The Best Weekend in Alaska – The Kenai Peninsula

Kenai Fjords National Park Tour

 

 

The Kenai Fjords National Park Tour is one of the highlights of spending time in the Kenai Peninsula, and lasts for 6 hours out on the open water. There is the potential to spot whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, and puffins! The tours are a great addition to any Alaska getaway, and perfect for a weekend in Alaska.

 

 

Tours leave from Seward harbor, which has lots of parking and is walkable from all locations in downtown Seward. It's common for Seward to be covered in thick fog, but don't worry as the whole tour will not be in the fog! Once out on the open water the weather can easily change so that you can take in all of the sights.

 

 

 

One of the most common first sighting on the tour are sea otters. They like to sit in groups and just bob in the water, relaxing without a care in the world!

 

 

There are a number of small rocky islands where a large number of birds are nesting, including puffins! This is also a common area to spot groups of Steller sea lions sunbathing on the rocks.

 

 

 

 

After this wildlife viewing spot, it is a bit of a longer boat ride to the next destination, allowing for the perfect time to dig in to the provided lunch. Once you are finished with the provided lunch, you will soon reach the piece de resistance of this tour, the Aialik Glacier.

 

 

As you approach the Aialik Glacier you will realize that the size of the glacier is unlike anything you have seen before. The scale of the glacier compared to the tour boats is impressive and awe-inspiring. To fully appreciate it, it should be seen in person.

 

 

 

Here the captain will turn off the boat motors so that everyone on the boat can sit and listen to the cracking of the glacier with the odd bit of ice falling into the water. You may have the chance to witness some significant calving of the glacier.

 

 

 

Calving is when a glacier suddenly releases a mass of ice. The deep and loud booms of the ice cracking echo across the bay. This is followed by the silent mid-air fall of the ice, and the final plunge into the ocean. The boat will rock back and forth from the rippling waves, even though the ice is dropping into the ocean almost a half mile away.

 

 

 

To get the full impression of the ice calving and how majestic it is, click to the right to see the video below.

 

 

If you are lucky you may even have the chance to pose for a picture with some glacier ice that has been picked up from the bay.

 

 

On the boat ride back to Seward you will again have a chance to see more sea life. This is a great time for whale watching! Unfortunately whales don't always want to do a full 'Free Willy' jump out of the water, so you may be left trying to snap a few tail photos off in the distance. While there is no guarantee of seeing whales on the tour, this is one of the best locations for whale watching, so it is highly likely that you will be able to see a pod or two of whales.

 

 

 

The boat will then makes its way back towards Seward harbor, indicating the end of the tour. The amount of wildlife that you can see during the Kenai Fjords National Park Tour is impressive and we can highly recommend adding it to your itinerary for a weekend in Alaska.

 

Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Key Information

 

Dates: Tours begin in May and run to September. Check Kenai Fjords Tours for the most up to date schedule.

Time: There are multiple tours daily, with more during the summer months. The first tours of the day begin at 8:00AM and the last around 12 noon. Tours last about 6 hours.

Cost: Tickets start at $116 USD for an adult, and $58 USD for a child, purchased from Kenai Fjords Tours. If you purchase your tickets in advance online, you can save 10%.

What's Included: A Kenai Fjords National Park Tour ticket includes:

• 6 hour boat ride to see:
  • Sea life, including whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals, puffins (unfortunately there are no guarantees on what you will see)
  • Aialik Glacier
• Packed lunch on the tour boat

 

Check Out Homer Spit, Alaska

 

Homer is located at the end of the road, or the end of the Sterling Highway, on the edge of Kachemak Bay. The Spit is a bit of a geographical oddity, but is one of the main highlights of Homer, and is a narrow gravel bar that sticks out 4.5 miles (7.2km) into the bay.

 

 

Once you make it to Homer Spit, you can walk around the harbor and stroll along the colorful houses on the promenade. There are lots of quaint shops to purchase local handicrafts, as well as numerous restaurants and snack bars. Most importantly, try some local Alaskan fish and chips!

 

 

 

The sea fog can be very thick as the Spit sticks so far out into the bay, however it creates a magical atmosphere when the sun is out and shining!

 

 

Once the sun burns off the sea fog, you will be able to see the surrounding mountains which are worth a trip themselves.

