If you’re looking for an amazing excursion in Seward, Alaska, there are some really amazing ones. Located on the jaw-dropping Kenai Peninsula, Seward is surrounded by incredible beauty. The stunning Kenai Fjords National Park, the calm waters of Resurrection Bay, and the imposing Chugach Mountains – this is the place where can find unique experiences that only Alaska can provide.
Seward isn’t just about pretty views, though. This town is for anyone who loves the outdoors. Whether you’re into fishing, hiking mountain trails, kayaking, or just soaking in the incredible wildlife, Seward has got you covered. There’s no shortage of epic things to do here, and we’re sure you’ll find something that’ll make your trip unforgettable.
For those starting or ending an Alaskan cruise, Seward is the perfect place to start your adventure or wrap it up with some amazing experiences. It’s the gateway to all things awesome in Alaska. Ready to explore? Keep reading to discover the best excursions Seward has to offer! Click here to go straight to the list.
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1 | Take a Glacier and Wildlife cruise
Go for an incredible adventure in Seward aboard a glacier and wildlife cruise!
Get ready to be amazed by the incredible marine life you will get to see in Seward, Alaska! From majestic whales to playful dolphins, adorable sea lions, and charming puffins, there’s no shortage of wildlife here. The best part of this excursion is that it gives you the chance to get up close and personal with massive glaciers, incredible views of Kenai Fjords and amazing wildlife sightings.
Our adventure with Major Marine on a 6-hour wildlife expedition was absolutely incredible, and I can’t recommend them enough! The crew members truly went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable.
When you are visiting Alaska, glaciers and wildlife are on your top your list of things to experience, but what makes Major Marine special is how up close they bring those to you. Their smaller vessels offer way different views than your cruise ship can give you.
One of the highlights for us was getting close to Aialik Glacier. As we got closer to the glacier with ice chunks floating in the water, I casually mentioned to Randy how cool it would be to spot some seals. And as if on cue, there they were—three seals lounging on one of the floating pieces of ice. It was the perfect Alaskan moment!
But the experience didn’t stop there. The entire cruise was filled with unforgettable sights—glacier calving, a pod of Orcas, bald eagles soaring above, playful sea otters, and lazy sea lions. It was hands down one of the most memorable parts of our trip!
Advice on Handling Sea Sickness
If you’re prone to seasickness, you need to know: the day we went out, the sea was pretty choppy for about half an hour each direction. The crew gave everyone a heads-up before we set off and even offered alternative days they could switch to if anyone wasn’t comfortable with the conditions. As someone who easily gets seasick, I really appreciated their thoughtfulness.
We decided to go ahead with the cruise, and although it was rough out on the open sea, I came prepared. I made sure to bring a warm jacket and hat since it gets chilly near the glaciers, and I spent the whole time outside. I took Bonine, applied Motion Eaze before the bumpy part, and kept my eyes on the horizon—trust me, it helps!
Be prepared when getting on any boat in Alaska and have seasickness medication on hand, you never know when you will need it! We recommend Bonine, it worked wonders and was non drowsy!
Thanks to these precautions, I felt fine, but there were a few folks who ignored the warnings and ended up seasick. The crew was amazing, checking on everyone, cleaning up, helping people outside, and even handing out ginger chews. Their patience and care really stood out.
2 | Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center
Another must-do in Seward is checking out the Alaska SeaLife Center. This awesome aquarium is home to a ton of Alaskan marine life, from playful sea otters to charismatic puffins and even graceful beluga whales. The interactive exhibits and educational programs are a great way to learn about these amazing creatures and their habitats in a fun, engaging way.
Plus, the center is also a working marine research facility, so you get a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation efforts happening in Alaska. It’s a great spot for both kids and adults, offering hands-on experiences that make you feel even more connected to the incredible wildlife of the region.
3 | Guided Tour of Kenai Fjords National Park
Explore the best of Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park on this awesome combo tour that includes lunch. Your guide will take you to some of the most iconic spots, like “Mile 0” of the Iditarod Trail—home to the legendary sled dog race—and the stunning Exit Glacier. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for mountain wildlife, and cap off your adventure with an unforgettable dog sled ride and meeting the puppies!
The tour also takes you right into Kenai Fjords National Park, with entry included. As you soak in the sights, your guide will fill you in on the history of the Iditarod Trail, the ins and outs of dog sledding, and fascinating details about the local wildlife. This tour also includes lunch at a local restaurant, making this an Alaskan experience you won’t want to miss!
4 | Go Kayaking in Resurrection Bay
We recommend this Kayak Paddle on Resurrection Bay excursion in Seward. It is a 3-hour kayaking tour along Resurrection Bay to Tonsina Point in Seward. Guided by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll paddle close to the shoreline, where you will see all sorts of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for otters, eagles, sea lions, and maybe even a bear or two! During spawning season, you might catch a glimpse of Alaskan salmon making their way upstream.
Midway through, take a break to enjoy some snacks and warm beverages, giving you a chance to soak in the stunning scenery. The tour wraps up with a relaxing paddle back, and the best part? Round-trip transport from your hotel/ cruise ship is included, making this a stress-free adventure for the whole family.
