Best Day Trips from Anchorage – Why Portage Glacier is Amazing?

Chris Boothman
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3
Best Day Trips from Anchorage – Why Portage Glacier is Amazing?

When you think about stereotypical Alaska, what springs to mind? Freezing cold temperatures, miles of untouched wilderness or perhaps wildlife spottings that you would rarely see anywhere else in the world. All of these thoughts are accurate but for the aspiring geologists out there, the presence of glaciers throughout Alaska will be an intriguing attraction. If you are considering taking day trips from Anchorage, there are a number of glaciers worth visiting including the iconic Portage Glacier located along the scenic drive from Anchorage to Seward.

Visiting Alaska is the ultimate experience for those of you that love the outdoors and want to enjoy the adventures of exploring this “untouched wilderness”. Exploring the geological phenomena of glaciers is something that I was particularly excited about before we visited Alaska, so when we decided to take a day trip to Portage Glacier, I was raring to find out more.

day trips from anchorage

For those of you planning to stay in and around Anchorage for a few days, this post will hopefully inspire you take a few day trips and explore the surrounding region. Driving north to Denali is a must but there are certainly enough experiences in the vicinity of Anchorage to make it worthwhile spending a few nights here.

Best Day Trips from Anchorage

Although Anchorage may seem like a relatively small city in comparison to other cities around the country, there are not many that offer such amazing experiences within such short driving distances.

scenic drives from anchorage

Here are some of the best day trips from Anchorage that are worth considering the next time you visit the Alaskan capital. These are all trips that we would classify as ‘scenic drives’ but there are certainly many other types of excursions that you can consider out of Anchorage.

  1. Turnagain Arm Drive – Essentially this is the first half of the drive from Anchorage to Seward but offers breathtaking, dramatic views across the Turnagain Arm and Chugach State Park on the opposite side.
  2. Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive – The Matanuska River Valley offers yet more breathtaking natural landscapes with the opportunity to take a guided hike on the Matanuska Glacier.
  3. Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive – The Hatcher Pass is a little over an hour from Anchorage and is yet another opportunity to admire a plethora of stunning Alaskan scenery.
  4. Old Glenn Highway Scenic Drive – If you are looking to experience “old-time Alaska”, hop on the Old Glenn Highway, a 19-mile country road en route to Palmer, AK through Alaskan farmland communities.
  5. Eklutna Lake Scenic Drive – Our first experience in Alaska was to drive about 30 minutes north of Anchorage and take a 22-mile drive to the heart of Chugach State Park where we arrived at Eklutna Lake. The glacial lake is amazing with a variety of hiking trails but perhaps the highlight is the scenic drive through gorgeous alpine landscapes from the highway to the lake.
  6. Arctic Valley Road Scenic Drive – If you are ready to go “off-roading” on a typical Alaskan gravel road, take the Arctic Valley Road scenic drive for the ultimate experience. The views from the summit of this 45-minute drive are possibly the most rewarding in the Anchorage area.

So with so many awesome scenic drives to choose from, where we did we decide to go? After leaving Eklutna Lake, we decided to head south along the Turnagain Arm Drive in search of the Portage Glacier.

eklutna lake scenic drive

Let’s find out why we opted for this alternative when there are so many others to choose from (we were literally spoiled for choice)!

Portage Glacier Road

The drive from Anchorage to Portage Glacier offers a number of scenic lookouts that you will want to experience as you peer across the Turnagain Arm. The moment you arrive in the quirky town of Portage and wind away from the water, you could be forgiven for thinking the gorgeous scenery is left behind.

turnagain arm scenic drive

Don’t worry, the drive along Portage Glacier Road is equally breathtaking and as you stumble across some hidden lakes and lookouts along this road, you may well think this is even more beautiful.

portage glacier road

On the way back from Portage Lake, we pulled over a one of the various spots and took a short trail through the trees and were amazed at the sight of a gorgeous glacial lake with the mountains reflecting off the calm surface.

day trips from anchorage to portage glacier

There was literally no one else in sight and this was certainly one of the highlights of our trip as we were able to sit down on the banks of the lake and just breathe in the Alaskan air without fear of anyone interrupting us.

portage glacier drive

If you have more time and are a little more adventurous, perhaps hiking deep into the realms of the mountains to get a closer look at the various glaciers that are present here will interest you. For us, simply admiring the natural beauty surrounding us was enough before we continued on our journey to uncover more hidden gems.