 

 

If you want to get the perfect Instagram shot on Homer Spit then make sure to check out the swing! It's located under the promenade near 4350 Homer Spit Road. It's best to access the swing from the beach where you will see it hanging between the pilings underneath the buildings.

 

Explore Nature in the Kenai Peninsula

 

With your rental car you can explore a large portion of the Kenai Peninsula, with additional side trips to Whittier, Chugach State Park, or wherever your heart desires to complete your weekend in Alaska trip.

 

 

The Kenai Peninsula has fairly similar weather throughout, however you are most likely to find sunshine and fresh air on the western edge of the Kenai Peninsula. The mountains of the Kenai Peninsula can sometimes hold clouds, creating cloudy weather or rain near the center of the Peninsula.

 

 

Wildlife can be found almost everywhere on the Kenai Peninsula. Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints!

 

 

 

 

If you have time, you can also venture to Captain Cook State Park to take in the late afternoon sun and go for a walk along the beach.

 

 

Where to Stay in the Kenai Peninsula for a Weekend in Alaska

 

If you are planning to see all of the Kenai Peninsula in a weekend or long weekend, having a base somewhere near the middle of the peninsula is a great way to go. That way you can explore each day without having to pack up and stay somewhere new each time. We highly recommend finding a cabin to stay in for the full Alaska experience. We rented a cute cabin in the woods! Our cabin was near the small town of Soldotna. There is no better way to experience the outdoors than staying in a cabin for your weekend in Alaska!

 

 

There are so many other options available all over the Kenai Peninsula so be sure to do your research whether you prefer Vrbo, Airbnb, or booking directly with a bed and breakfast. You can choose from single rooms, small cabins, or massive houses all to yourself; just pick your favorite! Alternatively, there are a number of great hotels spread out on the Kenai Peninsula, such as a great budget choice in Soldotna with the Best Western King Salmon Inn, an oceanside gem in Home with the Land's End Resort, or the impressive Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge for the ultimate Alaska getaway.

Our cabin was brand new and included a small kitchen with outdoor barbecue, bathroom with shower, and a loft for sleeping which was super fun!

The Next Trip Top 5 Tips for a Weekend in Alaska - the Kenai Peninsula

 

1) Rent a car.

There is no better way to see the Kenai Peninsula then by driving the open roads for your weekend in Alaska. This gives you the flexibility to stay exactly where you like. When driving, you can stop at any viewpoint along the way, including when you see wildlife! Some tour buses will stop when wildlife are near the road, but you don’t want to be on the one that drives right by!

 

2) Prepare for the sun.

While it may not get as hot as the lower 48 states, Alaska can still have long days of sun during the summer months. Don’t take this to mean that the sun is less intense. It is just as intense in Alaska as it is in other places, and sometimes more so depending on elevation. In addition, as the days are longer you will have more exposure to the sun each day. It helps to prepare with sunglasses and sunscreen during the day. For the night, don’t forget a good sleeping mask to sleep properly when it is still light outside!

 

3) Prepare for the unknown.

Despite the Kenai Peninsula being relatively populated compared to the rest of Alaska, this is still “wild Alaska.” You should always know where you are and where you are going, without relying on any cell service. You should also always make sure to have enough gas in the car and water and snacks, in case you end up stranded somewhere. Even if you don’t end up stranded, it can be a long drive to the next town if you get hungry or thirsty. Furthermore the temperatures can drop drastically. So make sure you pack right for the perfect weekend in Alaska.

 

4) Bring your best camera and a zoom lens.

Moose, deer, and bears don’t generally walk up to your car so they can be nicely framed in your phone’s camera. The animals are usually a bit further away, and if they are close you should probably back away, so be prepared by bringing your best camera with an excellent zoom lens.

 

5) Book a tour.

We are staunch believers in doing your own thing when traveling. However, sometimes it is not always reasonably possible, and a tour is the best way to go. For Alaska, you are likely here to see nature and wildlife, and the best way to do that can be to go with someone who knows the area best. We highly recommend setting aside time for a whale watching, glacier, or other tour that intrigues you the most. We completed the Kenai Fjords National Park Tour which we can highly recommend for your weekend in Alaska.

 

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