Glacier and Whale Watching in Alaska

It’s been a long, cold winter season, but the warmish sun is cresting over the horizon and Alaskan tour boats are wading the waters once again. That’s right, it’s almost whale watching season in the land of Palin. Let’s take to the seas with the experts at Kenai Fjords Tours.

Kenai Fjords Tours hails itself as the area’s #1 wildlife and glacier cruise company. I can’t say for certain what that claim is based on, but we’ll happily agree that they belong near the top. The Seward, Alaska-based company offers an impressive regiment of tours and first-class vessels from which to enjoy them. Wildlife, glaciers, the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness (I’d take it over the tropics any day), pick your poison and Kenai Fjords Tours has a cruise to match.

• Gray Whale Watch – this seasonal cruise only lasts until May 21, 2010. I think the names sums it up pretty well.
• National Park Tour – the signature tour departs three times a day during peak season. This tour explores the scenic banks of Kenai Fjords National Park and includes a visit to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
• Resurrection Bay – a shorter cruise which features stunning vistas of Bear Glacier and usually a whale or five.
• Northwestern Fjord Tour – this whopping 9-hour tour has the shortest season of all, but the experience is unrivaled. This tour includes a visit to the less-often travel Northwestern Fjords, plus whales, glaciers, bunches of cool stuff.

Kenai Fjords Tours also offers three more seasonal cruise options. Several cruise options include a lunch or dinner, depending on the time of the cruise. Prices vary by cruise.

The tours are based out of Seward, Alaska, which is also fine place to stay, but not what we’re recommending this time out. Instead, we recommend staying about 120 miles north in the big city of Anchorage, and either driving or riding down to Seward for your cruise. Why? Well, first because there’s so much to do in Anchorage, but perhaps more importantly, it’s just a great trip. Hop the famous Alaska Railroad and settle in to a stunning adventure seeming picked right from the movies. There’s something cinematic and glorious about it – we almost like it as much as the cruise. But then, I’m a sucker for trains. You can simply drive, if that’s more your speed.

Kenai Fjords tours offers cruise and rail packages, by the way.

Have fun on your Alaska whale watching and glacier tour.

Related Posts

1. Maui Whale Watching Tours – Pacific Whale Foundation
2. Whale Watching – Santa Barbara, California
3. More Whale Watching – Dana Point, California
4. 2011 Fur Rondy and Iditarod in Anchorage, Alaska
5. Northern Lights Viewing near Anchorage, Alaska
6. Celebrate News Year’s Eve in Anchorage, Alaska
7. Top Trails in America – Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Alaska