portage valley glacier

Portage Glacier

Although the Portage Glacier is in retreat which makes it impossible to see from the Boggs Visitor Center observation decks, there are still ample opportunities to view this glacier. Take a short drive from the visitor center to the cruise port and take an hour-long sightseeing boat cruise on Portage Lake to get an “up close and personal” look at the glacier.

portage lake

Daily cruises are available between mid-May and mid-September at five different times with the last cruise departing at 4:30PM. For $39 per person ($19 for children), you can experience the hour-long cruise aboard the “mv Ptarmigan” and be only 300 yards away from the glacier.

portage glacier cruises

Enjoy the ice crashing into Portage Lake as you experience the wonderful natural phenomenon of glacial ice carving. For more information, check out the Portage Glacier Cruises website.

portage valley glacier

Alternatively, if you prefer to don your hiking boots and take a stroll, you can take one of the many trails that lead to the glacier. As you can see with a little time and effort, you will still have plenty of chances to see Portage Glacier.

day trips from anchorage

Unfortunately, we visited moments after the last cruise left, so we had to head to the visitor center for some further information on the best way to see the glacier. However, we did take some time to capture some great photos of Portage Lake which is an amazing scene with the backdrop of the mountains providing a picture perfect landscape.

portage glacier

After visiting the Begich Boggs Visitor Center, the knowledgeable park ranger informed us that we could drive a short distance through the tunnel and on the other side we could catch a glimpse of the retreating Portage Glacier.

day trips from anchorage alaska

Portage is just one of many retreating glaciers within the region. In addition, Burns Glacier, Byron Glacier and several others surround the Portage Valley and offer an intriguing look into the history of glaciation. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, if you are intrigued by glacial formations, this part of Alaska is certainly one that you should consider exploring.

Summary

Taking the scenic drive to Portage Glacier is just one of many awesome day trips from Anchorage that you should consider taking. Spectacular scenery is guaranteed and you just never quite know what amazing sight will be around each corner on the Portage Glacier Road.

day trips from anchorage

We look forward to making a return trip and hopefully taking advantage of the cruise around Portage Lake because if the experience of getting close to the glacier is similar to what we experienced at Aialik Glacier during our Kenai Fjords cruise, it will be a moment worth cherishing!

portage glacier alaska

Have you explored the area surrounding the Portage Glacier? Do you like to head ‘off the beaten path’ and stumble across hidden gems like we did in this part of Alaska?

How to Enjoy the Spectacular Drive from Anchorage to Denali?

Chris Boothman
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How to Enjoy the Spectacular Drive from Anchorage to Denali?

When you visit Alaska, there is one thing that you just have to experience – a trip to Denali National Park! For most visitors, your introduction to Alaska will start in Anchorage. Rather than concentrating on what to expect inside the park, we want to share the overall experience of taking the scenic drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park.

I am sure you are all familiar with iconic national parks such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite but Denali is potentially superior to all of these in terms of natural beauty. Not only can you appreciate the panoramic scenery within the confines of the park but also from a distance while you take the gorgeous drive along the Parks Highway.

We want to share a couple of spots along this route that you should take some time to experience before you actually arrive at Denali.

Anchorage

Before you leave Alaska’s largest city, perhaps you will be inspired to explore what this city has to offer. It may not have the iconic skyline as some of the other leading cities around the nation, but Anchorage offers a variety of intriguing reasons to make you stay and explore.

A visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center is perhaps a great way to start your visit to ‘The Last Frontier’. However, you will likely be itching to get on the road and start exploring the ‘real’ Alaska. The best way to get around and explore everything Alaska has to offer is by renting a car at the airport. It’s convenient and offers flexibility rather than relying on official tour companies to take you around their pre-determined locations.

alaska scenic byways

I will be perfectly honest and say that we spent very little time in and around Anchorage. Our visit to Alaska was purely about heading out and exploring the natural beauty around the state so we simply used Anchorage as a base to spend a couple of nights at the beginning and end of our trip.

Let’s head out of Anchorage and start our journey north!

