Fish the saltwater for silver salmon. Go offshore halibut fishing. See whales, puffins, Stellar Sea Lions, eagles and more on a marine wildlife and watch glaciers calve ice into fjords on a boat tour. Stroll the small boat harbor and shops in the town of Seward. Hike right up to the toe of Exit Glacier or explore WWII relics.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Overview
Kenai Fjords National Park just might be one of the most fun places in all of Alaska. In addition to being a must-see tourist destination, locals regularly visit to go fishing, hiking, exploring a glacier, even discovering some WWII relics. The gateway to the Park is the seacoast town of Seward, welcoming guests to enjoy the Alaska Sea Life Center, and stroll the docks.
The bustling boat harbor is home to resident sea otters, a commercial fishing fleet, pleasure craft owned by Alaska residents, a thriving fishing charter fleet, all types of tour boats from kayaks to huge cruise ships, and Americaís northernmost sailing club.
History
Alaska Natives have lived and paddled their kayaks all along Alaska’s bountiful coastline for over 10,000 years, and a Park Service survey documented several village sites dating back to 1100 AD. The Natives say that when the tide is out, the table is set because the shoreline is so rich in subsistence foods. Russians and Lower 48 Americans lived in the area from the 1800’s to hunt sea otter, pan for gold, and raise foxes on a few of the islands. In 1980 the area was given special protection as a National Park, so you could come and enjoy the whales, puffins, salmon and halibut fishing, rich marine life, stunning views, pristine shorelines, and stunning glaciers.
Great Alaska Involvement
Most of Great Alaska’s itineraries include Kenai Fjords, for fishing packages and our Nature Safaris. We have our own custom charter boat “the Fair Chase” for top-notch halibut fishing. We take Day Cruises for glaciers, wildlife and incredible scenery. We hike to Exit Glacier and other well-maintained trails. Great Alaska once operated our “Seacoast Adventure Camp” in Thump Cove, though we found our guests prefer to return to our main lodge in the evening, where .
In Closing
When you’re inside the Park you feel humbled by the grand scale of the Wilderness. Look one way and you’ll see the mountain peaks and Harding Ice Field. The Ice Field feed glaciers that carve their way to the sea, leaving behind deep marine fjords, bays, almost 40 tidewater glaciers, and craggy snow-capped peaks. On your other side is the vast Pacific Ocean stretching to Hawaii and beyond, teeming with marine wildlife and sport fish.
While the 1,000 square-mile area seems impressive, the Park itself is surrounded by other protected lands on all sides, including the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Kachemak Bay State Park, and Chugach National Forest. The port and town of Seward is a major cruise ship dock, and the terminus for the historic Alaska Railroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities are in the Park?
Where can I stay?
One of the best things about traveling with Great Alaska is your guide will drive you back to the lodge after your activities for Happy Hour, a fine dinner, riverside fire and fishing, and your own comfortable bed. You do not need to repack every day to travel to a new destination.
How do I get there?
After a great lodge breakfast just hop in our van and we’ll take you there for a your choice of guided activities. Seward, the jumping off point, is just 130 miles from Anchorage. The port is a turnaround for cruise ships, so you can take an Alaska cruise and we will pick you up in Seward to start your land-based trip with us.
What’s the weather like?
It can be cold and sometimes rainy when you’re right next to the glaciers watching whales. It’s a good thing we have heavy 2-piece raingear you can use, underneath your jacket or sweater.
What wildlife can I see?
On any trip you may see Humpback, Fin or Grey whales, orca (killer whales), Dalls porpoise, Stellar Sea Lion, harbor seals, puffins (tufted & horned) and other sea birds, bald eagles, mountain goats, and maybe even you’ll spot a moose on the way there.