While in Seward, we went kayaking, which turned out to be quite an adventure! We loved seeing the area from the water and experiencing different sights than we would have exploring by land. During our kayaking excursion, we were fortunate enough to have a sea otter floating nearby, which was really awesome. It was the highlight of the entire experience.
However, we went with Miller’s Landing for our excursion and not the one listed above and it was not well run. The entire excursion was filled with one chaotic event after another, and as a result, we didn’t even get to complete it. We chose to do an excursion that included kayaking as well as a hike to see WWII bunkers. Sine the kayaking portion took too long due to people in our group not following directions as well as the guide having a hard time leading, we didn’t get to do the hike. There are plenty of companies to go kayaking with, I would recommend one that is located in town and not this one.
Also, the Miller’s Landing area is about a mile and a half outside of town, so make sure you arrange transportation both to and from there. The taxis only run when they want to in Seward and since we were there on the fourth of July, they didn’t want to come pick us up after our excursion. We ended up having to walk back, which was quite scenic but quite tiring after a morning of kayaking!
5 | Go Fishing
This 8 Hour Kenai Fjords Fishing and Whale Watch Tour is a great way to experience 2 amazing Alaskan activities. It’s the same 7-hour route as our popular sightseeing tour, but with an extra hour dedicated to light tackle fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-timer, you’ll love the thrill of targeting rockfish or salmon, depending on the season. While the trip spends a fair amount of time looking for wildlife and cruising through the bay, the fishing is a fun addition that gives you a taste of two things Alaska is known for in one excursion.
You’ll need to get an Alaskan sportfishing license before your excursion. They’re easy to grab online at Alaska.gov.
During the salmon run in July and August, the waters come alive, and you can reel in up to 6 salmon per person (or 3 rockfish, depending on the area). The crew will even fillet your catch for you, and once you’re back in Seward, you’ve got options—vacuum sealing and shipping services are available, or you can take your fresh catch to a local restaurant and have them cook it up just for you!
6 | Dog Sledding
This Wilderness Dog Sled Ride and Tour starts with a convenient pickup in Seward, followed by a scenic drive to the dog sled headquarters. Here, you’ll get a quick introduction to the world of dog mushing before meeting the true stars of the day—the dogs! With over 90 eager canine athletes, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn all about these incredible animals. After your guide gets the team harnessed up, it’s time to hop into your comfortable all-weather sled and glide through the stunning Alaskan wilderness.
As you take in the breathtaking scenery, you’ll have time for some great photo ops of both the landscape and the hardworking dogs. Once your sled ride winds down, you’ll return to the kennel area for a special treat—time with the adorable husky puppies! After some quality playtime and photos with the pups, you’ll also get an inside look at the gear and training needed for the Iditarod. Your tour wraps up with a return trip to your original departure point, leaving you with unforgettable memories of your day with the dogs.
7 | Take a Ride on the Alaskan Railroad
When it’s time to head back home, if you’re flying out of Anchorage, I highly recommend taking the Alaskan Railroad there. This scenic 4-hour journey departs daily during the summer season at 6 pm and arrives at 10 pm. Since the sun sets late in the summer, the entire trip will be during daylight. The ride itself is absolutely stunning, offering opportunities to spot wildlife, glaciers, and if you’re lucky, even a beluga whale during the appropriate season. It’s also a great last excursion in Seward before you have to head home, making memories all the way to the airport!
There are two ticket options for the train: Gold Star and Adventure Class. Adventure Class ensures a seat on the train and the option to purchase snacks and drinks. We opted for Gold Star class, and it exceeded our expectations! This ticket grants you access to the first car, which features a glass dome for optimal views. It also includes an assigned seat and a delicious dinner in the dining car. We absolutely loved this experience and would do it again without hesitation. It was the perfect way to conclude our time in Alaska, and I highly recommend that you don’t miss out on this excursion in Seward!
If you choose to stay at the Gateway Hotel, they offer a luggage-check service for the train, allowing you to explore Seward all day without any worries about your belongings.
4th of July in Seward
An interesting fact about Seward is that they have fireworks at midnight on July 4th, followed by a big race, the Mt. Marathon Race, on the actual 4th. On the night of the 3rd, you can enjoy a boat parade and fireworks. Due to our exhausting day of activities, I watched them from the comfort of my hotel room, which was a pretty cool experience in itself! The race attracts a large number of people, so if you plan on staying in Seward during this time, be sure to book your accommodations well in advance. We managed to secure the last room at the Gateway hotel, and I made the reservation about 9 months ahead of time.
Other Ideas for an Excursion in Seward
Take a leisurely walk or bike ride along the breathtaking Seward Waterfront Trail, which gives you panoramic views of Resurrection Bay and the magnificent mountains.
Discover the bustling Seward Boat Harbor, where you can take a look at an array of fishing boats, tour boats, and charter boats.
Browse the charming gift shops on the main street in Seward, where you can find a sorts of unique souvenirs, from locally-made treasures to top-quality outdoor gear.
No matter what your interests may be, finding an excursion in Seward, Alaska will be no problem at all!
Need help choosing the best adventures in Alaska? Contact me today and we can get started on planning something amazing!
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