Mirror Lake

A short drive outside of Anchorage will immediately offer a variety of gorgeous landscapes, the first of which being Mirror Lake. Moments from the highway, Mirror Lake is a relaxing location where you can admire the reflections off the lake with the backdrop of the Chugach State Park mountains providing an eclectic blend of natural scenery.

mirror lake alaska

Mirror Lake offers a boat launch, picnic tables, ample parking for visitors and restrooms. If you want to grab breakfast or lunch in Anchorage and take the short drive, Mirror Lake is definitely a spot I would recommend to enjoy the relaxing surroundings.

mirror lake alaska

We only spent about 30 minutes here before heading onwards to Denali but you could easily spend more if time allows. There are a number of walking trails around the lake which offer different angles and perhaps you will stumble across wildlife during your time at Mirror Lake.

Eklutna Lake

A little further north is the impressive Eklutna Lake. Located about 15 miles off the highway along Eklutna Lake Road, this is another popular attraction for visitors looking to explore outside of Anchorage.

eklutna lake alaska

Located in the heart of Chugach State Park, this lake offers a campground providing the perfect spot for an overnight stay to explore the 25 miles of trails that intertwine throughout the park.

eklutna lake alaska

Although we visited Eklutna during our first day, it is one of the recommended points of attraction on the drive from Anchorage to Denali. Again, this will depend completely on your time constraints and how much time you want to explore Eklutna. The Eklutna Lake valley was carved by the Eklutna Glacier and what we see today was created as the glacier receded.

drive from anchorage to denali

The views across the lake are stunning and the difficult part will be leaving given that you will feel you are leaving a lot behind. A visit to Eklutna Lake is perhaps best suited to a day trip from Anchorage but if you are interested in getting a brief preview of what beauty awaits you, I recommend taking the short scenic drive from the Glenn Highway.

Reflections Lake

You have probably established that this stretch of highway offers an abundance of gorgeous lakes that you will want to experience. Our final stop in the early part of this drive was at Reflections Lake which I have to say was my favorite of all three.

reflections lake drive from anchorage to denali

The solitude was apparent as we parked outside the entrance and took a short walk to the banks of the lake. We were the only visitors there aside from a couple of folks camping but we were able to appreciate the quiet sounds of wildlife going about their morning routine and admire the fog lifting from the heat of the water against the cooler atmosphere.

reflections lake alaska

Dawn and dusk here can be stunning, with sunset colors playing across the water and on the peaks. (Alaska.org)

A one-mile trail around Reflections Lake is an easy walk all year round and although the trail is mostly wooded, there are various spots that open up to appreciate the stunning views in front of your eyes. The mountain range line one end of the lake providing a majestic backdrop and offering reflections across the lake.

reflections lake alaska

Talkeetna

By the time we reached the quirky yet quaint town of Talkeetna, we couldn’t help but have already fallen in love with Alaska! The aforementioned lakes are enough to sell this beautiful state but if you are looking for something a little different, wait until you reach Talkeetna.

talkeetna alaska

Talkeetna is a popular spot for visitors who choose to take the train from Anchorage but although it’s a little out of the way to visit if you are driving, it’s well worth taking the short drive from the Parks Highway to explore what this town has to offer (plus there is a gorgeous spot along this road to capture another view of Mount Denali).

drive from anchorage to denali

The town is primarily catered towards tourists with a number of souvenir shops selling locally made merchandise. We explored several and bought a couple of mementos but I was particularly impressed by Aurora Dora, a shop solely selling pictures of the Northern Lights captured in Talkeetna.

talkeetna gift shops

The owner Dora Miller is also the photographer who has taken all of these amazing images and she gave us the tip about the Northern Lights being active later that night and to ask about a wake-up call at our hotel. We are thankful for this because our experience was amazing!

talkeetna alaska

Time quickly got away from us as we explored Talkeetna and this is certainly located perfectly to capture the attention of visitors traveling north who want a spot to grab a bite to eat before making the final trip to Denali.

drive from anchorage to denali

It’s about half-way along the drive from Anchorage and Denali, so depending on how much time you spent at the lakes, you could expect to reach here in a little over 2 or 3 hours.

drive from anchorage to denali national park

Denali Overlooks

After leaving Talkeetna, depending on the weather, the views of Mount Denali will become even more prominent. There are two distinctive overlooks that provide stunning views of the Alaskan range.

denali overlook

Denali Viewpoint South is located at milepost 134-135 of the Parks Highway. A paved parking lot offers visitors the chance to take a short walk to a platform that opens up to panoramic views of the Alaskan Range.

drive from anchorage to denali

Whether your focal point is Mount Denali or perhaps you want to admire it’s smaller counterparts, if you are fortunate to visit on a perfectly clear day as we did, you will be treated to a stunning overlook.

denali viewpoint north

Denali Viewpoint North is about 30 miles further north at milepost 162-163. By now, you will have driven around the eastern side of the Alaskan range so the angle of Mount Denali has completely changed.

denali

However, this takes nothing away from the beauty that lies in front of you. It’s great to see a different perspective of the mountain and again we were incredibly lucky to have a perfect day to appreciate these panoramas.

