From towering tidewater glaciers to pods of orcas and breaching humpback whales, Kenai Fjords National Park is the highlight of many visitors’ trips to Alaska. This stunning landscape of mountains and ocean boasts one of the most diverse ecosystems of all of the national parks.
Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses more than a thousand square miles of land and water in Southcentral Alaska. But unlike most national parks, you can’t simply drive your car to see the top sights. The view from a boat is the best way to fully experience the park’s wildlife and scenery.
Accessible by boat with Major Marine Tours, the glacially-fed waters of the fjords create an abundance of nutrients for the region’s many wildlife species. Cruising through the fjords to view whales, puffins, and calving glaciers is an experience like no other. Cruises operate daily from March through October, with several half-day and full-day cruise options available. Read on for the top 5 reasons why you should visit Kenai Fjords National Park on your next trip to Alaska.
1) WHALES
Kenai Fjords National Park offers some of the best whale watching opportunities in Alaska. Whales can be seen in the area year-round, but the best time for whale watching is March – October. In the spring (March and April), gray whales migrate along the entrance to the Gulf of Alaska on their annual migration from Baja to the Arctic. Next come the humpback whales in May. They migrate from Hawaii and Mexico to spend the summer feeding in Alaska’s nutrient-rich waters until October. Orcas can be seen year-round, but the best time to see them is mid-May through mid-June. Fin whales and minke whales also call this area home and are seen less frequently.
Some whale-specific cruises are available during the peak viewing times for those species. For those who a want to maximize their chances of seeing any type of whale, the longer you are on the water, the better. Tours into Kenai Fjords range from 4 hours to 8.5 hours, with the best chance of seeing whales on cruises over 6 hours long.