USA · BOAT TOURS IN ALASKA
Good boat tours in Alaska fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Cruise from Seward into Kenai Fjords National Park for glaciers, whales, puffins, otters, expert narration, and lunch.
“1. Prepare for motion sickness if you have the propensity for it. 2. Dress in layers to go from sunny and warm to windy and cold to raw and rainy 3. If you bring a camera, especially w telephoto lens, bring a monopod for stability 4. Bring your binoculars”
Review of Seward’s 4-hour Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise, with Bear Glacier, sea lions, whales, practical tips, price advice, and what to expect.
“Great experience. I recommend dressing in layers . The crew was helpful and the captain was very informative about all the things we saw .”
Review of Juneau’s Harv and Marvs whale cruise, with three hours on the water, glacier views, shuttle service, snacks, and practical tips.
“Loved it! The captain Dalton and naturalists Tessa and Cora were fantastic! Lots of good information, really knowledgeable. Saw whales! And a good variety of other animals and beautiful vistas. I would highly recommend and would absolutely go out with them again! I also loved that they shared the photosthat they took at the end, so I could spend more time watching with my eyes and still have some amazing photos from the experience! 😍😍😍”
Cruise Kenai Fjords from Seward for glaciers, whales, puffins, and a deli lunch aboard a comfortable catamaran.
“This day was sunny and calm and perfect for the tour. Out of 10 days, two were sunny and we took advantage of both! The crew was fun and professional. Captain Chris was knowledgeable and informed in all the sea life, birds and glaciers. He spent a lot of time searching for orcas…we found a few that didn’t want to be found and a humpback whale. The glaciers were beautiful and we got close enough to observe the calving of the glacier. The day was clear….. perfect! I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to see the places only accessible by boat. The next day we drove up…”
Review of Juneau’s 3-hour whale-watching cruise, with humpbacks, orcas, scenic fjords, snacks, guides, and practical booking tips.
“We saw a couple of hump backs one breach and a tail plus two whales swim side by side.Nia the naturalist was bubbly and fun.Jay the captain was good value and kept us safe in bumpy sea conditions. The snacks given at the end of the cruise were a life saver as we did 2 tours back to back without any time for lunch. Would recommend Dolphin Jet Adventures Even Joseph the driver was a hoot and Nellie the meet & greet was a lovely fun personality very personable and approachable . Really appreciate your knowledge and experience team. A+ from us.”
Review of Anchorage’s Portage Glacier Cruise and Wildlife Explorer Tour, with glacier views, Alaska wildlife, scenic stops, guide tips, and value advice.
“The tour was perfect. The guide, Matt, was excellent. The amount of time at each stop was just enough. The glaciers and conservation center should not be missed.”
Watch humpback whales near Hoonah from a warm, comfortable boat, with chances for orcas, sea lions, otters, eagles, and bears.
“We had the most fantastic time with Hoonah Whale Watching. Denise (our captain) and Carson (our naturalist) were superb! They were both so knowledgeable and shared so much with us. We enjoyed Denise’s stories about Tlinket history and traditions. Carson answered all our questions about the many whales, sea loins and otters we saw. Our day with them was our favorite day of the cruise!”
Review of Fairbanks Riverboat Discovery’s 3-hour Chena River cruise, Athabascan village, bush plane, and Susan Butcher sled-dog stop.
“I’m not sure what could be improved. We really enjoyed this tour”
Every kind of American day out, and the best of each.