Welcome to Denali National Park

Did you know that your adventure won’t start until you reach Denali National Park? After spending several hours driving up from Anchorage, you could be forgiven for thinking it can’t get any better. We took this drive in late August when the Fall colors were in full bloom and it’s a breathtaking scene that we could certainly get used to.

drive from anchorage to denali

However, when you arrive at the entrance to Denali National Park, this is when your journey into the gorgeous, untouched wilderness will begin. Depending on how much time you take to reach Denali, it’s feasible that you will arrive late afternoon as we did.

Fortunately, we arrived just in time to hop on the last shuttle bus to the Denali Kennels to watch the sled dog team in action and also show some love to the newborn puppies that were clearly attracting everyone’s attention.

Summary

If you are taking the drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, you can expect to spend several more hours along this route as you explore everything we recommended. The drive is advertised as taking a little over 4 hours but I think it’s realistic to think you could double this and still feel like you could have spent more time in each of the stops along the way.

reflection lake alaska

We encourage you to take your time on this drive and appreciate everything available. There are plenty more hidden gems that you can stumble across and we barely covered the surface with our recommended stops. It’s inevitable that you will be excited to reach Denali but hopefully, you will have enough time in your itinerary to enjoy both the scenic drive and the national park once you arrive.

drive from anchorage to denali

This is one of our favorite drives and we can highly recommend late-August, early-September as a great time of the year to enjoy this.

Have you taken the drive along the Parks Highway to Denali?

weekend wanderlust

Denali National Park Tour – How to Make the Most of Your Visit?

Chris Boothman
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Denali National Park Tour – How to Make the Most of Your Visit?

Imagine a landscape of pristine, natural serenity. Imagine a scene where wildlife roams around without fear of human intervention. Imagine waking up to the sight of the tallest peak in North America with the Northern Lights glowing brightly in the background. Now take a moment to stop imagining and realize that after reading this post, you can experience all of this plus much more! Taking a Denali National Park tour is a no-brainer if you are visiting Alaska in the near future.

Forget Yellowstone…Forget Yosemite…Forget all 58 other areas that have been nominated as National Parks! We want to introduce you to Denali National Park which we now consider to be even more spectacular than any of the other parks we have experienced on our travels.

denali national park tour

We absolutely LOVE both Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks and both offer spectacular scenery that I honestly thought couldn’t be bettered. However, after visiting Denali in the heart of Alaska’s “preserved wilderness”, I really believe you could argue that this offers even more breathtaking scenery than the aforementioned parks.

But of course, all of this is subjective and if I had to put money on my favorite…well it would be a really tough call!

Where is Denali National Park?

Let’s start by taking a look at how you can reach Denali National Park. Located in the heart of Alaska, the reality is that you will be flying into Anchorage and then making your way north via the Parks Highway which runs for 323 miles between the capital and Fairbanks. Whether you choose to take a tour bus or perhaps go with a car rental as we did, there will be countless opportunities on the drive to admire Denali’s main attraction.

mount denali

Mount Denali, or Mount McKinley as it was formerly known, is the tallest peak in North America. Standing at 20,310 feet it is the only mountain in the continent that exceeds 20k feet. Located among other iconic peaks such as Mount Foraker and Mount Hunter, Mount Denali is understandably the focal point of all visits to the national park. But don’t let this peak fool you because there is so much more to experience!

denali national park tour

A drive of around 4 hours will see you reach the entrance to Denali National Park, though the reality is that you will need a couple more hours given that you will likely want to stop along this route for your first pictures of Denali along with a possible visit to the quirky town of Talkeetna.

How to take a Denali National Park Tour?

