter tours will take some time in the Resurrection Bay area, while longer ones take heads deeper into the park to explore the glaciers. 

If there are whale sightings in the area, boats will typically divert toward them while maintaining a safe watching distance.

There’ll also be plenty of opportunities to see glaciers, especially for the longer tours that go further into Kenai Fjords National Park.  

Kenai Fjords Tours Vs Major Marine: Which Is Better? 

Regarding Kenai Fjords Tours vs. Major Marine, both cruise providers do an excellent job at helping travelers explore Kenai Fjords National Park.

They also offer similar sightseeing opportunities. However, there are a few differences between the two companies. 

For instance, Major Marine offers reserved seating, while Kenai Fjords Tours doesn’t.

That said, you won’t have trouble finding your seat on a Kenai Fjords Tours cruise. The Kenai Fjords Tour boats use the captain as the narrator, while Major Marine Tours have a park ranger aboard. 

However, you’ll find that the captain is just as informative as the park ranger, so that’s something you don’t need to worry about if you’re leaning toward Kenai Fjords Tours.

Ultimately, the choice between Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine is mostly a personal preference.

Kenai Fjords Tours and Major Marine are the main cruise operators in Kenai Fjords National Park.

There’s not much to separate them; it boils down to individual preference. If you’d like to explore more of what The Last Frontier offers, this  Alaska five-day itinerary  will be useful. 

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SPECIALS & PACKAGES

We also own and operate Major Marine Tours, offering world-class wildlife and glacier tours in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. These day-cruises are a must-do activity in Seward and are consistently rated as visitors’ favorite experience in Alaska. We can package your Gateway Hotel reservation with any Major Marine Tours cruise for the ultimate Seward adventure.

See towering tidewater glaciers, stunning scenery, whales, and abundant wildlife on one of our cruise options, ranging from 4 hours to 8.5 hours. Cruises run early March through mid-October.

For the convenience of our Gateway Hotel guests, we offer free shuttle service to the Major Marine Tours check-in offices. For those who prefer to walk, the check-in offices are within close walking distance of the hotel. Shuttle service is not available for the 8:00 am 6 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise. Visit the Major Marine Tours website to learn more.

To add a Major Marine Tours cruise to your hotel reservation, please call us at (907) 224-8030.

Major Marine Tours

8.5 Hour Northwestern Fjord Cruise

Price: $289 per person ( not suitable for children under 12 ) Dates: May 31 – September 2, 2024 Departs/Returns:  8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The longest cruise offered in Kenai Fjords National Park takes you to the remote, untouched Northwestern Fjord. Get up-close views of glaciers, whales, and wildlife on this small-vessel adventure cruise. View three active tidewater glaciers and visit bird rookeries and Steller sea lion haul-outs. Complimentary deli lunch included.

7.5 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Price: $239 per adult, $119.50 per child Departure Dates: May 24 – September 8, 2024 Departs/Returns:  9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Visit two active tidewater glaciers and have extra time viewing the abundant wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park on a stable catamaran. Cruise is narrated by an experienced captain. The cruise includes a complimentary deli lunch.

6 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Price: $219 per adult, $109.50 per child Afternoon Departure Dates: May 4 – September 22, 2024 Departs/Returns: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Morning Departure Dates:  June 7 – August 18, 2024 Departs/Returns:  8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Visit one active tidewater glacier and discover the abundant wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park on a stable catamaran. Two departure times are available for your convenience. Cruise is narrated by an experienced captain. The cruise includes a complimentary deli lunch.

4 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise

Price: $139 per adult, $69.50 per child Afternoon Departure Dates: June 17 – October 13, 2024 Departs/Returns: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Limited on time but still want to explore? The 4 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise gives you the convenience of choosing a half-day departure time that fits your schedule. Explore the wildlife and stunning scenery in the calm waters of Resurrection Bay on this small-vessel cruise. Rather than following a set route, this cruise travels to the best whale and wildlife viewing areas that day based on reports from other vessels.

