Spring Wildlife Cruise from Seward

Overview

Every year grey whales make a 12,000-mile roundtrip migration from the Baja, Mexico, to Arctic waters off the northwestern coast of Alaska. When underway they average 75 miles per day. That means pods begin passing by Resurrection Bay starting in March, making this early season Seward day cruise a must-do for devoted marine wildlife watchers.

A must-do for marine wildlife watchers.

The cruise begins at the Seward Small Boat Harbor where guests board their boat in the early afternoon. After motoring among the sailboats and trawlers in the harbor, wildlife can be spotted almost immediately after entering open bay waters. Often it's Dall's porpoises or sea otters playing in the boat wake. Cruising farther into the bay the boat captain and crew keep keen eyes peeled for blow spouts, the telltale sign of whales nearby.

It's a thrill when they're spotted. From a respectful distance day cruisers watch grey whales surface and exhale, blowing spray high in the air as their backs glide above the water and tales flip. With luck, the boat might even be visited by a curious mother whale with months-old calf. After a few hours on the water, the day tour concludes with a return trip through Resurrection Bay to Seward.

More Details

The Spring Wildlife Cruise departs from the Seward Boat Harbor and lasts about four hours. Wildlife sightings in Resurrection Bay may include Harbor seals, Steller sea lions, otters, eagles, grey whales, and land-bound animals like mountain goats and black bears.

The tour boat has exterior decks, a covered awning, and heated indoor cabin space. Complimentary coffee, tea, and water are provided. Additional snacks, hot and cold drinks, and adult beverages are available for purchase.

What to Bring

Spring temps can be quite chilly. To make the most of views and fresh air on the exterior decks, it is important to dress in layers for this tour. Bring a rain jacket, hat, and gloves and wear warm base layers and rubber-soled shoes. Be sure to bring a camera and binoculars. If seasickness is a concern, err on the side of caution and take motion sickness medicine in advance. Dramamine, Bonine, and ginger chews are available for purchase onboard.

Special Instructions

Check in at the boat tour office located in the Harbor 360 Hotel. The tour office provides luggage storage if needed.

Transfers & Meeting Points

Several local hotels provide shuttle service to the Small Boat Harbor. For self-drivers, parking is available across the street from the Harbor 360 Hotel or one block south of the South Harbor Office on 4th Avenue. There is $10 charge per vehicle per day.

Rates & Dates

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

Departure Times

Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.

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Availability

Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.