Ok, so you have arrived at Denali National Park and you are raring to explore! The first reality check arrives when you realize that you can’t explore much of Denali without taking one of the pre-organized shuttle buses. At this point, you have a couple of options open to you because, since 1972, no private vehicles are allowed (a couple of exceptions here!) beyond mile 15.

denali national park tour

A visit to the Wilderness Access Center (WAC) should hopefully alleviate your concerns and if you arrive at Denali later in the day, we recommend visiting the WAC in preparation for your exploring the following day. If you can plan well in advance, you can organize a shuttle bus tour online, though there are only limited spaces available through the online portal and the remaining tickets are sold at the WAC.

denali national park tour

The following tour options are available – Shuttle Bus and Narrated Tour Bus.

Shuttle Bus (Green Buses)

This is the ‘cheaper’ option and the route we opted for. You will provide your own food and drink and for the most part, this will be just a ‘shuttle’ experience though we later found out that our driver was incredibly knowledgeable and shared a plethora of information on the ‘tour’ (though she ‘claimed’ it wasn’t a tour).

denali national park tour bus

Shuttle bus ticket prices vary from year to year, but as of September 1, 2016, here are the latest prices and destinations that you can reach.

  • Toklat River (Mile 53)
    • Adults – $26.50
    • Children (Under 15) – FREE
    • Duration – 6.5 Hours
  • Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66) – $34
    • Adults – $34
    • Children (Under 15) – FREE
    • Duration – 8 Hours
  • Wonder Lake (Mile 85) – $46.75
    • Adults – $46.75
    • Children (Under 15) – FREE
    • Duration – 11 Hours
  • Kantishna (Mile 92) – $51
    • Adults – $51
    • Children (Under 15) – FREE
    • Duration – 12 Hours

Please note that these fees DO NOT include the entrance fee which is an additional $10 per person unless you have the National Park Annual Pass which waives this fee.

denali shuttle bus tours

The key benefits of the shuttle bus option aside from being more cost effective are related to the flexibility. If you are interested in hiking through the Denali National Park wilderness, this is definitely the best option.

denali national park tour

You can leave the bus at any point during your journey and once you have finished your exploring, simply flag down the next green bus and continue your journey or return to the WAC.

denali national park tour

Green shuttle buses will stop for all wildlife sightings and everyone on board is encouraged to keep their eyes open in all directions as much of the wildlife is frequently difficult to spot. We were fortunate to spot grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep during our journey through the park.

denali national park wildlife

Narrated Tour Bus (Tan Buses)

There are a couple of different ‘narrated’ tour buses available each day where the drivers are certified ‘driver-naturalists’ and will share much more knowledge and information on the route you take through the park. These are a more expensive option and offer less flexibility but do offer a box lunch and beverages.

Here are the different tour options available if you prefer a more structured tour.

  • Natural History Tour – $77.25
  • Tundra Wilderness Tour – $130.25 (A shortened version is available in the Spring and Fall for $66.50 per person)
  • Kantishna Experience – $194

Summary

Regardless of which Denali National Park tour bus you take, we can guarantee that this is an experience you won’t want to miss! Exploring Denali National Park is a breathtaking experience that words and pictures will never do enough justice.

denali national park wildlife

As we work on editing literally thousands of amazing photographs that we captured throughout our Denali journey, we hope that you will consider these various options when you plan a trip to Alaska. Be aware that visiting Alaska outside of the ‘peak period’ (May to September) will prevent you from experiencing these tours but if you plan a visit during this timeframe, you will have the ultimate experience just like we did!

Be sure to check out website over the next few weeks as we share more stories and breathtaking images from our journey through Denali National Park.

Have you taken a Denali National Park tour? Do you prefer flexibility when taking a tour or would you prefer to learn as much information as possible from a knowledgeable tour guide?

Why Major Marine Tours Are the Best Way to See Kenai Fjords?

Chris Boothman
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Why Major Marine Tours Are the Best Way to See Kenai Fjords?

Alaska is home to eight national parks, many of which are largely inaccessible despite the inherent beauty that lies within each of them. Denali National Park is understandably the most iconic given that it is home to the tallest peak in North America and we had an amazing experience there. However, we also had the opportunity to explore Kenai Fjords National Park courtesy of Major Marine Tours and this experience was certainly one that will long live in our memories.

kenai peninsula

Who are Major Marine Tours?

Kenai Fjords National Park is accessible primarily via chartered cruises that are offered by two major cruise companies, one of which is Major Marine Tours.

major marine tours

A variety of daily cruises are available dependent on your interests and time constraints (or perhaps your ability to survive sailing in the North Pacific!) but we opted for the six-hour tour of Kenai which was an amazing experience.

