With the distance to be traveled and smaller onboard group, the Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord Cruise feels more like an adventurous expedition than a tourist cruise. The vessel, a triple-deck boat with two spacious cabins and outdoor viewing decks, departs the Seward Small Boat Harbor in the morning. From the moment the ship leaves the dock, passengers are treated to potential wildlife sightings, such as otters, shy seals, seabirds, and eagles. Lucky groups may even spot the spray of a whale, or the flip of an orca's tail on the way out of Resurrection Bay.
Landscape lush with plants and wildlife.
There is no single stretch of smooth coastline in this wild place. Every foot is craggy, jagged, and varied, a product of scouring glaciers and crashing oceans. It's a wonder the landscape is as lush with plants and wildlife as it is. Cliffsides are capped by spruce trees and blanketed in moss. Droves of migrating seabirds make their nests in the high rocks and seals haul out on pebble beaches.
The tour boat cruises around the Chiswell Islands on its way into calm waters in Northwestern Fjord. Seven glaciers pour from the mountains here. The boat captain pulls within a safe distance of the ones reaching water, their massive faces towering hundreds of feet over the bay. Lunch is served in this spectacular setting. After hours exploring the isolated fjord, the boat makes the return journey through the eastern reaches of the 3.4-million-acre Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and back into Seward.
More Details
The Kenai Fjords Northwestern Fjord Cruise boat has two heated indoor cabins with large windows and comfortable seating, plus outdoor viewing decks on the bow and stern. No smoking is allowed on the boat.
The tour includes a light breakfast snack and either a southwestern chicken burrito or vegetarian burrito for lunch midway through the voyage. Additional snacks, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
What to Bring
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. Wear warm base layers and rubber-soled shoes. Even on a sunny day the air coming off a glacier can be quite chilly. Be sure to bring a camera and binoculars. If seasickness is a concern, err on the side of caution and take motion sickness medicine.
Special Instructions
Check in at the tour office in the Small Boat Harbor one hour prior to departure. The tour office provides luggage storage if needed.
Transfers & Meeting Points
Several local hotels provide shuttle service to the Small Boat Harbor. The tour operator will provide directions to a free all-day parking lot for self-drivers.
Rates & Dates
Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.
There is no child rate for this service, and it is not recommended for children under 12.
Rates & Dates
Dates
Adult
Child
Infant
5/31/25 (Sa) to 8/31/25 (Su)5/31/25 (Sa) to 8/31/25 (Su)
Adult: $265.00
Child: $265.00
Infant: $0.00
The rates above do not include taxes/fees of 7% plus $9.50 per person and are subject to change without notice.
Departure Times
Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.
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.