Orca Quest Cruise

Price: $139 per adult, $69.50 per child Dates: May 13 – June 16, 2024 Departs/Returns:   12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

From mid-May through mid-June, orca whales frequent the waters outside of Seward in search of food. Join Major Marine Tours – the local whale experts – as they search for orcas during this prime time for orca whale watching. Rather than following a set route, this cruise will go to where the orcas have been most recently seen, making every day a unique cruising experience.

Additional Information

Adult prices: age 12+ Child prices: age 2 – 11 Infants: under 2 (free)

Prices do not include tax and harbor fee. 

Package Cancellation Policy When booking packages, full payment is due at the time of booking. Package reservations are fully refundable until 7 days prior to the first day of your package reservation. Within 7 days the package is non-refundable and non-changeable. A 3% processing fee will be assessed for cancellations. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

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Check out our Aialik/Northwestern Explorer Kayaking and Wildlife Viewing Trip

If you're looking to book a world-class kayaking experience in kenai fjords this summer, we think this trip may be the best around. we designed it from scratch, and we have a beautiful and safe water taxi dedicated exclusively to our customers for this trip.  using our own water taxi gives us the flexibility to go further on the water, ensuring that we have the best day possible by considering the weather and wildlife locations for each new day. it's also much cheaper than many of our competitor's trips that use a shared water taxi.

Escape to Adventure

The finest paddling trips in kenai fjords national park, explore our featured paddle tours, featured all day kayaking trips in the fjords, aialik glacier, northwestern lagoon, and whales. take your time to explore the fjords up close, check out our wildlife viewing kayaking tour options, best guides.

All of our talented guides go through our best-in-class training and mentorship program

We use drysuits where we need to, supply awesome neoprene paddling boots where appropriate, and generally use best-in-class equipment for our trips.

We've created many of these trips from the ground up over the last two decades. We've built water taxis and jet boats, created itineraries, and changed common practices to set ourselves apart and offer the coolest trips possible.

Our Most Popular Glacier Kayaking Trips

• Aialik Glacier Wildlife Cruise and Kayaking $509 $489
• Aialik/Northwestern Explorer $459

Aialik Glacier is one of the most popular kayaking destinations in Alaska

Seward's most affordable aialik glacier kayaking tour, now on sale, explore aialik kayaking.

Most kayaking companies in town run a version of this trip using the same water taxi out to the same glacier, but we do it cheaper, and we think we run the best trip!

This trip is a combination wildlife viewing and kayaking experience

Interested in a more exclusive glacier kayaking trip? Check out our Aialik/Northwestern Explorer

This Captain's Choice trip is our premier Fjords day trip

Smaller groups & fewer crowds, explore aialik/northwestern explorer kayaking.

For a more exclusive experience in the Fjords, choose our Aialik/Northwestern Explorer Kayaking and Wildlife trip

We don't share our water taxi with any other company for this trip, so we can go to more remote areas where there are no crowds

As always, we provide the best gear, the best guides, and in this case, the best boat, to provide an unparalleled experience

Use Our Interactive Map to Learn About Our Adventures

Use the interactive map below to explore what trips we offer, and where we run them. This website has been designed around our maps so that you can make informed decisions about which trip is right for you.

A private boat means our clients can go where the weather is the best and the crowds are smallest for the day. This captain's choice trip glacier kayaking tour operates in either Northwestern Lagoon or Holgate Arm. 

Watch an interactive film produced by Google and guided by Liquid Adventures that features our Bear Glacier Kayaking trip

Check out this amazing, interactive video that we helped film last season at Bear Glacier with Google and the National Park Service for their Centennial celebration. It's pretty, and pretty incredible, too.

Why Choose Us?

We're local, hand-crafted, safe and skilled..

We know that you're putting in a lot of research to choose the right outfitter for your time in Seward. We strive hard every day to be the best company in town, and we've put together some reasons why we feel that we're the right choice for adventurous travelers.

Package Adventures

Combine adventures with our partner companies and save

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