Major Marine Tours is an award-winning, family-owned Alaska boat tour company celebrating 25 years of business in 2016.

Major Marine Tours are the market leaders in Alaska given that they offer national park rangers as interpreters and provide guests with the option to purchase a delicious Alaska salmon and prime rib meal.

major marine tours seward alaska

I want to emphasize the mission of Major Marine Tours which I think epitomizes why the onboard experience is so amazing.

  1. Committed to bringing the control and benefits of the Alaska visitor industry back to Alaska.
  2. Motivated to delivering an authentic, world-class Alaskan experience to our guests.
  3. Dedicated to operating with reliability, honesty, integrity, and environmental sensitivity.
  4. Alaskans who thrive in a challenging, dependable work environment.

Before heading on this tour, we had very little experience in the open waters of the ocean but everything about this tour was meticulously planned, organized and coordinated by the captain, his team and of course, the national park ranger who provided in-depth knowledge of everything we saw.

national park service

Let’s take a look at the options available to visitors wishing to experience this tour company.

Kenai Fjords

The following 5 tours are all available and depart out of Seward Harbor (prices listed below are for the 2017 season as many of the tours are no longer available for 2016. For the latest prices, check out the website here):

  • 8.5 Hour Northwestern Fjord Cruise – Adults $224; Children $224
  • 7.5 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise – Adults $179; Children $89.50
  • 6 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise – Adults $159; Children $79.50
  • 5 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise – Adults $88; Children $44
  • 3.5 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise – Adults $79; Children $39.50

A couple of alternative whale watching cruises are available, including a brand new Orca Quest Cruise that will be available in 2017!

kenai fjords national park cruise

Prince William Sound

Major Marine Tours also operates cruises from Whittier into the Prince William Sound as follows:

  • Prince William Sound Surprise Glacier Cruise – Adults $149; Children $74.50
  • Prince William Sound Blackstone Bay Glacier Cruise – Adults $119; Children $59.50

Seward Harbor

Our journey to Kenai Fjords National Park started in Anchorage with a 2.5-hour drive south to the quaint town of Seward where as you can see all tours to the Kenai Peninsula depart from. This journey itself is an amazing experience but that’s for another post. Arriving in Seward we first had to find somewhere to park for the day.

seward alaska

Arriving in Seward we first had to find somewhere to park for the day. Fortunately, there are a couple of parking lots available and for only $10, you can leave your vehicle all day without worrying about whether you will have a car when you return. We arrived in plenty of time for our 11:30AM cruise so had some time to get out and explore.

After collecting our boarding passes at the ticket office inside the Harbor 360 Hotel, we wandered along the harbor front and grabbed a coffee from a quirky hole in the wall called ‘Nature’s Nectars’.

major marine tours seward

A couple of visits to souvenir shops and the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center and our time quickly passed. We headed down the jetway passing beyond the fleet of catamarans owned by Major Marine Tours along with all the other vessels that docked in Seward.

spirit of adventure major marine tours

Our first experience with wildlife occurred before we even boarded the Spirit of Adventure as we saw a couple of sea otters playing in the water and also a nasty looking (in a good way but I don’t think you would want to touch it!) jellyfish on the opposite side of the dock.

seward harbor jellyfish

Spirit of Adventure

As we slowly made our way out of Seward Harbor and into Resurrection Bay, this gave us ample opportunity to explore our home for the next six hours – the Spirit of Adventure. I think this was aptly named given that we were heading out with only one idea in our minds, exploring and being adventurous in Kenai Fjords National Park.

spirit of adventure

The Spirit of Adventure is an 86-foot catamaran that operates the 6-hour Kenai Fjords cruise. With a seating capacity of 174 passengers and three different levels for visitors to enjoy stunning panoramic views across the Kenai Peninsula and beyond, this vessel is an impressive sight as it cruises into the open ocean.

kenai fjords national park cruise

Wildlife Encounters

If you are taking one of the longer cruises, you are likely interested in experiencing as much wildlife as possible on your cruise.

major marine tours bald eagle

We hadn’t left Seward Harbor when our captain pointed out a bald eagle perched on the dock and we slowly glided close beside this gorgeous bird of prey. We immediately knew this was going to be an epic experience and we just hoped our luck would continue.

bald eagle major marine tours

A couple of spottings of humpback whales occurred as we left Resurrection Bay but none of them were long enough to capture a good picture. For the wildlife photographers out there, trying to capture that perfect image of an animal that prefers to spend its time under the water making it incredibly difficult.

sea otters

We saw several more sea otters during our cruise out of the bay along with a couple of Harbor seals that were relaxing on the jagged rocks that jutted out from the Kenai landscape.

harbor seals

The ultimate goal to see a whale would have to wait until later in our journey but we kept our fingers crossed.

kenai fjords puffins

We saw a couple of puffins that were the final ones to migrate out of the area before the winter set in but we were finally rewarded for keeping our eyes peeled when we saw two transient orcas elegantly gliding in tandem just a short distance from us.

major marine tours orcas

The onboard national park ranger informed us that we were incredibly fortunate to see this given that these mammals generally prefer to stay away from human interaction and stay underwater.

major marine tours orcas

Kenai Fjords National Park Scenery

If you thought the Kenai Fjords cruise couldn’t get any better after experiencing all of this amazing wildlife, wait until you reach the amazing Aialik Glacier. After passing a couple of glaciers from a fair distance en route out of Resurrection Bay, we were amazed at just how close we were able to get to Aialik Glacier.

aialik glacier major marine tours

The experience is amazing, there is no other way to describe it. As we approached the active glacier, we noticed more and more ice in the water and our tour guide warned us to listen and appreciate our surroundings.

kenai fjords national park

He constantly kept reminding us to “open up our senses” which at first we were both a little confused about but the moment we walked to the top deck, we appreciated exactly what he was referring to.

aialik glacier alaska

The crisp sound of the glacier carving ice into the water along with a distinctive smell was enough to open up our senses. Combine this with the amazing visual that was in front of us and well, it was a moment that will long live with us.

kenai fjords national park

It was amazing watching the ice crack and then crash into the bay, a sight that I am sure the majority on board had never experienced before.

ice carving aialik glacier

Time flew by and after our captain announced that it was time to move to our next location we were all left trying to capture those last selfies and pictures of Aialik Glacier.

major marine tours

The glaciers throughout Kenai Fjords National Park are not the only attractions that are worth experiencing. The coastline itself is a spectacle that you will want to admire though we suffered the disappointment on our return trip of pretty poor visibility given the presence of some pretty heavy rain squalls.

kenai fjords coastline

For more images of both our wildlife and breathtaking scenery experience, check out our photo gallery of Kenai Fjords National Park here.

Alaskan Salmon and Prime Rib

Visitors on the longer Kenai Fjords cruises have the option to purchase the Alaskan salmon and prime rib lunch buffet. For only $19, you can enjoy an ‘all you can eat’ experience and this is certainly great value for money.

major marine tours kenai fjords cruise

Lunch is well organized and each section of the vessel is given an opportunity to form an orderly queue at the buffet line and fill your plate with as much as you can eat. You will also have the opportunity to return later if you need more of the amazing cuisine on offer.

alaskan salmon

We are not huge fans of prime rib (sorry folks just being honest!) but the Alaskan salmon was AMAZING! Combine this with salad, rice pilaf, and sourdough bread and you won’t be leaving the boat hungry.

major marine tours lunch cruise

Just before the end of the cruise, a delicious dessert offering of cheesecake, chocolate brownies, and fruit are offered for that final indulgence before you leave the cruise and bid farewell to an amazing experience on board the catamaran.

Summary

When I started writing this post, I really hoped that I would do Major Marine Tours enough justice because everything about our experience was amazing. Heather was a little skeptical prior to boarding because she suffers from sea-sickness but she coped admirably and had very few issues throughout the six-hour tour of Kenai Fjords National Park.

major marine tours kenai fjords cruise

The highlights? Everything! In all honesty, seeing all of the amazing wildlife, in particular, the bald eagle and orcas were probably our top picks but after seeing everything we experienced it’s difficult to pinpoint one aspect.

Our recommendation is pretty simple. Book a trip to Alaska and be sure to head to Seward to take a cruise of the Kenai Fjords offered by Major Marine Tours. It’s a no-brainer, great value for money and you won’t leave disappointed.

Disclaimer – We were hosted by Major Marine Tours on the 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise in consideration of a blog post review. The views contained within this post are entirely our personal opinion/experience and we received no final compensation for this.

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